ANALYSIS OF BACHELOR'S THESIS IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AT RIGA STRADINS UNIVERSITY IN 2000 – 2015

Background: Since 1996 Riga Stradins University fulfils study program in Occupational Therapy (OT). In the end of study process OT students have to carry out research in order to get a bachelor’s degree. Choice of the theme... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Since 1996 Riga Stradins University fulfils study program in Occupational Therapy (OT). In the end of study process OT students have to carry out research in order to get a bachelor’s degree. Choice of the theme is based firstly on students’ interests.
Method:
Aim of study was to analyse bachelor’s thesis of OT students in period 2000 2015. In total 213 summaries of bachelor’s thesis were used for analysis. The special protocol was created to collect data.
Results:
The purpose of the most of studies was to explore problems in occupational performance of adults and to evaluate efficiency of occupational therapy services. A number of studies about different environmental aspects that effect occupational performance and issues regarding specific competences of occupational therapists have increased in the recent years.
Conclusion:
It could be concluded that in short history of research in occupational therapy in Latvia (15 years) themes of bachelor’s thesis are of large of diversity, including problems of health care, repertoire of activities and occupations of individuals and communities as well issues of profession of occupational therapy. Application to Practice:
Results of this study could be useful for educational purposes, and as a background for further researches in occupational therapy.
Keywords:
Bachelor’s thesis, occupational therapy, research, themes.