Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Occupational Therapists’ Perceptions Of Practice During The Covid-19 Pandemic And The Impact On Their Mental Health And Well-Being, Victoria Long

Online Theses and Dissertations

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic occupational therapists worked through a plethora of stressors. Research concerning the mental health of occupational therapists working in inpatient settings during the COVID-19 pandemic has been underexplored. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study is to understand the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and perceptions of healthcare for occupational therapists working in inpatient settings. Ten occupational therapists, recruited via purposive sampling, completed a semi-structured interview. The transcription was coded using thematic analysis finding five main themes. The five main themes included: fear impacts occupational therapists' performance patterns; workplace barriers influence quality of care; …

Living Separate Lives: How To Nurture A Work-Life Balance, Amanda Bullington

OVGTSL 2023: Ongoing Challenges, Creative Solutions

Librarians faced many challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of us quite literally brought our work home with us as we learned to interact with our colleagues virtually and adapted to performing our job duties from home. During this time, I was handed an additional personal challenge. I was diagnosed with a chronic health condition requiring multiple surgeries. I was now not only struggling to work from home as a cataloger but struggling to work from home as a cataloger while managing my daily pain. As someone who does not enjoy working from home, this seemed like an impossible challenge. …

Experiential Education In Advocacy For Occupational Therapy Students: Didactic Approaches And Learning Outcomes, Aaron Bonsall, Rebecca L. Wolf, Abe Saffer

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Advocacy is a foundational value in occupational therapy, but uniformity in teaching and learning advocacy is lacking. This paper proposes and reports on the implementation of an advocacy course based on experiential education. The objective of the study was to evaluate student learning after an advocacy course with an experiential education component using an open-ended survey design. Participants were occupational therapy doctoral students, and the setting was a course taught in a health sciences university. Students voluntarily completed a four-item anonymous survey after participating in an experiential advocacy course. Written responses were coded into themes using an inductive approach. The …

A Pilot Study To Compare Lecture And Active Learning, Jennifer Calabrese

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Active learning strategies are being increasingly valued by instructors and implemented in higher education. However, mixed outcomes exist regarding learning, exam results, and student preferences for active learning compared to traditional lectures. A convenience sample of 26 first-year graduate students participated in a study that examined the impact of attending a traditional lecture versus an active learning session. Both sessions included a PowerPoint presentation and the active learning class also included embedded educational videos, instructor-led class discussions, a case study, and a think-pair-share activity. The instructor used a pre and post-test for each class and conducted a survey after each …

Faith-Based Collaboration To Improve Depression & Self-Compassion In The Elderly: A Dnp Project, Julita Cinguina

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Abstract

Faith-based organizations are in a position to improve mental health outcomes for the elderly. With the help of the Community Wellness Center at Our Lady of Fatima (OLF) Catholic Church in Wilton, Connecticut, a new action plan was implemented to accomplish this goal. The proposed DNP Project was an evidence-based, multi-factorial intervention to improve self-compassion and reduce risk for depression for the elderly in the community. It consisted of four structured group sessions over a 6-week period with each session lasting 45 minutes. The group meetings offered evidence-based strategies to improve mental health including: (1) purposeful spiritual counseling utilizing …

Improving Osteoporosis Awareness By Implementing Bone Mineral Density (Bmd) Testing Algorithm, Mark A. Roark

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

One of the leading concerns in the United States healthcare system is the aging population and age-related health concerns such as osteoporosis. Estimates suggest that 50 percent of women and 20 percent of men over 50 are at increased risk of fractures from osteoporosis. However, the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis are on a downward trend. If no changes are made by 2040, it is estimated that there will be an annual expense of $95 billion and over 3.2 million fractures per year in the United States alone. The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), along with Healthy People 2030, recommends goals …

Implementing A Covid 19 Policy For Telehealth, Ashley M. Morello

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The proposed DNP Project explored the implementation of a COVID-19 telehealth policy to clarify evidence-based practice, promote use of safe medications, and reduce hospitalizations. Providers were recruited from a telehealth organization, educated on current guidelines, and given a pocket card for reference and re-enforcement of training. Data was collected to examine guideline utilization, confidence in treating COVID-19, and efficacy of pocket card. COVID-19 patients also received follow up calls to determine if hospitalization was required post treatment. Chart audits were then completed to review compliance with guidelines. The results indicated both objective and clinical improvement in provider confidence treating COVID-19. …

Addressing Gaps In Respiratory Assessments: A Dnp Project, Kristin Quakenbush

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Respiratory assessments by healthcare workers, particularly counting the respiratory rates, have been found to be inadequate and ineffective. As a result, patient care may be delayed, reimbursement may be inaccurate, and the nurse may risk legal consequences. The purpose of this project was to fully examine the current accuracy of respiratory rate counts and documentation on two identified units within an acute care hospital, offer evidence-based solutions in the accurate count and documentation of respiratory rates, and perform follow-up chart audits to evaluate if application of learning occurred. Baseline audits demonstrated that respiratory rate counts were not even skewed and, …

Improving Asthma Management Behaviors In School Nurses Through Facilitator Training And Supported Implementation, Mary D. Hacker-Taylor

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Uncontrolled asthma in middle school age children and adolescents results in increased morbidity and often impairs a student’s ability to participate in school activities. School absenteeism is an unintended consequence which in turn can impact academic success. School nurses can improve student asthma outcomes through effective asthma management behaviors (AMB’s). The purpose of this multi-phase quality improvement DNP project was to improve both knowledge and confidence, and thereby improve AMB’s in Kentucky school nurses. A convenience sample of twelve nurses participated in the project. The American Lung Association’s (ALA) Kickin’ Asthma training was extended to all Kentucky school nurses who …

Intimate Partner Violence Screening In The Veteran Affairs' Ambulatory Care Clinics: A Quality Improvement Project, Stephanie Ralston

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Intimate Partner Violence is a type of Domestic Violence (DV), referring to physical, verbal, emotional, or sexual violence, or stalking between current or former intimate partners. Veterans may be at higher risk than those identified in the civilian population. The rate of IPV across military populations ranges from 13.5% to 58% with rates among female Veterans ranging from 29% to 74% (Veterans Affairs, 2023). This project's purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of an awareness campaign on IPV screening and referral rates in a federal healthcare facility. Results from this DNP project indicate that ongoing training and education are vital …

Mock Drills To Improve Inpatient Stemi Performance And Self-Confidence, Samantha Miniard

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

STEMI care can be challenging for med-surg telemetry nurses to recognize among inpatients because it is a high-risk low volume population. Frequently these patients’ present with atypical acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and not the classic chest pain seen when someone calls 911. However, the same treatment and care out-of-the hospital patients receive when calling 911 should be the same gold standard for in-hospital patients. More studies have been conducted to perfect the out-of-hospital STEMI care versus the in-hospital STEMI care. Mock drills can help improve knowledge, self-confidence, and performance with inpatient STEMI care. This DNP project was an evidenced-based quality …

Impact Of Accessible Training For Providers On Continuous Glucose Monitoring Utilization, Shana Cunningham

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) use can improve blood glucose control, reduce the risk of hypoglycemia, and assist healthcare providers with medical management of diabetes mellitus. CGM therapy for patients with diabetes may not be fully utilized because of a provider's lack of knowledge or confidence in using the technology. The DNP project aimed to increase the utilization of continuous glucose monitors by providing accessible training with ongoing implementation support for providers through electronic learning. The goal was to increase CGM implementation and ultimately improve outcomes for a person with diabetes. The intervention included recorded modules, live interactive session, resources, handouts, …

Application Of Preceptorship Bundle To Enhance New Graduate Rn Success, Joann R. Nardoni

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

New graduate Registered Nurses (RN) are experiencing a difficult transition to practice. In turn it causes increased stress and job dissatisfaction. The quality improvement project focused on a bundled intervention to bridge this gap. It involved a preceptorship enhancement bundle to improve training with an emphasis on intentional pairing of preceptor/preceptee and use of the One-Minute Preceptor Model. People of like temperament were paired using the Ntrinsx personality profile to enhance the learning relationship. The One-Minute Preceptor Model was used to train preceptors how to engage critical thinking and clinical reasoning in the new RN. The actions of intentionally pairing …

Improving Self-Management Of Diabetes With Culturally Sensitive Interventions, Janet O. Makori

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Abstract

Adult Latino patients with diabetes may require education and skills that are culturally appropriate to achieve optimum results. The purpose of this DNP project was to improve diabetes self-management among Latino and other at-risk adults. The project used an intervention bundle to streamline screening, education, and improve patients’ self- confidence. Adult patients were screened during triage to obtain vital signs and blood glucose levels per the routine at the clinic and via phone to discuss management of diabetes. Implementation of the project included provision of culturally sensitive diabetes education material, culturally sensitive “traffic light” food guide in English and …

Implementation Of A Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Transition To Practice Survival Kit Series: A Dnp Project, Dera Harvey

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

It is imperative that new graduate PMHNPs successfully traverse the gap from student to prescriber of care to meet these needs. Currently, a transition to practice gap exists for PMHNPs who are often left alone to navigate the beginnings of their new career. Additionally, the transition has not been analyzed extensively in literature (Barnes, 2015). The purpose of this DNP project is to implement a transition to practice survival kit series. The proposed DNP project is a mixed methods design focused on program evaluation. The project will assess the effect of a 6-session transition to practice survival kit series on …

Therapeutic/Expressive Writing And Resilience Promotion For Nurses To Reduce Burnout Syndrome, William D. Wagner Mr.

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

COVID-19 accelerated the rate in which nurses were unable to maintain resilience and reduce burnout. This evidence-based DNP project obtained data from a therapeutic/expressive writing intervention and group resilience discussion with Women’s Care Center (WCC) nurses to improve resilience acuity and reduce symptoms associated with burnout syndrome. A review of previous studies indicated therapeutic/expressive writing and group resilience discussions have been beneficial in improving resilience and reducing burnout. A demographic and two preintervention surveys were completed by WCC nurses in the hospital relaxation room or skills lab. The Connor-Davidson RISC-25© was used to determine resilience scores for morning and evening …

Improving Self-Management Of Diabetes With Culturally Sensitive Interventions, Janet O. Makori

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Abstract

Adult Latino patients with diabetes may require education and skills that are culturally appropriate to achieve optimum results. The purpose of this DNP project was to improve diabetes self-management among Latino and other at-risk adults. The project used an intervention bundle to streamline screening, education, and improve patients’ self- confidence. Adult patients were screened during triage to obtain vital signs and blood glucose levels per the routine at the clinic and via phone to discuss management of diabetes. Implementation of the project included provision of culturally sensitive diabetes education material, culturally sensitive “traffic light” food guide in English and …

Improving Early Utilization Of Palliative Care Services To Impact Quality Of Life, April Mcdonald

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Despite studies indicating the benefits of palliative care, many barriers remain that prevent individuals from accessing this specialty service. Palliative care needs improved utilization. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to improve the utilization of palliative services and increase general knowledge and confidence among nursing staff within one nursing home facility. In the intervention bundle, training was provided on the use of a Palliative Referral Flowchart and the Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) along with evidence-based materials made available to residents and families. Data was collected pre and post intervention. Knowledge was improved by 26 %. Confidence was improved …

Improving Hepatitis C Virus Screening Through Bundle Interventions, Jennifer West

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Abstract

Hepatitis C (HCV) is estimated to impact 57,500 people in the US and is a leading infectious disease worldwide. The purpose of this DNP Project is to increase provider confidence in screening, early detection rates and ultimately timely treatment for patients at risk for HCV served within a rural Federal Qualified Health center (FQHC).

Interventions for this project included bundle steps consisting of provider and staff training of Hepatitis C guidelines for screening, use of an Electronic Medical Records (EMR) HCV flowsheet and lab template, revision of preventative health form, and self-efficacy survey to evaluate provider and nursing confidence …

Veteran Access To Mental Health Services And How It Contributes To The Rates Of Suicide, Kameron R. Grigsby

Kentucky Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

This essay is an exploration of the access Veterans have to mental health services and how such access or lack thereof contributes to the rates of suicide among the Veteran population. The purpose of this essay is to examine various factors that influence Veteran access to mental health care and how these factors can be improved or eliminated. By analyzing such factors, healthcare professionals may begin to further implement provisions and practices to decrease the rising rate of suicides among Veterans.

Access To And Utilization Of Primary Care: A Synthesis, Klaire M. Johnson

Kentucky Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

Barriers to access and utilization of primary care affect nearly 9% of the nation’s population (USDHHS, n.d.a). These barriers are important to evaluate for members of the aging population due to increased need for health care as a result of chronic conditions and falls. Research indicates that access for the aging population is affected by a variety of factors, including: transportation, non-financial barriers, and internal factors. Issues surrounding current delivery of care, such as a workforce shortage of primary care physicians, have compounded the problem even further. While this issue has begun to be addressed through the Affordable Care Act, …

Promoting Student Success In The Flipped Online Classroom: Learning And Accountability Through Homework Strategies, Melisa P. Kaye, Brian K. Kim

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

As online and hybrid classes have become increasingly more prevalent in higher education, the flipped classroom structure has emerged as a viable, evidence-based, option for healthcare programs. In a flipped classroom, students view pre-recorded video lectures and complete reading assignments before class, and synchronous class time can then be used for active learning activities. Class sessions offer opportunities for group work, review of complex content, and access to instructor assistance with assignments. To effectively implement a flipped classroom approach, students must prepare prior to class time. One method for encouraging student accountability is to assign preparatory homework. This experimental study …

Ot Graduate Students’ Perceived Preparedness For Level Ii Fieldwork: Traditional, Nontraditional And Mixed Fieldwork I Experiences, Reagan Bergstresser-Simpson, Emily Sweetman, Claudia Maloberti, Miranda Hall, Francis Hermes, Brody Worl

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This study explored the perceived level of preparedness of occupational therapy (OT) graduate students for entering Level II fieldwork after completing nontraditional, traditional, and mixed Level I fieldwork experiences. This mixed-methods exploratory study included an online 22-question survey that was delivered to Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) and Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) programs throughout the United States. Participants were selected through voluntary convenience response sampling. Students (N=145) self-reported their level of preparedness for Level II fieldwork experiences. The quantitative data collected in this study reflected a statistically significant difference between Level I fieldwork experience-related questions for the three groups, …

Expanding Practice In Trinidad And Tobago: Training Therapists To Implement Pediatric Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy, Kimarah Reefe, Shasta Green, Raquel Martinez, Patty Coker-Bolt

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

While the World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT) recommends that occupational therapists (OTs) competently respond to changing environments and new clinical practice and research demands (WFOT, 2012), there are many challenges for therapists to engage in professional development in countries where resources and specialized expertise are limited. The purpose of this article is to describe a successful educational collaboration between therapists in Trinidad and the United States to further training of Trinidad and Tobago therapists on evidence-based pediatric intensive therapy models, with a focus on pediatric constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT). The authors applied a translational framework to build capacity for …

Moving Forward Together: Reflections Of A National Survey Of Ot/Ota Students’ Perceptions Of Culturally Aware Educational Content Delivery, Adair M. Sanchez, Iris W. Burns, Tina M. Deangelis, Maclain Capron, Abigail Mills, Taylor Kligerman

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

In June of 2020 in response to the murder of George Floyd and the additional atrocities against historically marginalized people and communities across the United States, the Commission on Education (COE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) sought to act within its scope. A retrospective survey (N= 1,692) was developed, deployed, and analyzed in accordance with the COE’s standard operating procedures relating specifically to monitoring trends that impact the education of occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) students. This survey aimed to capture perspectives from OT/OTA students regarding the delivery of culturally aware educational content in curricula …

Understanding The Mental Health Of Occupational Therapy Students During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Alisha Sharma, Andrea Tyszka

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the mental health of health professional students across the world. Although there are a growing number of studies regarding the mental health of other health professional students, there are currently limited studies regarding the mental health of entry-level occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) students in the United States, especially within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this mixed methods survey study was to understand the mental health status of entry-level OT and OTA students in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to better support their mental …

An Intentional Wholeness Focus And The Association With Burnout In Graduate Students, Stacey B. Cunningham, Susanne B. Montgomery, Brian J. Distelberg, Qais Alemi

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Rates of stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout for university students are concerning. As in other competitive professional fields, graduate students in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech language pathology face many performance pressures. Creating supportive learning and wholeness climates along with individual grit, resilience, and healthy spirituality have the potential to positively impact these pressures. The study’s purpose was to examine factors related to burnout within an institution committed to creating supportive learning and wholeness environments. Three hundred and fifty-three graduate students from occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech language pathology graduate programs were recruited to participate in a cross-sectional …

An Exploration Of Occupational Therapy Faculty Perceptions Of Student Behaviors, Shruti Gadkari, Jeni Dulek

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy (OT) graduate students may demonstrate behaviors in their learning that faculty perceive as unprofessional or resistant. Faculty often attribute these behaviors to personality traits or other qualities residing within the student rather than seeing them as a result of a confluence of intrinsic and extrinsic factors, as Tolman and Kremling proposed in the Integrated Model of Student Resistance (IMSR). This study examined the perceptions of student resistance to learning by surveying OT faculty teaching in entry-level masters and doctoral programs. Participants completed an anonymous, online survey that used a Likert scale rating to collect data about the frequency …

Exploring Professional Behavior Development In Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Students, Courtney J. Taylor, Kate G. Barlow, Christine Helfrich

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Professional behaviors are critical for fieldwork success and entry-level competency. A convergent mixed-methods institutional case study was utilized as a means to enhance professional behavior outcomes. The Philadelphia Region Fieldwork Consortium (PRFC) Level I Fieldwork Student Evaluation (2^nd ed.) was implemented as a pretest posttest measure, in the didactic context, to track one cohort of entry-level Master of Occupational Therapy (OT) students’ professional behavior development during their last academic semester. Students (n=46) and academic professors (n=5) completed pre and posttest ratings across one semester. Paired t-tests demonstrated significant differences between student and faculty ratings and within group difference among …

A Podcast’S Effect On Empathy And Client-Centeredness In Occupational Therapy Students, Stephanie Lancaster, Anne H. Zachry

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

There is mixed evidence on the effectiveness of educational approaches that address empathy and client-centeredness in occupational therapy (OT) education. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of listening to a personal narrative-account podcast on empathy and client-centeredness in OT students. An experimental, posttest-only control group design was used. Master’s degree level OT students were stratified by year of study and were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or control group. Following a 5-week educational intervention, levels of empathy and client-centeredness were measured and compared using the Kiersma-Chen Empathy Scale and the Patient-Practitioner Orientation Scale via …