Digital Commons Network^™

The Experiences Of Occupational Therapists Working In Oncology Care And The Implications Of The Referral Process, Samantha Albrigtson, Jade Clement

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this independent study was to explore the current role of occupational therapists working in oncology care and to understand the implications of the referral process for this specific population.

Methodology: A phenomenological research design, derived from Giorgi and Giorgi (2008), was used to implement this study. The researchers interviewed 6 occupational therapists, from a variety of settings, in the Midwest region using a semi-structured interview style. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and broken down into key constituents (Giorgi & Giorgi, 2008).

Results: The subsequent results from the 6 interviews were developed from 11 key constituents that …

From Here To There: An Occupational Screening Tool For Transitioning Soldiers, Bailey Fruit, Hannah Williams

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Time has shown that it can be difficult for military personnel to resume their typical life roles within civilian life. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were the longest wars in United States history and involved some of the most intense ground engagements since Vietnam (Cogan, 2014). This left many soldiers to deal with the traumatic experiences they went through. This study aimed at developing a screening tool to address the difficulties experienced by veterans during their transition into civilian life.

The researchers began with a thorough review of literature to identify the occupational challenges the project would address. Following …

Secondary Tia Outpatient Prevention (Stop) Program: Addressing Individuals Of Lower Socioeconomic Status, Mackenzie Funke, Kasey Nieland

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project was to provide secondary prevention in an outpatient setting to individuals who have experienced a transient ischemic attack (TIA) and are of lower socioeconomic status (SES). Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of long-term disability (National Stroke Association, 2018). An estimated 795,000 plus Americans experience a stroke each year (Benjamin et al., 2017). Of this estimation, about 185,000 Americans experience a recurrent stroke (Benjamin et al., 2017). Roughly, one half of patients fail to seek medical attention within 24 hours of a TIA (Sharry …

Access To Occupational Therapy Practice: A Review Of Current Licensing Processes In The United States, Melissa Groth, Martha Scoby

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose This study was conducted to gain insight on the 50 United States and Washington D.C. occupational therapy (OT) licensure application process. This study sought to examine the accessibility of the OT licensure websites as well as the compliance each OT state licensure application has with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The researchers predicted that, while the profession of OT seeks inclusion for all individuals, there is discrimination prominent in the OT state licensure process for individuals living with disabilities.

Methodology A two-fold process was used to collect information regarding accessibility and accommodation within licensing processes for OT licensure …

Occupational Therapy Community Reintegration For Inmates With Co-Occurring Disorders, Miranda Hosking, Kara Moore

Occupational Therapy Capstones

A co-occurring disorder (COD) is the coexistence of a substance use disorder and mental health disorder (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2016). The prevalence of inmates with COD in correctional facilities is disproportionately high (Grant, Stinson, & Dawson, 2004). Despite the high incidence, correctional facilities are not equipped to meet the complex needs of individuals with COD, which often leads these individuals to re-offending or re-incarceration (Sacks, Chaple, Sacks, McKendrick, & Cleland, 2012). The role of occupational therapy in this area of practice is not clearly distinguished. However, occupational therapy’s holistic, client-centered, and occupation-based principles position the profession …

Occupational Therapy At Stable Days: Supporting A Christian Worldview, Liz Nerhus, Jordan Mooney

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to provide a framework for use by an occupational therapist providing integrated services from a Christian worldview perspective within a faith-based setting.

Methodology: An extensive literature review was completed on the topics of occupational therapy in integrated faith-based settings, with an emphasis on spirituality, experience of practitioners, current tools of the profession, and the basic tenants of the Christian faith. The search databases used included: CINAHL, OTSEARCH, Pubmed, SocIndex, and PsycINFO. The literature review revealed that nearly 80% of Americans identify spirituality as an important part of their life (Williams-Reade, Lobo and Gutierrez, …

Addressing Role Transitions In Young And Middle-Aged Adults Post-Stroke In The Inpatient Rehabilitation Setting: An In-Service For Occupational Therapists, Ashley Ystaas, Kelsey Raymond

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Young and middle-aged adults experience disruptions to their daily life roles and responsibilities due to the variety of impairments they may face following a stroke. This population is in the time of their lives where they have a variety of roles and responsibilities that are important to them such as work, parenting, home management, education, driving, community re-integration, and social participation (Harris & Bettger, 2018; Lawrence, 2010, Maaijwee et al., 2015). An extensive literature review was conducted to determine if and when occupational therapists address roles during the rehabilitation process with young and middle-aged adults post-stroke. The thorough review of …

Campus Climate At A Predominantly White Institution: A Narrative Study Of Minority Students' Experiences, Rebecca Gleditsch

Theses and Dissertations

At the same time as the racial and ethnic demographics of the United States have seen an increased change over the past decades, institutions of higher education have experienced an increase in the percentage of minority students. The majority of minority students attend Predominantly White Institutions where they have fewer peers and faculty with similar backgrounds as compared to students who attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities. We know that there are tremendous benefits of higher education, such as fewer health problems, longer life expectancy, better economic well-being, and higher likelihood of …

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy As A Mechanism For Observing And Measuring Neurological Effects Of Experienced Child Abuse And Alcohol Abuse, Christopher Anton Mark

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Previous research has shown cognitive and neurological dysfunction in adults with a history of child abuse. The purpose of the present study was to measure differences that exist in executive functioning skills, both cognitively and neurologically, between individuals who have been abused as children versus those who were not abused as children. Methods: The present study recruited 84 students from the University of North Dakota (Females = 71) with an age range of 18-55 years of age (M = 21.04 years, SD = 6.87). The participants were administered several prescreening measures, including a measure of physical child abuse, emotional …

Avian Igy As An Immunotherapy For Flaviviral Infections, Kyle O'Donnell

Theses and Dissertations

Flaviviruses compose a group of positive single strand RNA viruses. This group possess 70 individual viruses that cause disease in humans and animals. This group contains the most prevalent arbovirus dengue virus (DENV) and a recently emerging arbovirus zika virus (ZIKV). Both DENV and ZIKV represent significant world health threats and both viruses, at the moment, are contained to tropical and sub tropical regions due to vector habitat restrictions. DENV can cause severe hemorrhagic fever termed dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome depending on the extent of vascular permeability. The disease burden attributed to dengue infection is approximately 390 …

Effect Of In-Hospital Stroke Alert On Thrombolytic Therapy In Women, Renee Colsch

Theses and Dissertations

Background/Purpose. Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the United States. Women who have experienced a stroke have greater disability than men. Thrombolytic agents decrease adverse side effects of stroke by dissolving blood clots. Yet, women have 8% higher odds against being treated with a thrombolytic agent. Also, about 17% of stroke cases occur in-hospital. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects and associated variables of having an in-hospital stroke alert activation on outcomes in women admitted to the hospital for a separate condition.

Methods. Guided by the Model for Nursing Effectiveness Research, a retrospective …

Digital Image Processing And Metabolic Parameter Linearity To Noninvasively Detect Analyte Concentration, Joseph Allen Jr

Theses and Dissertations

Spectroscopy is the scientific technique of quantifying and measuring electromagnetic, or light, reflectance or absorption. Atoms emit and/or absorb light when light passes through. The excitations provide specific energy signatures that relate to the element that is emitting or absorbing the light. Non-invasive biosensors monitor physical health properties such as heart rate, oxygen saturation, and tissue blood flow as a result of spectroscopy. Several attempts have been made to non-invasively detect metabolic chemical, or analyte, concentration with various spectroscopic techniques. The primary limitation is due to signal-to-noise ratio. This research focuses on a unique method that combines emission spectroscopy and …

Coping Styles As Mediators Between American Indian Cultural Identification And Life Satisfaction, Micah Louis Prairie Chicken

Theses and Dissertations

The current study is a cross-sectional examination of the relationships between American Indian cultural identification, individualistic coping, collectivistic coping, and life satisfaction. Specifically, the purpose of this study was to examine whether collectivistic and individualistic coping styles mediated the relationship between American Indian cultural identification (high cultural identification vs. low cultural identification) and life satisfaction. In other words, this study sought to understand if traditional American Indian culture provides any unique buffering effects against stress via coping styles. Several regressions were run on the mediation model which suggested no significant relationship between American Indian cultural identification and life satisfaction. These …

The Impact Of Defendant Weight On Mock Jurors’ Evaluations And Case Judgments, Stephanie Henley Weigel

Theses and Dissertations

The main objective of the current study was to extend current knowledge of extralegal factors, weight discrimination, and the culpable control model (CCM) by examining the impact of defendant weight and mock jurors’ sex on negative spontaneous evaluations (NSEs) and courtroom judgments. Explicit and implicit measures of anti-fat attitudes were investigated as mediators. The current study utilized a 3 (defendant weight: overweight, lean, control/no image) x 2 (mock jurors’ sex) between-subjects factorial design. To reduce potential bias and order effects, the study was conducted in two parts. During part one, mock jurors were randomly assigned to one of three conditions …

The Impact Of Support Areas On The Academic Success Of International Students In Community Colleges, Taiwo Olubusoye Soetan

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the various types of support areas for international students in community colleges that help them achieve academic success in their studies. The study considers the impact of these support areas on international students’ academic success in terms of their self-reported Grade Point Average (GPA) and perceived success using the Bronfenbrenner’s theory of human development at the micro-, meso-, and macro- levels.

A quantitative study was conducted to measure the impact of these support areas on international students’ academic success measured in terms of their self-reported GPA and perceived success. A target sample size of 399 international students …

Occupational Therapy Practitioners' Knowledge And Perception Of The Value Of Environmental Adaptations For Nursing Home Residents With Neurocognitive Disorders, Hannah Fiser

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this independent study was to evaluate occupational therapy practitioners’ perceptions of the efficacy of certain environment-based intervention types when utilized with nursing home residents who present with neurocognitive disorders. A non-experimental research design in an online survey format was utilized. An invitation to take the online survey was submitted to 56 occupational therapy (OT) practitioners working in skilled nursing facilities. The online survey was comprised of questions addressing awareness/use and perception of efficacy of environment-based intervention methods. Seventeen responses were received. The majority of respondents reported awareness and use of the 20 environment-based intervention methods. Overall, respondents …

Using Leisure As A Therapeutic Activity To Enhance Health, Well-Being, And Quality Of Life Among Long Term Care Residents, Olivia Mayasich, Alexis Tyce

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose The purpose of this scholarly project is to address health, well-being, and quality of life with the use of leisure activities as modalities with residents in long term care (LTC) facilities.

Methodology The results of a thorough literature review supported the need for a program to address leisure participation in residents in LTC facilities. An abundance of literature supporting participation in leisure to enhance health, well-being, and quality of life emerged from the literature review, revealing an obvious gap between literature and practice. The information gathered in the literature review helped guide the development of a program manual to …

Well-Being And Health Promotion Template, Nichole Arn, Cody Mach

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop an occupational therapy intervention template that could be utilized at LaGrave on First. LaGrave on First is a new Housing First facility that opened in Grand Forks, ND during the summer of 2018. Literature reviews regarding occupational therapy and its' role with the homeless population were limited and challenging to find, especially with a Housing First emphasis. Within this scholarly project, the reviewed literature was used to develop an intervention guide that could be implemented in conjunction with other occupational therapy interventions for this population. The interventions were created for …

Therapeutic Use Of Self: A Guide To Integrate The 5 Love Languages Into Practice, Haley Folkens, Emily Roberts

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Healthcare institutions have become businesses and, subsequently, these institutions are oftentimes structured to maximize profits consequently leading to a sacrifice in quality of care (Beltrán-Salazar, 2014). The emphasis on business in healthcare results in a push for productivity and reimbursement consequently decreasing attention to the therapeutic relationship. There are many definitions that offer a better understanding to the idea of therapeutic use of self, but they offer little to guide therapists in what using therapeutic use of self looks like in everyday practice (Solman & Clouston, 2016). Additionally, a vast majority of occupational therapists perceive the therapeutic relationship to be …

An Occupational Therapy Referral Screening Tool For Children In Adoptive And Foster Care Placements, Alli Fox, Emily Kollodge

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project was to identify the needs of children in the adoption and foster care systems (AFCS) by creating a screening tool to refer them to occupational therapy services. In the United States (US), the number of adopted children has grown to 1.8 million (Vandivere, Malm, & Radel, 2009), and to 400,000 children in the foster care system at any given time (Bramlett & Radel, 2017). These children are considered an at-risk population due to their life experiences. Occupational therapists (OTs) are uniquely qualified to work with this population. Due to stress and adversity, children who …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Post Cva Education, Sadie Larson, Brooke Westrich

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The average literacy rate for healthcare client education materials is currently 11th-16th grade (Dignan & Hunter, 2015). Due to cognitive impairments, difficulty understanding healthcare education materials increases after experiencing a stroke (Danzl et al., 2016). Poor health education results in lower adherence to treatment and limited participation in everyday activities at home (DeMarco, Nystrom, & Salvatore, 2011). Clients and caregivers specifically reported a lack of understanding of post-stroke impairments (O'Connell, Baker, & Prosser, 2003).

A literature review was conducted on topics related to health literacy, post-stroke residual deficits, client education, and occupational therapy’s role in client education. There was an …

Evolution Of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History Of Dr. Donald Walkovich, Dhsc, Otr/L, Faota, Kalindi Rachey

Oral History Student Papers

Objective. The purpose of this study is to provide current and future generations of occupational therapists (OTs) a view of the history of occupational therapy (OT) practice and how it has evolved from its inception to the current practice.

Method. A one hour, semi-structured interview was conducted with Dr. Walkovich and one OT student from the University of North Dakota. The interview was transcribed and the interview data was coded and compared with the history of the OT profession.

Results. The predominant categories that emerged during data analysis were his involvement in the profession of OT were Occupational Therapy, Education, …

Evolution Of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History Of Anne Macrae, Phd, Otr/L, Bcmh, Faota, Danielle Cox, Brock Wahlert

Oral History Student Papers

The purpose of this study was to provide current and future generations of occupational therapists a view of the history and how occupational therapy practice has evolved from its inception to current practice through the life history stories of occupational therapists who have held leadership roles at the national level and beyond. This life history is one of 30 life history interviews, which are part of a larger project, Histories of Individuals Who Have Been Influential in Developing Occupational Therapy (OT) at the National Level and Beyond. Student Researchers interviewed Dr. Anne MacRae for data collection. Interview questions were structured …

Evolution Of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History Of Mary Hager, Allison Moran, Grace Spanos

Oral History Student Papers

Objective: The purpose of this qualitative study using a life history approach is to provide current and future generations of occupational therapists a view of the history and how occupational therapy practice has evolved from its inception to current practice through the life history stories of occupational therapists who have held leadership roles at the national level and beyond.

Method: A semi-structured phone interview was conducted between the student researchers and Mary Hager, a retired occupational therapist. The interview was audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim prior to data analysis. Codes, categories, and themes were synthesized from the interview to comprehend a …

Evolution Of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History Of Dr. Charlotte Royeen, Phd, Otr/L, Faota, Fasahp, Fnap, Hope Nelson, Vanessa Johnson

Oral History Student Papers

The purpose of this life-history study was to provide current and future generations of occupational therapists a view of the history and how occupational therapy practice has evolved through the lens of Dr. Charlotte Royeen. This study aimed to understand how Dr. Charlotte Royeen’s experiences and service has influenced the occupational therapy profession. The methodology used was a semi-structured interview conducted by two student researchers with the participant, Dr. Royeen. Data were analyzed through transcription and coding. Three categories emerged from coding: personality, professional development and occupational therapy. The researchers concluded a final assertion that is as follows: As a …

Evolution Of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History Of Dr. Barbara L. Kornblau, Jd, Otr/L, Faota, Daspe, Ccm, Cdms, Cpe, Abby Wavra, Kelsey Sherry

Oral History Student Papers

This paper is a summary of an interview completed with Dr. Barbara L. Kornblau. Barbara is a licensed occupational therapist and lawyer who was interviewed by two occupational therapy students at the University of North Dakota as a part of a larger life history qualitative study that included 30 total participants. This study was done to gather an understanding of her experience in occupational therapy (OT). The interview was semi-structured and lasted approximately 90 minutes, followed by a transcription and data analysis used to organize the information into twelve codes and six emerging themes. This single interview is a part …

Life History Of Provost Beth Cada, Ed.D., Otr/L, Faota, Janice Finley, Emily Utech

Oral History Posters

The life history of Provost Beth Cada was one of 9 life history interview which are a part of a larger project of Life Histories of Individuals Who Have Been Influential in Developing Occupational Therapy (OT) in North Dakota and Wyoming. The purpose of the project is to obtain information about the history and evolution of OT practice in North Dakota and Wyoming. This study intends to provide current and future generations of occupational therapists a view of the history and how OT practice has evolved. The life history of Beth Cada is a case study that examined her life …

Life History Of Elizabeth Crepeau, Phd, Otr/L, Faota, Nathina Crabtree, Sara Gregoire

Oral History Posters

The purpose of the study is to provide current and future generations of occupational therapists a view of the history and how occupational therapy practice has evolved from its inception to current practice through the life history stories of occupational therapists who have held leadership roles at the national level and beyond. It is anticipated that the life history process will be a powerful way to gather this information. This life history is part of the larger study consisting of 30 occupational therapists. The larger project is Histories of Individuals Who Have Been Influential in Developing Occupational Therapy (OT) at …

Evolution Of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History Of Anne Macrae, Phd, Otr/L, Bcmh, Faota, Danielle Cox, Brock Wahlert

Oral History Posters

This life history is one of 30 life history interviews which are part of a larger project, Histories of Individuals Who Have Been Influential in Developing Occupational Therapy (OT) at the National Level and Beyond. The purpose of study is to provide current and future generations of occupational therapists a view of the history and how occupational therapy practice has evolved from its inception to current practice through the life history stories of occupational therapists who have held leadership roles at the national level and beyond. It is anticipated that the life history process will be a powerful way to …

Evolution Of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History Of Kuzhilethu “Shep” Kshepakaran, M. Ed., Otr/S, Caps, Faota, Roxana Chirinos, Carly Derouin

Oral History Posters

The purpose of study is to provide current and future generations of occupational therapists a view of the history and how occupational therapy practice has evolved from its inception to current practice through the life history stories of occupational therapists who have held leadership roles at the national level and beyond. It is anticipated that the life history process will be a powerful way to gather this information. An in-depth interview with the selected participant, Kuzhilethu “Shep” Kshepakaran, as well as his resume and the internet were used to gather information. The categories created symbolized Shep’s life history which included …