Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Breastfeeding Initiatives In Rural Kentucky: An Action Research Approach To Improving Public Health, Mallory D. Ratliff

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Breastfeeding offers numerous benefits for mother and baby and should be considered a priority for the health of communities as opposed to a parenting choice (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2012). Occupational therapists have a place in breastfeeding support, public health promotion, and guiding performance patterns (Pitonyak, 2014).

This study sought to identify what occupational therapists within the medical and community systems could offer stakeholders involved in breastfeeding support and neonatal care. Action research methods were utilized to allow stakeholders in a rural community in Kentucky to decide what objectives could benefit their area. A series of three focus groups were …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Primary Care, Priti Patel

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

The Capstone Project is focused on communicating, influencing and educating other health care professionals regarding the role of occupational therapy in the future model of primary care delivery initiated by the adoption of the Affordable Care Act and the Triple Aim Initiative. Currently, primary care, the largest health care platform in United States, is not inclusive of occupational therapy services. Occupational therapists have the scope, knowledge and understanding to be part of the redesigned team model of primary care. Educating those currently working in primary care about adding occupational therapy services can have a significant impact on the profession of …

Dog Visitation In Long-Term Care And Its Effects On Depression, Leah Shea Simpkins

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

The capstone project examined the effect of certified therapy dog interaction with residents of a long-term care facility. The primary researcher utilized the assistance of a certified therapy dog and certified therapy handler for five visits to the long-term care facility for a timeframe of once a week for five consecutive weeks. The visits were for a fifteen minute dog visitation in the participant’s room, which comprised the experimental group. The primary researcher monitored the participant’s interaction with the dog, verbalizations, and smile counts during this time. Control group was observed in the courtyard for five consecutive weeks for no …

Enriching Occupational Therapy In Early Intervention: Using And Documenting The Evidence, Shelli Dry, Christine Myers

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Occupational therapists working in Kentucky’s Early Intervention System (First Steps) are required to use evidence-based practice within their treatment sessions. Evidence-based practice incorporates information from scientific research, the clinician’s expertise and the family’s values in an all-encompassing treatment approach. Implementing evidence-based practice into treatment sessions promotes efficiency in treatment by improving clinical outcomes in a shorter period of time. This capstone project was developed as a first step in identifying methods to promote the implementation and documentation of evidence-based practice into early intervention services. This project included developing an online continuing education course and exploring changes in occupational therapists perceptions …

A Descriptive Study Of Menopausal Woman's Life Experiences, Stressors And Their Occupational Meanings, Melanie Ford Dr.

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

This study describes some of the major physical and emotional occupational needs of menopausal women, and the direct impact this has on their relationships and overall well-being. The primary objective of this research project was to describe the life experiences of menopausal women and how various stressors affected their emotional, physical, and relational occupations. A descriptive grounded theory method was used to explore the stressors, their meanings, and the women’s unique perspectives of their menopausal experiences. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and then coded and analyzed into key categories. From this information, specific themes were formulated, resulting in an …

Sleep Occupation Quality And Occupation-Based Hand Function In Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Angela M. Goorman Ms, Otr/L

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Sleep disturbance is considered a health crisis by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2013). It is not uncommon for clients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) to also have poor sleep (Patel et al., 2014). The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of sleep quality on hand function, while controlling for pain level and CTS diagnostic electromyography severity in CTS clients at a Southern Arizona orthopedic practice. This study tested the following hypothesis: Sleep quality is positively associated with hand function above and beyond the association of pain and CTS severity to occupation-based hand function in CTS …

Community Based Programming Promoting Physical Activity, Jennifer Hight M.S. Otr/L

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Childhood obesity is a growing health concern, negatively impacting a child’s quality of life, and ability to engage in daily occupations; while contributing to rising healthcare costs. This Capstone Project is a community based program encouraging the development of gross motor skills in the four year old population of a local childcare center to promote engagement in physical activity for less engagement in sedentary daily activities.

Purpose: Although many causal factors have been linked to childhood obesity, current review of the literature demonstrating effective interventions to decrease obesity in the pediatric population is limited, and there is a scarcity …

The Experiences Of Occupational Therapists Working On Interprofessional Primary Health Care Teams: A Case Study., Emma Blake Mcclellan

Online Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this research was to provide evidence on the integration of occupational therapy (OT) intervention in primary care from the perspective of OTs. Typical services provided, experience with team members, and the identified value of OT in primary health care was explored. OT possesses the expertise and skill set to address the most common chronic conditions that primary care providers treat by entry level educational preparation. OT services are based upon a holistic view of individuals creating an affective skill set to participate in and coordinate health care delivery for the client. Currently limited evidence is available to …

Individuals Who Self Identify As Artists But Work In A Different Career: A Cross Case Analysis, Kelly Lee Price

Online Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine, from their individual perspective, the identity of individuals who self-identify as an artist but work in other careers. The research objectives of this study included: exploring the possible sense of occupational imbalance in an individual’s self-identity, exploring the personal identity of individuals who perceive themselves as artists but work at a different career, and explaining the relationships between art and self-identity including life balance, work ethic, and education. This research was based in an occupational science viewpoint, in that it looked at how occupations help to define life meaning, purpose, and identity. …