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Using A Social Support Group To Educate And Empower Immigrant Latina Women, Diana N. Rendon

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

The purpose of this capstone project was to promote mental health education and access to vulnerable South Florida Latina Women. The original intent was to establish a program providing families with mental health education, including information about common mental illnesses, signs and symptoms, community resources, and the impacts on occupations. This capstone experience was conducted with the Magnolias Women's Support Group at Caridad Center, located in Palm Beach County, Florida. The focus areas of this capstone were advocacy, policy and program development, and administration. Furthermore, this capstone project was intended to promote health literacy for underserved populations, especially immigrant women.

Down Syndrome And Dementia:: A Patient And Care-Giver Centered Approach, Mary M. Stephens, E. Adel Herge, Charmaine Wright

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Development And Implementation Of An Evaluation Tool For Measuring Cultural Competency Learning Activities In Health And Sport Science Undergraduate Students, Diana Cuy Castellanos, Haozhou Pu, Rachel Piero

International Journal of Health Sciences Education

Due to the diversity within the healthcare system, it is important to promote cultural competency in healthcare providers. The integration of pedagogical approaches to cultural competency into health-related programs cannot be understated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop an instrument to examine the student engagement in cultural competency-related activities within health-related degree programs and determine the relationship between engagement and cultural competency. Participants of the study included first- and fourth-year undergraduate students studying within a health-related program at a mid-sized, private university in the Midwestern US. Participants completed a cultural competency inventory questionnaire which included activities identified …

Plagiocephaly Perception And Prevention: A Need To Intervene Early To Educate Parents, Sonja Burmeister, Allison N. Kayne, Ali R. Yazdanyar, J. Nathan Hagstrom, David B. Burmeister

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Plagiocephaly is a condition where the cranium has been malformed because of external forces or premature cranial suture fusion. This study’s objective was to gather and examine data regarding parent and caregiver awareness of plagiocephaly and its potential impact on development as well as to determine their rate of concern for positional flattening.

Method: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted. Categorical variables were described by frequency and proportions. The study was conducted across eight outpatient pediatric sites. Approximately 1,100 parents and caregivers were targeted. Inclusion criteria required participants to be willing to answer the questionnaire, to be …

Promoting Healthy Transitions: Occupational Therapy Interventions For Health Management Of Homeless Populations Discharging From Health Care Settings, Dominic Carullo, Hana Chamoun, Alison Mcandrew, Brian O'Sullivan, Chelsea Pierce

Collaborative Research and Evidence shared Among Therapists and Educators (CREATE Day)

Objectives
By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to

• Identify the need for effective interventions to create better connections to health services and facilitate health management skills in individuals experiencing homelessness prior to discharge from a healthcare setting
• Recognize the potential for occupational therapists to increase health literacy and the development of self-directed health management skills for individuals experiencing homelessness prior to hospital discharge
• Apply components of an evidence-based, best practice approach to promote the development of healthy behaviors and health management skills in individuals experiencing homelessness

PICO Question
What interventions within the scope of occupational therapy …

Doctoral Capstone Experience In Academia And Policy Development: Nova Southeastern University, Melanie Mariani

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

An exceptional amount of literature points to the benefits of hands-on learning experiences for students enrolled in healthcare programs (Coker, 2009; Doucet, 2012; Thomas et al., 2017 & Velde, 2009). Goals of my doctoral capstone experience (DCE) included: 1) Develop the foundational requirements for Nova Southeastern University (NSU) to increase hands-on experiential student learning and potentially develop an on-site clinic in the future, and 2) Create and deploy educational materials for the students in the class of 2022 to increase their hands-on learning while taking the course virtually. The results include the creation of three sets of clinical reasoning guides …

Perspectives On The Professional Communication Profile And Needs Of Emerging Occupational Therapists Of The Millennial Generation: A Comparison Study, Ryan E. Whitney, Margaret L. Morris, Jessica Harney

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Millennials, born between 1982­ and 2000, became the largest share of the American workforce in 2015. As of 2014, 23.9% of American occupational therapists were under the age of 30. Positive traits ascribed to millennials include: highly educated, ambitious, confident, and optimistic. However, indicators of challenges for managing millennials emerge from media and anecdotal evidence, including stereotypes of disloyalty, entitlement, dependency, and casualness. Relevant for supporting professional development is a call to understand and enhance professional communication.

Method: This study analyzed how emerging millennial occupational therapists self-describe their professional communication profile and needs, compared to the perspective …

Weighted Blankets And Sleep Quality In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Single-Subject Design, Bryan M. Gee, Victoria Scharp, Amy Williams

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Purpose: The purpose of the single-subject study was to explore the possible relationship between weighted blanket applications and sleep quality in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and behavioral manifestations of sensory processing deficits.

Method: Two 4-year-old participants diagnosed with ASD who also experienced sleep disturbances took part in a single-subject design study. Objective sleep measures and caregiver surveys were tracked for a baseline period of 7 days followed by a 14-day weighted blanket intervention and a 7-day withdrawal phase.

Results: Caregiver reports and objective data were evaluated using visual analysis and the percentage of non-overlapping data …

A Cost-Effective Analysis Of 3d Printing Applications In Occupational Therapy Practice, Megan Hunzeker, Rebecca Ozelie

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Emerging research supports 3D printing can provide customizable, low-cost, and replicable items for application in occupational therapy, but more research is necessary to inform occupational therapists on why and how 3D printing would be applicable and feasible in practice.

Method: This study is a cost-effective analysis aimed to identify practical considerations of a selection of 3D printed items in comparison to commercially available items. Ten items of adaptive equipment were downloaded from open-sourced 3D printing design websites and printed. The estimated cost of material was calculated and each print time was recorded. Items with comparable design and …

Evaluating Interprofessional Competencies And Knowledge Of And Confidence In Addressing Social Determinants Of Health, Whitney Lucas Molitor, Moses N. Ikiugu, Ranelle Nissen, Mejai Avoseh, Denyelle Kenyon, Sabina Kupershmidt

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Promoting health requires coordinated, team-based interventions responsive to multiple determinants of health. This study aimed to determine if interprofessional competencies and knowledge of and confidence in addressing the social determinants of health improved following an interprofessional learning event. A two-group randomized controlled trial was used to determine study outcomes among 408 health science students from 14 health profession programs in the Midwest. Formed groups were randomly assigned to the customary medical-based (control) or social determinants of health focused (experimental) case study. In small groups students engaged in a case study simulation and offered recommendations for intervention. Small improvements in knowledge …

Outcomes And Perceptions Of Graduates Of An On-Campus And Hybrid Occupational Therapy Program, Alie Banning, Morgan Dickerson, Angelique Hill Roebuck, Lou Jensen

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Hybrid education, which combines face-to-face and online learning, is being implemented in an increasing number of graduate schools. However, there is limited research on the outcomes of graduates of hybrid programs. The purpose of this study was to a) examine the employment characteristics, professional characteristics, and education perceptions of graduates from an entry-level doctor of occupational therapy program; and b) investigate differences in these variables between graduates of the on-campus and hybrid pathways. A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 146 graduates of an occupational therapy program that includes on-campus (n=111) and hybrid (n=35) pathways. Data were analyzed using an …

Exploring Anatomy Coursework And Perceptions Of Occupational Therapy Students: A Survey Study, Ashleigh Giles, William Conrad, Dianna Lunsford, Kristin A. Valdes

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy practitioners utilize their knowledge of human anatomy to understand underlying anatomical dysfunction and how it impacts occupational performance. However, anatomy is not a required standalone course within occupational therapy curricula. This may leave students at a disadvantage throughout occupational therapy programs, fieldwork, and as practitioners. The primary purpose of this study was to explore graduate level occupational therapy students’ previous anatomy undergraduate coursework, student perceived preparedness of anatomical knowledge, and their performance in a mandatory Analysis of Human Movement course within our university’s occupational therapy graduate programs. The secondary purpose was to determine student interest in a standalone …

Is Compressed And Limited Synchronous Delivery Of Anatomy Content In A Hybrid Delivery Format Effective In Transitional Ot Student Learning?, Reivian Berrios Barillas, Kathy J. Lemley

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Hybrid occupational therapy (OT) students transitioning from certified OT assistants (COTAs) to OTs can successfully learn graduate-level anatomy in a compressed format with limited synchronous instruction time. The effectiveness of a human anatomy course with limited synchronous instruction time for transitional hybrid occupational therapy students was investigated. A retrospective, non-randomized study was used. A university graduate level human anatomy course for transitional OT students used prosected (previously dissected) cadavers. Students (n=46, 32 instruction hours over 16 weeks) final anatomy course grades for three cohorts were measured retrospectively. There was a 98% first-time pass rate and 100% second time …

Application Of Active Learning Strategies For Online Delivery In An Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, Tiffany L. Benaroya, Jennifer C. George, Deborah Mckernan-Ace, Margaret Swarbrick

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact worldwide in every aspect of society including occupational therapy assistant students enrolled in academic coursework. This manuscript examines the unique experience of occupational therapy assistant faculty in a northeast state who were able to quickly modify classroom and lab teaching-learning strategies to a fully online virtual format for two semesters. Since no available information on strategies for online delivery of occupational therapy assistant education were found in the literature, their experiences implementing active learning strategies are described and discussed. Strategies covered include: the flipped classroom model; think-pair-share and jigsaw technique using breakout rooms; …

Intraprofessional Collaboration In Learning Evidence-Based Practice, Chia-Wei Fan, Hsin-Hsiung Huang, Vicki Case

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Little is known about how collaborative curricular activities can help students learn about scientific evidence in occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) programs. We created and measured collaborative learning in evidence-based practice activities to enhance partnership building and intraprofessional collaboration among students in OT and OTA programs. Thirty-three OT students and 26 OTA students enrolled in a didactic course (Phase I) and an intraprofessional collaborative learning activity (Phase II) participated in this quasi-experimental repeated measure study. The students’ ability of how to read scholarly articles and their perceived importance and perceived ability to engage in intraprofessional collaboration were …

Collaborative Learning And Critical Thinking: Use Of The Jigsaw Learning Activity In Occupational Therapy Teaching, Jessica L. Dashner, Christine Berg

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Collaborative team learning prepares future practitioners using well-crafted, guided collaborative learning activities. Collaborative learning distributes responsibility across team members as they engage socially to build knowledge and learner skills. Critical thinking is a learner skill that is fostered through challenging the team of learners’ assumptions through ill-defined, complex real-life cases that defy easy solutions. The ability of occupational therapists to create effective discharge plans has been found to positively alter hospital recidivism. By offering a Jigsaw Case focused on discharge planning at several points in time across the service delivery continuum of care, a team of learners engaged in collaborative …

Best Interventions For Working Adults Experiencing Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain, Hailey Koep, Samantha Larson, Michelle Mcnamee

Critically Appraised Topics

Chronic musculoskeletal pain is defined as ongoing pain felt in the bones, joints, and tissue of the body that persists for longer than three months (Booth et al., 2017; Joelsson et al., 2017). Worldwide, 30% of the population has experienced some form of chronic pain in their lifetime (Guy et al., 2020). When living with chronic pain, it can become difficult for working adults to engage in their everyday occupations such as activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), health management, social participation, and leisure (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2020). These troubles can affect an …

Implications For Occupational Therapy Student Stress, Well-Being, And Coping: A Scoping Review, Pamela Lewis-Kipkulei, Leah S. Dunn, Amanda M. Carpenter

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Scholarly literature and non-scholarly news sources have highlighted stressors in higher education. The rigor of occupational therapy education can compound student stress. Although the profession recognizes these stressors, insufficient literature exists regarding strategies to cope with and manage these sources of stress. This scoping review explored the literature examining stress and the implications for occupational therapy student well-being and coping, and also identified strategies for faculty to support student well-being. Using PRISMA Scoping Review guidelines, a systematic, multi-phase process was used to identify relevant literature. Databases searched included PubMed, CINAHL, PsycInfo, MEDLINE Complete, Web of Science, ERIC, and Education Database. …

The Impact Of Volunteer Transportation On Older Adult’S Engagement In Meaningful Activities, Belinda Alexander

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Without accessible transportation alternatives, many older adults experience declined activity levels, social isolation, and decreased occupational engagement resulting from their lack of community mobility and access. Volunteer transportation programs have been successfully used as an additional community mobility option for many older adults, especially those unable to access the traditional public transportation options, such as buses or taxis, found in many communities.

Purpose: While numerous transportation options, or alternatives, may exist in a community, no studies to date have examined or compared engagement levels related to a specific form of alternative transportation. Therefore, the purpose of this …

An Interprofessional Learning Experience With Occupational Therapy Assistant And Physical Therapist Assistant Students Through A Simulated Educational Environment, Brooke Gentry

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

The purpose of this explanatory sequential mixed methods study is to explore if occupational therapy assistant students demonstrate increased perceived confidence and communication skills. This was completed through interprofessional interactions during a simulated lab-based case with physical therapist assistant students. The perceived confidence and communication are measured through a pre and post survey using the Interdisciplinary Education Perception Scale (IEPS). Each student completed the Interdisciplinary Education Perception Scale (IEPS) pretest prior to the event. The students underwent an educational lecture, lab demonstrations, and training for the performance of the practical application. The students participated in a simulated patient experience of …

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 …

Evaluation Of A Simulation-Based Training Program On Childhood Trauma With Occupational Therapy Students, Julie Miller-Cribbs, Jedediah E. Bragg, Mary Isaacson, Eden D. E. Nay, Daniel Howell, Kristin Rodriguez, Frances Wen, Martina Jelley, Kim Coon

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

An educational and simulation-based training model, the Professional ACEs-Informed Training for Health Professionals designed for allied health students was evaluated using a pre-and-post design. The training model emphasizes trauma-informed care and uses social simulation to educate and train students with skills to address adverse childhood experiences. This study evaluated occupational therapy students’ (N=70) levels of self-efficacy and knowledge of trauma-informed care at both pre- and post-training. Analysis of variance results indicated a statistically significant improvement in students’ levels of general self-efficacy and knowledge from pre- to post-assessment (p < .01). These results are suggestive of the usefulness of brief …

The Value Of Occupational Therapy Student Participation In University-Based Student-Run Free Clinics In The United States, Janis W. Yue, Mina Delavar, Bethrese Padini, Erik Vanstrum, Tessa Milman, John Sideris

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

While student-run free clinic (SRFC) participation is well-documented among many health professions, no study has comprehensively characterized occupational therapy student participation. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand both the current presence as well as educational impact of occupational therapy student participation in university-based SRFCs in the United States (U.S). Data collection occurred through a national survey and semi-structured interviews. Surveys were sent to representatives (e.g. program directors, faculty advisors, and student leaders) at all 190 accredited occupational therapy schools. Of these, 118 responded, for an overall response rate of 62.1%. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposeful …

Interprofessional Education Between Dental Hygiene And Occupational Therapy Students In Relation To Stroke Care, Morgan Umlauf

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Purpose: To determine if interprofessional education (IPE) program with dental hygiene and occupational therapy students help determine roles and responsibilities in patients post-stroke.

Methods: A virtual 90-minute educational module was presented to occupational therapy and dental hygiene students, hosted over zoom with a 30-minute presentation followed by an open discussion over two case studies. A pretest was administered before the event and followed by an immediate posttest. Both tests included the Modified Readiness for Interprofessional Learning (mRIPLS) items that are on a 5-point Likert scale.

Results: The virtual IPE showed that there were positive changes in pretest to posttest scores. …

Evaluating An Interprofessional Ergonomic Intervention For Dental Hygiene Students, Lashonna M. Knight

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Purpose: Ergonomics plays an important role in identifying and reducing biomechanical stress and preventing musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries by creating a better fit between physical requirements and work environments. This study examined the benefits of implementing an interprofessional education (IPE) module in a dental hygiene curriculum with a dental hygienist (DH) and occupational therapist (OT) teaching and assessing students’ ergonomics.

Methods: Students participated in an IPE intervention to incorporate preventive techniques into their daily routine, to model these protective strategies for use as practicing DHs throughout their careers. Prior to the module and at the end of the six-week study, students …