Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Student Perspectives Of The Effective Behaviors Of Occupational Therapy Level Ii Fieldwork Educators, Leah S. Dunn, Stephanie Arias, Alexa Beyer, Elizabeth Hermes, Sydney Radcliff

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy students complete a period of clinical education, when they apply academic learning in clinical situations, supervised by a fieldwork educator. Fieldwork education supports the student in developing technical and clinical reasoning skills, engaging in evidence-based practice, and socialization to the profession. Despite the key role fieldwork educators play in occupational therapy student professional and skill development, evaluation of educator skills and the fieldwork experience are slight. This descriptive study explored occupational therapy fieldwork educator behaviors to determine those behaviors indicative of a quality experience from the student perspective, using the Clinical Teaching Effectiveness Inventory (CTEI). Student responses identified …

Knowledge And Perceived Barriers Of Ot Students In The Transition Planning Process: A Pilot Study, Patrick A. Leytham, Robyn Otty

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The involvement of related service personnel (such as occupational therapists) in the transition planning process for children with disabilities has consistently been reported as low. The purpose for this pilot study was to (a) compare Masters-level occupational therapy student knowledge of transition-related terminology to practicing therapists and (b) determine what perceived barriers students have as it relates to transition planning. A one-shot case study design was used to collect data. Occupational therapy students participated in a one-hour lecture on transition planning and a three-hour lab wherein they learned how to administer transition planning inventories. Afterwards, they completed a brief survey …

Development, Implementation And Evaluation Of Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones: A National Survey, Erika Kemp, Anna Domina, Theresa Delbert, Andrew Rivera, Lydia Navarro-Walker

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Entry-level clinical doctorate degrees are becoming more prevalent in the United States for occupational therapy. As indicated by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education® standards, the doctoral capstone is an essential component to the entry-level doctorate degree. Despite the importance of the doctoral capstone, there have been limited publications about doctoral capstone development, implementation, and evaluation. A retrospective review was completed on qualitative descriptive data from a national electronic survey of entry-level occupational therapy doctoral (EL-OTD) programs regarding implementation of the doctoral capstone experience and project. Fifteen EL-OTD programs responded to the survey. Based on results, there was not …

Retrospective Analysis Of Graduates’ Outcomes In A Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program, Nichole Morrow, Barbara Townsend, Vanessa D. Jewell, Angela Bahle-Lampe, Yongyue Qi

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

There are limited studies within occupational therapy literature assessing the outcomes of advanced degrees. Specifically, there is a scarcity of literature about the benefits of completing a post-professional occupational therapy doctorate (POTD) program. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively examine graduates’ professional and personal outcomes at a midwestern university with an established POTD program. A total of 64 graduate exit surveys completed by POTD graduates between the years of 2008 and 2017 were analyzed using a mixed methods research design. Emergent categories from the data included a greater sense of self-empowerment and confidence, expanded career opportunities, and increased …

Qualitative Analysis Of Occupational Therapists’ Reflective Notes On Practicing Their Skills In Building And Maintaining Therapeutic Relationships, Farzaneh Yazdani, Amy Stringer, Laya Nobakht, Tore Bonsaksen, Kellie Tune

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Previous research has shown that occupational therapists have increased their self-efficacy for using self intentionally in therapeutic encounters. However, experiences related to such changes have not yet been explored. The authors developed a therapeutic use-of-self training workshop to support the confidence and competence of practicing occupational therapists in using the Intentional Relationship Model and possibly enhancing their self-efficacy for therapeutic use-of-self. The purpose of the study was to explore the experiences of practicing occupational therapists in transferring learning from a training workshop focused on the therapeutic use-of-self into real world practice. Thirteen occupational therapists participated in the workshop and subsequently …

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

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

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

Occupational Therapy Students’ Self-Efficacy For Therapeutic Use Of Self: Development And Associated Factors, Chia-Wei Fan, Tove Carstensen, Milada C. Småstuen, Farzaneh Yazdani, Brian Ellingham, Tore Bonsaksen

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy students need to develop self-efficacy for therapeutic use of self in practice. This longitudinal study examined Norwegian occupational therapy students’ self-efficacy for therapeutic use of self over a 16-month period and investigated predictors of their end-point self-efficacy. One hundred and eleven students from two universities completed a self-efficacy questionnaire related to the use of self after a workshop, and at 3-month, 10-month, and 16-month follow-up. The students’ self-efficacy development was analyzed with linear mixed effect models, while factors associated with self-efficacy were investigated with linear regressions. The students from both universities showed a linear increase in self-efficacy for …

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

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

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

The Impact Of Occupational Therapy Acute Care Services On Readmission Rates For Patients In Medicare’S Hospital Readmission Reduction Program, Jessica M. Edelstein

Theses and Dissertations

The United States (US) health care system is faced with the daunting challenge to make healthcare payments commensurate with quality of care provided. To assess quality, metrics for reimbursement have been established by Medicare. One such quality metric is hospital readmissions (readmissions). Readmissions are associated with poor patient outcomes and costly. Associated poor patient outcomes include higher risk for mortality, deconditioning, nutritional issues and cognitive impairments. As a result, readmissions cost Medicare $26 billion annually. Current strategies for reducing readmissions in the US are fragmented and hospital-specific. While specific strategies may vary, hospitals that have low readmissions rates tend to …

Understanding The Occupational Therapy Perspective Of Working With The Homeless Population: Self-Care Interventions, Marisa Leigh Sparbanie

Online Theses and Dissertations

Successful interventions, focused on self-care, have been implemented by occupational therapists in homeless populations. Yet, no study has attempted to explore experiences of occupational therapists implementing self-care interventions. This qualitative, descriptive study sought to understand the experience of occupational therapy practitioners implementing self-care interventions for individuals experiencing homelessness. The interventions took place in various healthcare practice settings. Four participants, recruited through purposive sampling, engaged in semi-structured interviews pertaining to their experiences. The interviews were transcribed and coded using an emergent approach. Three major themes emerged from the data, including experiences in different settings, client-centered care, and institutional barriers and supports.

A Phenomenological Study Of The Impact Of Stroke On Marriage: Life Satisfaction And Occupational Performance In Daily Life, Melissa Arwood

Online Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Following a stroke, an individual may experience physical, cognitive, and emotional changes. For individuals in a marital relationship, the spouse’s life is also impacted post-stroke. The majority of current literature regarding the impact of stroke on marriage focuses on one spouse. This study sought to address this gap by exploring the impact of stroke on the marital dyad.

Method: A qualitative, phenomenological approach was used for this study. Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Colaizzi’s method as explained by Shosha (2012).

Findings: Four couples, eight participants were included in this study. One …

Living With A Chronic Condition: Perspectives Of College Students At A Public Institution Of Higher Education, Kelley Lynn Harlan

Online Theses and Dissertations

Chronic conditions are ongoing, have a pattern of recurrence or deterioration, and produce consequences impacting an individual’s quality of life. An estimated 164 million Americans are expected to be affected by chronic conditions by the year 2025 (Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, 2016). College students with chronic conditions face unique challenges making it difficult to succeed in traditional degree programs due to unpredictable shifts in wellness. The purpose of this qualitative research was to discover the lived experience of college students with chronic conditions. Eight adult, full-time, traditional university students with chronic conditions were recruited and participated in a one-time, …

Experience Of Play Participation And Use Of Lower Extremity Orthoses In Children With Cerebral Palsy: Case Study, Lakyn Elizabeth Jolly-Burchell

Online Theses and Dissertations

This case study sought to understand the experience of a single family of a child with cerebral palsy (CP) using lower extremity orthoses (LEOs) in natural play contexts. CP is the most commonly occurring motor disability in childhood. Associated with CP, impairments in functional mobility, spasticity, varying degrees of muscle tone, ROM, and impaired gross and fine motor control are barriers to meaningful play experiences in this population. LEOs are widely prescribed devices for children with CP, used as walking aids and to improve/offset some of these performance deficits and body structures. Although, the true efficacy of LEOs is yet …

Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex: A Narrative Inquiry Of Women's Experiences And Perceptions, Brandi Winchester

Online Theses and Dissertations

Background

Dysphoric milk ejection reflex is an idiopathic condition experienced by some breastfeeding women that is characterized by an abrupt experience of negative emotions or sensation prior to milk let-down. Many women struggle to make sense of the condition, and report barriers to communicating with others about their experiences and accessing support from healthcare providers. Dysphoric milk ejection reflex is often reported by women to impact self-efficacy and contribute to secondary psychological effects.

Research aim

Exploration of the experience of Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex. Investigation of the impact of diagnosis on the sense of wellness and self-efficacy of affected mothers. …

Educational Perspectives: Integrating A Student Post-Stroke Clinic Within A First-Year Occupational Therapy Kinesiology Course, Mark Blanchard, Barbara M. Doucet

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

ABSTRACT
Purpose: In many occupational therapy graduate programs, student experiences with actual patient evaluation and intervention typically occur following several semesters of didactic instruction. We explored the impact of an early immersive and reflective hands-on patient experience on student learning and clinical skill development. Method: Following participation in five task-specific occupational therapy clinical sessions that were embedded into an applied kinesiology course, students performed reflections on the experience. These reflections included thoughts on kinesiology course content and clinical skill development through patient sessions over the semester. Results: A qualitative thematic analysis of student reflections was conducted. Findings reflected …

Transforming Through Reflection: Use Of Student-Led Reflections In The Development Of Intercultural Competence During A Short-Term International Immersion Experience, Diane Ceo-Difrancesco, Leah S. Dunn, Nathalie Solorio

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Curricular integration designed to include cultural competence standards for health care professionals is paramount to preparing students to meet the needs of a growing diverse population in the U.S. The purpose of this research is to examine the cultural competency development of occupational therapy students, and to report on their reflections and perspectives during a two-week immersive and service-learning experience in Guatemala. Methods: As intercultural competence is a highly personal trait, the study used a descriptive qualitative research design gaining participants’ perspectives of the short-term international immersion experience through student-led reflective focus groups, using an open discussion format, …

An Exploratory Study Of The Perceptions Of Footwear For Individuals Who Use Lower Limb Orthotics, Margaret E. Gegen, Teresa Plummer, Nancy Darr

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

The purpose of this study was to explore individual’s perceptions of orthotics and footwear. A survey was created by the authors with the expert opinions of physical and occupational therapists and was distributed to two therapy clinics in Tennessee that provide both occupational therapy and physical therapy as well as on several online support groups. Seventy-nine (79) caregivers completed surveys. Thematic analysis was performed using Nvivo 10 (QSR International) and descriptive statistics were generated using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) IBM International). Ninety percent (90%) of participants report that orthotics affect what type of shoes the user …

A Pilot Study Exploring The Impact Of Interprofessional Simulation On Role Clarity And Student Readiness For Collaborative Clinical Practice, Shira Schecter Weiner, Laura Hagan, Julie F. Kardachi

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Interprofessional collaboration is recognized as a healthcare practice paradigm that may decrease overall costs and minimize errors. Yet it remains common for practitioners to provide care within silos, inadequately considering the impact of their decisions on other providers and overall costs, which ultimately may negatively impact the patient. Integrating interprofessional collaboration in school curricula can establish the importance of this approach to healthcare. For optimal efficacy, every professional in the healthcare team must recognize their unique role and the roles of others, to allow for seamless interprofessional collaboration. Simulation is a teaching tool that provides students with the opportunity …

Prevalence And Types Of Incivility In Occupational Therapy Fieldwork, Deborah J. Bolding, Travis Dudley, Adrienne Dahlmeier, Lauren Bland, Aimee Castro, Adrianna Covarrubias

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Civility between health professions students and fieldwork educators enhances positive learning outcomes, while incivility can lead to stress, loss of confidence, mistakes, disengagement, and decreased patient outcomes. A survey of recent graduates of occupational therapy programs (N = 247) explored the prevalence and types of incivility and bullying experienced during their Level II fieldwork experiences. Respondents reported that incivility in fieldwork education was widespread, with more severe experiences of bullying reported by 16% of respondents. Occupational therapy programs and fieldwork educators must take an active role in prevention and management of uncivil behaviors, and promote positive academic and patient care …

Development Of A Financial Literacy Component For A Comprehensive Secondary Transition Program For Diploma-Bound Students With Learning Differences, Rose Marie Borillo

Student Capstone Papers

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), schools are required to provide transition planning for students with disabilities and mental illness by age 16 (Eismann et al, 2017). Occupational therapists have been underutilized in secondary transition planning, despite their expertise in targeting functional abilities, comprehension, and health using activity analysis to promote skill attainment and achieve independence (Mankey 2012; Eismann et al, 2017).

At the Winston School, there was no formal transition program aside from the individual college counseling provided by a staff member. A coordinated transition program was indicated to prepare students for life after high school to …

Caregiver Perspectives On Telehealth: A Service Delivery For Occupational Therapy, Rebecca Johnston

Student Capstone Papers

Telehealth; also known as telerehabilitation, telecare, telemedicine, teletherapy, and telepractice; is an emerging healthcare service that is utilized in various healthcare facilities with a span of ages, conditions, and locations (World Federation of Occupational Therapy [WFOT], 2014). Telehealth utilizes information and communication technologies to deliver services to a patient when the healthcare provider is not in the same location (WFOT, 2014). Telehealth can provide an online platform for evaluations, consultations, monitoring, supervision, and intervention with patients and other professionals (WFOT, 2014).

Telehealth is an emerging method of delivering occupational therapy (OT) services to various populations, including: children and youth; productive …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy For Survivors Of Human Trafficking, Margaux Mariano

Student Capstone Papers

Human trafficking involves sex trafficking, labor trafficking, and trafficking of children. The needs of survivors of human trafficking are widespread due to the traumatic experiences they face. Concerns that may arise include decreased participation in meaningful activities in an individual's life, possibly due to anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, memory loss, posttraumatic stress disorder, and social isolation. Individuals who have been subjected to human trafficking often experience occupational deprivation and occupational therapy has yet to establish its role in the recovery process for survivors. This capstone project consists of the process towards the development of an occupation-based, trauma-informed, evidence-based, and survivor-centered …

Perspectives Of Occupational Therapy Practitioners On Benefits And Barriers On Providing Occupational Therapy Services Via Telehealth, Taylor Corey

Student Capstone Papers

The purpose of this project is to gain a better understanding of the provider’s perspectives about the strengths and barriers of occupational therapy (OT) services provided via telehealth. Based on the evidence that will be collected through surveys and interviews, this research can help determine specific factors on whether or not therapist choose to provide services through telehealth. Centered around those perspectives of telehealth, the results can help explore more in depth on the issues and concerns therapists have regarding telehealth as a service delivery model.

Lifestyle Management For Vestibular Disorders, Michelle Pock

Student Capstone Papers

Individuals with vestibular disorders have concerns that impact lifestyle including limiting activities of daily living, limiting participation in social events, difficulty driving, and difficulty working (Cohen, 2014). Occupational therapists are able to help individuals with vestibular disorders by task analyzing symptom provoking activities, assessing the impact of symptoms on occupations, providing adaptations, and providing ways to modify environments (Gronski, Neville, Kannenberg, & Cohen, 2017). While occupational therapists are qualified to provide services to sustain and improve the occupational performance of individuals with vestibular disorders, occupational therapy is not well represented in this area particularly in addressing lifestyle components for vestibular …

Occupational Therapy's Role In Maternal Mental Health Within Transition From Nicu To Home, Victoria Briltz, Becki Cohill, Susan Macdermott

San Marcos, Fall 2019

The purpose of this capstone project is to identify OT’s role in maternal mental health following the transition home from a NICU setting. This capstone project focused on mothers’ roles, routines, and environment during the transition from the NICU to home. Mothers may feel unprepared for the discharge home when their babies are ready to leave the NICU (Boykova, 2016). Occupational therapists address occupational performance through skilled interventions for women during the perinatal period; however, there is a lack of evidence guiding occupational therapy for providing services for maternal wellness (Slootjes, 2016). This capstone project will help share information, ideas, …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy For Survivors Of Human Trafficking, Margaux Mariano, Becki Cohill, Susan Macdermott

San Marcos, Fall 2019

Human trafficking involves sex trafficking, labor trafficking, and trafficking of children. The needs of survivors of human trafficking are widespread due to the traumatic experiences they face. Concerns that may arise include decreased participation in meaningful activities in an individual's life, possibly due to anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, memory loss, posttraumatic stress disorder, and social isolation. Individuals who have been subjected to human trafficking often experience occupational deprivation and occupational therapy has yet to establish its role in the recovery process for survivors. This poster presents a capstone project consisting of the process towards the development of an occupation-based, trauma-informed, …

Case Study: Efficacy Of Physical Therapy On A Patient With Cva In Normalizing Gait And Shoulder Mechanics, Jane Mongkolvipakul, Amanda Orr, Queenie Lim, Rajbir Basati, Faris Alshammari

San Marcos, Fall 2019

Background & Purpose: Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) is known as Stroke. It is a damage to the brain due to an interruption of blood supply. Two main types of stroke are ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke, the most common type of stroke, is due to a blocked artery and a hemorrhagic stroke is due to a leak or burst of a blood vessel. Signs and symptoms of stroke are presented contralaterally. The purpose of this case report is to demonstrate the use of PT interventions to improve shoulder function and gait mechanics in a post CVA patient.

Case …

Weight-Bearing Interventions To Decrease Spasticity And Improve Gait In Stroke Patients: A Case Report, Melin Nguyen, Shelby Peterson, Jessika Sun, Irene Taing, Faris Alshammari

San Marcos, Fall 2019

The purpose of this case report was to determine the success of weight-bearing interventions on spasticity reduction and improved gait patterns in a 61 year-old-male patient recovering from a chronic left hemorrhagic CVA. The patient’s primary impairments included right upper and lower extremity spasticity, circumduction gait, weakness and decreased range of motion of right extremities.

The interventions included in this patient’s treatment program included standing calf stretches, toe raises, ankle range of motion and gait training for 1 hour once a week for 4 weeks. This case report supports the application of weight-bearing through the paretic limb, which has been …

Developing Financial Literacy Skills For A Secondary Transition Program For Students With Learning Differences, Rose Marie Borillo, Becki Cohill, Susan Macdermott

San Marcos, Fall 2019

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), schools are required to provide transition planning for students with disabilities and mental illness by age 16 (Eismann et al, 2017). Occupational therapists have been underutilized in secondary transition planning, despite their expertise in targeting functional abilities, comprehension, and health using activity analysis to promote skill attainment and achieve independence (Mankey 2012; Eismann et al, 2017).

At the Winston School, there was no formal transition program aside from the individual college counseling provided by a staff member. A coordinated transition program was indicated to prepare students for life after high school to …

Perspectives Of Occupational Therapists On Telehealth, Taylor Corey, Becki Cohill, Susan Macdermott

San Marcos, Fall 2019

The purpose of this project is to gain a better understanding of the provider’s perspectives about the strengths and barriers of OT services provided via telehealth. Based on the evidence that will be collected through surveys and interviews, it can help determine specific factors on whether or not therapist choose to provide services through telehealth. Centered around those perspectives of telehealth, the results can help explore more in depth on the issues and concerns therapists have when it comes to telehealth as a service delivery model.