Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

University Students' Reliance In Hebron Governorate On Social Media As A Source Of Information About The October 7, 2023 War: A Field Study, Asmaa Musa Al-Adam, Sulaika Muhammad Al-Qadi

The study aimed to determine the extent to which university students in Hebron Governorate rely on social media platforms for coverage of the October 7th war. This study follows descriptive research, using a media audience survey methodology. Data were collected using a questionnaire administered to a random sample of university students in Hebron Governorate, consisting of 211 students. The study reached several conclusions most notably: that the reliance of university students in Hebron Governorate on social media to follow news about the war on Gaza is high, with a percentage of 69.5%. The study also showed that there are cognitive, …

A Global Comparison Of Communication Intervention Strategies For Justice-Involved Youth, Sophia Janeiro Martinez

OUR Journal: ODU Undergraduate Research Journal

Purpose: This paper explores the intricate relationship between communication disorders and delinquent youth behavior. It will explore the detrimental impact of zero-tolerance policies and their contribution to the school-to-prison pipeline. It will introduce issues, such as complex Miranda warning diction, and the benefits of including speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to aid in youth comprehension. Additionally, it will propose the integration of SLPs within the juvenile justice system to assist in communication between justice-involved youth (JIY) and justice professionals during conversations, questioning, and trials or hearings. Furthermore, this paper examines the roles of SLPs within juvenile justice systems abroad, including Canada, …

Art As An Intervention For Healing And Empowerment, Erin Barrus

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Komal Patel, an occupational therapist and artist residing in New Jersey, USA, provided the cover art for the Fall 2024 issue of the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). “Emotions” is a piece made from acrylic on canvas that depicts the emotional complexities the human mind goes through during a person’s experience or stage of life. The inspiration comes from her personal journey of moving to the United States from India and the emotional turbulence, both negative and positive, she experienced. Art has become part of the healing story for herself and others. She shares how incorporating this intervention leads …

Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders In Navajo Weavers, Ramona F. Yazzie, Kimberly Masker, Kristin Biggins

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The Navajo Nation is one of the many reservations that lack access to health care services, leading to increasing chronic health conditions. Navajo rug weaving is a common creative occupation on the reservation. Navajo rug weaving involves multiple steps in creating a beautiful rug. The multiple steps include repetitive gripping, pinching, reaching, pulling, and prolonged sitting. Therefore, weavers are at risk for developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), preventing individuals from participating in meaningful occupations. Occupational therapists have the skills to provide appropriate education through active listening, visual handouts, and family members. However, occupational therapists must demonstrate and understand cultural sensitivity to …

Social And Environmental Determinants Of Occupation And The Need For An Intersectional Approach To Culturally Meaningful Practice, Diane Smith

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

To provide culturally-centered care to clients and develop interventions that meet the client’s holistic needs, occupational therapists need to consider social and physical environments affecting participation in culturally meaningful occupations. Using a case study, this paper describes the use of the concept of social and environmental determinants of occupation (SEDO) as a necessary strategy to incorporate in clinical practice to determine how SEDO intersect, resulting in occupational justices/injustices that influence access to participation. SEDO are defined as broad (and intersecting) social and environmental factors that increase or limit an individual, community, or population’s ability to participate in culturally meaningful occupations …

Moving Toward Neurodiversity-Affirming Occupational Therapy For Autistic People: Key Questions And Next Steps, Aaron Dallman, Kathryn Williams, Jacklyn Boheler, Greg Boheler

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

With the rise in popularity of neurodiversity-affirming practices in occupational therapy, specifically with the autistic population, there is a need to establish a more robust theoretical underpinning for this work. A neurodiversity framework is different from the prevailing medical model that informs current practice in much of Westernized health care, and interested occupational therapists are now asking questions about how to apply it to their work. Occupational science is well-suited to generate research outside the medical model that can serve as a basic science foundation to inform practice. The purpose of this Opinions in the Profession paper is to suggest …

Teaching Occupational Adaptation Using Constructs Of The Model, Linda R. Struckmeyer, Anna B. Galloway

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background. Quality, evidence-based health care practice and research is guided by theory; therefore, theory should be one of the first courses in health care professional curriculums. Signature andragogical methods of case-based learning, small and large group discussion, active learning, and self-reflection developed the teaching and learning activities to teach the occupational adaptation (OA) model in this study.

Methods. A mixed-methods design of qualitative open-ended questions and quantitative survey were used to measure student understanding and application of theoretical concepts. The lab assignment integrated andragogical methods, the use of the Relative Mastery Measurement Scale (RMMS) for individual and social adaptation, and …

Mapping The Way Forward: Prioritizing Education For Global Occupational Therapy Practice In Addressing Sexuality And Intimacy - A Delphi Approach, Beth Ann Walker, Jenn Soros, Abbie Alter, Bridget Downs, Courtney Cummings, Ireland G. Greenwell, Kayla Elstien, Kyli Luna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The World Health Organization identifies sexual functions and intimate relationships as a functioning domain in the Package of Interventions for Rehabilitation (WHO, 2023). Addressing sexual functions and intimate relationships is a key area of practice for occupational therapists (Walker et al., 2020), and it is important to ensure that occupational therapists are prepared to address this important domain. With the worldwide call to ensure the sexuality and intimacy needs of individuals receiving rehabilitation services are addressed, it is time to establish a new direction for education, practice, and research. This study used a Delphi approach to gather and analyze evidence, …

Incorporating Real-Time Simulated Patient And Instructor Feedback To Enhance Simulation Learning Experience For Occupational Therapy Students: A Mixed Methods Study, Lauren Woods, Pamela Lewis-Kipkulei, Kuan Xing

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Health care simulation experiences should provide clear feedback that students can understand and incorporate into future practice. Based on the literature, more research is needed regarding how health professional students use various types of feedback to establish rapport with clients, increase critical thinking skills, and work collaboratively. Various types of feedback may be useful in regular simulation-based education, but there is limited research on how students integrate various feedback to enhance skill development. This study aimed to examine how occupational therapy (OT) students incorporate real-time Simulated Patient (SP) feedback, numerical feedback, and instructor-written feedback to enhance their learning from the …

Choosing Wisely® In Academia, Strategies For Clinical And Classroom Curricula, Jennifer Tokash, Glen Gillen, Virginia Koenig

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Incorporating evidence-based practice (EBP) into occupational therapy (OT) program curricula is best practice and mandated by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). The Choosing Wisely® campaign, founded by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and adopted by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), provides 10 recommendations for evidence-based OT. This project focused on the Choosing Wisely® campaign's incorporation into OT program curricula. A 40-min educational program focusing on the history of Choosing Wisely®, its adoption by the AOTA as a specialty society partner, and strategies to bridge the campaign's evidence-based recommendations from classroom to clinical experience were …

Material Matters: A Comparative Analysis Of Hand Immobilization Orthoses Using 3d-Printed, Thermoplastic, And Fiberglass Cast, Shiori Domenighetti, Rebecca Ozelie

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Orthosis fabrication is a widely used technique in occupational therapy, and there is growing evidence supporting the use of 3D printing in the fabrication of cost-effective orthotics. Nevertheless, further research is needed to enable informed decision-making when selecting appropriate orthotic materials.

Method: A comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate the fabrication processes and final products of thumb immobilization orthosis made with three different materials from the fabricator’s perspective. Factors examined included the required equipment and materials, assessment of time and skills involved in the fabrication process, evaluation of ease of adjustment during fabrication, and objective measurements of …

"I Have A Story To Tell Them": Qualitative Analsysis Of Interviews With Formerly Homeless Adults, Rachel Lee, Laura H. Vanpuymbrouck

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Adults experiencing homelessness (AEH) make up an underserved community, especially in receipt of occupational therapy (OT) services. While there is growing knowledge on the occupational needs of this community, little is known of the occupational needs of AEH to successfully sustain housing long-term. The primary objective of this study is to describe the lived experiences of adults who have successfully transitioned to stable housing after a long period of homelessness. The secondary objective is to use findings to identify key areas for OT intervention with adults immediately following homelessness.

Method: The participants included five adults 25 years …

Continuing Professional Development Preferences Of Occupational Therapy Providers In Kenya, Rwanda, And Tanzania, Angela M. Cecil, Godrey S. Kimathy, Margie N. Koech, Epiphanie Murebwayire, Pierre Damien Turikumana

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: This study was conducted to explore the continuing professional development (CPD) preferences of occupational therapists in Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania for identifying and developing CPD opportunities to meet professional licensure requirements that are new to these countries.

Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study design was conducted using a 28-item electronic survey that targeted occupational therapists in Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively, and qualitative data were studied through content and thematic analysis.

Results: Seventy-eight (78) participants completed the study, and the majority were male (60.5%). Most of the participants were from Tanzania, and most participants …

The Experience Of Burnout Of Rehabilitation Therapists In Long-Term Care Settings: A Qualitative Exploration, Christine Hughes, Lisa Borrero, Laura Santurri, Heidi Ewen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Burnout among health care workers is growing among long-term care staff, with various repercussions. Research about how rehabilitation therapists (occupational, physical, and speech) perceive and experience burnout in such settings is limited. Understanding these experiences with burnout in long-term care is necessary to address burnout. This study investigated rehabilitation therapists' perceptions of and experiences with burnout while working in long-term care.

Method: The researcher used a qualitative interpretive approach to guide audio-recorded and transcribed interviews. The data were analyzed through coding and then themes were developed.

Results: Six themes emerged: causes of stress and burnout, individual …

The Development, Content Validation, And Clinical Utility Of Mealtime Screening For Schools (Mealss), Karen B. Howarth, Julia M. Guzman

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: This study aimed to determine the initial content validity and clinical utility of Mealtime Screening for School (MEALSS), a new screening tool that measures mealtime participation in students with intellectual and developmental disabilities 5 to 10 years of age.

Methods: To determine the content validity of MEALSS, the researchers recruited five participants identified as pediatric occupational therapists and/or feeding experts to review the MEALSS. Item level content validity index (I-CVI) and scale level validity (S-CVI) were calculated, as well as modified kappa indices to reduce the probability of chance agreement. MEALSS was then revised based on feedback from the …

Occupational Therapist-Led Remedial Vision Program After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Pre/Post Pilot Study, Suzanne Briggs, Mitchell Scheiman, Yuki Asakura

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Vision disorders are common after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and can affect occupational performance. The study was designed to support occupational therapy’s role in providing remedial vision rehabilitation (RVR) by demonstrating changes in vision efficiency and patient reports of vision-related occupational performance in adult patients with a mTBI after occupational therapy-led RVR.

Method: In this retrospective study, data was collected pre/post-RVR treatment at an outpatient clinic using a convenience sample of adults 18 years of age and older with vision disorder diagnosis and mTBI diagnosis. Vertical/horizontal saccades, vergence jumps, near-point convergence, Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey (CISS), and Canadian …

Guidelines For Conducting Survey Research: Part 1 – Development And Recruitment, Diane Powers Dirette, Rob Lyerla

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

A Feline Gastrointestinal Eosinophilic Sclerosing Fibroplasia In A Scottish Fold Cat: A Case Report, Rattanin Chiewcharnvalijkit, Weerapat Chawanlawuthi, Kittara Chanmongkolpanit, Tanit Kasantikul, Nlin Arya, Sirintra Sirivisoot, Sirima Chatrungruengkul, Duangtip Chatchaisak

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

A 2-year-old intact female Scottish fold cat was presented to the Prasu-Arthorn Animal Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, for a right nephrectomy because a renal mass was suspected. During the physical examination, the animal had an intra-abdominal mass with abdominal discomfort. No history of vomiting and diarrhea was reported. The blood chemistry and hematology revealed a markedly low albumin/globulin ratio and mild anemia with normal leukogram. The abdominal ultrasonographic examination and CT scan revealed an intestinal mass at the ileocecocolic junction. The mass was surgically excised, and jejuno-colic anastomosis was performed. Grossly, the mass was firm, very well …

“Ups And Downs, Joys And Sorrows” – Assessment And Clinical Relevance Of Patient Priorities In An Interdisciplinary Parkinson’S Disease Clinic, Esme D. Trahair, Allison M. Allen, Sneha Mantri

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: Barriers to communication and inaccurate provider assumptions about patient priorities limit the delivery of comprehensive, high-quality, patient-centered care (PCC) to people with Parkinson’s (PWP). This study aimed to analyze priorities of PWP using a qualitative, unstructured single-question survey and to test associations with validated quality of life (QOL) measures.

Methods: During appointments at a subspecialty, interdisciplinary clinic, PWP (n = 139) provided written responses to the prompt: “What is important for your care team to know about you?” Patient Health Questionnaire, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and Hoehn and Yahr scales were obtained through retrospective chart review. Key qualitative themes were …

Hell On Earth In Garth Nix’S Old Kingdom: Dark Jouissance And The Dead Mother, John Rosegrant

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

The Old Kingdom’s River of Death is a hell impinging on life: The Dead take hideous Boschian forms, and helped by necromancers wielding “Free Magic” they often emerge from Death. Necromancers, Free Magic, and the Dead are battled by Abhorsens wielding “Charter magic,” Free Magic that has been transformed by symbols. Immersion in the Charter gives a joyous experience of connection to all life. Symbolization must unite with Free Magic to create this experience; symbolization alone is inadequate, as we see in the example of mundanely rational people who dwell in a neighboring land. But the source of joyous access …

55-Word Stories: Insight Into Healthcare, Nancy E. Krusen

Translational Science in Occupation

Narrative medicine and health humanities focus on arts, ethics, and clinical practice. Many health education programs incorporate creative activities to facilitate learner self-awareness and insight. We include them to address programmatic themes of professional growth and translational science.

Molecular Tumor Testing On Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Specimens In A Large Community-Based Healthcare System, David H. Kruchko, Sareena Ali, Mahbubul Hasan, Madeline Sesselmann, Imad Almanaseer, Eli D. Ehrenpreis

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: This study aimed to describe the adherence of National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines to perform genetic screening for all colorectal cancer (CRC) specimens with molecular tumor testing, eg, immunohistochemical (IHC) testing, in a large community-based healthcare setting. The study also identified trends involving characteristics of CRC, individual reporting physician, and physician location and examined the potential impact of these trends on the performance of molecular tumor testing.

Methods: This was a retrospective, multi-center study using a centralized pathology database to assess molecular testing on CRC specimens. The primary endpoint was whether tumor testing of a CRC specimen was performed. …

Conference Proceedings: Select Abstracts Presented At The 2024 Advocate Aurora Scientific Day, Advocate Aurora Scientific Day

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

This abstract supplement includes findings presented through oral or poster presentations at the 50th annual Scientific Day event held on May 22, 2024. Scientific Day provides both an in-person and virtual forum for sharing of research, quality improvement, and case studies conducted by faculty, fellows, residents, and other health professionals associated with Illinois-based Advocate Health Care and Wisconsin-based Aurora Health Care.

Determining The Prognostic Value Of Complete Blood Count Subgroup Parameters In Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteremia, Emily L. Matthews, Thomas J. Dilworth

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: Serum cytokine alterations are associated with increased Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) mortality. Unfortunately, clinical use of these cytokines is uncommon due to limited availability and high cost. Complete blood count (CBC) with differential reflects the host immune response, and CBC subgroup parameters may have prognostic value in SAB. We sought to determine the association between CBC subgroup parameters on the day of index blood culture and 30-day all-cause mortality in SAB patients.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of adult SAB patients with infectious diseases consultation to evaluate the discriminatory capacity of CBC subgroup parameters in predicting SAB mortality. …

Factors Influencing Self-Wound Care Adoption In Singaporean Communities: A Cross-Sectional Survey, Ling Jia Goh, Xiaoli Zhu

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: Managing wounds often requires frequent clinic visits, posing a burden on both patients and the healthcare system. Shared wound care, which encourages patients to manage dressings at home, has emerged as a potential solution. This study investigates factors influencing self-wound care adoption in Singapore.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey involving 328 participants from six primary healthcare centers was conducted. The survey examined demographics, wound characteristics, and perceptions towards shared wound care using a locally validated questionnaire. Parametric tests and logistic regression were used to analyze the data.

Results: Unlike older participants, younger adults valued time saved through self-care and found …

“It Is What It Is” – The Lived Experience Of Women With Breast Cancer Undergoing Axillary Lymph Node Dissection, Eva Vikhe Patil, Anna Forsberg, Carina Wennerholm, Jenny Drott

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: The lived experience of women undergoing axillary procedures as part of their breast cancer (BC) treatment remains unexplored. This lack of in-depth understanding could hamper implementation of person-centred care, which is concerning because BC is the most common form of cancer in women. The aim of this study was therefore to explore the lived experiences of women undergoing axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) due to BC.

Methods: Twelve women with a mean age of 59 years were interviewed about their lived experiences of axillary procedures as part of their BC treatment. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed …

Assessing The Climate Readiness Of Physician Education Leaders In Graduate Medical Education, Deborah Simpson, Anne Getzin, Aaron A. Levy, Victoria Gillet

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Climate change affects patient health through an array of exposures, including increasing heatwaves, extreme weather events, poor air quality, and expanding vector-borne illnesses. Physicians are at the forefront of addressing the health consequences of these exposures with patients, and environmental sustainability has become a priority for health care organizations. Accordingly, climate change and health is becoming a critical area for graduate medical education (GME). As GME leaders design and drive education in residency and fellowship programs, understanding those leaders’ baseline knowledge on this topic and its alignment with their organizations’ priorities is an essential step in the development of climate …

The Lymphedema Treatment Act: Past, Present, And Future, Candace Alexander, Leigh Ann Foster, Susan Gordon, Runzun Shetye

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

No abstract provided.

Rewiring Our Psychologically Informed Physical Therapy Interventions: Triple Network Model, Immunology, Sex, And Pain Perception, Roberto Sandoval, Mary Lou A. Galantino

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Cancer Rehabilitation In Chemotherapy-Induced Sarcopenia, Tracy L. Moore, Jessica Bertram

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

No abstract provided.