TY - JOUR
T1 - The guiding nature of the kawa (river) model in Ireland
T2 - Creating both opportunities and challenges for occupational therapists
AU - Carmody, Sarah
AU - Nolan, Riona
AU - Ni Chonchuir, Niamhh
AU - Curry, Maria
AU - Halligan, Catherine
AU - Robinson, Katie
PY - 2007
Y1 - 2007
N2 - The kawa (kawa is Japanese for 'river') model of occupational therapy has recently emerged in response to the needs for culturally sensitive conceptual models of practice that adequately address clients' diverse cultures and belief systems (Iwama, 2006a). The present article reports two case studies in which the kawa model was used to guide occupational therapy intervention with two individuais with multiple sclerosis in Ireland, with the aim of exploring the effectiveness of the recently emerged kawa model. A qualitative grounded theory approach using case-study methodology was undertaken. Semi-structured interviews based on the kawa model were completed with two participants with multiple sclerosis before and after occupational therapy intervention. The authors also documented their experience of using the model in reflective diaries. Analysis revealed a core category of the guiding nature of the kawa model creating both opportunities and challenges. Opportunities afforded by the model included enablement of the occupational therapy process and facilitation of occupation-based practice. Challenges created by the use of the kawa model included participant uncertainty and the influence of therapist preconceptions. Limitations and recommendations for future research are discussed in terms of generalizability. Further research with greater numbers and more diversity of study participants is required to validate the tentative theory proposed.
AB - The kawa (kawa is Japanese for 'river') model of occupational therapy has recently emerged in response to the needs for culturally sensitive conceptual models of practice that adequately address clients' diverse cultures and belief systems (Iwama, 2006a). The present article reports two case studies in which the kawa model was used to guide occupational therapy intervention with two individuais with multiple sclerosis in Ireland, with the aim of exploring the effectiveness of the recently emerged kawa model. A qualitative grounded theory approach using case-study methodology was undertaken. Semi-structured interviews based on the kawa model were completed with two participants with multiple sclerosis before and after occupational therapy intervention. The authors also documented their experience of using the model in reflective diaries. Analysis revealed a core category of the guiding nature of the kawa model creating both opportunities and challenges. Opportunities afforded by the model included enablement of the occupational therapy process and facilitation of occupation-based practice. Challenges created by the use of the kawa model included participant uncertainty and the influence of therapist preconceptions. Limitations and recommendations for future research are discussed in terms of generalizability. Further research with greater numbers and more diversity of study participants is required to validate the tentative theory proposed.
KW - Case studies
KW - Kawa model
KW - Multiple sclerosis
KW - Occupational therapy practice
KW - Qualitative research
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=37349074734&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/oti.235
DO - 10.1002/oti.235
M3 - Article
C2 - 17992697
AN - SCOPUS:37349074734
SN - 0966-7903
VL - 14
SP - 221
EP - 236
JO - Occupational Therapy International
JF - Occupational Therapy International
IS - 4
ER -