Associate Professor Helen Buchanan

Third year practice learning co-convenor

Qualifications 

  • BSc (OT)
  • MSc (OT)
  • PhD
  • PG Dip Health Professions Education UCT
  • PG Dip Interdisciplinary Pain Management UCT

Introduction 

My teaching and scholarship centre on two interconnected areas - enhancing the quality of occupational therapy practice in adult physical health and developing contextually relevant measurement instruments for real-world South African settings. My PhD examined evidence-based practice within the occupational therapy profession in South Africa, with a particular focus on the Western Cape.

My research has largely focused on hand rehabilitation, and more recently has expanded to include occupational therapy in palliative care. I am particularly committed to collaborative, practice-based research, working closely with clinicians to identify challenges and co-develop solutions that are feasible and contextually appropriate. I also have a strong interest in health professions education and supervise undergraduate and postgraduate students across a range of occupational therapy topics, most commonly within the field of physical health.

Current research projects: 

  • Co-investigator in a NIHR-funded Global Health and Palliative Care (GHAP) project titled Acceptability and feasibility of symptom self-management for pain, breathlessness, and fatigue among people living with chronic organ failure in South Africa
  • Co-investigator on an international scoping review project investigating palliative care education for health professionals with specific contributions to the occupational therapy and community health worker reviews.

Publications

ORCID ID: 0000-0001-5540-9928