Digital Commons Network^™

Multidisciplinary Sensory Recommendations For Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder, Rachael Rice

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

The purpose of this capstone experience was to serve the patients and therapists of the Tampa General Hospital Outpatient Rehabilitation at Westshore. Due to the increasing number of referrals to the clinic for Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder (FNSD), there was a need for education and recommendations for the multidisciplinary team, specifically related to sensory related interventions. There was a need for informational resources for patient education, collaboration between the interdisciplinary team to encourage carryover, and sensory recommendations. FNSD patients may experience a variety of symptoms best treated through a multidisciplinary approach that addresses physical and psychological aspects. Aside from clinical …

National Institutes Of Health: Clinical Research & Clinical Practice Skills In Occupational Therapy, Arianna Z. Cook

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Bridging The Gap Between Theory And Practice: A Journey Through Conducting Genre-Based Research In Applied Linguistics For Identifying And Analyzing Genres, Elih Sutisna Yanto, Anita Triastuti

The Qualitative Report

This article discusses Conducting Genre-Based Research in Applied Linguistics: A Methodological Guide, edited by Matt Kessler and Charlene Polio, that addresses the theory-practice gap in genre-based pedagogy. The book emphasizes the importance of systemic functional linguistics (SFL) and its integration into the teaching and learning cycle to improve students' understanding and production of different genres. Theoretical foundations of Halliday's SFL are discussed alongside practical methods such as case studies, ethnography and metadiscourse analysis. The volume offers a comprehensive framework for researchers and educators and describes tools and approaches for analyzing multimodal texts, understanding multilingual competence, and applying genre knowledge …

Advocating For The Role Of Occupational Therapy In A Community-Based Setting Through The Use Of Journaling For Individuals With Chronic Mental Illness, Taylor Muzik-Eversdijk

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

Individuals who battle severe mental illness (SMI) experience a range of deficits that affect various aspects of daily life, including activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), social participation, sleep and rest, education, work, leisure, and play. Research suggests that journaling can help individuals with SMI express their emotions and provide a healthy outlet for coping with symptoms. This doctoral capstone project aimed to identify the unique needs of individuals with SMI and explore how journaling and other occupational therapy (OT) interventions could expand the scope of practice within Boley Centers' assertive community treatment (ACT) teams …

Measuring Program Effectiveness Of The Assistive Social Skills And Employment Training, Alyssa A. Chappel

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

A Qualitative Study On Workplace Mental Wellbeing In The Singapore Context, Chad C E Yip, M. Anthony Machin, Yong Wah Goh

The Qualitative Report

Workplace wellbeing is essential for the employee as well as the organisation, but it may not adequately capture the way wellbeing is experienced in Singapore due to its diverse multi-ethnic society imbued with Eastern and Western values. The present study explores Singaporean employees’ understanding and perspectives in relation to how they experience wellbeing at the Singapore workplace. With a total of 31 participants consisting of full-time Singaporean employees from 17 industries, we used reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2013) to interpret the data and develop the themes. These 13 themes are: accomplishment, autonomy, co-worker relationship, employee recognition, fairness, learning …

Sitting With The Data: Experimenting With Meditative Thematic Analysis, Steve Haberlin

The Qualitative Report

While qualitative researchers have turned to non-traditional forms and methods to collect and analyze data, including contemplative and mindfulness approaches to inquiry relatively little has been written in the professional literature about how to specifically use meditation techniques as a qualitative data analysis method. In this article, I describe how I engaged in meditation and used mindfulness to code data and derive thematic patterns during the completion of my dissertation at the University of South Florida. I explore the notion of practicing meditation to foster a creative silence, which may encourage insights and thematic findings to emerge more spontaneously.

Sociocultural Environment And Agency In Identity Construction Of English Language Teachers, Bharat Prasad Neupane , Phd

The Qualitative Report

Identity is an emerging field in educational research focusing on how teacher education programs, training, reflective practices, and short-term interventions impact the identity negotiation of teachers (Gautam, 2018). However, this study reports how different levels of sociocultural environments influence teachers and what initiatives they take for professional development and identity construction. Drawing on Wenger’s (1998) notion of communities of practice and Norton’s (2013) investing, this study sought to uncover the interchange of the development of learning communities and teachers by investigating the life history of four secondary-level English language teachers derived through informal conversations and in-depth interviews. Teachers’ life stories …

Using Real Patients In Physical Therapy Didactic Education: A Mixed-Methods Investigation, Stacia Hall Thompson, Mary Shotwell, Hina Garg, Michelle Webb

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Physical therapy educators use various strategies to promote student learning. One such way is to use real patients (RP) in the classroom to learn course material during simulation-based learning experiences (SLE). This study aimed to identify student physical therapist (SPT) perceptions regarding value, satisfaction, and confidence with SLE using RP, explore SPT perceptions and lived experiences regarding RP use in SLE during didactic physical therapy education, and determine differences in value, satisfaction, and confidence in cognitive, affective, and psychomotor learning domains based on demographic variables. Methods: The study used a convergent parallel mixed-methods design to simultaneously gather quantitative (survey) …

Employing Reflexivity In Sexuality Socialisation Research: A Methodological Contribution From Psychosocial Studies, Lisa Saville Young Dr, Yanela Ndabula Ms, Catriona Ida Macleod Prof

The Qualitative Report

In this paper, we describe and demonstrate the value of adopting a psychosocial methodology to explore unique sexual socialisation experiences emphasising the role of reflexivity. Psychosocial methodology emerges from Psychosocial Studies, a “transdisciplinary” area interested in phenomena from “both” a social and personal perspective and in this paper is employed to investigate how sexual socialisation is shaped by psychological processes “and” social relations, and how these can be “thought together” (Frosh & Vyrgioti, 2022). Psychosocial data analytic strategies involve applying narrative and discursive psychology alongside psychoanalytic concepts to understand the possible reasons for a participant’s investment in particular discourses, understanding …

Teaching Staff Mathematics University: Catalyst Of The Emotional-Techno-Ontological Logic, Derling Jose Mendoza Velazco Dr, Magda Francisca Cejas Martínez Phd, Carmen Siavil Varguillas Carmona Phd, Mercedes Carolina Navarro Cejas Phd, Gina Silvana Venegas Álvarez M.Sc.

The Qualitative Report

The relevance of the study lies in the necessity to investigate the psycho-emotional state of teachers during the transition to remote teaching in universities and its impact on academic performance and emotional state of students. The aim of the research was to develop a theoretical approach to describe the emotional and techno-ontological logic of mathematics teachers during distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of their emotional state on the learning process. The study involved teachers and students from universities in Ecuador, both private and public. The study observed the behavior of teachers and students, analyzed the use …

Occupational Therapy & Dyslexia Curriculum, Tiara Ortiz

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

My capstone project, a truly innovative endeavor, was conducted in a school-based setting for children with dyslexia. I developed educational materials, distinct in their approach, for teachers and occupational therapists to implement individually or in a group setting. These materials comprise a curriculum that explicitly targets executive functioning and visual interventions, a novel and exciting approach to dyslexia treatment. The project was successfully implemented in the Bridge Program at the Christ School in Orlando, Florida, a private school program tailored to children with dyslexia. I was mentored by Dominque Kiefer, OTD, OTR/L, BCP, the Bridge Program's school-based occupational therapist.

Self-Directed Learning In A Qualitative Research Methods Course For Doctoral Students, Amy L. Damrow, Krittika Grau, Brandon Pettry, Karen Plaster, Adepeju Prince

The Qualitative Report

This paper describes (1) the reasoning behind a self-directed learning assignment in an advanced qualitative research methods course, and (2) doctoral students’ experiences with that assignment. Drawing on instructor and student perspectives, a professor and four doctoral students collaborated to reflect and report on the process and product of one assignment within a course. The doctoral students approached the assignment in unique ways: delving into one specific research methodology, comparing multiple research designs, and exploring current uses of qualitative research at a research conference. The piece contributes to the body of literature about students’ and instructors’ experiences in graduate qualitative …

Navigating Credibility And Approachability In Conflict Zones: Insights From Fieldwork In Nigerian Communities Facing Eco-Violence, Ezenwa E. Olumba

The Qualitative Report

This article contributes to the literature by proposing an expanded “framework for credibility and approachability,” extending the framework’s applicability in conflict-affected societies. The credibility and approachability framework aids researchers in comprehending and evaluating their fieldwork experiences, enabling them to articulate their experiences clearly and insightfully. Drawing on the reflexive experiences of a diaspora-based researcher who used this framework to prepare for fieldwork in Nigeria, the article illustrates the framework’s components plus the added “bearability” component. The experiences were borne out of a study with 54 participants across focus groups in communities affected by eco-violence in the Nigerian Middle Belt. The …

Qualitative Study Of Stakeholder Influence On Environmental Practices: Evidence From The Malaysian Aviation Industry, Zarina Zakaria, Zamzulaila Zakaria

The Qualitative Report

In this study, we seek to explore the influence of stakeholders on environmental management practices in Malaysia's aviation industry. The data from this study was derived from interviewing 25 respondents in nine organisations within the aviation sector and was analysed using thematic analysis. We show that internal and external stakeholders significantly influence changes towards better environmental management practices. While internal stakeholders have contributed to better environmental management practices by changing their day-to-day practices within their functional role in the organisation, the external stakeholders have been the key actors that have significantly pushed the organisation to implement a proper environmental management …

Achieving U.S. Preeminence In The Space Domain, Mohammad Durrani

National Security Affairs and International Relations Theses

As an expansion of the geopolitical theatre, the space domain has become fully integrated into the modern world, providing essential services such as communications, navigation, intelligence, and security for both civil and military purposes. With this integration, the fragility of the space domain becomes visibly apparent. Advancements made by U.S. adversaries, specifically China and Russia, in both satellite and counterspace weapons technologies, present a unique challenge that threatens to undermine U.S. dominance in the space domain. These threats may place the United States under severe constraints if conflict were to arise, potentially compromising critical nodes that are central to its …

Wearable Device Case-Study: Unveiling Physiological Stress Patterns In A Neurosurgeon Operating Multiple Surgeries, Andy Suarez, Justin Braun, Gabriel J. Sanders, Yoav Ritter, Steven Vanni, Jaime Tartar, Corey A. Peacock

Journal for Sports Neuroscience

Introduction

Utilizing a wearable device, this case study aims to measure stress at different surgical durations to bridge the gap in research regarding the physiological stress of surgery. Significant stress variations throughout the surgeries are anticipated, which will provide valuable insight into the patterns of physiological stress experienced by our neurosurgeon.

Materials and Methods

One male neurosurgeon subject (n=1; age: 48; height: 188 cm; weight: 87.3 kg) conducted 82 surgeries (2023-2024). A wearable device (Whoop 4, Boston, MA) was used to monitor maximum heart rate (MAXHR), average heart rate (AVGHR), calories (CAL), strain (STR) and surgery duration (MIN). Surgeries were …

Using Triangulation And Crystallization To Make Qualitative Studies Trustworthy And Rigorous, Hani Morgan

The Qualitative Report

Qualitative research is often criticized for lacking rigor and consisting of opinions that result from researcher bias. But like well-designed quantitative research, qualitative studies can be trustworthy. Qualitative researchers generally agree that some practices, such as triangulation, can be used to increase the credibility of the kind of research they conduct. Unfortunately, many researchers are confused about or unaware of the different types of triangulation strategies, leading them to write papers without accurately identifying which ones they used. Triangulation is also a contested approach for many qualitative researchers because it is oftentimes associated with a post-positivist paradigm. Unlike quantitative researchers, …

The Lived Clinical Experiences Of Expatriate Athletic Trainers, Emily K. Mulkey, Elizabeth R. Neil, Trisha Cousins, Mary Murray

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

One of the ways that healthcare systems have adapted to the needs of patient care is to expand the role of allied healthcare professionals. The utilization of these clinicians, with wide-ranging skill sets, allows for increased adaptability and improved patient outcomes.¹ Expansion of physician reach through allied health professions provides improved connectivity to patients.² While medical communities all have a common goal, the healthcare system varies among nations in terms of the representation of allied healthcare professions.² Within the United States (US), one of the most versatile allied health professions is athletic training. With a skill set …

National Coral Reef Management Fellowship Newsletter Volume 5 | Issue 2, National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) Coral Reef Conservation Program

National Coral Reef Management Fellowship Newsletter

No abstract provided.

“I Know How Much He Cares For Our Learning”: Moral Life In University Elt Classrooms, Leila Tajik, Seyyed Abdolhamid Mirhosseini, Mahsa Kashkooli

The Qualitative Report

In Iran’s higher education English language teaching (ELT) context, we explored the moral nuances embedded in two conversation courses offered to undergraduate students majoring in English Literature at one of the branches of the Islamic Azad University (IAU) in Tehran. We collected data through classroom observations, field notes, and semi-structured individual and focus group interviews. Our content analysis revealed a range of moral values embedded in significant incidents, which we categorized into five themes: (a) relations, (b) rules and regulations, (c) assessment, (d) curricular substructure, and (I) culture. These themes were further subcategorized into more specific concepts that emerged from …

“Understand What The Feelings Of The Student Must Be:” Newcomer Youths’ High School Integration Experiences, Anusha Kassan Dr., Alissa Priolo Dr., Natalie C. Sweeney, Suzanne Goopy Dr., Rahat Zaidi Dr.

The Qualitative Report

The present study was grounded in a social constructionist epistemology with an integrative social justice lens. It highlights the perspectives of one group – that of newcomer youth – from a collective case study exploring the phenomenon of school integration across multiple collaborators in one designated high school. As school integration is a central component in the lives and experiences of newcomer youth, this study aimed to provide insights and lessons learned directly from this group as they were integrating into a high school in Western Canada. In line with the epistemology and research design, the research prioritized participant voices …

Sport Health Care Providers Knowledge Of Pain-Relieving Medications Including Opioids, Jackie Vandertuin, Dalya Abdulla, Stephanie Lowther, Miranda Manolakos

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: Sport health care providers (SHCP) frequently field inquiries from athletes and key stakeholders regarding pain-relieving procedures, including medications. Purpose: This study sought to investigate the knowledge and role of SHCPs in managing and dispensing pain-relieving medications (PRMs), including opioids, for Canadian athletes. Method: Certified athletic therapists, registered sport massage therapists, licensed doctor of chiropractic sport sciences, and registered physiotherapists were sent an online survey. Percentage responses for each question as well Chi-squared analyses to determine potential interactions between questions were calculated. Results: Findings revealed a significant majority of participants (80%) self-reported having a “great deal” or “some” knowledge about …

Director Of Clinical Education Training In Doctor Of Physical Therapy Programs, Michele (Shelly) Lewis, Eric Folkins

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Directors of clinical education (DCEs) need knowledge and skills in many areas to succeed in their roles.Not only does the DCE need to master the traditional faculty roles of scholarship, service, and teaching, but the DCE also needs to become competent in administrative duties. Lack of training, especially in research, can negatively affect the DCEs’ ability to perform their responsibilities effectively and efficiently. In this study, we aimed to examine how DCEs learn their numerous roles and how training and experience influence self-perceived competence. Method: In this quantitative, non-experimental study, we used an online survey to obtain information from …

Self-Compassion And Occupational Engagement To Promote Overall Well-Being In Graduate Health Professions Students, Elena Wong Espiritu, Cynthia Evetts

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: Evidence suggests that there is an increasing trend of graduate students experiencing poor well-being during their educational experience. Health professions students are at an even higher risk for psychological and psychosocial distress. However, there is limited programming to promote graduate student well-being provided in academic settings as most programming is focused on undergraduate students. Purpose: The primary purpose of this exploratory predictive and descriptive, cross-sectional survey study was to determine if self-compassion and occupational engagement constructs (engagement in meaningful occupations, occupational balance, physical activity) significantly predict overall well-being constructs (general psychological distress, health, wellness, general well-being, psychological well-being) in …

The Cognitive And Affective Empathy Of Doctor Of Physical Therapy Students Vs. Specialty Choice, Bruce W. Newton, Michelle Green, Zachary Vaskalis

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: This modified cross-sectional study was performed to determine which specialties DPT students desire to enter, and how affective and cognitive empathy is related to the specialty choice. There are two types of empathy: affective and cognitive. Affective empathy from an emotionally charged situation enters the CNS of a person first and is followed by a cognitive empathic response. Methods: Affective empathy was measured using the Balanced Emotional Empathy Scale (BEES) and cognitive empathy was measured using the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Health Professions Student (JSE-HPS) version. Each student was asked to indicate which specialty they desired to enter: cardiopulmonary, geriatrics, …

Stakeholder Involvement And Systematic Review Of Elements That Determine A Successful Return To Work For Injured Workers: A Scoping Review, Sundip Kaur Khosa, Wilma Jelley Professor

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Introduction: A healthy and sustainable return to work (RTW) for a worker after injury or illness has benefits for the worker, their family, the employer, and society.¹ For this research we used the following definition of RTW success; return to positive and meaningful work in a position or occupation not necessarily including all the aspects of the worker’s pre-injury or pre-illness functions or tasks. Purpose: The question behind this survey-based research was, What elements are perceived as essential, to ensure return to employment of injured or ill workers, by stakeholders with experience in the RTW process? Methods: A 32 …

Faculty Perspectives On Professional Behaviors In Exercise Science And Kinesiology Education, Christina Davlin-Pater

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Professional behaviors are important for success, and many employers expect students to learn these behaviors in their academic programs. This study identified the value faculty place on specific professional behaviors, their views, their behaviors related to teaching and fostering professional behaviors, and the negative behaviors observed in students. It also examined the perceived barriers faculty have to teaching professional behaviors. Method: 100 institutions with exercise science and/or kinesiology undergraduate programs were identified. Public and private institutions from 8 regions of the country were included. An email requesting participation in a survey was sent to 1567 individuals identified as faculty …

Occupational Therapists In Disaster Management: A Survey Study, Rebecca I. Estes, Gina M. Delgado, Nicole J. Bing, Megan E. Byrne, Jessica S. Eady, Kayleigh E. Hollywood, Alyssa B. Kopp

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: There is a need for occupational therapy involvement in disaster management from preparation to response. To understand why OTs are not involved with disaster management, this study explored perceived disaster management roles for healthcare professionals; the level of familiarity and professional experience with stages of disaster; and the relationship between training and likelihood of engagement. Method: The Healthcare Practitioner Disaster Management Questionnaire, an anonymous quantitative survey, was deployed to licensed OTs and OT assistants (OTAs) practicing in 14 states in the US (a convenience sample). Descriptive analysis and Spearman Rho correlation were used to understand the data. Results: OTs …

Undergraduate Allied Healthcare Professional Students’ Perceived Knowledge Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Meghna Patel, Sthembiso Ncube, Maria Du Toit, Carlien Muller Vorster, Raeesa Dawood, Chriséle Du Preez, Renata Eccles

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Allied healthcare professionals are key stakeholders involved in managing children with autism spectrum disorder. Adequate knowledge, interprofessional education, and collaborative practice should therefore be fostered through a responsive curriculum from an undergraduate level. This study aimed to describe the knowledge of final-year undergraduate allied healthcare professional students from a South African university regarding risk factors, symptoms, and intervention considerations for children with autism spectrum disorder. Method: A cross-sectional e-survey design was implemented, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. The e-survey was distributed to 170 undergraduate students. Results: A total of 59 participants from the following …