Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Factors Affecting Community Participation In Young Adults With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Molly Bathje

Dissertations

Young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) participate less frequently in communities than other disabled and non-disabled peers (Verdonschot, de Witte, Reichrath, Buntinx, & Curfs, 2009) even though they express a desire to participate (Kampert & Goreczny, 2007) and federal policy mandates community inclusion (Haertl, 2014). Participation in one’s community is linked to health and quality of life (World Health Organization, 2002). The broad goal of this three paper dissertation is to contribute to a deeper understanding of what facilitates and impedes community participation for young adults with IDD by (1) developing a new conceptual model, (2) evaluating a …

Puzzleart Therapy: Connecting The Pieces In Search Of Answers, Jennifer Fortuna

Open Journal of Occupational Therapy: Occupation and the Artist

Alli Berman has been an artist, educator, author, and lecturer for more than 25 years. Her art can be found in private, corporate, and nonprofit collections around the world. Berman is the creator of PuzzleArt, a series of small abstract paintings that combine to form a modular puzzle. When a stroke impacted Berman’s quality of life, she turned to art for answers. Engagement in a meaningful activity, such as painting, provided her motivation and strength for continued physical and psychological healing. The PuzzleArt concept evolved from a simple exercise that helped Berman to fit all of the missing pieces back …

Puzzleart Therapy: Connecting The Pieces In Search Of Answers, Jennifer Fortuna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Alli Berman, a New York based artist, provided the cover art for the Fall 2016 issue of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). “Sunlight Underwater” is a 12 piece PuzzleArt painting made from acrylic on American maple that measures 22x30. The PuzzleArt concept began as a simple exercise that evolved into a therapeutic modality. When a sudden stroke impacted Berman’s well-being and quality of life, it was art that helped her to make connections during recovery.

Reclaiming And Proclaiming The Use Of Crafts In Occupational Therapy, Emily Leenerts, Cynthia Evetts, Emily Miller

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

What's In The Fridge? Unique Competencies Of Community-Based Occupational Therapists, Sunny R. Winstead

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Perceptions Of Academic Fieldwork Coordinators Regarding The Value Of Fieldwork In Emerging Areas Of Practice, Victoria G. Wilburn, Kate E. Decleene Huber, Julie Gahimer, Candace Beitman, Elizabeth S. Moore

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

This study investigated the perceptions of academic fieldwork coordinators (AFWCs) regarding emerging areas of practice as fieldwork experiences for entry-level occupational therapy (OT) students. Further, this study explored several aspects of fieldwork experiences in emerging areas of practice on student personal and professional development, academic curriculum, partnering community agencies, and the profession at large. A survey designed through Qualtrics®, an electronic survey system, was sent to 163 AFWCs of fully accredited master’s and doctoral entry-level OT programs. Forty-four participants (27%) completed the 16-question survey. Significance at p < .05 was found in higher levels of Bloom’s taxonomy student performance when compared to traditional areas of practice. Common perceptions found among the AFWCs related to emerging areas of practice fieldwork experiences included: improved student professional and personal skills, increased connections and collaborations across and in health care disciplines, an enhanced ability to define and understand OT. Continued opportunities for fieldwork in emerging areas of practice are essential as the profession contemplates new markets and avenues in a changing health care environment.

Ot Practitioners’ And Ot Students’ Perceptions Of Entry-Level Competency For Occupational Therapy Practice, Minetta Wallingford, Lisa J. Knecht-Sabres, Michelle M. Lee, Lavonne Ellen St.Amand

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

This study examined occupational therapy (OT) practitioners’ and OT students’ perceptions of the importance of 12 specific OT-related entry-level competency skills and the number of weeks required to consistently demonstrate skills for entry-level competency. The results indicated that, on average, practitioners (n = 39) and students (n = 38) agreed that all of the items were important. However, the students had significantly higher ratings regarding the importance of communication, occupation and client-centered goals, time management, interventions, and use of theory and evidence. They also rated a higher number of minimum weeks required to consistently demonstrate entry-level competency. The …

High-Fidelity Simulation In Occupational Therapy Curriculum: Impact On Level Ii Fieldwork Performance, Rebecca Ozelie, Catherine Both, Emma Fricke, Carolyn Maddock

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Simulation experiences provide experiential learning opportunities during artificially produced real-life medical situations in a safe environment. Evidence supports using simulation in health care education yet limited quantitative evidence exists in occupational therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the differences in scores on the AOTA Fieldwork Performance Evaluation for the Occupational Therapy Student of Level II occupational therapy students who received high-fidelity simulation training and students who did not. A retrospective analysis of 180 students from a private university was used. Independent samples nonparametric t tests examined mean differences between Fieldwork Performance Evaluation scores of those who did and did not …

Knowledge Translation And Occupational Therapy: A Survey Of Canadian University Programs, Heidi Cramm, Blair Short, Catherine A. Donnelly

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

While Canadian occupational therapy recognizes knowledge translation (KT) as essential to clinical interactions, there has been little attention paid to KT activity in education and research. The objective of this study was to identify the nature of KT activities in which Canadian occupational therapy faculty engage. An electronic survey was sent to faculty at 14 Canadian occupational therapy programs to explore the nature of KT activities, including research, education, strategies, evaluation, and barriers and facilitators. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results show that faculty engage in a range of KT activities, with conferences and peer-reviewed publications being …

Up Bloom’S Pyramid With Slices Of Fink’S Pie: Mapping An Occupational Therapy Curriculum, Susan C. Burwash, Roberta Snover, Robert Krueger

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Curriculum design is a complex task. One tool used in the design process is curriculum mapping. A mandated transition from a quarter to a semester academic calendar, alongside preparation of accreditation self-study materials, provided an opportunity for faculty teaching in an entry-level occupational therapy program to review the underlying basis of the curriculum. Two taxonomies of learning (Bloom’s cognitive domain and Fink’s taxonomy of significant learning experiences) were used to examine existing courses and to consider how learning outcomes and experiences varied over the sequence of courses in the curriculum. This led to the creation of a series of course …

Bangladesh Norms For A Gender-Specific Functional Fine Dexterity Test (Ffdt), Debra K. Lindstrom-Hazel, Umme Aeyman, Md. Julker Nayan, Syed Shakawat Hossain

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Good psychometrics and cultural relevance are needed for evidence-based practice. Occupational therapy (OT) assessment tools in Bangladesh have been developed outside of Bangladesh and have not been validated or normed for Bangladeshis. This normative and psychometric study was to provide culturally relevant norms for in Bangladesh for bilateral fine motor.

Method: The Functional Fine Dexterity Test (FFDT) consists of two functional/self-care gender-specific task instruments: a shirt with five buttons for males and a pinning board for females. Raters were trained in timing these tasks.

Results: Intra-Class Correlation (ICC) scores were > .85 for all rater teams. Participants …

Goals And Expectations Of Continuation High School Students Transitioning To Postsecondary Education, Chi-Kwan Shea, Gordon Muir Giles

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Students at a continuation high school (CHS) attended an occupational therapy program to acquire life skills in preparation for their transition from secondary education. Most of the students who participated in the OT program planned to pursue a postsecondary education (PSE), but the CHS students encountered many barriers in negotiating the requirements of PSE. Discernment of these barriers encountered by the CHS students may enable the occupational therapy practitioners to better prepare the students for PSE.

Method: This was a qualitative phenomenological study based on analyses of interview data. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted with eight CHS senior students …

Fitness-To-Drive Screening Measure©: Patterns And Trends For Canadian Users, Sherrilene Classen, Shabnam Medhizadah, Liliana Alvarez

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The Fitness-to-Drive Screening Measure^© (FTDS) is an online screening tool that enables proxy raters (caregivers, family members, and friends) to identify at-risk older adult drivers via 54 driving-related items. This study aimed to identify areas in need of improvement for the FTDS by identifying the patterns and trends of Canadian users and providing recommendations to increase the usage, reach, and potential impact of the FTDS as a health promotion tool.

Methods: We used monthly Google Analytics reports to calculate descriptive statistics for web page and session specific variables. Variables were separated into Year 1 and Year 2 …

Perceived Benefits Of Kinesio Tape® Compared To Non-Kinesiology Tape And No Tape In Healthy Collegiate Athletes, Gregory Chown, Jennifer Innamorato, Marlee Mcnerney, Jennifer Petrilla, Hillary Prozzillo

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Sports participation is considered a meaningful occupation for people of all ages. Multiple disciplines use Kinesio Tape® during treatment (Kinesio Taping® Association International, 2013e) for sports-related injuries. While the use of Kinesio Tape® is becoming increasingly popular in sports, there is a lack of evidence supporting its effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to address the following question: Is there a perceived sports performance benefit of using Kinesio Tape® compared to non-kinesiology tape or no tape in healthy collegiate athletes?

Method: This quantitative pilot study used a convenience sampling method. The participants included eighteen healthy men’s …

Perspectives Of Individuals Who Experienced Bullying During Childhood, Olivia Byjos, Jackie Dusing, Callyn Zartman, Susan M. Cahill

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The objective of the qualitative study was to describe the perspectives of adults who experienced bullying at school during childhood or adolescence.

Method: Data was collected through semi-structured interviews (n = 8) and analyzed using the constant comparative method.

Results: Three major themes emerged: (a) the school should have done something, (b) it still affects me, and (c) there needs to be prevention.

Conclusion: Based on their unique expertise, occupational therapy practitioners may be able to collaborate with interprofessional teams to address the needs of individuals who bully and those who are being bullied at school.

Why The Veracity Of Data Matters In Health Care Research, Diane Powers Dirette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Creating Environments Through The Art Of Occupational Therapy, Lydia Royeen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Dr. Lori Reynolds has an interest in therapeutic gardens and the creation of living spaces that promote well-being for older adults. Dr. Reynolds educates various stakeholders on the benefits of occupational therapy, including landscape architects and senior living administrators. Her advocacy to expand occupational therapy beyond its mainstream roles is infectious. She speaks passionately about her work in helping to create therapeutic gardens and how her role as an occupational therapist offers great perspective in this process. She appreciates the environmental impact on an individual’s health and well-being and practices from a person-environment-occupation theory.

She Said, She Said: A Conversation About Growing Education Research In Occupational Therapy, Barbara Hooper, Sylvia Rodger

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Achieving Teaching, Scholarship, And Service Through Community Engagement, Carole K. Ivey, Jodi L. Teitelman, Kelli W. Gary, Dianne F. Simons, Jayne T. Shepherd, Albert E. Copolillo

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy faculty currently face enormous challenges in meeting teaching load expectations, while also under pressure to participate in scholarly projects and to make administrative and service contributions. Community engagement projects may provide opportunities for faculty to effectively and efficiently meet the goals in each of these areas while imparting benefits to students and community partners as well. Faculty at the Department of Occupational Therapy (OT) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) embraced this idea as consistent with the university’s mission and strategic plan, and recognized its benefits in assisting faculty to meet workload demands. Four community partnerships reflecting the range …

Eportfolio: The Scholarly Capstone For The Practice Doctoral Degree In Occupational Therapy, Jim Hinojosa, Tsu-Hsin Howe

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

A critical decision doctoral faculty must make is deciding what is the most appropriate capstone or terminal requirement for the practice doctorate degree that is consistent with the program’s curriculum. EPortfolios are a viable option for documenting doctoral students’ advanced knowledge and competence. After creating a professional development plan, the students record individual experiences and reflections framed by a self-selected metaphor, provide objective documentation of achievements, and verify advanced competence in a specific area in their ePortfolios. As the students construct their ePortfolios, they must engage in self-directed learning that is grounded in evidence-based and reflective practice, with a focus …

Peer Observation And Evaluation Tool (Poet): A Formative Peer Review Supporting Scholarly Teaching, Jeffrey L. Crabtree, Patricia J. Scott, Fengyi Kuo

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The Peer Observation and Evaluation Tool (POET) is a valid and reliable measure developed for formative peer evaluation of pharmacy faculty. The authors replicated a study conducted on the POET in pharmacy in order to report the instrument’s validity and reliability in occupational therapy and to explore its potential as a formative teaching evaluation for occupational therapy educators. To verify item importance, seven participants from the faculty in an occupational therapy department rated each item. To establish inter-rater reliability, the participants evaluated one videotaped 55 min lecture. The POET was reliable with ICC at 0.93. There were high levels of …

Student Perceptions Of Scholarly Writing, Shirley Peganoff O'Brien, Dory Marken, Kelsey Bennett Petrey

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Learning the process of scholarly writing, including the significance of peer review, is an essential element in the preparation of students for professional practice. This descriptive research study, using Scholarship of Teaching and Learning methodology, explores one approach to teaching scholarly writing in an occupational science/occupational therapy curriculum. The writing assignment was designed to offer multiple points for feedback and revision and instructional features to reinforce learning. A survey of students [n = 169] participating in this scholarly writing project was conducted yearly to gather their perceptions of learning. The results revealed four key elements: instructional strategies are needed …

Development Of A Clinical Performance Assessment Tool For An Occupational Therapy Teaching Clinic, Whitney Henderson

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Health professional education is experiencing increased accountability from higher education and professional accrediting bodies to produce professionals who are prepared to meet the demands of the complex, fast-paced, ever changing health-care environment. Using competency-based assessment methods to evaluate a student’s performance can assist to decrease the gap between education and practice and ease the critical transition from the classroom to the clinic. A variety of assessment methods that use a Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) framework to assess student performance and competency can be found throughout the health professions literature. Because of the lack of literature about the assessment of student …

Development And Psychometric Properties Of The Emotional Intelligence Admission Essay Scale, Sharon A. Gutman, Janet P. Falk-Kessler

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The purpose was to describe the development and psychometric properties of the Emotional Intelligence Admission Essay scale. The authors developed an admission essay question and rating scale designed to provide information about applicants’ emotional intelligence (EI). Content validity, convergent validity, interrater reliability, and internal consistency were established. The scale was also examined to determine if it could discriminate between students with and without professional behavior problems in the academic and fieldwork settings. Content validity was found to be high by a panel of three experts in EI (content validity index = 1.0). Convergent validity with the Assessing Emotions Scale was …

Digital Storytelling As Poetic Reflection In Occupational Therapy Education: An Empirical Study, Lisebet S. Skarpaas, Grete Jamissen, Cecilie Krüger, Vigdis Holmberg, Pip Hardy

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Stories are powerful aids to reflection. Thus, the use of stories may be a pathway to enhanced reflective practice and clinical reasoning skills. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether and how digital storytelling can contribute to occupational therapy (OT) students’ learning through reflections on experiences from placement education. A cohort of OT students (n = 57) participated in a 2-day workshop to create digital stories. Data were generated through a questionnaire with a response rate of 100% of students who completed the workshop (n = 34). Quantitative analysis methods were used to reveal a level of agreement …

Professional Portfolios Used By Canadian Occupational Therapists: How Can They Be Improved?, Brigitte Vachon, Annie Rochette, Aliki Thomas, Welove Foucar Desormeaux, Ai-Thuy Huynh

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Professional portfolios are widely used in continuing professional development (CPD), despite limited evidence of their effectiveness for improving practice and professional competence. Occupational therapy regulatory organizations in Canada have implemented professional portfolios as tools that support engagement in CPD. To advance research and practice on the use of portfolios, we conducted a critical analysis of their format, content, and embedded learning process. This paper aims to describe and compare the portfolios’ characteristics when they are used as a tool to facilitate engagement in CPD. A document review approach was used to analyze documents describing continuing competence programs and portfolios and …

Student Rating Of Skill Performance Opportunities In Faculty-Directed Research, Carrie A. Ciro, Mary Isaacson

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The purpose was to examine the feasibility of creating a faculty-driven research-based fieldwork (FW) I experience and to examine whether students engaged in a research-based FW I would report equivalent skill performance opportunities as students engaged in traditional FW I experiences. Twenty-four first-year occupational therapy students were given the option of choosing either a research-based FW I experience with a faculty member (n = 5) or a traditional FW I site (n = 19). The students self-reported their opportunities to perform ACOTE standards of practice related to professionalism, professional reasoning, use of sciences, and experiential learning using a Likert scale. …

Developing An Indigenous, Entry-Level Master’S Degree Program In A Country With An Emerging Ot Profession, Lesley A. Garcia, Julie D. Kugel, Heather Javaherian-Dysinger, Esther Huecker

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

In the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago the full range of physical, mental, psychological, and socially derived problems of occupational engagement exist. Occupational therapy is often a part of the health care team to address these challenges; however, the profession is at an emergent stage in the country. This paper describes a process used for the development of an indigenous entry-level master’s degree program in occupational therapy. The process was also supported and enhanced by the collaborative relationships among key stakeholders, including global partners. A qualitative design process was used to analyze the health care needs, barriers, and strategies that …

Broadening The Scope And Impact Of Occupational Therapy Education Research By Merging Two Research Agendas: A New Research Agenda Matrix, Barbara Hooper

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Functional Electrical Stimulation Compared To Stretching/Strengthening Interventions For The Multiple Sclerosis Individual, Kara Johnsen, Jessica Tariske

Occupational Therapy Graduate Student Evidenced-Based Research Reviews

In an outpatient clinic for adults, the OT frequently works with clients diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Personalized interventions that include stretching and strengthening to maintain UE function are typically used for this clientele within this setting. The OT has seen results with UE stretching and strengthening but is curious to know if there are any other interventions that can be used with his MS patients in order to maintain function. The therapist has looked into a new intervention of functional electrical stimulation. FMES is an emerging intervention that is being used to strengthen muscles through electrical impulses. Repetitive muscle contractions …