Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

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 …

Evolution Of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History Of Paula Kramer, Phd, Otr/L, Faota, Shelby Wittenberg, Lexie Coalwell

Oral History Posters

Objective: The purpose of this 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.

Method: A life history qualitative approach was used by conducting two, 60-minutes semi-structured interviews at the University of North Dakota’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences. The interviews …

Evolution Of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History Of Suzanne Peloquin, Phd, Otr, Faota, Alexandra Grosser, Kelsey Knutson

Oral History Posters

Objective: This life history of Dr. Suzanne Peloquin is one of 30 life history interviews, which are part of a larger project. 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.

Method: A two-hour, semi-structured interview was conducted via Zoom video conferencing technology. The interview was video and audio recorded and later transcribed. The transcription was analyzed …

Use Of The Kawa Model To Facilitate Interprofessional Collaboration: A Pilot Study, Jennifer E. Lape, Ashley Lukose, Diana R.M. Ritter, Brian D. Scaife

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The Kawa (river in Japanese) model uses the metaphor of a river to view one’s life from a metaphysical perspective, with consideration given to the interaction between social and physical environments, life circumstances, assets, and liabilities. Preliminary research suggests that the Kawa model may be an effective tool for interprofessional collaboration, but studies employing the model with diverse groups of healthcare professionals have not been undertaken. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine if the Kawa model could serve as an effective collaboration tool for a diverse healthcare team within a skilled nursing facility.

Method: A pilot …

Systematic Review Of Sensory Integrations With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cierra Simmons

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disorder that can affect communication and behavior. In children a sensory diet is utilized in order to address these issues. Research has been completed over the years looking into the effects of different sensory integrations on classroom behavior and participation. This is a comparison study of various integrations including, but not limited to, vestibular swinging, therapy balls, and therapy cushions. It is often up to an Occupational Therapist to create a sensory diet for each student on a caseload. The purpose of this study was to discover if there is one treatment that can …

Environmental Factors Influencing College Student Athletes Quality Of Life, Carly Ono, Anthony Sassano, Janine Rebekah Villanueva, Ashton Wolffe

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

College students face a number of obstacles to achieving success in their desired areas of occupation. However, fulfilling all the responsibilities of their other roles as well may present a risk for occupational imbalances. This is typically the case when examining the lifestyles of collegiate athletes. In this qualitative study, researchers interviewed 15 Dominican University of California (DUoC) college student athletes, playing at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II level to assess what environmental factors influence their quality of life (QoL). QoL was determined as the best measure seeing as how it encompasses all components of what deems …

Physiological Responses Of Adults With Sensory Over-Responsiveness, Catherine Anne Datu, Nicholas Wing Or, Megan Melody Valentine, Megan Jeanne Velcich

Student Research Posters

The purpose of this research study is to identify if there are physiological response patterns associated with self-reported sensory over-responsiveness (SOR) in typical adults. SOR is the most common sensory modulation disorder and negatively affects the daily experiences of those that report SOR. The first phase of the study consisted of phone interviews where participants were screened for any potential characteristics that could affect physiological function. Then, the SRQ and AASP were used in conjunction to identify low and high SOR, typical adults. The last phase utilized the Sensory Challenge Protocol, which is both standardized and randomized, to expose participants …

Best Practices For Occupational Therapy Fellowship And Physical Therapy Residency Programs: A Mixed Method Study, Morgan Chapman, Emily Lehman, Lauren Pedersen, Anna Sibson, Jianqiu Xiao, Anna Domina

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The purpose of this sequential mixed methods study was to investigate occupational therapy fellowship and physical therapy residency directors’ perceptions of components of a successful residency program. Methods: A pilot survey was administered to occupational therapy fellowship and physical therapy residency directors prior to the study. A 17-item self-report survey was used to gather fellowship and residency director perceptions on the success of their respective programs. Directors of approved occupational therapy fellowship programs and accredited physical therapy residency programs were invited to participate. Following completion of the survey, follow-up interviews were conducted to deepen the understanding of director …

Effects Of A Sensory Diet On Attention And Participation In Children With Autism, Leighanne Smith-Mrkaja

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to provide initial knowledge regarding sensory diets and sensory-based interventions. The need for classroom-based sensory interventions are not always considered, especially with the high number of students diagnosed with ASD at the researcher’s school. Often sensory intervention may not be considered educationally relevant, especially in the prekindergarten level. With the proper training and materials, as well as the guidance of the school-based occupational therapist, teachers, other therapists, classroom assistants, parents, and school-based staff might be able to utilize sensory-based activities like sensory diets to increase participation, positive behaviors, and attention. The following applied research study …

Concepts Of Caring: Uncovering Early Concepts Of Care In Practice For First Year Occupational Therapy Students, James Battaglia

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Caring for others is a central ideal of most health care professions. The ability to facilitate caring behaviors in occupational therapy students is essential to developing students who are well prepared to provide both technically and emotionally competent care. This study explored the early concepts of care of Master of Science Occupational Therapy students at the start of their graduate education through use of a questionnaire and follow-up interviews. The three most frequently identified student concepts of care were: (1) caring as it relates to time, (2) caring as a personal quality, and (3) caring through their communication with clients. …

Occupational Therapy Student Conceptions Of Self-Reflection In Level Ii Fieldwork, Susan L. Iliff, Gaylene Tool, Patricia Bowyer, Diane Parham, Tina S. Fletcher, Wyona M. Freysteinson

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Self-reflection is paramount to the development of professionalism and serves as the foundation of adult education and lifelong learning. Pedagogical approaches in health sciences programs that promote self-reflection are growing in popularity. Current literature identifies a gap in what and how students conceive self-reflection and whether self-reflection is creating professionals that meet the challenges of today’s healthcare climate. This qualitative study explores the conceptions of self-reflection for occupational therapy students in Level II Fieldwork. The use of phenomenographic methodology guided the collection of information-rich data through semi-structured interviews. Twenty-one occupational therapy graduates volunteered to participate in the interviews. Verbatim transcripts …

Development Of A Training Program To Increase Student Clinician Competency When Communicating With People With Aphasia, Meghan Doherty, Chevie Lay

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The Washington University in St. Louis Stroke Clinic is a student-run free clinic (SRSC) designed to enhance student learning and provide the community with no-cost evidence-based occupational therapy services. Aphasia is a common communication impairment after stroke that affects the ability to access services and give and get information, and impacts life participation and satisfaction. Conversation partner training is an evidence-based treatment approach to improve communication with people with aphasia (PWA). The purpose of this project was to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of student clinician training about communicating with PWA using conversation partner training in the SRSC. This study …

The Perceived Value And Utilization Of Occupational Therapy Models In The United States, Rhonda Davis-Cheshire, Kailey Davis, Lindsay Drumm, Sydney Neal, Emma Norris, Melanie Parker, Christina Prezzia, Colleen Whalen

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This study investigated United States (U.S.) occupational therapy (OT) practitioners’ perceived value and utilization of OT models in practice. In addition, this research explored correlations that might impact practitioner value and choice of models as related to entry-level OT educational program, practice setting, and frequency of model utilization. The study utilized a cross-sectional research design. A convenience sample of 219 OT practitioners completed an 18-question online survey capturing participant demographics, perceived value, and utilization of models. Practitioners indicated they used models (79.45%, n = 174) in practice with 77.63% (n = 170) reporting they somewhat or strongly agreed that models …

Using Case-Based Learning To Facilitate Clinical Reasoning Across Practice Courses In An Occupational Therapy Curriculum, Lynne F. Murphy, Jennifer C. Radloff

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Although occupational therapy educators have historically used cases as a means to prepare students for clinical practice, there is little evidence that this instructional method actually facilitates clinical reasoning. This convergent, parallel mixed methods study examined how the use of varied case formats, built on the tenets of case-based learning, facilitated specific components of clinical reasoning, and explored how the cases contributed to readiness for professional practice. Case formats included text, video, role-playing, simulated patients, and a client. Case-based learning activities included application of models and frames of reference, conducting assessments, planning and implementing interventions, clinical documentation, and identification of …

Application Of Theory To Guide Development Of A Rehabilitation Service-Learning Project In Guatemala, Mary Zadnik, Suzanne Trotter, Cindy Mathena

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

International community-based rehabilitation service-learning projects in physical and occupational therapy education programs may impact underserved communities internationally. The intentional inclusion of learning in service activities has been identified as service-learning. Extending the impact and education beyond the service project is necessary in order to provide a sustainable outcome for the community. Faculty at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences partnered with Potter’s House Association International to develop an interprofessional program to address the rehabilitation needs and continuity of care following a one-week project serving the community members of the Guatemalan City Garbage Dump. The purpose of this article …

Anti-Fat Bias Of Occupational Therapy Students, Carli Friedman, Laura H. Vanpuymbrouck

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Anti-fat biases in healthcare providers can result in substandard and decreased care, and also result in health disparities. There are very few studies that examine occupational therapists’ attitudes towards fat people and implications on practice. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the implicit fat prejudice of occupational therapy students. The authors also sought to understand how this prejudice related to the occupation-based models/frames of reference with which students professionally identified. To do so, 58 occupational therapy students from three Midwestern universities, all of whom recently completed their first year of professional occupational therapy education, completed the Weight …

Developing Critical Thinking In Ot Education: Effectiveness Of A Fishbowl Approach, Stephanie L. De Sam Lazaro, Bonnie R. W. Riley

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This paper explores the effectiveness of peer assisted learning on developing critical thinking skills in an occupational therapy graduate course. The use of peer teaching strategies, including a Fishbowl discussion and case-based problem solving, were compared to a faculty-led lecture approach to determine which approach best prepared student critical thinking. Participants included 115 first year graduate occupational therapy students. No statistically significant differences were noted in student ability to express knowledge, comprehension, and application of information. However, statistically significant differences were noted on graduate student ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate using newly learned information when peer teaching strategies were …

Online Hybrid Vs. Face-To-Face Instruction In Applied Ot Theory, Brenda S. Howard

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Minimal evidence exists regarding online education in occupational therapy. This study explored entry-level occupational therapy (OT) student responses to two methods of instruction in an applied OT theory course. The investigator used a retrospective quasi-experimental, nonrandomized comparison group design with mixed methods to compare two cohorts of entry-level OT students. Data included midterm exam, final exam, and cumulative course grades, as well as qualitative data from a final exam essay question. Demographic data and cohort mean grade-point averages were collected at the program level. One cohort received face-to-face instruction, while the other received online hybrid and face-to-face instruction. The face-to-face …

Qualitative Analysis Of Peer Supervision Training Needs In A Student-Run Occupational Therapy Clinic, Anne Murphy-Hagan, Lauren E. Milton

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The philosophy behind occupational therapy (OT) education espouses the belief that students are dynamic actors in the teaching-learning process, participating in self-appraisal and professional identity development. Yet, best-practice guidelines have not been developed to support students acting in a supervisory role, or contrastingly, receiving supervision from a peer. This study took place at a student-run OT clinic at a large research university in the Midwest. Qualitative methods were employed to investigate the question: What educational and training supports are needed to assist OT students with peer supervision in a student-run clinic? Six OT students participated in a focus group and …

Using Technology Enhanced Learning To Promote The Acquisition Of Practical Skills In Occupational Therapy, Terri Grant

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This paper focuses on the use of game-based technology to effectively choose, prescribe, and safely use equipment, which are vital occupational therapy skills. A three-hour workshop was designed for 42 second year British occupational therapy students across two cohorts. The goal was for students to try out a variety of equipment ranging from small household and kitchen aids to elevating chairs and hoisting equipment. Students used the game-based technology during a class to encourage their engagement with practical aspects of equipment use and fitting. A short, optional survey indicated use of the game-based technology resulted in extremely high student engagement …

The Effect Of 3d Human Anatomy Software On Online Students’ Academic Performance, Reivian Berrios Barillas

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Understanding anatomy is vital to occupational therapy (OT) for clinical success. Anatomy requires comprehending three-dimensional (3D) human structure relationships and student age and learning style differences may affect this understanding. This study examined how 3D anatomy software influenced online OT students’ grades among different ages and learning styles. The intervention group had 17 students (mean age 33 ± 8 years) and the control group had 18 students (mean age 32 ± 6 years). Students were categorized above or below the age of 30 and completed a learning style questionnaire at the beginning of the course. To determine the usefulness of …

The Development Of A Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairments Seminar For Occupational Therapy Practitioners, Sara S. Ulfers, Christine Berg

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy practitioners are qualified to address the emergence of functional deficits from cancer-related cognitive impairments (CRCI); however, they have reported a need to address gaps in their knowledge of CRCI. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively design, disseminate and examine the impact of implementing a face-to-face continuing education seminar designed to enhance occupational therapy practitioners’ knowledge of CRCI in adults and older adults. After completing a needs assessment and designing the seminar, the seminar was piloted with occupational therapy students (n = 64) where student feedback guided modifications to the seminar’s content, design and evaluation. The …

Increasing Emotional Intelligence Through Self-Reflection Journals: Implications For Occupational Therapy Students As Emerging Clinicians, Natalie A. Perkins, Arlene A. Schmid

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy practitioners and students need skills associated with emotional intelligence (EI) as it is linked with therapeutic use of self. It is vital to train and educate occupational therapy students in self-awareness in order to prepare them to work effectively with future clients and co-workers. This study explored the use of self-reflection journals among graduate students during their spring semester of a full-time on-campus Master’s in Occupational Therapy program. Researchers aimed to understand the impact of self-reflection journals on trait EI. First year master level occupational therapy students (n=39) completed the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue). Quantitative data were …

Student Perceptions And Grade Comparisons After Exposure To Instructor-Made Skills Videos In A Kinesiology Course, Pamela Karp, Robert G. Gallagher

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The purpose of this mixed method, descriptive case study was to determine whether the use of pre-recorded instructor-made videos (PRIMVs) in a kinesiology course, along with curricular design changes, facilitated increased conceptual and practical student learning. The study examined three student cohorts in one occupational therapy program. Two of the student cohorts had unrestricted access to the PRIMVs designed to support student learning of bone and muscle palpation and joint actions. Students from the two cohorts completed a survey about their experience of having access to the videos. Exam data from the student cohorts who had access to the videos …

Collaborative Learning In A Faculty-Led Occupational Therapy Level I Fieldwork: A Case Study, Karen M. Keptner, Susan Maureen Klein

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Fieldwork experiences in occupational therapy are meant to bridge the gap between academic learning and clinical practice. Various formats for fieldwork experiences have been encouraged as sites become harder to find. A faculty-led fieldwork experience is one suggested format. Faculty-led initiatives using a collaborative learning model (CLM) allow faculty to supervise a group of students at one time. In order to understand more about using a CLM within Level I fieldwork, a case study approach was used to describe the experience of nine occupational therapy students. Results suggest that the students involved in this faculty-led Level I fieldwork experience in …

Use Of Case Studies To Promote Critical Thinking In Occupational Therapy Students, Denise D. Allen, Susan Toth-Cohen

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Critical thinking is a necessary component of clinical reasoning that should be addressed as part of the graduate curriculum for occupational therapists. For students to apply critical thinking in practice they must also have confidence and minimal anxiety about their abilities. Case-based learning was chosen to address critical thinking skill development, increase confidence, and decrease anxiety. The purpose of this mixed methods pilot study was to evaluate progressively independent engagement with case-based learning on student performance, confidence, and anxiety in applying critical thinking skills in the clinical setting. Critical thinking was measured using a rubric to assess students’ performance in …

Critical Thinking And Transformational Learning: Using Case Studies As Narrative Frameworks For Threshold Concepts, Christine Berg, Rachel Philipp, Steven D. Taff

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Critical thinking is an essential component to the occupational therapy process that is a timely skill with the rapid pace of change in our healthcare system. Critical thinking exposes assumptions, biases, beliefs and points of view and challenges a shift in epistemology by asking, ‘how do we know what we believe to know?’ Case studies are a tool to engage the learner in critical thinking and are commonly employed in occupational therapy curricula. Social determinants of health (SDH) describe environmental circumstances that affect health. The authors propose that SDH, embedded in case studies, serve as a threshold concept. A threshold …

Metacognition Of First Year Occupational Therapy Students: A Comparison Of Entry-Level Degrees, Leah S. Dunn, Pamela Lewis-Kipkulei, Roy Bower

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The purpose of this study was to compare the metacognitive awareness among first year students in entry-level occupational therapy programs. The study investigated the similarities and differences in awareness of cognition and strategies used to regulate cognition in occupational therapy assistant (OTA), Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), and Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) programs to inform teaching practices for the different educational demands and expected outcomes of each program. Thirty occupational therapy students (11 OTA, 10 MOT, and 9 OTD) completed the Metacognitive Awareness Inventory (MAI) during their first semester of occupational therapy courses at two universities. Overall, the results indicated …

Proposing A Metacurriculum For Occupational Therapy Education In 2025 And Beyond, Quinn P. Tyminski, Amy Nguyen, Steven D. Taff

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The American healthcare system has undergone significant changes in the past few years due to government and corporate-level changes. As healthcare requirements continue to shift, occupational therapists must continue to assert their role or risk losing relevancy. Therefore, educational programs must prepare students to meet the populations’ shifting healthcare needs through agile curricula which focus less on isolated skills and more on broad areas of impact. To determine essential content comprising a ‘metacurriculum’ for occupational therapy education of the future, nine articles were analyzed using Bloom’s Taxonomy (revised) to code each document into knowledge, skills, and behaviors. Major themes were …