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.

ORCID ID: 0000-0001-5540-9928

Publications

• von Zweck, C., Brandis, S., Buchanan, H., Clouston, T., Reistetter, T., Bressler, S., & World Federation of Occupational Therapists. (2026). Perceptions of improving quality and quality measurement in occupational therapy: a global survey. Cadernos Brasileiros de Terapia Ocupacional, 34, e4252. https://doi.org/10.1590/2526-8910.cto428942522
   
• Amanquarnor, I., Ramafikeng, M., Buchanan, H. (2026). Incorporating spirituality into occupational therapy practice: A scoping review. South African Journal of Occupational Therapy, 56(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.17159/2310-3833/2025/vol56no1a12