The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association
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Published protocols for the volumetric assessment of upper-extremity edema differ regarding patients' posture. The present study was designed to determine the effect of posture on test-retest reliability and mean volume. Thirty women were tested in both seated and standing postures. ⋯ The mean volumes in sitting were significantly lower than those in standing (p less than .0001), thus suggesting that volumetric measures should be considered discontinuous if the patient's test posture is altered. Mean volumes of the dominant hand averaged 9.3 ml more than those of the nondominant hand. It is suggested that this discrepancy be considered in the establishment of goals for edema control and in the determination of the need for continued edema treatment.
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Program evaluation in preparation for accreditation provides opportunities for the identification of program strengths, weaknesses, and improvement potential. In the present study, naturalistic inquiry, an evaluation methodology responsive to the concerns of persons with a stake in the program, was successfully used in preparation for the accreditation of an occupational therapy program. The experiences of undergraduate students who implemented the program evaluation as part of an honors elective course describe the process, outcomes, benefits, and problems associated with the use of naturalistic inquiry as a responsive program evaluation.