Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Cultural Competence With Humility: A Pre-Post Cohort Study Of Student Self-Assessments, Michele L. Tilstra, Cara A. Berg-Carramusa, Karen M. Keptner, Tiffany J. Peets

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The intent of this study is to examine how Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) and Counseling and Human Development (CHD) graduate students who experienced Counselors and Occupational Therapists Professionally Engaged (COPE) in the Community program perceived their self-evaluation of cultural competence with humility (CCH) constructs (cultural awareness, skills, knowledge, and desire) from pre- to post-experience. Methods: Using a pre-/post-test cohort design, researchers used the Modified Cultural Competency Self-Assessment (M-CCSA) to determine if there were changes in ratings after students completed a novel training program. Results: Twenty-five students completed the pre-/post- survey. Overall, the mean M-CCSA total and …

The Perceived Benefits Of International Travel For Occupational Therapy Practitioners Who Have Traveled Internationally, Rebecca L. Mannel, Jennifer Calabrese, Megan Pappan, Anthony Dissen

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: This qualitative study aimed to examine the perceived benefits of international travel for occupational therapy practitioners who have traveled internationally during their occupational therapy education or career. To succeed, healthcare professionals must have various personal and clinical skills, including providing quality care to diverse populations. They must have cultural competence, which includes cultural humility and cultural sensitivity. Methods: A purposive, convenience sampling was used through a network of occupational therapy practitioners who had previously traveled abroad either as occupational therapy students or as licensed occupational therapists and participated in education, clinical experience, work experiences, or volunteer experience related to …

The Object Play Of Young Children On The Autism Spectrum: A Narrative Review Of Strengths-Based Literature, Sharon Eva

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The play in young children with autism has been historically seen as deficits-based, with a focus on the limitations of autistic object play. More recently, there has been a shift towards a strengths-based view of autistic object play, where their play preferences and skills are viewed as vehicles for meaningful engagement and as having potential for learning. The aims of this narrative review are two-fold: to identify themes in the existing literature regarding the object play of young children with autism; and, to summarize the existing literature specifically examining object play in young autistic children from a strengths-based point …

How Traits Of Emotional Intelligence Affect Perceived Stress In Entry-Level Doctor Of Occupational Therapy Students, Heidi A. Carpenter, Chelsey Edwards, Scott Richardson

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Students in an entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) programs are subject to high levels of stress and emotional burnout. Effective management of stress impacts life satisfaction and academic performance. Emotional intelligence (EI) has been shown to relate to lower stress levels in allied health students. Despite this, little has been done to investigate the emotional demands of an occupational therapy education. Methods: Participants were a convenience sample of 51 entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Students recruited from the Southwest and Midwest cohorts of an OTD program. The participants were surveyed approximately 30 days after beginning their semester curriculum. …

Student Perceptions Of Reading Preparation And Textbook Use In Professional Allied Health Programs, Laura Stimler, Camille Skubik-Peplaski, Melba G. Custer, Shirley P. O'Brien

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: In professional allied health education, textbooks are central to developing course content, student learning and certification exams, but little is known about the graduate student’s perspective. This study was intended to describe current trends in graduate students’ point of view, habits and opinions related to buying and using textbooks and other resources in allied health education. Methods: This was a multi-site collaborative research project. An electronic survey was developed to gather data on student habits and perspectives regarding textbook preferences including digital texts, academic reading, exam preparation, and obtaining course materials. The survey was distributed across four academic institutions. …

The Impact Of Experiential Learning In A Pro Bono Ot Clinic On Clinical Reasoning Development, Julie Sandvig, Debra Hanson, Paula Kitzenberg

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Abstract

Fieldwork educators have expressed concerns about the readiness of occupational therapy students for clinical reasoning in the practice setting. Experiential learning involving face-to-face personal interactions with clients facilitates the application of theoretical knowledge, and the development of professional skills, competence, and self-confidence. Having the opportunity for extensive hands-on time working with clients, such as is offered in a pro bono clinic structure, may positively impact student clinical reasoning development of occupational therapy students.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of participation in a student-run occupational therapy pro bono clinic on student perceptions of clinical …

Training And Instruction Of Learning And Study Strategies Improve Academic Performance In Rehabilitation Students, Evan M. Pucillo, Gabriela Perez

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Prior study has demonstrated that certain learning strategies can be improved with training and instruction. As a result, downstream academic success may be potentiated. However, it is unclear if instructional intervention can influence academic outcomes among rehabilitation students. The purpose of this study was to compare changes in grade point average (GPA) after exposure to a set of standardized self-paced training modules on the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) in Physical therapy (PT) and Occupational therapy (OT) students. Methods: A causal-comparative design was used, and a multi-center convenience sample collected N=75 entry-level PT and OT students [PT: 41(55%); …

Telerehabilitation: An Updated View Of Practices, Cost Analysis, And Client Perceptions, Gokcen Akyurek, Selen Aydoner

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Telerehabilitation is an alternative and complementary rehabilitation method in which information and communication technologies are used to remove the distance between healthcare professionals and clients. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the rapid adoption of telerehabilitation services, limiting the in-person rehabilitation services available all over the world. The restrictions that started with the COVID-19 pandemic also negatively affected rehabilitation services, clients, and healthcare professionals, and it was considered essential to provide services using telerehabilitation technology. Therefore, this review aimed to examine and inform health professionals' telerehabilitation practices such as remote assessment, evaluation, intervention, monitoring, supervision, education, and follow-up during the …

Occupational Transitions Of Family Caregivers Of Loved Ones With Dementia, Katherine L. Groezinger, Cameron J. Honsa, Darcey A. Wilkinson, Emily K. Simpson

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to explore how family caregivers of people with dementia experience transitions in occupations as they assume the caregiver role. Because unpaid family caregivers play a vital part in the scheme of health care, it is important to understand their supports, their perceptions of themselves as caregivers, and the impact of caregiving on relationships, identity, and physical and mental health. Many researchers have studied the effects of caregiver burden, yet minimal attention has been given to the lived experiences of caregiving on their daily roles and routines. Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was …

Mealtime Experiences Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder From The Perspectives Of Filipino Occupational Therapists In Cebu: Implications For Practice, Blaise Audre V. Barrientos, Alyanna Freyse T. Badajos, Erika Faye M. Bucog, Rosse Velle C. Mauro, Paolo Miguel P. Bulan

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Occupational therapists (OTs) handle children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and a common concern is how their sensory processing issues affect their feeding habits. There is limited information regarding interventions about this issue both locally and internationally. This study aims to know the experiences of OTs providing feeding interventions associated with sensory issues for children with ASD. It will also describe what approaches they used for these interventions. Method: Qualitative phenomenology using in-depth interviews with nine OTs in Cebu, Philippines was conducted, and data underwent thematic analysis. Results: Five themes emerged: 1) a family that feeds together, stays …

Professional Perspectives On Bilingualism In Persons With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study, Rosa N. Benavidez Saldivar, Jessica R. Stewart, Ruth Crutchfield, Roy K. Chen, Lily Puente

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The present study examined the perspectives of professionals regarding bilingualism and ASD. Methods: A total of 27 professionals participated in this study. Data was collected via an online survey. The survey was designed based on a literature review and consultation with a team of experts in the field of ASD. Information relating to demographic information, professional practice information, and perspectives of bilingualism and ASD was collected. Results: Professionals participating in the present study were most likely to agree with the statement, “A child with ASD from a bilingual household is able to understand both languages” and least likely to …

Occupational Therapy Students' Perceptions Of Their Own Notetaking, Marie-Christine Potvin, Monique C. Chabot, Kathleen Carr

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Notetaking is a critical skill for higher-level thinking and information integration in graduate students, including occupational therapy students. Though there is a growing body of literature about notetaking modalities, strategies utilized, and self-perceptions of skills in college students, studies about occupational therapy (OT) students’ notetaking preferences have been absent from the literature. This study examines how OT students take notes and their perceptions of their notes. Method: This descriptive study of students in a Master of Occupational Therapy program (n=57) completed the Notetaking Abilities and Strategies of University Students (NASUS) questionnaire which captures the constructs of notetaking methods, reasons …

Influence Of Years Of Experience On Clinical Competence Of Novice Physical And Occupational Therapists In Japan, Hiroaki Sakurai, Soichiro Koyama, Shigeo Tanabe, Kazuya Takeda, Yoshikiyo Kanada

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: To increase the clinical competence of novice physical and occupational therapists, an accurate assessment of their clinical competence is necessary. However, no previous study has objectively analyzed the changes in novice therapists’ clinical competence in Japan. Hence, this study investigated and evaluated the changes in the clinical competence of such therapists using an objective analysis. Method: The study included 34 novice therapists with 1–3 years of experience in clinical practice. Participants were divided into groups according to their years of experience. The clinical competence of the novice therapists was evaluated twice using a clinical competency evaluation scale. For comparison …

Assessment Of Inter-Instrument Reliability For Dominant Handgrip Dynamometry And Spirometry, Nnamdi Mgbemena, Anne Jones, Anthony Leicht

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the inter-instrument reliability of different dynamometers and spirometers commonly used in clinical practice. Methods: The study involved 113 healthy volunteers across three facility sites. At each site, dominant handgrip strength (DHGS), and lung function (forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV₁], forced vital capacity [FVC] and peak expiratory flow rate [PEFR]), were compared using a local and reference device. Assessments were randomized with five minutes rest between measurements. Significant differences between devices were assessed using paired t-test while relative reliability between devices was determined via intra-class correlations (ICC). Accuracy …

Assessment And Diagnostic Practices Relating To Autism Spectrum Disorder In The United States And Mexico, Maria Valdez, Jessica R. Stewart, Wan-Lin Chang, Ruth Crutchfield, Ralph Carlson

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The present study examined and compared professional assessment and diagnostic practices relating to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Mexico and the United States (U.S.). This information is of great importance because there is an extremely limited amount of information pertaining the assessment and diagnostic practices for ASD in Mexico and little is known about how these practices compare to those in the U.S. Methods: Archival data from a survey investigating ASD in the U.S. and Mexico was used for this study. Participants included 29 professionals from the U.S. and 7 professionals from Mexico. Professionals were from a variety of …

A Survey Of Interventions For Cancer Survivors Provided By Occupational Therapy Practitioners, Katie M. Polo, Mary F. Baxter

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Currently, there is a lack of research exploring evidence-based occupational therapy intervention practices at the activity level in survivorship care, which is important to identify for future research and clinical needs of the profession. The purpose of this study was to describe what activity level interventions OT practitioners are using and report any practice trends that might exist. Method: A cross-section design was used with non-probability purposive sampling to recruit occupational therapy practitioners working with adults living with and beyond cancer. A three-phase process for survey development and implementation was used, as recommended by the literature, for improving content …

Attitudes Toward Covid-19 Vaccination Among Occupational Therapy Professionals And Students In Early 2021, Stephen A. Cage, Brandon J. Warner, Diana M. Gallegos, Heidi M. Cage, Diane P. Brown Phd, Otr

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: After the widespread transmission of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, the first COVID-19 vaccination received emergency use authorization in the United States in December of 2020. Current research has shown the authorized COVID-19 vaccines to be safe and effective at preventing severe illness. At the time of this study, there appears to be no published research on the attitudes and receipt of COVID-19 vaccinations among occupational therapy professionals and students. The purpose of this study is to describe the attitudes and receipt of COVID-19 vaccinations among occupational therapy professionals and students in early 2021. Methods: A total of …

Covid-19 And Telehealth Use Among Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, And Speech-Language Pathology Practitioners In The United States, Caesarinne Sprianu, Dragana Krpalek, Julie D. Kugel, Gurinder Bains, Lida Gharibvand

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: To explore occupational, physical, and speech-language pathology therapists’ perceived effectiveness of telehealth and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their professional roles. Method: Participants were recruited for the study through a research flyer distrusted via postal mail, emails, social media, and national association websites. An anonymous electronic 19-item survey was developed for this study by the researchers based on a review of the literature and clinical experience. Results. In total, 186 survey responses were obtained, with 152 meeting the inclusion criteria. The average age of participants was 38.6 years with an average work duration of 12.7 years ± 12.5 …

Effectiveness Of Interprofessional Education Modules On Cultural Competency Of Physical Therapy And Occupational Therapy Students, Ayse Ozcan Edeer, Nadia Rust

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The United States is a melting pot of diverse ethnicities and cultures. Graduate-level teaching methods must prepare students to work with diverse populations and in various contexts. The outcome of instruction should be technically competent and culturally humble health care providers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of collaborative interprofessional instruction on cultural competency levels of Doctor of Physical Therapy Program (DPT) and Master of Science Occupational Therapy Program (MSOT) students. Methods: This was a pre-posttest quasi experimental study. A total 58 students from the DPT (28) and MSOT (30) programs participated and provided demographic …

Animal Assisted Therapy For Older Adults In Aged Care Facilities: A Rapid Review, Mitchell A. Franklin, Tracey Parnell, Natasha Versi, Rodney Pope

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of animal assisted therapy (AAT) for improving the mental health of older adults in residential care. The aim of this rapid review was to synthesise existing research evidence to determine the approaches that AAT should take to enhance outcomes for older adults living in residential care. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted to identify studies published between 2009 and 2019 that investigated AAT and improvement in physical and/or psychosocial outcomes for adults aged over 65 years, living in residential care. Studies were critically appraised to determine methodological quality, key data were extracted, and …

An Appreciative Inquiry Approach To Understanding What Attracts And Retains Early-Career Therapists To Work In Community Organizations, Karina M. Dancza, Yik Ming Choi, Kaisah Amalia, Pei Shan Wong, Jia Hao Hu, Li Wen Yap

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Community health organizations are expanding in many countries to meet the health and care needs associated with an aging population, an increase in recognition of children with developmental and mental health needs, and escalating healthcare costs. Singapore is no exception. Community organizations, however, are facing challenges in recruiting and retaining early-career therapists to these positions due to competition from acute services and a declining foreign talent pool. At the same time, early-career therapists encounter challenges during the transition from student to professional. Community organizations, therefore, need to identify what makes their organization attractive to early-career therapists and what makes …

Attitudes And Usage Of Face Masks During The Covid-19 Pandemic Among Occupational Therapy Professionals In Texas, Stephen A. Cage, Diane P. Brown, Brandon J. Warner, Diana M. Gallegos, Heidi M. Cage

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Following the widespread transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), multiple business and schools drastically reduced face-to-face services. Additionally, many state and local governments enacted face mask mandates and other legislations aimed at decreasing the spread of the virus. Current research is being conducted to evaluate the epidemiology, recognition, treatment, and prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the disease associated with SARS-CoV-2. At the time of this study, there is no published research on the attitudes and usage of face masks or face coverings among certified occupational therapy professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The purpose of this …

Effectiveness Of Training In Changing Allied Health Students’ Cultural Competency Skills, Gisela Van Kessel, Caroline Fryer, Bernadette Flynn, Katia Ferrar, Susan Roush

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Allied health students require cultural competence training to help them act as caring, ethical, and socially responsible health professionals. There is a lack of evidence for the effectiveness of cultural competence training changing the cultural skill level of allied health students or their behaviour in clinical practice. Method: We conducted a systematic search of the literature to examine the effectiveness of cultural competence training in changing allied health student cultural competency skills. CINAHL, Embase, ERIC, Medline and Scopus databases were searched from inception until August 2017. Search terms represented the population (e.g. allied health students), and cultural competence training. …

An Introduction To Interprofessional Education For First Semester Doctoral Occupational Therapy And Physical Therapy Students, Suzanne Trojanowski, Jillian Woodworth, Anna Rose Wiencek, Amy Yorke

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Interprofessional education (IPE) engages health care professional students in order to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required of a health care practitioner. IPE can be challenging to execute; however, exposing students early in their professional education in IPE has positive results. Occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) are health care professions who commonly work with each other. The purpose of this study is to describe the process and outcomes of implementing an IPE experience with first year doctoral OT (OTD) and PT (DPT) students completed within the first six weeks of the first semester of their respective …

Do Learning And Study Strategies Predict Success In Hybrid-Online Physical And Occupational Therapist Education?, Evan M. Pucillo, Ellen Lowrie Black

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: An understanding of the learning strategies most accurately predictive of success has become increasingly important as health professional education programs scale the utilization of online learning in the wake of COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive relationship between The Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) and cumulative professional GPA (cpGPA) in hybrid-online physical (PT) and occupational therapist (OT) education. Methods: A convenience sample collected N=149 entry-level PT and OT students from three campuses across Florida, Texas, and California. A total N(%) of 89(59.7%) PT and 60(40.3%) OT students were included for analysis [48(32.2%) male; …

Expanding Rehabilitation Beyond The Clinic—Strategies To Increase Total Restorative Therapy Time For Adults With Hemiplegia, Niamh M. Tunney, Ellen R. Perlow

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: Positive neuroplastic changes involving cortical reorganization after stroke are experience dependent and are facilitated more effectively when rehabilitation occurs with high volume. Structured experiences to promote adaptive changes can be implemented during scheduled therapies in any rehabilitation setting. However, time spent in supervised restorative therapy is limited regardless of setting. Time spent in therapeutic activity can be extended by a variety of options that patients can engage in independently, that are low-cost, and that have evidence to support their use as a supplement to physical and occupational therapy. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present four …

Exploration Of Grit And Emotional Intelligence And Success In A Doctor Of Physical Therapy Program, Karen Huhn, Brittney Rusinski Dpt, Amanda Saucier Dpt, Victoria Mcintyre Dpt, Teresa Rock Dpt, Makeala Nelson Dpt, Yieng Huah Tham Dpt, Courtney Duval Dpt

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: Higher education programs that admit students to sequential curricula incur a substantial financial loss when an enrolled student fails to continue in the program for whatever reason. In many instances, the seat cannot be filled, and valuable tuition dollars often over $90,000 per student is lost to the institution. In addition to financial loss, Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs are required to report and explain rates to the Commission for Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Admission committees at Doctor of Physical Therapy programs seek candidates that will be successful in the program and pass the National Physical …

Therapeutic Management Of A Patient With Necrotizing Fasciitis Resulting In Quadrilateral Amputation And Critical Illness Myopathy In The Intensive Care Setting: A Case Report., Mallory A. Kargela, Annette J. Siebens

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this case is to illustrate the best available evidence to provide early therapeutic intervention for a critically ill patient presenting with cardiovascular and pulmonary complications due to multi-system compromise. Case Description: A 19-year-old male was admitted to the hospital with the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis and necrotizing pneumonia. He experienced numerous additional medical complications ultimately leading to tracheostomy, delirium, critical illness myopathy, and quadrilateral amputation secondary to necrotizing fasciitis and critical limb ischemia following prolonged veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO). Outcomes: Patient was discharged to an outside rehabilitation hospital after 103 days in the acute setting …

Transforming Through Reflection: Use Of Student-Led Reflections In The Development Of Intercultural Competence During A Short-Term International Immersion Experience, Diane Ceo-Difrancesco, Leah S. Dunn, Nathalie Solorio

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Curricular integration designed to include cultural competence standards for health care professionals is paramount to preparing students to meet the needs of a growing diverse population in the U.S. The purpose of this research is to examine the cultural competency development of occupational therapy students, and to report on their reflections and perspectives during a two-week immersive and service-learning experience in Guatemala. Methods: As intercultural competence is a highly personal trait, the study used a descriptive qualitative research design gaining participants’ perspectives of the short-term international immersion experience through student-led reflective focus groups, using an open discussion format, …

An Interprofessional Clinical Placement In A Primary Healthcare Setting: A Pilot Study, Christina Aggar, Beth Mozolic-Staunton, Renee Joyce Lovi, Maggie Scorey, Melissa Kemp, Tara Walker, Sian Lewis

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Internationally, and in Australia, interprofessional education (IPE) is becoming typical in primary healthcare delivery and is core to delivering patient-centred care. It is essential that primary healthcare education develop interprofessional capacity in order to produce a skilled workforce. An IPE clinical placement for undergraduate health students was developed and piloted in primary healthcare settings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the IPE clinical placement in a primary healthcare setting on students’ perceptions of interprofessional education. Method: A pre-post placement validated questionnaire (n=19) indicated overall perceptions of IPE significantly increased over the course of …