Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Promoting Belonging Among Occupational Therapy Students Transitioning To Doctoral Studies, Gina M. Delgado

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived-Experiences Of Families Transitioning To Permanent Housing, Ellie Olsen, Samantha Ruhe, Ellen Brown, Courtney Zanni

Masters Theses

There is limited support and resources available for homeless individuals, resulting in limited opportunities to engage in meaningful occupations, therefore decreasing these individual's overall sense of well-being, social interactions, and health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact family-centered interventions have on the lived experiences of families as they transition to permanent housing. The Occupational Self-Assessment (OSA) was used to determine important areas of occupation and was used to develop three intervention sessions. Case study methods were used and data was collected during the final interview session. Two main themes were identified: “Empowerment” and “Resolution.” This …

Adapting The Ceramics Process With Creative Problem-Solving, Jennifer K. Fortuna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Madeline Kaczmarczyk, a ceramics sculptor based in Rockford, MI, provided the cover art for the Fall 2021 edition of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). The piece is a wall vase made from clay, luster glaze, and glass beads. Madeline has been creating decorative ceramics for over four decades. In recent years, Madeline has found creative ways to adapt the ceramics process so she can continue creating beautiful works of art. For Madeline, ceramics is more than a means to make a living. This meaningful activity brings focus to her life.

Development Of The Dynamic Model Of Occupation-Based Practice, Sarah M. Psillas, Wendy B. Stav

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Occupation-based practice is unique to occupational therapy, supported as effective in the literature, and promotes health and well-being for clients. There is no framework describing what occupation-based practice looks like, making the goal of infusing occupation into practice difficult. This research study aimed to develop a model of occupation-based practice, providing a framework with constructs, facilitators, and barriers for using occupation in practice.

Method: A grounded theory study was completed with interviews and a focus group. Charmaz’s approach to grounded theory was used to analyze data and allow a model to emerge.

Results: The dynamic model …

Using A Health Promotion Approach To Frame Parent Experiences Of Family Routines And Their Significance For Health And Well-Being, Jennifer S. Pitonyak, Kelly Souza, Caroline Umeda, Tracy Jirikowic

Occupational Therapy | Faculty Scholarship

Occupational therapy providers working with young children and their families in early intervention settings frequently provide interventions to support family routines related to social participation, health management, and related occupations at home and in the community. Family routines are inextricably tied to individual and family health and well-being, yet contextual influences can impact satisfaction with and performance of routines resulting in disparities in health and occupational outcomes. A health promotion approach to intervention is intended to address contextual aspects of occupational performance in natural settings, and therefore, may be a useful approach for providing family-centered, routines-based intervention in early intervention …

An Educational Resource For Young Adults With Disabilities, Their Caregivers, And Clinicians In The Driver Learning Environment, Destinee Logan, Missy Bell, Angela Labrie Blackwell

Summer 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Driving and community mobility are essential occupations for growing independence and identity. Young adults who are transitioning into adulthood have a desire to engage in their community, and it is at this time that an interest in driving begins. Driving is a complex occupation that requires in-depth education and experience to safely participate in.

Learning to drive can be challenging, especially for a person with a disability. Young adults with disabilities confront several community concerns that limit their ability to participate in the meaningful activity of driving. Those with disabilities often rely on their support systems to help guide their …

Understanding Factors Relevant To Poor Sleep And Coping Methods In People With Schizophrenia, Yen-Ching Chang, Megan C. Chang, Yun-Jou Chang, Ming-De Chen

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Background

Sleep disruption is pervasive in people with schizophrenia, but few studies have explored their sleep experiences. This study aims to identify factors relevant to sleep problems and explore coping methods used by community-dwelling people with schizophrenia.

Methods

Eighteen participants with schizophrenia were recruited from three mental health centers in Taiwan. They completed a semi-structured interview and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) assessment. The Person-Environment-Occupation model offered a framework to assess factors related to sleep. Thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data analysis.

Results

Factors related to sleep were classified under person, environment, and occupation domains. The person …

Ikebana: An Ancient Tradition Of Contemporary Healing And Artful Practice, Jennifer K. Fortuna Phd, Otr/L

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Dr. Ricardo Carrásco, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is an occupational therapy professor and ikebana artist. He provided the cover art for the Summer 2021 edition of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). Ikebana is the ancient Japanese art of arranging flowers. “Kanta of the Wind, Sun and Moon” is an ikebana design made from blue and white Phalaenopsis orchids, chrysanthemum, bear grass, and heirloom driftwood. This gendaika, or freestyle design, is a haiku tribute to the wind, sun, and moon. Dr. Carrásco has been practicing occupational therapy and ikebana for more than 5 decades. As an occupational scientist and …

Life Repurposed: Finding A New Calling Through Meaningful Occupation, Jennifer K. Fortuna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Kelly Allen, an occupational therapist and artist based in Grand Rapids, MI, provided the cover art for the Spring 2021 edition of the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). “Follow” is a 16” x 20” painting made from oil on panel. The painting, which features a coati from Central America, is from Kelly’s Animal Totem series. After more than 2 decades as a fine artist and educator, she began searching for a career change. Kelly’s background in fine art and her desire to help others prepared her for a career in occupational therapy. Certain events in Kelly’s life aligned not …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Supporting The Enculturation And Acculturation Process For Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Immigrants, Sherry A. Manoly, Susan Macdermott, Karen Park, Becki Cohill

Spring 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Objectives: The Egyptian Coptic Orthodox population in America has grown exponentially due to religious intolerance in Egypt. Many Copts move to the U.S. and experience feelings of helplessness because of the stark difference in American culture compared to the culture they had left behind. Occupational therapy (OT) is a profession that can impact the Copts due to the focus on gaining independence in life through participation in meaningful occupations. This qualitative study sought to answer the research question, “what is the current state of occupational engagement for recently immigrated Coptic Christian immigrants, and how can occupational therapy support immigrant populations?” …

Creating A New Normal Through Engagement In Meaningful Occupation, Jennifer K. Fortuna Phd, Otr/L

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Katie Edick, an occupational therapist and artist based in Portland, Michigan, provided the cover art for the Winter 2021 edition of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). “Katie Bird” is a 4” x 6” watercolor painting. After receiving a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer (MBC), Katie set out to find a new purpose and leave a legacy. She made the decision to live with intention and choose life experiences that create joy. Through engagement in meaningful occupations, such as painting and patient advocacy, Katie is creating a new normal.

Occupation-Focused Learning And Personal Development Through Service-Learning, Sarah Quinn, Katie Cremin

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Experiential learning is not without its challenges. Following a pilot examination of student feedback on practical and learning difficulties they encountered, students’ experiences of their occupation-focused, service-learning module was systematically explored using a case study design. Concurrent mixed methods were employed to collect data with emphasis on qualitative data gathered through weekly, guided reflective journals and online forums. Students were also surveyed pre and post module to validate data on their experiences regarding their concerns, perceived learning, and evaluation of the module. Four themes were identified. These related to students’ increased understanding of the use and value of occupation; their …

The Perceptions Of Four Novice Occupational Therapists' Preparedness And Ability To Perform Occupation-Based Practice In Pediatric Practice, Laurie Knis-Matthews, Meagan Koch, Alivia Nufrio, Melissa Neustein Gorman, Feby Zaki, Katheryne H. Wall

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Although occupation-based practice (OBP) is considered best practice within the occupational therapy profession, practitioners continue to have a difficult time actively implementing OBP into treatment. The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) standards necessitate the implementation of OBP. Within the literature, there are gaps in the research investigating novice therapists’ perceptions of incorporating OBP in practice, especially in the United States. Since children and youth is a rapidly growing area of practice, this study focused on investigating how novice therapists are implementing OBP in pediatric settings. This qualitative study therefore investigated the perceptions of four novice pediatric occupational therapists’ …

Tacit To Explicit Knowledge Transfer In A University Health Care Program: Use Of Student-Professor And Professor-Professor Collaboration, Geela Spira, Allen S. Keener

Pedagogicon Conference Proceedings

Student feedback indicated difficulty applying Occupational Therapy values such as “participation in meaningful occupations” into clinical interventions. Two instructors of a components-based course and a theory course collaborated to link practical OT interventions to conceptual OT models. Use of a model for transfer of tacit knowledge was utilized. Each instructor kept a reflective diary. An iterative process for a semester attempted to transfer learned explicit knowledge into an integrated intuitive ‘art of the therapy’ which incorporated Occupational Science core concepts. Worksheets were developed to make the pathway more explicit. By semester’s end, students completed a comprehensive plan for client care.