Back to Faculty Page | Back to Department Page | Back to University of Haifa |

NAOMI SCHREUER, Ph.D.

Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare &
Health Studies. Mount Carmel, Haifa University, Haifa 31905

Email:  schreuer@research.haifa.ac.il
Phone: 04-8240135
Fax: 04-8249753

RESEARCH AREAS

Adaptations of environment and technology as facilitators for participation of poeple with physical disability within work/study settings.

LINKS to the RELEVANT CONTENT

 

·           HIGHER EDUCATION

·            ACADEMIC RANKS AND TENURE IN INSTITUTIONS

·            OFFICES IN UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATION

·            ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN SCHOLARLY CONFERENCES
          Selected Presentations in English

1.          What Outcomes Should We Examine?

2.         Social and Physical contexts as mediators in a model of adjustment
          to disability

3.         Israel Karten Centers

·           SCHOLARLY AND ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE THE UNIVERSITY

·           COLLOQUIUM TALKS AND OTHER INVITED ADDRESSE

·           SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS, RESEARCH GRANTS

·           TEACHING

·           PRESENT AND FUTURE MISCELLANEOUS

·           PUBLICATIONS

 

HIGHER EDUCATION

1999- 2004	University of Haifa, The Research Authority. A multidisciplinary PhD	PhD. in Occupational Therapy & Social Work	1/05
1990-1993	Hebrew University of Jerusalem, School of Occupational Therapy	M.Sc. Occupational Therapy,	7/94
1980-1983	Hebrew University of Jerusalem, School of Occupational Therapy	B.OT. Occupational Therapy	4/84

3.  ACADEMIC RANKS AND TENURE IN INSTITUTIONS OF

2005	University of Haifa Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare & Health Studies	Instructor with Ph.D.
1993-2004	University of Haifa Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare & Health Studies	Teaching fellow

 

4. OFFICES IN UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATION

Dates                           Name of Institution                                 Rank

1989-1990	University of Haifa Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Education	Coordinator of workshops for Occupational Therapists
1999-2001	University of Haifa Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare & Health Studies.	Coordinator and co-founder of the Karten clinical laboratory for Assistive Technology
2002-2006	University of Haifa Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare & Health Studies.	Professional and research counselor of the Karten clinical laboratory for Assistive Technology
2003-2006	University of Haifa Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare & Health Studies.	A member in the committee selection for undergraduate students

5.  ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN SCHOLARLY CONFERENCES

a. Presentations Abroad

Conference		Place and Date		Title of presentation
European Commission e-Inclusion Project		Brussels, September, 2005		I2010 for digital inclusion and participation
Mix Methods in Health and Social Care Conference		Cambridge July, 2005		A combined model of coping with severe physical disability
Conference of the American Occupational Therapy Association		Minneapolis, May, 2004		Social and physical contexts as mediators in a model of adjustment to physical disability
International Congress of The World Federation of Occupational Therapy		Stockholm June, 2002		Correlation between self evaluation of  technological adjustment and the Activity Level of Adults with Physical Disability [Poster]

                                                                                

                                                        

b. Selected Presentations in Israel     

Conference		Place and Date		Title of presentation
Conference of the Israeli Occupational Therapy Association		Jerusalem, July, 2005		Facilitators and barriers in our work, as Occupational Therapists In year 2005 Annual Excellency Award keynote
CHOMESH 5th Annual Conference of the Israeli Rehabilitation Society		Tel-Aviv December, 2004		Technology as a facilitator for rehabilitation of adults with physical disabilities
Meital- Israeli Association for Assimilation of Technology in            Universities		Bar-Ilan University Ramat-Gan, Israel, 2003		Assimilation of  E-learning courses in the Occupational Therapy Curriculum(with Prof. Tamar Weiss)
Annual conference of the Israeli Rehabilitation Society		Kfar Hamacabiah Ramat-Gan, March, 2001		Chair & Lecturer on Technology in Rehabilitation
The International Annual Rheumatologists Conference		Tel-Aviv, January 1992		An occupational therapy group workshop for patients with osteoarthritis of the hands

 

6. SCHOLARLY AND ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE THE UNIVERSITY

Date	Position	Place
2006	Editorial board member- Isreli Journal of Occupational Therapy Association (IJOT)
2005-2006	A committee elected member and an organizer of three Conferences for the Israeli Ergonomic Society	M.S.R. Center, Shiba Hospital; Jerusalem Lev Inst. And University of Haifa
2004 - present	An active member in the committee for definitions of Occupational Therapy Domain & Practice	Tel-Aviv University
2003 - present	Scientific Occupational Therapy Conference. Initiated, reviewed abstracts & participated in organizing  the Annual Conferences	Tel-Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa Universities

 

7. COLLOQUIUM TALKS AND OTHER INVITED ADDRESSE

Nature of Talk	Place  and Date	Title of Presentation
Workshop for Occupational Therapists working with elderly poeple	ESHEL, Shiba Hospital; May, 2006	Evaluation process according the new terminology in Occupational Therapy
Workshop for all Occupational Therapists in Haifa and Western Galilee region	Clalit health Services Haifa, March, 2006	The new terminology in Occupational Therapy: theory, background & practice
A seminar at the Research Center of Work Safety and Human Engineering	Technion, Haifa, February, 2nd, 2006	What outcomes should we examine?
A  consortium of Ministry of Education and National Insurance Institute representatives for closing the digital gap	Tel-Aviv, December, 2005	Investigation of "Computer for Each Disabled Child" project
Ministry of Defense rehabilitation course	Tel-Aviv, December, 2004	1.Evaluations of work capacity 2.Work adaptations &     technology
Ministry of Health.  Department of Child Development  & Rehabilitation	Tel-Aviv, December, 2004	The reflection of the ICF on us as therapists and on our clients

8. SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS, RESEARCH GRANTS

8 .a. Scholarships and awards

September 2006	NIS 97,700	The Israeli National Insurance Institute on participation of students with disabilities (Co-principal Dr. Dalia Sachs) *
2004	NIS 5000	The Faculty of Social Welfare & Health Studies on supports for students with disabilities (With Dr. Dalia Sachs)
2004	NIS 1500	The annual Excellence Award of the Israeli Society of Occupational Therapists
1999-2003	£ 6000	Ian H. Karten Trust, U.K. A follow-up study on people with disabilities at the Kerten centers
1992	NIS 1500	The Israeli Society of Occupational Therapists

8.b. Submitted research  grants

August 2006

$   15,000

ASHALIM- JOINT Institution on outcome of a project that provides computers for children with disabilities (Confirmed, not given yet) (Co-principal Dr. Dalia Sachs) *

 

9. TEACHING

A. Courses:

 

Course Title		Years		Type		level
Technology and participation of children in Leisure activities		2006		Research seminar		B.A.
Models & Theories in Occupational Therapy (O.T.)		2003 – present		lecture		M.A.
Advanced Ergonomics		2003 – present		seminar		M.A.
Participation in the Life cycle		2003 – present		Problem based seminar		B.A.
Ergonomics for Therapists		2001 – present		Team- Teaching & establishing an E-learning course		B.A & M.A.
Vocational Rehabilitation In Occupational Therapy		2004-2005		Theoretical Seminar & field work		B.A
Evaluation & Assessments in O.T.		2003, 2006		Seminar		B.A & M.A.
Applications of Technology in O.T.		2003-		Team teaching E-learning course		M.A.
Splinting		1996-1998		workshop		B.A

* Considered as one of the pioneers at our University in establishing E-learning

    courses, and applying Problem Based up-dated learning methods.

 

B. Co- Supervision of graduate students:

 

Name	Subject	Degree
Mrs. Iris Adato- Biran (Co-advisor Dr. D.Sachs)	The academic performance of students with sensory motor disabilities who use the computer	MA Tel-Aviv University
Mrs. Sigal Wax (Co-advisor Dr. D.Sachs)	The self-concept and role of occupational therapists at the rehabilitation psychiatric services in the community	MA
Mrs. Liora Levin (Co-advisor Dr. D.Sachs)	The time factor in treating people with injuries of the upper extremity	MA
Mrs. Alexandra Saad (Co-advisor Prof. T. Weiss)	A computerized assessment of the adaptations of computers for children with disabilities	MA

 

C. Examination of graduate thesis

Name	Subject	Degree
Rozen Tali	Best Design for tweezers at the electronic industry. Examination of a project in Masters of Science in Industrial Design	MA Technion, Haifa March, 2006
Beker Ana	Clothing for he operating room team: task analysis and design concepts Examination of a project in Masters of Science in Industrial Design	MA Technion, Haifa March, 2006

 

MISCELLANEOUS
 

My academic research, publications and teaching are based on my expertise in three major themes: Environment adaptations and assistive technology as facilitators for participation; Ergonomics and rehabilitation in educational and work settings; and Participation in occupations - occupational science and occupational therapy definitions and practice. As recognition for my contribution to the development of these themes nationwide, both academically and clinically, I was presented with the 2004 Annual Excellency Award from the Israeli Society of Occupational Therapists.

 

The first theme, Environment adaptations and assistive technology as facilitators for participation, evolved from both my doctoral dissertation research and from my professional role in establishing the Karten Centers which specialize in technology adaptations for people with disabilities. This accessibility to the clinical population and my involvement in cutting edge theory and practice has enabled me to investigate many aspects of the complex process including evaluation, outcome measures, disability attitudes and policies.  This has culminated in the development of a theoretical model of the major variables in the process of adaptation of technology and adjustment to disability.

 

My reputation as an expert in this field has put me in contact with many institutions and people, and has led to activities such as membership in the European E-inclusion project, contribution to Special Interest Group for accessing the Israeli Internet (which I represented this at the Science Committee of the Israeli Parliament), and involvement in establishing a new "Karten" clinical center, for people with vision and deafness impairments. These activities have, in turn, provided me with multiple opportunities for research. Some recent examples include a multi-disciplinary research and development project on magnification software for people and professional special needs (with Prof. Joel Norman from the Ergonomic Human Factors Unit and the Dept. of Computer Science, University of Haifa) and the invitation to submit a grant application to the National Insurance Institute to investigate the adaptation of computers for children with disabilities, as well as investigating the very special population of people who are blind and deaf.

 

My second academic theme relates to applications of ergonomics and rehabilitation in educational and work settings. For that I had been invited to join a consultation committee for the Israeli Government that examines "Back to Work" issues and interventions. I have also been elected to the committee of the multi-disciplinary Israeli Society for Ergonomics & Human Factors, which is recognized internationally.

 

My third academic theme relates to the development and applications of models of participation in occupations. I have already commenced several studies with Dr. Dalia Sachs, on the occupational roles of work and study, within diverse populations.

We received a grant from the Israeli National Insurance Institute to evaluate participation profiles of students with disabilities.  I have developed core undergraduate and graduate courses which provide students with a rich background on the key elements of occupational science and models of participation.  

 

In all three themes, I have made extensive use of my wide clinical experience to bridge the gap between practice and research. I do that through four main vehicles: physical-work-capacity evaluations; adaptations of technology for individual disabled people; consultation for rehabilitation agents; and some ergonomic prevention programs.

 

As a result, the findings of my research remain relevant and significant for the advancement of the profession of occupational therapy and my dear clients with disabilities.  Moreover, I am able to provide evidence-based practice in a manner that is convincing to both students and clinicians.

 

11. PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
 

My plans for the future are to continue in depth the research in the main three themes summarized above. The technological projects including establishing assessments and software for assistive technology users and examining their outcome, either for disabled or elderly people, are potential for grants. I am trying to find partners since my participation at the e-inclusion consortium of the European Community, in Brussels. The magnifier projects might also fit the ISF or the American U.S. army, since the referral to work on that has arrived from the Israeli army.

I plan to continue these themes in a post-doc program in the U.S.A. next year.

 

The recent development of the Karten Centre, as one of five similar canters, enables many opportunities for data collection on adjustment to disability and the role of technology and environment adaptations. An example for that is the data we analyze

on kindergarten nurses who visited our center, and their attitudes towards inclusion of a children with disabilities.

 

Another follow-up study that I plan on handy data is on physical capacity and recommendations for return to work program for workers I evaluated at the Karten Centre for clients of Ministry of defense and National Insurance.

 

The initial contact with the ergonomic experts at the Industrial Management and Industrial Design departments at the Technion raises potential opportunities. We might try to get a grant of mutual projects between the Technion and Haifa University.

 

I plan next summer to travel abroad to develop my research skills and academic international connections, as well as clinical expertise in a post-doc program.

 

I had learnt to get research by products and publications from the updated learning methods and many workshops I give to therapists. Some of them had been published already, and others are in process.

PUBLISHED WORK

II.  PUBLICATIONS

A. ARTICLES IN REFEREED JOURNALS
 

1. Schreuer, N., Rimmerman, A., & Sachs, D., (2006). Adjustment to Severe

Disability: Constructing and Examining a Cognitive and Occupational

Performance Model. The International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 29(3), 201-207 (PDF).

 

2. Schreuer, N., Josman, N., Gal, E., Chen, L., Ricon, Z., & Weiss, P.L., (2006)Incorporating  Online- learning into the Occupational Therapy curriculum.  Israeli Journal Of Occupational Therapy, 15(4), E119-E136. (PDF).

3. Schreuer, N., (2006). What about us, the Occupational Therapists? Facilitator

factors and barriers in our occupational performance. Invited Keynote 2005

annual award    presentation. Israeli Journal of Occupational Therapy, 15 (2), H81-H92,  (Hebrew). (PDF).

4. Redlich, D., and Schreuer, N., (2006). Person – Environment – Performance: An Occupational model in 2005. . Israeli Journal of Occupational Therapy, 15 (2),  H113-H127,  (Hebrew).

5. Schreuer, N., (2005). Adaptations of computerized work environment and

technology as facilitators for participation, Israel Journal of Occupational Therapy, 14(2), H61- H75 (Hebrew). (PDF).

6. Weiss, P.L., Schreuer, N., Jermias-Cohen, T., & Josman, N., (2004). An online

learning course in Ergonomics. Work, 23, 95-104.

7. Schreuer N., Shenkar O., and Weiss P.L. (1997). Analysis of occupations as a risk factor for cumulative trauma disorders in the upper extremity- A literature review. Israeli Journal of Occupational Therapy, 6, H160-H178 (Hebrew).

8. Schreuer, N., Lifshitz, Y., and Weiss, P.L. (1996). The effect of typing frequency and speed on the upper extremity cumulative trauma disorder. Work, 6, 43-54.
 

9. Schreuer, N., Palmon, O. and Nahir, M. (1993). An occupational therapy group

workshop for patients with osteoarthritis of hands: a pilot study. Work, 4,

147-151.

 
 

B. IN PROCESS

 

1. Schreuer, N., What outcomes should we examine? A lesson learnt from a follow-up study on adaptations of assistive technology (20 p.).

2. Schreuer, N., & Rimmerman, A., Occupational Therapy for people with severe

disabilities: shifting the paradigm towards the ICF model (12 p.)

3. Schreuer, N., Sachs, D., & Josman, N., The Activity Card Sort as a tool to

investigate involvement in activities of various populations.

4. Schreuer, N., Engel, B., & Gal, E., The attitudes of kindergarten nurses towards inclusion of children with disabilities.

5. Schreuer, N., Ricon, Z., & Rosenblum, S., Problem Based Learning as a

facilitator method for improving goal setting of  occupational therapy students.

6. Schreuer, N., Physical-Work-Capacity Evaluation and Worker Role Interview as

predictors for rehabilitation programs.

 

 ________________________________________
Last Updated 27/11/2006