Digital Commons Network^™

Trauma-Informed Care In Occupational Therapy Education, Cristina H. Scionti, Mary Shotwell, Donnamarie Krause

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Students bring their life histories, including traumatic experiences, to their learning and education. Potentially up to 75% of the student body of occupational therapy programs may have experienced a traumatic event, which often leads to occupational disruption and challenges in academic performance. Thus, it is critical for occupational therapy educators to mitigate the impact of trauma by identifying the barriers and facilitators to occupational participation in education for occupational therapy students affected by trauma. Despite the high prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), research shows that few health professions education programs, such as occupational therapy, attend to ACEs or utilize …

Reimagining Education For Ot And Ota Intraprofessional Collaboration: A Virtual Pilot Program, Katelyn Brady, Heather Beth Johnson, Alexandra Stellmach

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Intraprofessional knowledge and skills are essential to the field of occupational therapy. Despite the importance, not all occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) educational programs provide collaborative intraprofessional experiences to students who are expected to collaborate effectively in practice. Therefore, increased intraprofessional experiences are needed to support entry-level OT practitioners. The purpose of this project was to create an intraprofessional pilot program that included three intraprofessional events to provide an opportunity for collaboration between OT and OTA students and enhance their understanding and confidence with intraprofessional collaboration prior to practice. The pilot program was implemented and evaluated using …

Exploring Student Experiences And Perceptions Of Digital Storytelling In Occupational Therapy Education: A Comprehensive Analysis And Evaluation, Alexis M. F. Morin, Justin R. Eck

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The COVID-19 pandemic heightened the need for digital transformation in higher education, emphasizing the importance of incorporating digital pedagogy. This study explored student experiences and perceptions of digital storytelling, a multimedia-based narrative technique, as an innovative assessment method in occupational therapy education. First-year, first-semester entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy students created digital stories on mental health topics and completed self-reflection papers. A retrospective qualitative descriptive method was employed, analyzing 14 consented self-reflection papers. Emerging qualitative themes revealed that digital storytelling enhanced students' understanding of occupational performance impacts, led to the development and utilization of transferrable skills for clinical practice, and …

Improving Self-Regulated Learning Among Occupational Therapy Students, Pola Ham

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Many occupational therapy students, particularly first-generation students, face significant academic and social challenges in higher education that affect their self-regulated learning (SRL). SRL involves goal setting, self-monitoring, strategy implementation, and reflection. The rigorous academic demands, combined with the unique challenges experienced by many first-generation students, exacerbate these difficulties, particularly in developing SRL skills, which are essential for academic and professional success. While first-generation students often lack these skills due to a variety of factors, many occupational therapy students also struggle to develop these skills, regardless of background. This narrative review examines the role of SRL in occupational therapy education and …

The Re-Design Of Level I Fieldwork To Foster Professional Competence And Career Adaptability, Cara A. Lekovitch, Ann Marsico, Ketki Raina

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Professional competence and career adaptability are essential for preparing students to meet modern healthcare demands. However, there is a paucity of evidence to guide teaching and learning of these constructs in the context of Level I fieldwork (FW). This paper details a Level I FW program re-design using a professional competence framework to foster adaptability. The re-design’s impact was assessed through student surveys before and after their participation (n = 53) compared to a historical cohort one-year senior (n = 60) using the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale – Short Form. Significant improvements were found in total and concern, curiosity, and confidence …

Demographic Factors As Predictors Of Academic Performance In First- And Second-Year Occupational Therapy Students, Eileen Du Plooy, Daleen Casteleijn, Denise Franzsen, Gopika Ramkilawon

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Significant disparities in academic performance that may be associated with specific demographics can be utilized for supporting diverse student cohorts. Strategies can be developed for students to enhance equity and inclusivity in undergraduate occupational therapy education to ensure student success. This study aimed to determine the predictive demographic factors influencing academic performance among first- and second-year undergraduate occupational therapy students at a university in South Africa. A quantitative, cross-sectional design was utilized, and the sample included 129 first- and second-year students. Data were collected retrospectively from university records and student dashboards. Key demographic and academic variables were analyzed, including personal …

Harnessing Social Media For Occupational Therapy Graduate Program Recruitment, Rebecca Ozelie, Annika Knuth

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The occupational therapy (OT) profession faces a national enrollment decline, with many United States graduate programs struggling to fill seats. As social media use continues to rise among young adults, OT programs may benefit from leveraging digital platforms to enhance visibility and attract qualified applicants. This study explored how prospective students engage with OT program social media accounts and what content influences their admissions decisions. Using a cross-sectional survey design, 161 current or incoming OT graduate students from programs across the United States were surveyed about their social media habits during the admissions process. Results revealed that 69.5% of participants …

How Identities Shape Belonging In Occupational Therapy Education: A Phenomenological Exploration Of Student Belonging, Quinn P. Tyminski, Rowhea Elmesky

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Belonging is defined in a variety of ways but most often refers to an individual’s feelings of acceptance, inclusion, support, and respect within a certain environment. Belonging is an innate human need and contributes to success in academic and professional settings. Within occupational therapy (OT) education, minimal attention has been paid to the specific concept of belonging with no research focused on long-term qualitative explorations of student belonging for students with historically minoritized identities (HMIs). Thus, the goal of the present study was to better understand how students with multiple HMIs experienced the phenomenon of belonging in OT education. Utilizing …

Effective Implementation Of Ebook Guide Supports Student Success In Occupational Therapy Anatomy Education, Karissa Legleiter, Barb Puder, Rhea R. Kimpo

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

EBooks have been proven to be a successful supplemental resource in cadaveric anatomy laboratory sessions. However, the implementation of the eBook and its impact on student performance, especially in occupational therapy (OT) anatomy laboratory sessions, has not been well documented. This study shows that providing students with an eBook guide enhances student learning and increases eBook usage. For lab sessions, an eBook guide directed students to eBook specific figures and text that related to that session’s material. In alignment with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework, providing eBooks as well as a guide gave students multiple avenues to learn …

Naming The Invisible: Exploring Implicit Design Thinking In Occupational Therapy Curricula, Dominique C. Sherratt, Mary Butler, Shoshannah Kiriam, Ben Sellar

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy inherently involves the application of design and co-design skills within professional practice, yet there is limited evidence about how these skills are taught to students. This study used a qualitative descriptive design to explore the perspectives of occupational therapy educators in Australia and New Zealand on how and where design and co-design skills are integrated within occupational therapy curricula. Educators were purposively sampled from the Australian and New Zealand Council of Occupational Therapy Educators (ANZCOTE), with additional participants recruited through snowball sampling. Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with occupational therapy educators. Interviews were conducted and analyzed using the …

Theory-Driven Design, Theory-Integrated Learning: A Multimodal Approach To Teaching Occupational Adaptation, Anna B. Galloway, Lorrie A. George-Paschal, Linda Struckmeyer, Sara F. Israel, Nancy Krusen

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This study explored the effectiveness of a multimodal instructional module for teaching Occupational Adaptation (OA) theory. Implemented across three entry-level occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) programs, faculty designed and implemented asynchronous preparatory lectures, a face-to-face experiential lab, and guided discussions of the learning experiences. Researchers employed a convergent mixed-methods design, integrating qualitative and quantitative data. Students (n=108) completed a pre- and post-knowledge exam, the Relative Mastery Scale (RMS), and a Learning Experience Questionnaire. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed statistically significant differences in pre-and post- knowledge scores and RMS ratings across all sites, with no differences based on university. Qualitative analysis yielded …

Navigating The Future Of Ot Education: Student Insights On Integrating Course-Specific Ai Chatbots, Laura E. Landon, Nicole Grames, Maggie Gannon, Addison Jarus, Annie Trezza

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education has garnered much attention, prompting educators to thoughtfully examine its implementation within their curricula. This study explores the perceptions of occupational therapy (OT) students regarding the future integration of a novel, course-specific Anatomy AI chatbot: an innovative tool uniquely developed by our internal team to provi¬¬¬de personalized support and resources tailored specifically to the anatomy curriculum. The researchers sought to understand the desired features of a course-specific Anatomy AI chatbot and the factors that influenced student willingness to adopt this technology in their learning experience. Findings revealed that 79% of participants …

Reading Between The Lines: Exploring Reading Trends And Metacognitive Strategy Use In Ot Education, Whitney Henderson, Christine Davis, Christen Leach, Theresa Hallenen

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

No abstract provided.

Assessing The Impact Of High-Fidelity Simulation Experiences On Student Confidence In A Controlled Academic Environment, Jillian K. Pindar, Peyton Belton, Madison Griffin, Abbi Hancock, Lucero Limones, Kristi Self, Elizabeth K. Schmidt

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

A quasi-experimental one group pretest-posttest design was utilized with 19 first-and-second-year doctoral occupational therapy students at a university in Tennessee to evaluate confidence, performance, benefits, challenges, and recommendations from an acute care simulation experience. Student confidence was evaluated using a researcher-developed survey immediately before and after a high-fidelity simulation using a pre-programmed mannequin and standardized script. A performance assessment evaluated students' skills during the simulation. The post-test survey included open-ended questions on perceived benefits, challenges and recommendations. Overall, students demonstrated increased confidence in vital sign monitoring and modification (heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate), medical equipment identification, and safe patient …

Factors Influencing Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program Offer Acceptance Across Student Demographics, Megan Hoover, Mckenna Johnson, Colleen Bullen, Elizabeth K. Schmidt, Jackson M. Miller

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This research study aimed to identify key factors influencing Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) students' acceptance of program offers. An online survey was developed based on relevant literature and study objectives and validated through expert review. A total of 281 students, including a sub-set of students from underrepresented backgrounds (n=70), across the United States completed the survey. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, Chi-square tests with Bonferroni correction, and multinomial logistic regression including demographic variables and factors moderately to strongly influencing program acceptance. Qualitative responses were analyzed using content analysis. Key findings reveal geographic location, application process, cost …

Perceptions Of Occupational Therapy Student Fieldwork Readiness In The Acute Care Setting, Jackie Dusing, Lisa Borrero, Elizabeth Horrall Stith, Kristina Watkins

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy student readiness for Level II fieldwork is necessary for preparing novice clinicians and is challenging to assess, as it requires applying didactic knowledge in real-world clinical settings. There is currently a gap in the literature regarding student perceptions of their readiness for Level II fieldwork, especially in the acute care setting. The aim of this qualitative study is to better understand Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) students’ perceptions of readiness for Level II fieldwork in an acute care setting. This basic interpretive qualitative research study utilized a purposeful sampling with students completing their Level II fieldwork in various …

Comparing Occupational Therapy Students’ And Occupational Therapy Assistant Students’ Perceptions Of An Intraprofessional Class Session, Robyn Wu, Diane Tom, Domenique Embrey, Joyce M. Fries

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Intraprofessional education between occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) students can be a valuable component of the entry-level curriculum. Comparisons of OT vs. OTA students’ perceptions are sparse, yet this information may yield important insights about intraprofessional learning needs. This mixed methods study explored student perceptions of a three-hour joint OT/OTA class session conducted via video conferencing. Learning activities were grounded in shared leadership and two-way feedback and included collaboration on a client case. A total of 172 anonymous post-class feedback surveys were received from 121 OT students and 57 OTA students over three academic years. The study …

Fieldwork Supervision, Motivation And Competency Among Norwegian Community-Based Occupational Therapists, Even E. Edvardsen, Tore Bonsaksen, Sissel Horghagen, Cathrine Arntzen, Unni Sveen, Astrid Gramstad, Ruca E. K. Maass, Linda Stigen

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapists’ supervision of students remains a critical component during occupational therapy education. This study aimed to examine supervision practice, motivation, and competency among community-based occupational therapists in Norway, exploring organizational and personal factors associated with formal and perceived supervision competency, willingness to serve as fieldwork educators, and collaboration with educational institutions. A cross-sectional survey was distributed among occupational therapists in community-based practice in Norway. A total of 617 occupational therapists participated in the study. Free-text responses were thematically analyzed and interpreted. Differences between fieldwork educators and non-fieldwork educators’ training, recency of being fieldwork educators, willingness to assume the role …

Women Spinning On The Edge: Finding And Redefining The “Spinster” In The Witches Of Discworld, Kathryn Ann Fitzmaurice

Masters Theses

The word “spinster” has undergone a series of evolutions over the past seven hundred years, first coined to describe the occupation of women engaged in the spinning of plant and animal fibers into thread and yarn in the Middle Ages and later a legal marital status designation used until the 21^st century. The connotation associated in social contexts became pejorative. This project’s tracing of the word spinster is used to set up the broader scope looking at how the spinster can be viewed as an archetype, what we can learn through the lenses of gender and feminist theory, and …

The Weapon Focus Effect On Memory For Male And Female Perpetrators, Faith Christel Aasen

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research on the weapon focus effect suggests that weapon presence causes reduced memory accuracy for perpetrator details due to weapons being surprising and unexpected. The unusualness hypothesis suggests that a stronger weapon focus effect should occur when the perpetrator defies typical gender stereotypes, such as a woman holding a gun. The current study sought to examine how the weapon focus effect impacts eyewitness memory for male and female perpetrators, specifically exploring the magnitude of the effect on female perpetrators. The current study further investigated whether the own gender bias attenuates the weapon focus effect on memory for female perpetrators. …

Comparative Analysis Of Lstm-Based And Traditional Hydrologic Models For River Discharge Prediction: A Case Study Of The Goose River, Adewale Ajao

Theses and Dissertations

Streamflow predictions are important in planning water resources and effective hydrological management. Physically based models such as the Hydrologic Engineering Center-Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC-HMS) have been used in the past for this purpose. Still, the use of machine learning models such as Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) has been proven to complement the use of traditional models. This study compares the reliability performances of HEC-HMS and LSTM models to predict the streamflow of Goose River Watershed in North Dakota. The objective of the research is to perform a comprehensive comparative analysis between the performance of HEC-HMS and LSTM models to predict …

Mathematical Modeling Of Cyber-Physical Attacks In Iot Systems: An Epidemiological Approach, Tunde Alesinloye

Theses and Dissertations

The Internet of Things (IoT) has made electronic devices more interconnected, which has increased cybersecurity threats while also bringing previously unimaginable convenience. In this study, we explore the dynamics of malware transmission in IoT systems using a mathematical modeling methodology that draws inspiration from epidemiological approaches. To better characterize contemporary cyber-defense tactics like honeypots and proactive device hardening, we specifically suggest the SEIR-DX model, which expands the traditional SEIR framework by adding two extra compartments: Deceptive (D) and Secured (X).

The transitions between the six compartments Susceptible, Exposed, Infected, Recovered, Deceptive, and Secured are described by a system of nonlinear …

The Influence Of Active Galactic Nuclei (Agn) Feedback On Star Formation In Spiral Galaxies, Moreom Akter

Theses and Dissertations

We investigate the influence of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) feedback on star formation in spiral galaxies by analyzing a sample of 324 red and 273 blue spiral galaxies from 115 low-redshift galaxy clusters. The multi-wavelength dataset combines optical emission line data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), X-ray luminosity from the Chandra X-ray & XMM-Newton observatories, and ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) measurements from GALEX and WISE. Using diagnostic emission line ratios, we constructed Baldwin, Phillips, and Terlevich (BPT) diagrams to classify galaxies based on nuclear activity. Our analysis reveals that most of the red spirals have AGNs and …

Spatial And Temporal Assessment Of Meteorological Drought Using The Standardized Precipitation Index (Spi) And Its Effect On Crop Yield Over The Corn Belt Region Of The United States From 2000 To 2023, Victor Araya

Theses and Dissertations

Climate change and global warming have contributed to extreme weather events and patterns, including severe flooding, earthquakes, wildfires, and drought. Drought happens to be the deadliest catastrophic event around the world. Drought's impact on ecosystems and local communities has been increasing in many parts of the world, including the United States and, most importantly, the corn Belt, which also happens to be the country's food basket. Understanding drought prediction and mitigation can be investigated through drought indices. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) is considered the most reliable in this study. It is used in this study to present the critical …

Next-Gen Device For Uniform Cellular Migration Assay Execution, Nicholas M. Bittner

Theses and Dissertations

Cellular migration assays, particularly scratch assays, are pivotal in biomedical research for cell motility, wound healing, and metastasis. However, conventional scratch assays suffer from variability due to operator dependence, non-uniform scratch geometry, and a modified microenvironment that impacts reproducibility. This thesis presents the development and validation of a low-cost, 3D-printed device designed to standardize cellular migration assays. The device utilizes a spring mechanism and a biocompatible elastomer to create a uniform cellular exclusion zone without harming the surrounding cells. Through iterative prototyping and testing with MCF10A cell lines, the device demonstrated a significantly lower average standard deviation of length compared …

Evaluation Of Schlafen Family Proteins In Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Savannah Brown

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the role of Schlafen (SLFN) family proteins in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), a subtype known for its aggressive behavior and poor response to treatment. Through a series of studies, this dissertation examines the interplay between multiple SLFN proteins, chemotherapy resistance, and immune modulation, revealing the potential of SLFN12 as both a biomarker and therapeutic target for improving treatment outcomes, particularly in overcoming chemoresistance in TNBC.

Breast cancer, the most common cancer worldwide, includes various subtypes like TNBC, which lacks estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors, making it resistant to conventional therapies. SLFN proteins, first discovered in mice, regulate …

Autonomous Corrosion Detection In Steel Structures Using Different Non-Contact Techniques, Amrita Das

Theses and Dissertations

Metallic corrosion is an electrochemical process that can occur due to the formation of aqueous adlayers on the metal surface. It is often described as reverse metallurgy, as corrosion drives refined metals back to their lowest energy state, namely an oxidized, ore-like form. Environmental factors that promote corrosion include precipitation, high humidity, and chemical condensation, which can result from the hygroscopic nature of pollutants deposited on the surface. There is a significant impact of metallic corrosion on the U. S. economy including infrastructure, transportation, utilities, production, and manufacturing. The total direct cost of corrosion in the United States has been …

Get In The Zone: Utilizing A Food Skills Survey To Assess The Education Needs Of A Blue Zones Project Community, Sophia Kathryn Dunlap

Theses and Dissertations

Under-resourced communities often demonstrate little to basic knowledge and skills regarding food and nutrition-related practices, such as cooking and meal planning, nutrition label reading, and gardening. This can be attributed to various factors such as education level, socioeconomic status, available education programs, and overall interest in these topics. Limited research is available discussing the current knowledge, skills, and interests of nutrition topics and healthy eating patterns within Blue Zones Project (BZP) communities. To explore this gap in the literature, a cross-sectional design was implemented via a food skills survey completed by the residents of a modest-sized college town and site …

Great Expectations: How Gender Assigned At Birth Shapes Viewpoint Based Perceptual Disparities In Gender-Diverse People, Adelyn Emter

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine disparities between personal beliefs and perceived societal ideologies about earning gendered traits and maintaining masculinity and femininity, with a focus on gender-diverse perspectives and the influence of gender identity on responses to social research. The current study recruited 334 gender-diverse participants to compare Viewpoint and Gendered Trait based on participant Gender Assigned at Birth, using twelve statements about earning and maintaining masculinity and femininity. The Traditional Egalitarian Sex Role (TESR) Inventory and Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) Scale were used as covariates which significantly contributed to the model. As expected, societal belief scores …

Beyond The Game: Designing An Nil First-Year Seminar Through Thematic Analysis Of Division 1 Student-Athletes Perspectives, Laura Dimattia

Theses and Dissertations

The 2021 relaxation of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) regulations by the NCAA has transformed collegiate athletics, granting student-athletes the opportunity to profit from their personal brands. These changes deliver financial and personal advancement opportunities but introduce new challenges. Student-athletes encounter challenges in managing responsibilities related to athletics, academics, and commercial activities amid evolving NIL compliance requirements. Universities struggle to manage multiple pressures including compliance requirements and recruitment strategies along with challenges from the Transfer Portal.

This study explores the motivational factors behind student-athletes' engagement with NIL and their learning preferences through a qualitative approach. The researcher conducted in-depth interviews …