Authors (including presenting author) :
CHU MK(1), CHIU PF(2), JIM CH(2), CHONG SPJ(1), POON WKV(1), CHANG SPV(1)
Affiliation :
(1)OTD, Shatin Hospital (SH), (2)OTD, Tai Po Hospital (TPH)
Introduction :
Occupational Therapist (OT) provides VR for patients with MI to facilitate recovery and prevent relapse. Comprehensive work training & worker behaviour enhancement facilitates job attainment to fit the demand in the job market. Currently, hospital-based rehabilitation programs are the usual practice. Standardization of program guarantees quality & promoted efficiency on service delivery. An intra-cluster working group on VR by OT from SH & TPH is formed; aiming at developing training programs with standardized assessments & training protocols.
Objectives :
1. To enhance the quality by standardizing VR programs
2. To facilitate clinical handover & audit
3. To promote patients with MI to recognize work interest, strength & weakness and meet market demand
Methodology :
8 training work posts including clerical worker, cleansing worker, waiter, shop assistant, packaging worker, security guard, warehouse worker & courier were identified based on the market need in NTEC for open & supported employment. Protocols were developed with entry & exit criteria; pre & post assessments covered patient’s mental state, readiness, interest, work skills & cognition. Work samples, knowledge & technical modules and cognitive training were included. Patients were recruited in selected relevant job posts training in 2018. 4 pre & post assessments including the Chinese Work Personality Profile (CWPP), VALPAR Component Work Sample on Multi-level Sorting (V7) and Simulated Assembly (V8) & Montreal Cognitive Assessment Hong Kong Version (HK-MoCA) and vocational outcome were evaluated.
Result & Outcome :
42 patients were recruited. 15 have completed the programs; 16 were still undergoing training by Dec 2018; 11 dropped out due to change of mental state or unsuitableness for the job post with increased insights. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. T-tests were applied to compare pre-post measurements. Patients showed significant improvement in CWPP (t=7.61,p<0.05), V7 (t=3.39,p<0.04), V8 (t=3.54,p<0.03) and MoCA (t=2.51,p<0.05). For vocational outcome, 50% of patients succeeded in open employment or supported employment, while 30% of patients pursued further training. Among the successful employment discharge pathways, specific job training accounted for 40% of the vocational outcome. As an intra-cluster working group initiative, the outcomes are encouraging. Further intra-cluster collaboration on other training programs standardization could definitely promote quality assurance.