Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Sexuality And Spinal Cord Injury: A Manual For Occupational Therapists In The Inpatient Rehabilitation Setting, Courtney Jacobson, Esada Mujcic

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The topic of sexuality has not been addressed in its entirety within the profession of occupational therapy and has been identified by patients as a need in order to receive comprehensive and holistic care (New, Seddon, Redpath, Currie, and Warren, 2016). More specifically, with 12,500 new cases of spinal cord injury (SCI) that occur each year, in addition to the significant impact on body functions that result from SCI, the topic of sexuality needs particular attention with this population (National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, 2015). The purpose of this scholarly project was to create a manual supported by literature …

Road To Recovery: An Online Guide To Prepare Parents Of Children Who Have Sustained A Major Burn Injury For Successful Home And Community Transition, Michelle Jones, Chad Oppegaard

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Children are the most vulnerable population and represent the highest rate of nonfatal burns resulting in prolonged hospitalization, disfigurement, and disability. These injuries can be a severely stressful experience for children and their families. As a result, it is important for the patient and family members to not focus only on immediate treatment, but recognize the importance of long-term care following discharge in order to effectively reintegrate the child back into the home and community.

A literature review was conducted to investigate the key components of burn care throughout the duration of recovery. Research identified that many parents feel helpless, …

Occupational Therapy Resource Guide For The Utilization Of Three-Dimensional Printing, Andrew Ostrander, Jacy Whaley

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Many practitioners in the field of occupational therapy are unaware of the benefits and importance of implementing a three-dimensional (3D) printer in practice indicating that there is a need for occupational therapy involving the fitting, environmental modifications, and training on how to properly use a 3D printed prosthetic within the upper extremity. 3D printing is when a digital design is converted into a designed material that has a functional purpose and different materials can be used including metal, plastics, and composite materials (Thomas & Claypole, 2016). 3D printing has many unique and effective uses like creating adaptive devices, feeding devices, …

A Grounded Theory Study Of Maternal Engagement Of Low Income, Young Rural Mothers In Home-Based, Early Intervention Services, Elaine K. Fehringer

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

Home-based, early intervention programs as a preferred delivery model are widely endorsed, heavily funded and highly utilized as prevention and remediation initiatives for families with young children (Eckenrode, et al., 2010; Karoly, Killion, & Cannon, 2005). Of concern, is that while an estimated 40 billion dollars are spent annually between federally funded programs and private foundations, a significant number of families disengage from services before the end of a child’s eligibility period (Stevens, Ammerman, Putnam, Gannon, & van Ginkel, 2005). Several meta-analyses indicate only modest effectiveness of home-based services (Tandon, et al., 2008). It is estimated that well over 500,000 …

Occupational Therapy And Physiotherapy Education And Workforce In Anglophone Sub-Saharan Africa Countries, Augustine O. Agho, Emmanuel John

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries are faced with the challenge of educating a critical mass of occupational therapists (OTs) and physiotherapists (PTs) to meet the growing demand for health and rehabilitation services. The World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT) and World Confederation of Physical Therapy (WCPT) have argued for the need of graduate-level training for OTs and PTs for decades. However, very few studies have been conducted to determine the availability of OT and PT training programs and practitioners in SSA countries.

Methods: Initial data were collected and compiled from an extensive literature search conducted using MEDLINE and …

The Experience Of Peer Mentors Within A Peer Mentor Postsecondary Transition Program, Carissa Birchem, Mikayla Greely, Suzanna Morrison

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Peer mentorship programs are one approach to assist students with disabilities to be more successful within a college community. One such program is the Student Organization for Accessibility and Resources (SOAR) which focuses on the occupations of education, social participation, and leisure activities in conjunction with assisting students in identifying available resources. However, there is limited understanding regarding these types of programs. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the student peer mentor’s overall experience, how the environment affected their experience, and the occupation of peer mentorship. Researchers utilized a phenomenological qualitative research method completing six …

A Home Away From Home: An Occupational Manual For Working With Refugee Populations, Katherine Erickson, Kari Kjergaard

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Problem: As of October 2016, over 65.3 million people have been displaced from their home due to civil wars and civil unrest; 21.3 million of this population are refugees and this number continues to grow (UNHCR, 2016). Due to the nature in which people become refugees and experience trauma, both physically and mentally, there is a rising need for health professionals to be culturally competent and well equipped to work with this population. The vast majority of refugee populations face barriers some of which include being forced to adapt to a new home environment, social isolation, language barriers, and ultimately …

Sexuality And Healthcare: The Perceptions Of Providers Regarding Role Delineation: Are Occupational Therapists Overlooked?, Brooke Friederichs, Olivia Isaacson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

INTRODUCTION: The responsibility to address sexual activity is not clearly delineated to one certain healthcare profession, and therefore it often goes unaddressed (Rimmer et al., 2010). In addition, there is an overall lack of literature regarding the extent to which healthcare providers understand the role of occupational therapy in addressing sexual activity.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to explore 1) how healthcare providers (physical therapists, occupational therapists, and registered nurses) perceive role delineation when addressing patient concerns about sexual activity 2) the level to which physical therapists and registered nurses believe sexual activity is outlined in the scope …

Perceptions Of Wellness Among Community Dwelling Older Adults, Sara Johnson, April Schmiesing

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Most older adults prefer to age in place where they are more likely to experience greater health benefits and cost savings as opposed to living in skilled care facilities. Literature supports the role of occupational therapy in community-based wellness programming that helps older adults age in place; however, there is a need to conduct needs assessments to inform wellness program topics and activities. This study explores health and wellness needs of older adults living in a low-income, senior housing complex in order to inform current health and wellness programming provided at this site.

Researchers used a non-experimental, cross-sectional survey study …

Identified Stressors And Coping Mechanisms Of Occupational Therapy Students, Amy Fitzsimmons, Ashley Zimmer

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: The purpose of this research study was to gather data on stressors experienced by occupational therapy students during their program and how they cope with their identified stressors. The rationale for this study was the lack of and inconsistent research regarding occupational therapy students, how they experience perceived psychological stress during their program, and how they cope with their identified stressors.

Methodology: The researchers utilized a quantitative exploratory survey design to discover perceived psychological stress and coping methods in Master’s of Occupational Therapy (MOT) students. Prior to recruitment, Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval was received. Respondents were recruited through …

Preparing Occupational Therapists For Treatment Of The Transgender Population: A Training Guide For Supportive Care, Nicola Grun, Lauren Trohkimoinen

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Throughout current literature, it is clear that people who identify as transgender face larger percentages of occupational injustice and deprivation than people who identify with the sex they were assigned at birth (Bar, Jarus, Wada, Rechtman, & Noy, 2016; Twinley, 2014). There is no occupational therapy specific research or client-specific programming for transgender people (Beagan, Chiasson, Fiske, Forseth, Hosein, Myers & Stang, 2013), which indicates the need for supportive care for this population. The purpose of this scholarly project is to develop a training guide to prepare occupational therapists to provide supportive care for the transgender population. The Ecology of …

Promoting Interdisciplinary Collaboration Across School Contexts: A Toolkit For Occupational Therapists, Sidney Luers, Shayna Shaffer

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this project was to create a toolkit for occupational therapists who work within the elementary school settings to promote collaboration with teachers and other school personnel. In recent years there has been an increase in children who qualify for occupational therapy services within the school, which creates a need for collaboration with occupational therapists and teachers. Kennedy and Stewart (2011) found that while occupational therapists and teachers desire a collaborative relationship, there is little evidence supporting a way to achieve effective collaboration between the professions.

An extensive literature review was conducted in order to acquire information to …

Educating Caregivers In Assisted Living Facilities (Alfs) Who Care For People With Dementia, Rodney Palmer, Ashley Palmer

Occupational Therapy Capstones

It is estimated that approximately 40-71% of residents living within assisted living facilities (ALFs) have a form of dementia or other cognitive impairment (Harris- Kojetin et al., 2016; Zimmerman, Sloana, & Reed, 2014). There is also evidence that suggests that caregivers working within ALFs have inadequate knowledge on how to care for a resident diagnosed with dementia (Hughes, Bagley, Reilly, Burns, & Challis, 2008; McKenzie, Teri, Pike, LaFazia, & Van Leynseele, 2012; Sharpp, Kayser-Jones, & Young, 2012; Zimmerman et al., 2014). The authors of this scholarly project created an instructional manual that can be used to train caregivers within ALFs …

Evolution Of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History Of Cassady Hoff Ms Otr/L, Danielle Chartier, Amanda Callahan

Oral History Posters

This life history is one of twenty nine life history interviews which are a part of a larger project, 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 gather information about the history and evolution of occupational therapy (OT) practice in North Dakota and Wyoming through life histories of individuals who have been influential in developing OT in these two states. It is anticipated that the life history process will be a powerful way to gather this information. This study is intended to provide …

Life History Of Dr. Sheri Montgomery, Ort/L, Otd, Mikaela Karpen, Stacy Sigmond

Oral History Posters

This life history one of 29 life history interviews that are a part of a larger project, 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 gather information about the history and evolution of occupational therapy (OT) practice in North Dakota and Wyoming through life histories of individual who have been influential in developing OT in these two state. It is anticipated that the life history process will be a powerful way to gather this information. This study is intended to provide current and …

A Piece Of Evolution Of Occupational Therapy In North Dakota: Life History Of Rhoda Erhardt, Ms, Otr/L, Faota, Sidney Carlson, Alexis Tyce

Oral History Student Papers

This life history is one of 29 life history interviews which are a part of a larger project, Life Histories of Individuals Who Have Been Influential in Developing Occupational Therapy in North Dakota and Wyoming. The purpose of the project is to gather information about the history and evolution of OT practice in North Dakota and Wyoming through life histories of individuals who have been influential in developing OT in these two states. It is anticipated that the life history process will be a powerful way to gather this information. By using a life history approach, this study focused on …

Evolution Of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History Of Sarah Nielsen, Phd, Otr/L, Sarah Schwartz, Ashley Ystaas

Oral History Student Papers

The purpose of this study was to examine the life of Dr. Sarah Nielsen through the use of a life history approach. The focus of this life history approach was Sarah's involvement in the evolution of OT practice in North Dakota. She is an active and influential individual in the OT profession as she has served various positions in the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and North Dakota Occupational Therapy Association (NDOTA), as well as a variety of committees at the University of North Dakota (UND). Sarah is currently an associate professor in the Department of OT at the UND. …

Evolution Of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History Of Stuart Kuchel M.S., Otr/L, Michael Black, Ariel Campbell

Oral History Student Papers

Objective. This qualitative life history was completed as part of a larger sample of 29 participants aimed to gather information about the history and evolution of occupational therapy practice in North Dakota and Wyoming through life histories of individuals who have been influential in developing occupational therapy in these two states and/or nationally.

Method. The participant was assigned by the project directors through purposive sampling. A semi-structured phone interview was conducted with the interviewer and two primary researchers. Data was coded and analyzed, which was then collapsed into categories, themes and a final assertion.

Results. The predominate categories representing the …

Occupational Therapy And Physiotherapy Education And Workforce In Anglophone Sub-Saharan Africa Countries, Augustine O. Agho, Emmanuel B. John

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries are faced with the challenge of educating a critical mass of occupational therapists (OTs) and physiotherapists (PTs) to meet the growing demand for health and rehabilitation services. The World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT) and World Confederation of Physical Therapy (WCPT) have argued for the need of graduate-level training for OTs and PTs for decades. However, very few studies have been conducted to determine the availability of OT and PT training programs and practitioners in SSA countries.

Methods: Initial data were collected and compiled from an extensive literature search conducted using MEDLINE and PubMed to …

Patient Experiences When Preparing For Discharge Home After Total Knee Replacement, Renee Causey-Upton, Dana M. Howell

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Following total knee replacement (TKR), patients must prepare quickly for discharge to home via education and rehabilitation. Patient needs may not fully be met prior to discharge after TKR surgery. The purpose of this descriptive study using transcendental phenomenology methods was to understand patients’ experiences when preparing to return home after TKR surgery. Method: Data was collected using semi-structured interviews that occurred 1 to 2 days prior to discharge in patients’ hospital rooms. Four participants were interviewed prior to discharge and interviews were transcribed verbatim for data analysis. Data analysis and data collection were concurrent, permitting subsequent interviews to …

A Novel Approach To The Safe And Effective Mobilization Of A Super-Obese Patient: A Case Report, Jessica Anaf, Amy Wigmore, Kathy Stiller

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The incidence of obesity is rising worldwide, as is the presentation of these patients to the acute hospital setting. As a result of their complex nature, including medical co-morbidities, psychosocial issues, and healthcare resource limitations, management of these patients requires a coordinated and intensive multi-disciplinary approach. Although there are considerable data reporting the surgical management of obese patients, there is very limited literature regarding non-surgical interventions, including approaches to safe and effective mobilization. Methods: A case report is presented of a 55-year-old super-obese male transferred to a major tertiary referral healthcare centre for management of his overall medical condition …

Combining Online Education With International Service Learning To Increase Cultural Competence, Elaine Keane, Ingrid Provident

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

PURPOSE: Although international service learning has the capacity to promote a variety of important professional behaviors, merely visiting another country does not automatically result in these benefits. METHODS: This article describes an evidenced-based course which used pre-trip preparation in combination with a nine day service learning trip to Ecuador to develop cultural competence among 6 occupational and 6 physical therapy students. Pre-trip preparation included online and in-person components to increase self-awareness, awareness of other cultures, knowledge about Ecuadorian culture and skill-building. On-site activities included exploration of the physical and social context in addition to providing occupational and physical therapy treatment …

Occupational Profiles Of At-Risk Youth: A Multi-Case Study, Abigail Catalano

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Occupational therapy’s work with at-risk and adjudicated youth is a practice area currently possessing a limited base of evidence. One significant need in this body of literature is for examination of evidence-based evaluation practices. This project describes implementation and results of an evaluation protocol, Primary Occupations for Work and Employment Readiness (POWER), designed to elicit comprehensive occupational profiles from participants. POWER consists of five assessment tools, supplemented by clinical observations and program data. The assessments included are the Occupational Self-Assessment (OSA), Model of Human Occupation Screening Tool (MOHOST), Double OT (DOT), Kawa River Model, and Role Checklist Version 3 (RCV3). …

Exploring Autism And The Caregiver Burden Relationship, Mary C. Drockton

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this study was to collect qualitative data on the different stresses and burdens associated with being a caregiver for an autistic individual, and discover strategies of stress relief for caregivers. A total of four autism support group meetings hosted by the Autism Society of Greater Akron were attended and observed, with documentation of the discussion between the moderator of the meeting and the caregivers in attendance. Through observation of these meetings, common themes of stress in caregivers were revealed. These include: difficulty with the diagnosis process and finding medical treatment; seeking additional information on available medical treatments; …

Critically Appraised Paper For “Effect Of Physical Exercise-Movement Strategies Programme On Mobility, Falls, And Quality Of Life In Parkinson's Disease”, April Perez, Morganne Peterson, Raechel Jacala, Kitsum Li

Occupational Therapy | Critically Appraised Papers Series

A research team conducted a Level III prospective, longitudinal study to examine the effect of a standardized rehabilitation program, consisting of regular exercise and movement strategies, on fall risk, mobility, hospitalization, and quality of life for individuals with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD). Over 2 years, 15 participants attended weekly rehabilitation sessions during Year 1 and biweekly sessions during Year 2. The rehabilitation program was designed to improve cardiovascular fitness, strength, flexibility, balance, posture, and gait pattern. Using a pre- and posttest study design, the research team assessed participants at baseline and at Year 1 and Year 2 follow-up evaluations. Using …

Critically Appraised Paper For “Efficacy Of Occupational Therapy For Patients With Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial”, Amber Zadravecz, Hannah Tashjian, Emily White, Stephanie Pawek, Kitsum Li

Occupational Therapy | Critically Appraised Papers Series

Parkinson’s disease is a disabling, progressive condition that hinders occupational performance in daily activities and social participation. Occupational therapy supports engagement in activities that are meaningful to the patient. The purpose of this study was to explore the benefits of occupational therapy in addition to standard care for patients with Parkinson's disease.

An Innovative Behavioral Interview For Pre-Admission Selection Of Occupational Therapy Students, Kitsum Li, Julia L. Wilbarger, Shad St. Louis

Collected Faculty Scholarship

The goal for pre-admission interview is to identify students who will be successful both academically and professionally. The traditional structured pre-admission interview has not been shown to be effective in predicting students’ success in academic and fieldwork performance. This article describes an innovative behavioral interview process during which applicants interviewed simulated clients as part of the preadmission selection process. The goals of the pre-admission behavioral interview were to observe applicants’ behavior as team players, and to assess their interpersonal communication skills, capability to be reflective, and professionalism. During the behavioral interview, faculty interviewers assessed the applicants’ performance in the planning …

Exploration Of The Use Of Sensory Diets In Occupational Therapy, Allison Hunt, Morganne Peterson, Emily White

Student Research Posters

The purpose of this study was to fill the gap in literature and further examine the use of sensory diets in the field of occupational therapy. This study investigated the use of sensory diets among California occupational therapy practitioners. A mixed-methods design was used to collect data through a SurveyMonkey survey. The survey was sent out to members of the Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC) and received 98 respondents within one month. Participants worked among various clinical settings and implemented sensory diets with various client populations. Practitioners reported using terms such as “sensory strategies,” “sensory tools,” and “sensory supports” …

Living With Fragile X Syndrome: Occupations As An Outcome Measure In A Clinical Trial, Kaylee E. Gothelf, Ty Duong, Ana Baldinger, Theresa Chase

Student Research Posters

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of semi-structured interviews as an outcome measure in a clinical trial for children with fragile X syndrome (FXS) ages 2-6. This qualitative approach was used to analyze twenty-five interviews of parents with children in a double-blind medication trial - sertraline or placebo. The aim was to assess occupational improvements in their child that may not have been detected with the use quantitative outcome measures alone. Results showed greater improvements in the sertraline group in areas of behavior, social participation, sensory-related behaviors, receptive language, education, family impact and therapeutic strategies. Our …

Protective Factors And Resilience In Older Adults, Jessica Mcclain, Caroline Lee, Katelyn Gullatt

Student Research Posters

We sought to investigate whether three protective factors, (physical health, social support, and self-efficacy) predict resilience in Marin County older adults to promote successful aging in place. Fifty-eight Marin County participants aged 62 years and older participated in an exploratory cross-sectional quantitative study. Recruited from senior community programs and personal contacts, participants completed four self-report questionnaires. Descriptive and multivariate analyses using SPSS were conducted to investigate the relationship between the key variables. Of the three protective factors, self-efficacy is the most important predictor of resilience. Physical health and social support are important predictors of self-efficacy. In conclusion, three protective factors …