Thomas Ballmer

• MSc in Occupational Therapy
• Research Associate at ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences

Introduction Older people with chronic conditions prioritize living arrangements that let them maintain their autonomy. However, many face activity limitations and participation restrictions. Stakeholders involved in their health and social care have a unique perspective on these challenges. The aim of this study was to examine how these stakeholde...

Background Occupational therapists are increasingly asked to demonstrate the effectiveness, appropriateness, and efficiency of their interventions to funding bodies. However, the extent to which this is practiced and the health policy context within which such a practice is situated differs internationally. The aim of this scoping review was to est...

Now openly available: Research Data and Questionnaires on Occupational Therapy Workforce We provide free for non-comercial use ➡ #ORD Open #Research #Data about the #occupational #therapy #workforce in #Switzerland ➡ the questionnaires in four languages: German, English, French, and Italian at SWISSUbase.

Background As in other health professions, there is a shortage of skilled labour in the field of occupational therapy in Switzerland. To plan and implement effective measures to counter this shortage, empirical data on the size and structure of the Swiss occupational therapy workforce are needed. Method We conducted an online survey aimed at emplo...

Background The vast majority of older adults live in their own homes. Many of them live with chronic conditions that lead to activity limitations and participation restrictions. To support them adequately, we need to better understand how they cope with everyday difficulties. Aim To identify and examine difficulties in everyday life older people w...

In a cross-national project, 14 neighborhoods from Germany, Austria and Switzerland were accompanied on their way to digitally supported neighborhood work. This paper discusses general requirements, choosing a suitable digital tool, the implementation process as well as the challenges faced by the various stakeholders. The following factors have be...

In a cross-national project, 14 neighborhoods from Germany, Austria and Switzerland were accompanied on their way to digitally supported neighborhood work. This paper discusses general requirements, choosing a suitable digital tool, the implementation process as well as the challenges faced by the various stakeholders. The following factors have be...

Objective : To explore midwives' perceptions of the advantages of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland. Design : Cross-sectional study based on an online survey using quantitative methods. Setting : Midwives working in Switzerland. Participants : Self-selected convenience sample of 630 members of the Swiss Federation of Midw...

Background The COVID-19 pandemic impedes therapy and care activities. Tele-health, i.e., the provision of health care at a distance (HCD), is a promising way to fill the supply gap. However, facilitators and barriers influence the use and experience of HCD for occupational therapists (OTs) and midwives. We identified use of services and appraisal o...

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic impedes therapy and care activities. Health care at a distance (HCD) is a promising way to fill the supply gap. However, facilitators and barriers influence the use and experience of HCD in occupational therapists (OTs) and midwives. We identified use of services and appraisal of experiences of Switzerland-based OT...

Chronische Krankheiten und Behinderungen sind im Kindes- und Jugendalter nicht selten. Betroffene sind vielfältigen Herausforderungen und Gesundheitsrisiken ausgesetzt. Dieser Bericht widmet sich der Epidemiologie, der spezifischen Gesundheitsversorgung und nationalen Strategien zu Kindern, Jugendlichen und jungen Erwachsenen mit chronischen Krankh...

Background For health professionals working with older adults with physical and cognitive impairments, improving or maintaining clients’ quality of life and well-being is of crucial importance. The aim of this study was to evaluate validity and utility of assessments of quality of life and well-being in German suitable for this group of clients. M...

L'objectif de la rééducation de la main est de permettre aux patients d'utiliser leur membre supérieur de manière optimale dans leur vie quotidienne. Diverses évaluations sont disponibles afin de contrôler les progrès du traitement. Elles sont conçues pour fournir des preuves convaincantes de l'état du patient ainsi que pour planifier, documenter e...

Background: The trend towards telemedicine increasingly requires clients to manage everyday technology (ET) to access and use health services. The Management of Everday Technology Assessment (META) is an observation-based instrument developed to evaluate the ability to manage ET. Aim: To examine test-retest (TRR) and inter-rater reliability (IRR) o...