Hassan Joulaei, Maryam Fatemi, Razieh Joulaei, Mohammad Reza Heydari, Ahmad Reza Pourmontaseri, Zohre Foroozanfar
Determinants of unmet needs for mental health services amongst adolescents in Shiraz, Iran: a cross-sectional study
Frontiers in public health
assistance dogs considered form assistive technology within australias national disability insurance scheme ndis support scheme participants achieve greater independence receive funding allied health assessment report often occupational therapists required justify animal reasonable necessary support examine australian occupational therapists knowledge perceptions assistance dogs ndis funding animal supports resources considered useful guide occupational therapy assessment report writing online anonymous survey developed distributed via social media channels email listserv professional association newsletters australian occupational therapists data analysed using descriptive inferential statistics inductive content analysis openended question responses provided additional insights regarding occupational therapists knowledge experiences information needs relation animal supports one hundred fortyfive completed surveys received majority participants limited knowledge regarding purpose scope funding assistance dogs 14 participants made referral assistance dog ndis participant 36 participants selfidentified good excellent knowledge one types assistance dogs benefits included increasing users independence confidence quality life although participants agreed suitable skills prescribe assistance dogs greater clarification regarding role ndis assessment advisory application process seen necessary research highlighted need increased information occupational therapists regarding various types assistance dogs ndis funding rules provision ndis reporting templates practice guidance professional development resourcesas well occupational therapy curriculum neargraduate therapistscould enhance knowledge clinical reasoning practice considering appropriate support whether assistance dog reasonable necessary based persons goals needs