Affiliations: [a] Faculty of Health, School of Health and Social Development, Occupational Therapy, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| [b] North Western Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Some people who have a mental illness may require vocational rehabilitation and support to assist their participation in activity and employment. The WORKS is a vocational rehabilitation group intervention program, co-facilitated by Peer-Support Workers and Occupational Therapists. These facilitators provide support and guidance to people with a mental illness through practical activities and goal development. OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to explore the lived experiences and perceptions of facilitators of The WORKS. METHODS:The Integrating Theory, Evidence and Action (ITEA) method was used in this study, employing a phenomenological approach. Facilitators of The WORKS at a metropolitan Australian mental health service were purposively sampled, and four participated in semi-structured interviews. Data was transcribed verbatim and member checked, before being coded and analysed with reference to the Model of Human Occupation. RESULTS:Five themes emerged from the data; Consumer Growth [Volition], Facilitator’s Occupational Identity [Volition], Role of Facilitators [Habituation], Workload of Facilitators [Performance Capacity], and Adaptation of The WORKS Resources [Performance Capacity]. CONCLUSIONS:All participants perceived benefits related to The WORKS however discussed a co-facilitation power imbalance between facilitators. Therefore, more development is needed around the co-facilitation relationship between Occupational Therapists and Peer-Support Workers.
