Digital Commons Network^™

Giving Credence To The Experience Of X-Linked Hypophosphatemia In Adulthood: An Interprofessional Mixed-Methods Study, Melissa Hughes, Carolyn Macica, Catherine Meriano, Maya Doyle

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is a rare X-linked dominant metabolic bone disease, often diagnosed in childhood but causing increasing physical debilitation and pain in adulthood. Physical comorbidities of XLH in adulthood include pervasive and early-onset degenerative arthritis, mineralizing enthesophytes and osteophytes, osteomalacia and pseudofracture, dental abscesses, and hearing loss.

Methods: This mixed-methods analysis included physical findings, diagnostic imaging, occupational and physical therapy assessments, and semi-structured interviews by social work to understand the functional outcomes and lived experience of XLH in adulthood, through connections between qualitative data obtained by social work and occupational therapy with the quantitative findings from other disciplines. …

Occupational Therapy's Role In Pain Management Using Virtual Reality, Johnathan Quach

Student Capstone Papers

Pain is a complex phenomenon that affects millions every day and is frequently associated with activity restriction and decreases in psycho-social health. Studies have shown that opioids alone cannot eliminate all the difficulties that are associated with chronic pain, demonstrating a dire need to consider safer and more effective alternatives. Furthermore, given the impact of chronic pain on an individual’s ability to perform valued activities, and therefore overall well-being and quality of life, occupational therapy must be considered an essential member of any pain management team. Thus, there may be potential benefits to reviewing the use of virtual reality (VR) …

Effectiveness Of A Multimodal Mindfulness Program For Student Health Care Professionals: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Sharon A. Gutman, Martha Sliwinski, Justin Laird, Jennifer Nguyen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The effectiveness of a multimodal mindfulness program incorporating traditional and nontraditional forms of active and nonactive meditation practices with a sample of occupational and physical therapy students was assessed in this study.

Method: Thirty-six participants were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. The 8-week mindfulness program consisted of one weekly 40-min in-person group session and four weekly 10-min online guided meditations. Pre and postintervention measures included the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Student Stress Management Scale (SSMS), mindfulness activity log, open-ended qualitative questionnaire, GPA, and counseling visit frequency.

Results: Statistically significant differences, with large effect …

Stakeholder Perceptions On Transitioned Foster Youth Work Outcomes: A Mixed Methods Study In San Antonio, Bonnie Inkel

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Purpose: This examination of stakeholder perceptions on transitioned foster youth work outcomes is a crucial step to identify service strengths and barriers, characteristics of successful/unsuccessful outcomes, and opportunities for occupational therapy collaboration in San Antonio, Texas.

Method: A mixed-methods approach identified perceptions from two groups of stakeholders. Group I included transitionedfoster youth ages 18–24, and group II involved public/private agency professionals working with youth. Small sample sizes prevented traditional statistical analysis, but the Excel VARA (variance) statistical function analyzed numerical spread combinations from collected data, thus providing quantitative analysis.

Results: Participants confirmed they had not completed a similar survey on …

Examining The Educational And Professional Learning Contexts Where Occupational Therapy Practitioners Gained Competencies For Intraprofessional Collaboration, Jennifer S. Pitonyak, Cecille Corsilles-Sy, Rachel B. Diamant, Anne Birge James

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The findings described in this article are part of a broader scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) project examining competencies for intraprofessional practice. We identified the educational and professional learning contexts where occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants developed competencies for intraprofessional collaboration. Practitioners were recruited via snowball sampling and responded to an online survey about competencies for intraprofessional practice. Respondents (N = 465) identified learning contexts that contributed to the development of each competency, selecting up to three choices: Class in Occupational Therapy or Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, Fieldwork, Formal Work Training, Work Experience, Continuing Education Course, and …

Pilot Evaluation Of The Computer-Based Assessment Of Non-Cognitive Attributes Of Health Professionals (Cana-Hp), Sara Faye Maher

Wayne State University Dissertations

To meet the needs of complex and/or underserved patient populations, health care professionals must possess diverse backgrounds, qualities, and skill sets. Holistic review has been used to diversify student admissions through examination of non-cognitive attributes of health care applicants. The objective of this study was to develop a novel methodology, the computer-based assessment of non-cognitive attributes of health professionals (CANA­ HP), to effectively screen non-cognitive attributes of applicants. Three research questions were delineated; 1.) To determine the CANA-HP instrument reliability (internal consistency & interrater), 2.) To determine if the CANA-HP measured attributes of non­cognitive variables, as demonstrated by low construct …

Ace: A Recipe For Occupational Competence, Brittany J. Miller

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Adverse childhood experiences are increasing in society and the lack of knowledge surrounding the condition from the adults who frequently interact with them is concerning. This concern lays the foundation for the development of a targeted approach to pediatric intervention by occupational therapists. The problem this capstone project addresses is expanding the understanding of how adverse childhood experiences mirror other common conditions as well as the need for more competent and confident occupational therapists in identifying and treating children with adverse childhood experiences.

Masters To Doctorate: Impact Of The Transition On One Occupational Therapy Program, Rebecca Ozelie, Kia Ashley Burks, Samantha Lee, Kathryn Riggilo, Michelle Sivak

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Within the field of occupational therapy, the issue of transitioning from an entry-level master's degree to an entry-level doctorate degree is under debate. As such, it is important to investigate the impact of the transition in order to help make educated decisions about the potential future of the profession.This study analyzed retrospective data collected from six cohorts at one Midwestern university to analyze the impact of the transition to an entry-level doctorate on diversity, admission and matriculation rates, and fieldwork reservations. No statistical difference in diversity between masters and doctorate level cohorts was found but it is of note that …

An International Fieldwork Placement: A Mixed Methods Study, Dianna Lunsford, Kristin A. Valdes

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of an international fieldwork placement on occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) students’ cultural competence, community engagement, and ethical leadership. This study used a mixed methods approach. The Public Affairs Scale (PAS) was used to gather pre and post placement data on cultural competence, community engagement, and ethical leadership. Qualitative data was themed from a reflection paper along with researcher field notes from a fieldwork placement to Ibarra, Ecuador. Eleven OTD students participated in the study. The study demonstrated a convergence of the data in the area of cultural competence and responsiveness. …

The Purpose Of Capstone In An Entry-Level Clinical Doctorate: A Scoping Review, Nancy E. Krusen, Anne Murphy-Hagan, Sarah Foidel

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This scoping review examined outcomes of capstones in relation to entry-level doctoral education programs within the health professions. Aims of the study included mapping existing evidence related to capstone across entry-level clinical doctorates; investigating the purpose of capstones within health professions education; and identifying future research initiatives. Researchers applied and reported via the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews systematic approach, and Best Evidence Medical Education global scale. The study indicated a gap in existing literature. Few health professions described requirements for capstones as part of an entry-level doctorate. Reviewed articles offered no consistent definition, intent, process, or outcome for capstones. …

Determining The Effect Of Target Education On Students’ Cultural Responsiveness And Performance During Standard Patient Interactions, Rebecca Mojica

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

There is limited available data about the level of cultural responsiveness skills in occupational therapy students. The purpose of this capstone project was to ascertain the impact of target specific training in cultural diversity on students’ perception of cultural responsiveness, and on their performance during simulated patient interactions. The overreaching framework for this capstone project was the conceptual model for culturally responsive care. This capstone project followed a one group pretest and post-test quasi-experimental design. Participants consisted of second-year students enrolled in an entry level master occupational therapy program at a large urban public university. The pre and post-test self-assessment …

Occupational Therapy Students’ Perceptions Of Osce: A Qualitative Descriptive Analysis, Nancy E. Krusen, M. Nicole Martino

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE) are commonly used across health professions educational programs to evaluate student clinical competencies. OSCE are multiple, brief stations representing common practice scenarios. The purpose of the study was to evaluate student perceptions of OSCE. The researchers implemented 17 OSCE stations with 40 second year occupational therapy students to assess clinical competencies prior to fieldwork. Applying a qualitative descriptive methodologic approach, researchers analyzed station rating data, Qualtrics survey Likert-type items, and Qualtrics survey open-ended responses. Number of station rating responses varied widely, due to perceived time press. Station rating responses confirmed the more robust 80% response …