Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Part 2: Preparing Entry-Level Occupational And Physical Therapy Students To Promote Healthy Lifestyles Emphasizing Healthy Eating With Individuals With Disabilities, Brooks C. Wingo, Donald H. Lein, Beth A. Barstow, Christopher A. Eidson, Tara S. Pearce, Laurie A. Malone, David M. Morris

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Rehabilitation professionals including occupational therapists (OT) and physical therapists (PT) are increasingly called upon to incorporate health promotion of lifestyle behaviors including physical activity and healthy eating into routine clinical care. While OTs and PTs may be comfortable promoting activity-related behaviors, many are less comfortable with nutrition behaviors. To address entry-level OT and PT students’ perceived discomfort with discussing diet-related behaviors, faculty developed a healthy eating module for students to use during a community-based service learning program. The purpose of this paper is to describe the formative evaluation process of developing the healthy eating module, and to discuss results of …

Occupational Therapy: A Partner For Justice In Jesuit Higher Education, Rebecca M. Aldrich

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

The commitment to justice spans disciplines across Jesuit higher education, including the health sciences. At least 12 Jesuit colleges and universities offer occupational therapy programs, but the profession has been somewhat overlooked as a partner for justice on those campuses. Through a case example focusing on Saint Louis University’s Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy (SLU-DOSOT), this article aims to illustrate the ways in which occupational therapy can be a partner in the promotion and pursuit of justice. A brief overview of the profession’s perspective on occupational justice precedes the description of SLU-DOSOT, and selected examples illustrate the range …

When Duty Calls: A Description Of Human Conflict And Occupational Therapy, Bryce Carsone, Jonathan Pitts

OCCUPATION: A Medium of Inquiry about Health through Occupation

As violent events escalate, even within the United States, it is imperative that occupational scientists have an in-depth understanding of the level one (descriptive) research implications, and occupational therapy practitioners are prepared to meet the needs of those impacted by conflict. This article aims to (a) describe the occupations of those affected by conflict (b) inform on current interventions through an intentional review (c) present the case for a call to action of occupational therapy practitioners. A general review of literature resulting in a description of occupations, identified four distinct populations: those who fight, caregivers, those who stay home, and …

A Need For Occupational Justice: The Impact Of Racial Microaggression On Occupations, Wellness, And Health Promotion, Emily Grullon, Carlneshia Hunnicutt, Melisa Morrison, Olandria Langford, Mirtha M. Whaley

OCCUPATION: A Medium of Inquiry about Health through Occupation

“Ism,” in general terms describes a practice that denotes oppression of a group based on the characteristics of its members: racism, sexism, and ageism, are the three types most commonly identified. “Isms” often impose limits on people, and while we have been aware of those limits at the macro level, we have been less aware of acts that happen at the level of the individual, the micro level. These acts, which are frequently heard and seen in the media, have personal, occupational, and health implications for those affected by them. The purpose of this paper is to raise awareness about …

December 2018 Issue

OCCUPATION: A Medium of Inquiry about Health through Occupation

No abstract provided.

The Interprofessional Exploration Of Occupational Deprivation (Od) In Intimate Partner Violence (Ipv) To Inform The Health Professional, Chane' Wray, Cheryl Mae Granada

OCCUPATION: A Medium of Inquiry about Health through Occupation

One of the most common forms of violence against women is intimate partner violence (IPV), a public health issue affecting one in three women globally and one in four in the nation (World Health Organization [WHO], 2016). IPV produces long-term impressions as it is defined as any behavior within an intimate relationship that causes physical, psychological or sexual harm (WHO, 2016). Women affected by IPV are inclined to isolate themselves socially decreasing their participation in daily routines (Gorde et al., 2004). The prolonged preclusion of women from necessary/meaningful occupations such as child rearing and social interaction is a conflict outside …

The Use Of Occupation-Based Interventions In Hand Therapy, Rajesh Malikayil, Justin Jameson

OCCUPATION: A Medium of Inquiry about Health through Occupation

Certified hand therapists (CHTs) provide therapeutic rehabilitative services after injury or illness of the upper extremity (Colaianni, & Provident, 2010). The approaches to interventions that CHTs utilize differ from those more typically used by occupational therapists (OTs) because the approaches to interventions are often primarily based in the medical model of physical disabilities (Robinson, Brown, & O’Brien, 2016). There is growing concern that OTs in hand rehabilitation are not using occupations as a method to intervention, leading the occupational therapy profession away from its foundational tenets (Grice, 2015). Furthermore, according to Colaianni, Provident, Lessa, and Wheeler (2015), there is a …

Tips For Allied Health Professionals To Successfully Engage With Research: A Commentary, Siti Nurliyana Abdullah, Saravana Kumar

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

While allied health professionals are encouraged to engage with research, there are numerous challenges to do so in practice. In this commentary, we reflect on some of these challenges and provide some simple tips on strategies that can be used by allied health professionals to overcome these challenges. These tips may provide a starting point for allied health professionals to successfully engage with research.

Integrating Art And Narrative To Enhance Quality Of Life In Palliative Care, Jennifer Fortuna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Lacie Lee Wallace, a mixed-media artist from Wheeling, West Virginia, is featured on the cover of the Fall 2018 issue of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). The photograph depicts Lacie holding a self-portrait painted by artist CeCey Rose. Lacie’s physical appearance in the photograph is strikingly different from the physical appearance of the woman featured in the painting. The portrait was created 4 years before Lacie was diagnosed with advanced stage colon cancer. In the year following the diagnosis, Lacie lost nearly 100 lbs. as a result of an aggressive treatment regimen. When the palliative care team at …

Critical Reflections On Self-Management Support In Chronic Disease: The Value Of Occupational Therapy In Health Promotion, Brocha Z. Stern

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

The Biopsychosocial Model: Application To Occupational Therapy Practice, Keith Gentry, Karen Snyder, Beth Barstow, Jordan Hamson-Utley

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Despite the call for the profession to embrace a more integrated and holistic approach to practice, therapists may be faced with practical challenges, including issues relating to client caseloads, productivity demands, scheduling, entrenched practices, limitations on service imposed by payer sources, and staffing and budgetary restraints, to name but a few. Due to these limitations, current occupational therapy practice may be predisposed to adopt a more reductive approach to the evaluation and treatment of symptoms, underlying biological pathologies, and resulting impairments and disabilities. Therefore, psychological and social factors may be neglected, resulting in an unbalanced, fragmented, and incomplete approach to …

Use Of A Journal Club During Level Ii Fieldwork To Facilitate Confidence And Skills For Evidence-Based Practice, Kelly A. Lavin

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Level II fieldwork students should have an opportunity to engage in the process of evidence-based practice (EBP) firsthand; however, ensuring that EBP is visible to students is often a challenge for fieldwork educators. This study investigated if the use of a journal club during a Level II, psychosocial fieldwork placement would increase the students’ confidence and perceived abilities in using skills required for EBP. A descriptive study via survey design was used for the study. The participants consisted of two cohorts (n = 10) of occupational therapy graduate students. The results indicate that the students perceived an increase in their …

Hearing Voices Simulation: Impact On Occupational Therapy Students, Rebecca Ozelie, Paige Panfil, Nicole Swiderski, Elizabeth Walz

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Auditory hallucinations, which are symptoms of schizophrenia, can significantly disrupt individuals’ daily lives. Occupational therapists (OTs) can address both the daily needs of people with schizophrenia and address cultural stigmas against mental illness. To combat stigma and increase empathy for patients with mental illnesses, auditory hallucinations simulations were developed. The purpose of this study was to determine if the Hearing Voices That Are Distressing (HVTAD) Simulation impacts OT students’ attitudes toward patients with auditory hallucinations and to explore the students’ perceptions of the simulation’s effectiveness as a teaching method. The participants completed a pretest Attitudes to Mental Illness Questionnaire (AMIQ) …

International Occupational Therapy Faculty Perceptions Regarding Doctoral Level Education, Bernadette Mineo, Beth Hathaway, Monali Kadkade

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Over the past decade a debate has ensued in the US regarding the clinical doctorate in occupational therapy (OT) and whether to require a doctorate to become an occupational therapist. Little discussion has occurred regarding the potential implications on the global community of occupational therapists, and there have been no attempts to ascertain the views of international OT faculty and practitioners. This study surveyed international OT faculty regarding their perceived need for and value of graduate education, particularly at the doctoral level, for OT faculty and practitioners in their countries. Fifty-three OT faculty from WFOT approved programs in eight countries …

Cross-Cultural Service Learning As Pedagogy For Character Development In Occupational Therapy Doctoral Students, Heather Y.Z. St. Peters, Nathan Short

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists must demonstrate a broad spectrum of knowledge, clinical reasoning skills, and professionalism to be effective practitioners. Development of ethical practice must begin with the educational process to shape character traits as building blocks of moral reasoning. This article puts forth a cross-cultural service learning curricular module as lived experience for development of character traits in occupational therapy students. This mixed methods study investigated lived experience in the form of cross-cultural service learning as a pedagogy for development of character traits, as measured by the CIVIC, necessary to navigate professional ethical standards. Findings suggest a cross-cultural lived experience for …

Burnout Among Filipino Occupational Therapists: A Mixed Methods Analysis, Rod Charlie Delos Reyes

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: There is a shortage of practicing occupational therapists in the Philippines, with approximately one Filipino occupational therapist per 30,000 stakeholders. One of the possible consequences is the experience of burnout among therapists.

Method: A two-phase mixed methods study using a sequential explanatory approach was used. The first phase involved the administration of the Maslach Burnout Inventory – Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) with a survey questionnaire that supplied demographic and work-related factors through an online platform. The results were analyzed using frequency distribution and measures of central tendency. Relationships were analyzed using Spearman’s Rho and Cramer’s V. The second phase …

Exploring Parents’ Experiences Of Raising A Child With Sensorimotor Impairments And Expectations For Leisure Participation, Emily A. Eicher, Camille Skubik-Peplaski, Shirley P. O'Brien, Anne Fleischer

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The objective of this descriptive study was to study parents’ experiences of raising a child with sensorimotor impairments and how leisure pursuits impact their expectations of their children. The development and participation in leisure activities is different for these children and could affect the parents’ hopes and dreams for their child’s future.

Method: Six children between 5 and 8 years of age, with sensorimotor impairments, participated in a movement program that was held for eight sessions at an outpatient pediatric clinic to address praxis and sensory processing impairments. Six parent dyads were interviewed during the fifth, sixth, …

Medication Management In Home Health Care Occupational Therapy Practice, Julie Blum, Jennifer Fogo, Judith Malek-Ismail

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Many community-dwelling adults do not adhere to their medication regimen, which results in high rates of emergency department visits and subsequent hospital admissions. Occupational therapists, as members of the home health care team, provide medication management in the occupational therapy scope of practice. There is sparse information in the literature regarding occupational therapists’ involvement in medication management in home health care practice.

Methods: The researchers interviewed nine occupational therapists practicing in home health care. Using a qualitative interpretive phenomenological study, the researchers explored the participants’ experiences addressing medication management.

Results: The researchers identified three themes: professional reasoning, interprofessional involvement, …

Quality Of Life, Stress Perception, And Quality Of Social Networks In Persons Living With Brain Injury: An Exploration Of The Effectiveness Of A Community-Based Program, Barbara P. White, Abigail Brinkman, Barbara P. Kresge, Lisa Couture

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: This paper examines specific program elements of a community-based program for individuals living with brain injury. Results from a previous study suggested that members who attended regularly reported lower stress perception, higher quality of life perception, and higher social connectedness than did peers living in the community without such supports. In this study, we sought to understand reasons for their perceptions about how the program may have been helpful in shaping their perspectives of living with the effects of brain injury.

Methods: An explanatory case-study approach was applied, using multiple cases. Nine individuals were randomly selected from a subsample …

Concept Mapping And The Co-Op Approach With Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Exploring Participant Experiences, Jessie Wilson, Angela Mandich, Lilian Magalhaes, Kaity Gain

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: To explore the experiences of adolescents with ASD participating in a novel occupationally based intervention.

Methods: The intervention used concept mapping in combination with the CO-OP approach with 10 adolescents with ASD in a 4-week program focused on developing life skills they deemed as important in their transition to adulthood. A descriptive qualitative approach was employed using deductive thematic analysis informed by Self-Determination Theory and occupationally relevant theoretical frameworks. This study is part of a larger feasibility project and focuses on the analysis of participant reflections and researcher field notes.

Results: Five themes emerged: finding a sense of balance …

Challenges And Resources Available For Mothers In Opiate Recovery: A Qualitative Study, Michelle A. Suarez, Wendy Horton-Bierema, Caitlyn E. Bodine

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Opiate abuse and addiction in women during childbearing years has led to a sharp increase in neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Babies born with NAS are at risk for significant health and developmental deficits. Through understanding the challenges experienced by mothers in opiate recovery, and the resources available to this group, sensitive and effective treatment can be developed to ameliorate the impact of NAS on the child and the family.

Method: This qualitative interview study provides insight into the experience of becoming a mother for women in opiate recovery.

Results: Themes from the interviews include deep love …

Decolonialism In The Profession: Reflections From Wfot, Diane Powers Dirette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Using Mobile Augmented Reality To Enhance Health Professional Practice Education, Bernie M. Garrett, Joseph Anthony, Cathryn Jackson

Current Issues in Emerging eLearning

The use of augmented reality (AR) as a new multimedia networking technology is increasing. An investigation was made of the value of using AR as a tool to support the teaching of clinical practice skills. A series of mobile AR resources were created for use on tablet computers and smartphones to supplement clinical skills teaching in the laboratory (using image recognition), and clinical practice (using geolocation). Undergraduate students in nursing, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy tested these resources in lab sessions, a location-based campus exercise, and during clinical practice experiences. Following this, a post-exposure web survey and focus group interviews were …

Overcoming Barriers By Doing Things Differently, Jennifer Fortuna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Tom Yendell, an artist based in Hampshire, England, provided the cover art for the Summer 2018 issue of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). “Silk Flowers” is a mouth painting made from acrylic on silk. Born a bilateral congenital amputee, Tom has learned to use his toes the same ways others use their hands. Tom relies little on aids and adaptations in his everyday life. He believes learning to do things your own way is empowering. As a world-renowned mouth and foot painter, Tom is a living example of how barriers can be overcome by doing things differently. Through …

Development And Evaluation Of A Collaborative Model Level Ii Fieldwork Program, Annmarie T. Kinsella, Catherine V. Piersol

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

This project developed a Collaborative Model Level II Fieldwork (CM-FWII) program to evaluate the effect of the program on fieldwork educator and student understanding of the model and changes in knowledge, perceptions, and satisfaction. Four fieldwork educators (FWEd) were recruited from two pediatric and two adult practice settings. Eight occupational therapy (OT) students met participation criteria and agreed to participate. A pre/post design was used to evaluate change in knowledge and perceptions. Satisfaction with the collaborative model (CM) was examined after the 12-week fieldwork rotation. Analysis procedures included a priori coding, calculation of frequency distributions, and thematic analysis of transcribed …

Sexual Functioning In Occupational Therapy Education: A Survey Of Programs, Kate Eglseder, Sheridan Webb, Miranda Rennie

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Despite the importance of sexuality to overall quality of life and well-being for individuals with disabilities, occupational therapy practitioners continue to under-address this issue. One possibility for the lack of attention in this area is the comfort and knowledge level of practitioners. In their seminal work, Payne, Greer, and Corbin (1988) surveyed occupational therapy programs in the United States in an effort to identify the amount of sexuality education provided. This study was aimed at identifying current trends in the provision of sexuality education for occupational therapy students. Despite the nearly 30-year gap in this area of research, and the …

How Service Dogs Enhance Veterans’ Occupational Performance In The Home: A Qualitative Perspective, Terry K. Crowe, Mylinh T. Nguyen, Brenda G. Tryon, Stephanie Barger, Victoria Sanchez

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: This qualitative study explored the lives of veterans diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or traumatic brain injury (TBI) and how the partnerships with their service dogs supported improved occupational performance in their homes.

Method: Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with six veterans with PTSD and/or TBI who graduated and received their service dogs from the Paws and Stripes Program in Albuquerque, NM. Home activities of daily living (self-care, household tasks, leisure activities, and family and friend relationships) guided the interview questions. The individual interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded using qualitative data analysis software. Preliminary themes were …

Levels Of Arousal In Positive Moods: Effects On Motor Performance, Carolina Valencia, Krista Currier, Sarah Lindsay, Pamela Lemperis, Titus Hughes, Jeanne Sowers

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The use of simple preparatory methods, such as listening to relaxing music, may decrease negative emotions and enhance performance. The purpose of this research was to explore whether certain types of music, as a preparatory task, could enhance motor performance.

Method: Fifty-six participants were randomly assigned to a condition before completing a pre and postdexterity test using the Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT). Performance was assessed with the PPT and arousal of mood was assessed with the Affect Grid. During the postdexterity test, the participants heard no music or specific music based on their condition. The experimental conditions …

Use Of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation In The Treatment Of Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy: A Literature Review, Denise Justice, Jonathan Awori, Spencer Carlson, Kate W-C Chang, Lynda J-S Yang

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The purpose of this study was to conduct a review of current literature on the effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for restoring motion and function in neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP).

Method: A database search was conducted for NMES articles published between 1947 and 2015. Pre and posttreatment data were extracted for muscle power, active range of motion (AROM), and morphometric measurements.

Results: An initial search yielded 2,721 articles. A further title/abstract review produced 27 articles; of these, four met the inclusion criteria. Treatment protocols varied. There were no changes in average Medical Research Council …

Increasing Competency For Parents Of Adolescents With Executive Functioning Deficits: Enhancing Occupational Performance With Mindfulness, Kimberly S. Mollo, Bernardo A. Merizalde, Jennifer E. Lape

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Executive functions are higher order cognitive processes occurring in the frontal lobe that influence cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functions. Adolescents with executive functioning deficits are at risk for difficulties in all domains of occupational functioning. Parents of these adolescents often live in a persistent state of stress that leads to highly reactive exchanges with their children. Studies have shown that a mindful approach to parenting can enhance a parent’s caregiving ability and self-awareness in the family unit.

Methods: A pretest/posttest study evaluated the effectiveness of a 6-week mindful parenting program. Four parents of adolescents with executive function deficits participated …