Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Editors' Note, Elijah Hoffman, Liam Gibbons

Bone Bulletin

It is our pleasure to present the fourth edition of the Bone Bulletin, DePalma Orthopaedic Society’s student-run journal for Sidney Kimmel Medical College (SKMC) students. The journal provides a unique opportunity for medical students to be involved with scholarly work in orthopaedics, often representing their first experience with orthopedic scholarship and academic writing. Through the journal, students gain valuable experience in orthopedic research and scientific writing with close mentorship from the renowned physicians of Rothman Orthopaedics.

Each year, the journal has grown in scope and impact, addressing new topics in orthopaedics. We are thrilled to introduce our new contributors …

Factors Influencing Piglet Average Daily Gain During The First Week Of Lactation In Hyperprolific Sow Under Tropical Conditions, Yosua Kristian Adi, Preechaphon Taechamaeteekul, Jakavat Ruampatana, Manmueang Malison, Roy Neville Kirkwood, Padet Tummaruk

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Birth weight (BW) is a key determinant of average daily gain (ADG) in piglets; however, hyperprolific sow genetics, particularly under tropical conditions, have increased the proportion of low-birth-weight piglets. This study evaluated factors associated with ADG during the first 7 days of lactation within birth weight categories (1.3 kg). A total of 1,185 piglets from 97 litters that survived to day 7 were included. Factors analyzed were cumulative birth interval, birth order, colostrum intake per kilogram of body weight, rectal temperature at 24 h postpartum, sex, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and cross-fostering. Birth weight, cumulative birth interval, birth order, colostrum …

Collaborative Healthcare: Advancing Interprofessional Practice & Education, Volume 16, Number 2, Spring/Summer 2026

Collaborative Healthcare: Interprofessional Practice, Education and Evaluation (JCIPE)

In this Issue:

• From the Editors
• What Does It Take to Truly Improve Black Maternal Health from an Interprofessional Lens?
• Spotlight on an Interprofessional Clinical Team
• Meet an IPE/IPCP Faculty Champion
• Meet an IPE/IPCP Student Champion

Adult-Onset Iga Vasculitis Initially Attributed To A Cutaneous Drug Reaction And Diverticulitis, Leila C. Tou, Catherine Grace P. Hobayan, Shane Devine, Sarah Koraym

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV), formerly Henoch–Schönlein purpura, is a small-vessel vasculitis characterized by palpable purpura, arthralgias, gastrointestinal involvement, and renal disease. Although IgAV is common in children, adult-onset disease is rare and may be associated with more severe manifestations, particularly renal involvement. In adults, IgAV may be difficult to recognize because of overlap with more common gastrointestinal, infectious, or medication-related conditions. We present a case of adult-onset IgAV initially attributed to presumed diverticulitis and later to a drug eruption following antibiotic exposure. This case highlights diagnostic pitfalls and the importance of early recognition and renal surveillance.

Rare Presentation Of Sequential Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma, Follicular Lymphoma, And Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Case-Based Review, Khushi J. Desai, Ansy H. Patel, Patrick T. O’Dowd, Joseph A. Tworek, Preeti G. Misra, Li Ding

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Introduction: Occurrence of 2 (or more) Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma concordantly or sequentially in a single patient is very rare.

Case: An 88-year-old Italian male with a history of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma in remission and indolent follicular lymphoma under surveillance, presented with acute autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). While initially speculated to be secondary to follicular lymphoma relapse, stable mesenteric lymphadenopathy compared to prior CT abdomen/pelvis and smudge cells on peripheral smear prompted further evaluation. Peripheral blood flow cytometry indicated a mature B-cell neoplasm, which was confirmed to be chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with a bone marrow biopsy. Minimal …

Left-Ventricular Non-Compaction Cardiomyopathy Presenting With Atrial Flutter With Rapid Ventricular Response, Sahil Ghay, Baneet Kaur, J. Armando Talavera, Koushik Sanku, Viky S. Loescher, Julien A. Exposito

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC) is a rare genetic cardiomyopathy characterized by prominent trabeculations and deep recesses that predispose to arrhythmias and heart failure. We describe a 42-year-old man with persistent tachycardia and exertional fatigue found to have CTI-dependent atrial flutter with 2:1 conduction. Transesophageal echocardiography showed severe biventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 15%, and cardiac MRI confirmed LVNC with a non-compacted to compacted ratio of 3.3. After successful ablation and normal coronary angiography, he was diagnosed with LVNC. This case highlights an unusual presentation of LVNC with typical atrial flutter and underscores the value of cardiac MRI …

A Case Of Anti-Srp Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy Following Suspected Coxsackie B4 Infection: Exploring A Viral Trigger Hypothesis, Marwan Ahmed, Ruba Salameh, Soziema Salia, Brent T. Harris, Christopher J. Haas, Anees Siddiqi

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM) is a rare subtype of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies that can present with rhabdomyolysis. We report a 43-year-old woman with rapidly progressive proximal muscle weakness following a flu-like illness. Laboratory evaluation revealed markedly elevated creatine kinase (22,207 U/L) and transaminases, with positive anti-signal recognition particle (SRP) and Coxsackie B4 antibodies. Muscle biopsy demonstrated extensive necrosis, regeneration, and endomysial lymphocytic infiltration, confirming IMNM. The patient was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone, IVIG, and rituximab, followed by oral steroid taper and mycophenolate. At six-month follow-up, she showed significant clinical and biochemical improvement. This case highlights a potential viral-triggered autoimmune mechanism, …

From Villi To Alveoli: Lung Involvement In Celiac Disease – A Narrative Review, Mateusz Marzec, Patrycja Cecha

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Background:

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic, immune-mediated enteropathy triggered by gluten that affects about 1% of the population and may present with extraintestinal manifestations. Pulmonary complications are considered rare and are poorly characterized. Lane-Hamilton syndrome is the best described lung manifestation, but data suggests a broader spectrum of respiratory involvement.

Methods:

We performed a narrative review with structured search strategy of PubMed and Embase (January 1, 1970 – December 1, 2025) using the terms celiac/coeliac and lung, pulmonary, respiratory, hemoptysis, hemosiderosis, alveolar hemorrhage, interstitial lung disease, alveolitis, bronchiectasis …

The Effect Of Empiric Initiation Of Treatment On Outcomes Among Patients Presenting With Extrapulmonary Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Infection In A Community Hospital Setting, Talha Awwal, Faisal Raja Kh, Hanya Awaba, Waseem Anwar, Jinma Ren, Muhammad Aamir Safdar, Saqib Walayat, John J. Farrell

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Background: Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) accounts for ~20% of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections in Pakistan. Diagnostic delays are common and may worsen outcomes. We evaluated whether empiric treatment initiation improves outcomes among patients with EPTB at a large public hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan. Methods: Retrospective cohort of consecutive EPTB cases at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (January–June 2016). Patients were categorized as clinically diagnosed (symptoms/radiology) or laboratory-supported (histology, microbiology, or biochemical tests). Standard Directly Observed Therapy Short-course (DOTS) based regimens were used. Outcomes were treatment success, failure, loss to follow-up, and mortality; groups were compared using chi-square testing. Results: Of 317 EPTB …

Correlation Between Aortic Valve Area Measured By Cardiac Computed Tomography And Transthoracic Echocardiography In Patients With Aortic Stenosis, Shehroz Sultan, Neeraj Joshi, Ali Haider Awan, Shabana Kauser, Hafsa Malik Aulakh, Bilal Ghafoor, Muhammad Ammar Ajmal, Abida Perveen, Jahanzeb Malik

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Background: Accurate assessment of aortic valve area (AVA) is essential for determining the severity of aortic stenosis (AS) and guiding clinical management. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the standard first-line imaging modality, while cardiac computed tomography (CT) provides direct anatomical planimetry and may offer complementary information in selected patients.

Objective: To evaluate the correlation and agreement between CT-derived and TTE-derived AVA measurements and to examine their association with clinical outcomes in patients with AS.

Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study included 1,857 consecutive adults with moderate to severe AS who underwent both TTE and cardiac CT at the Rawalpindi Institute of …

Management Of Skeletal Class Iii Malocclusion With Deep Bite And Moderate Overjet Using Improved Super-Elastic Ti-Ni Alloy Wire (Isw), Wen-Hsuan Lin, Ching-Yu Yang, Yuan-Hou Chen, Jian-Hong Yu

Taiwanese Journal of Orthodontics

A 20-year-old female presented with concerns about poor dental alignment and a tendency to bite on her lip easily. Clinical examination revealed a concave and brachy facial profile, accompanied by a deep overbite and a moderate overjet. Radiographic examination showed skeletal Class III with a low mandibular plane angle. Correction of the deep bite was achieved by using the Improved Super-elastic Ti-Ni alloy Wire (ISW) and Intermaxillary elastics (IMEs). To correct the moderate overjet, interproximal reduction (IPR), the Multi-bend Edgewise Archwire (MEAW) technique, and arch lengthening of the lower arch were applied. The active treatment duration took approximately 54 months, …

Improved Super-Elastic Ti-Ni Alloy Wire For The Treatment Of Skeletal Class Iii Malocclusion With Anterior Crossbite And Missing Lower Molar, De-Lun Zhuang, Yuan-Hou Chen, Jian-Hong Yu

Taiwanese Journal of Orthodontics

This case report describes the use of Improved Super-elastic Ti-Ni alloy wire (ISW), developed by Tokyo Medical and Dental University, in managing a skeletal Class III malocclusion with anterior crossbite and a missing lower molar. A 26-year-old female presented with a chief complaint of poor dental alignment. Clinical and radiographic evaluation revealed Angle Class III malocclusion, anterior crossbite, a missing mandibular first molar (36), and a centric occlusion–centric relation (CO–CR) functional shift, consistent with a skeletal Class III pattern. Treatment involved the use of ISW for leveling and alignment of both arches and correction of the anterior crossbite, while maintaining …

Inferior Alveolar Nerve Proximity In Mandibular Molar Distalization: Implications For Orthodontic Treatment Planning, Samantha Hsien-Chu Mao, Chia-Hsuan Chan, Yu-Jen Chang, Shiu-Shiung Lin, Chen-Feng Cheng, Te-Ju Wu

Taiwanese Journal of Orthodontics

Purpose: This study aimed to clarify the anatomical boundaries of mandibular molar distalization, emphasizing the risk of inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) contact. Patients and Methods: In total, 30 skeletal Class III patients undergoing orthognathic surgery (59 mandibular hemi-arches) were analyzed using pretreatment three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography scans. The shortest horizontal distance between the mandibular second molar and the inferior alveolar canal (M2-IAC) was measured at multiple depths below the cementoenamel junction, along with the distance to the lingual cortical plate (M2-MLC). Samples were categorized by vertical facial pattern (low-, normal-, and high-angle case). Simulated distalization cases predicting IAN contact were …

Comparative Evaluation Of Selected Properties Of Tetrahedral Amorphous Carbon (Ta-C) Coated And Uncoated Beta Titanium (Β-Ti) Archwires - An In Vitro Study, Abhinaya Jotheswaran, Kurunji Kumaran Navaneethakrishnan

Taiwanese Journal of Orthodontics

Objective: The development of newer archwires can be achieved either by discovering novel materials or by modifying existing ones. The objective of the present study was to coat beta-titanium (β-Ti) archwires with tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C)/hard carbon and to evaluate selected physical and mechanical properties. Methods: Hard carbon–coated (n = 5) and uncoated (n = 5) β-Ti wires were assessed for surface roughness, wear resistance, load-deflection characteristics, and friction using appropriate testing apparatus under dry in vitro conditions. Results: Compared to uncoated β-Ti wires, ta-C–coated β-Ti wires demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in surface roughness, increased wear resistance, and lower …

Association Between Occupational Stress, Sleep Quality, And Premature Ejaculation Among Indonesian Information Technology Workers, Muhammad Faisal Ratman, Suryo Wibowo, Muhammad Ilyas, Retno Asti Werdhani, Dewi Yunia Fitriani

Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal of Indonesia

Introduction Premature ejaculation (PE) is a common sexual dysfunction that significantly impacts quality of life. Occupational stress and poor sleep quality are hypothesized as risk factors, particularly among Information and Technology (IT) workers who experience unique occupational stressors. This study aimed to evaluate the proportion of PE, examine the influence of occupational stress and sleep quality on PE, and determine whether sleep quality mediates the relationship between occupational stress and PE among Indonesian IT workers.

Methods This cross-sectional study involved 89 married male IT workers who completed online questionnaires, including the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT), Perceived Occupational Stress (POS) …

Clinical Characteristics, Microbiology, And In-Hospital Outcomes Of Infective Endocarditis At A Tertiary Cardiac Center In Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Hussain M. Alhassan, Zainab A. Al Hubail, Zahra Maruf Alshakhs, Sireen Omar Takrouni, Fatimah Alawi Al Hussain, Hussain Abdullah Alqahtani, Ammar Ahmed Binammar, Beenish Mukhtar, Muhammad Azam Shah

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) carries high morbidity and mortality, and its epidemiology in Saudi Arabia reflects a transition in which rheumatic and prosthetic valve disease coexist. Contemporary single-center data describing the clinical profile, microbiology, and in-hospital outcomes of IE in this setting remain limited.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at a tertiary cardiac center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, including 102 patients with IE diagnosed between October 2020 and December 2024, classified using the modified Duke criteria. Variables were analyzed descriptively. Proportions are reported with 95% confidence intervals (CI; Wilson method) against the number of patients with available data, …

Setting The Stage For Surviving Cancer, Kelly Allen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Margaret Petersen, theater artist and assistant stage manager of the Grand Rapids Ballet, is featured in the cover art for the Summer 2026 issue of the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). The self-portrait photograph depicts Petersen standing cheerfully on a terrace, dressed as an orange “safety cone” holding onto an IV pole. She takes in some fresh air as she receives her chemotherapy medication at the Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavillion. Donned in orange coveralls and a modified hat topped with a small traffic cone and the word SAFETY emblazoned across the front, it is the costume she created to wear …

Occupational Therapy's Role In Optimizing Health Using 4ms Framework: Primary Care And Beyond, Nicole Karabas, Lydia Royeen, Bridget Hahn

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

As the older adult population in the United States continues to grow rapidly, the health care system faces increasing challenges in meeting their complex needs. A proactive, rather than reactive, approach to health care is necessary to support older adults in maintaining function and well-being. The Age-Friendly Health Systems 4Ms Framework; What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility, provides an evidence-based model for optimizing care across settings. Occupational therapists are uniquely positioned to implement the 4Ms framework because of their holistic and client-centered approach to evaluation and intervention.

By addressing "What Matters," occupational therapists  align care with individual goals and daily …

Occupational Therapists’ Emerging Role In Running Bereavement Support Groups, Diana Daus, Rondalyn V. Whitney, Susan Taddonio

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Grief is well recognized as a stress response and, as such, significantly impacts engagement in meaningful occupational performance and engagement in meaningful occupations. Prolonged grief disorder (PGD), a newly recognized diagnosis, reflects the public health risk for the bereaved. Multiple client factors and performance patterns of those experiencing grief disrupt multiple areas of occupation. This opinion paper evaluates occupational therapy’s role in bereavement groups in the occupational therapy scope of practice.

Incivility And Toxicity In Occupational Therapy Academic Environments, Sharon Gutman, Sandra Rogers, Rondalyn V. Whitney

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Toxicity in the academic environment is defined as an insidious form of behavior that is characterized by overt negativity with the intent to cause harm and includes bullying, manipulation, gas lighting, discrimination, preferential treatment, and ostracization. Reasons accounting for the existence of toxicity in academia include long-standing cultural norms of competition for scarce resources, devaluing of collaboration, unrealistic workload expectations and benchmarks for success, a milieu of excessive and negative critique, low salaries and professional rewards, and a hierarchical ranking system that encourages abuse of power without consequences. The impact of toxicity in academia on occupational therapy faculty include high …

Primary Care Reimbursement: Current Processes And Future Advocacy, Brenda Koverman, Monika I. Robinson, Lydia Royeen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy’s (OT) role in primary care is emerging as a viable practice area. Yet, operational efforts that include reimbursement continue to lag and have been identified as a barrier to entry. Current literature reveals confusing and overlapping reimbursement descriptions. Payment for services is critical for the sustainability of this practice area. This paper proposes a taxonomy to assist frontline clinicians, leaders, and provider practice managers to determine the best reimbursement strategy for their specific clinic. Differentiating and defining payment models, reimbursement determinants, and reimbursements methods allows OT leaders a shared language. Implementing the best reimbursement tactic will ensure the …

Practical Insights For Implementing An Intensive Therapeutic Day-Camp For Children With Hemiplegia: Guidelines For Practice, Rachel M. Vaughn, Holly Holland, Kerry Blazek, Jessica Margaret Cassidy

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

This guideline for practice provides practical recommendations for successfully executing a therapeutic day-camp for children with hemiplegia. By drawing from the literature and providing an in-depth explanation of our camp model, we address the challenges clinicians encounter when initiating therapeutic camp programming. A panel of physical and occupational therapists provides a comprehensive program description entailing a detailed explanation of camp programming, the combined therapeutic approach of intensive uni and bimanual training, and sample documents and activities. The program description, including camp attributes in relation to the ICF framework, provides an overview of our day-camp model, which has served children and …

Integrating Occupational Therapy In Homeless Street Outreach, Andrea Leflore, Cassandra Pagliaruli, Ryan Thomure

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

People experiencing unsheltered homelessness (PEUH) face multifaceted barriers to daily activity performance, characterized by barriers to performing basic needs, maintaining immediate safety, and accessing resources to manage health and transition into housing. Systemic barriers further impact access to care with discrimination in health care and homeless settings. With homelessness steadily increasing in the U.S., federally-funded initiatives have prioritized street outreach as an effective approach to meeting people where they are living with contextually adapted services. Street outreach interventions bring resources directly to communities, prioritizing relationship building to facilitate transitions to more stable living situations. This article presents a case analysis …

Occupational Therapy Students’ Demonstration Of Interprofessional Competencies During Simulation: An Observational Analysis, Elizabeth Crampsey, Shelley Cohen Konrad, Debra J. Ford

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Quality care and patient safety are primary goals in health care, with interprofessional collaboration as a crucial strategy to achieve them. This study reports the behavioral outcomes of Occupational Therapy (OT) students applying core competencies, like Communication and Teamwork, during a longitudinal case-based team simulation activity designed to enhance interprofessional education (IPE). The activity was designed to improve implementation of IPE competencies during a collaborative teamwork exercise with standardized patients. A content analysis using the Interprofessional Collaborator Assessment Rubric (ICAR) assessed 21 graduate OT students’ deployment of IPE core competencies while participating in a semester-long interprofessional simulation (Sim-IPE) activity. Findings …

Exploring Student And Faculty Perspectives On Professionalism In Occupational Therapy Education, Mary Roduta Roberts, Jilaine Barton, Amy Janzen, Carolina Johnson, Lauren Painchaud

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The development of professionalism is critical for occupational therapy (OT) students to become competent occupational therapists. This paper reports on the first phase of a multi-phase project to develop and pilot a situational judgement test to support teaching, learning, and development of professionalism in an OT program. The purpose of this study was to explore faculty and students’ perspectives on professionalism and OT. Twenty-two semi-structured interviews were completed with students (n = 18) and faculty (n = 4). The main insights shared included challenges in defining professionalism in OT, the importance of context, and differing perspectives on the effectiveness of …

Perceptions Of Capstone Mentors: Differentiating Capstone And Fieldwork Students In Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones, Sara Stephenson, Rochelle S. Reiss

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

This qualitative descriptive study explored occupational therapy doctoral capstone (OTD) mentors’ perceptions of differences between capstone and fieldwork students to inform mentor training development. Retrospective data from 157 mentors (145 occupational therapists, 12 non-OT professionals) mentoring 178 OTD students from 2020 to 2023 were analyzed using rapid analysis integrated with Kielhofner’s Qualitative Data Analysis Procedure. Mentors were selected by students through a structured process involving interviews and alignment of professional interests, contrasting with assigned FW placements. Six themes emerged: independence/student autonomy, mentoring relationship, professional skill refinement, unique experience, project development, and negative or neutral challenges. These themes highlight capstone students’ …

Evaluating Students' Experience In Applying Model Of Human Occupation In Acute-Care Settings Through Actor-Based Case Simulations, Tiffany T. Lin, Homa Zahedi

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists in hospital settings play a critical role in facilitating rehabilitation and promoting safe discharge, thereby reducing hospital readmissions and preventing hospital-acquired injuries, such as deep vein thrombosis and falls. Despite the benefits of occupation-based interventions, novice therapists often revert to an impairment-focused approach because of difficulties in applying occupation-centered models. The Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) offers a framework to support occupation-based practice, yet students and early-career therapists frequently encounter challenges in translating theoretical models into clinical application.

This study aims to examine occupational therapy students’ experiences with actor-based case simulation sessions designed to enhance confidence and application …

Occupational Therapy Holistic Admissions At A Public, Urban Research University: Process, Outcomes, And Transitions, Ashley Stoffel, Dalmina Arias, Toni Van Denend, Caitlin Smith, Jenica Lee, Maria Larson, Gail Fisher

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Implementing a holistic admissions process reflecting the mission of the university provides the means to expand enrollment of students from diverse backgrounds who have life experiences and values that are well matched to the communities they serve. This article explores the historical significance, outcomes, and transitions of a holistic admissions process in a public, urban research university.

The holistic admission process outlined in this article offers a balanced and equitable approach to student selection by considering a broad array of backgrounds, experiences, and attributes beyond traditional metrics, such as grades. With a commitment to inclusivity, access, and belonging, the department …

Feasibility Of Therapeutic Drumming Intervention For Autistic Youth: An Exploratory Study, Zahava L. Friedman, Dina Prisco, Jorge Ochoa, Talia Nuesi, Carmen Guarino, Patricia Higgins, Danielle Centi

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: There is a need to identify a wider variety of neurodiversity-affirming interventions within the scope of occupational therapy. Therapeutic drumming, percussive music-making as a therapeutic intervention, holds potential for occupational therapy practice, though few studies have explored its efficacy with this population. The purpose of this study was to explore the design and effectiveness of therapeutic drumming for autistic youth from perspectives of drumming facilitators to identify relevant outcome variables and usefulness in the study and practice of therapeutic drumming.

Methodology: This exploratory feasibility study recruited twelve facilitators and 10 autistic youth. An occupational therapy graduate student …

Service Disruptions In Early Intervention Amid Covid-19: Understanding Challenges Faced By Families And Providers, Tiana T. Nguyen, Samantha Mong, Juliana Lainez, Domenique Embrey

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Infants at risk for developmental delays require early intervention (EI) services to support their development. However, many families face barriers to receiving services, which were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: This qualitative study examined how COVID-19 impacted access to EI therapy services from the perspectives of families and EI providers in the San Francisco Bay Area. The study aimed to identify existing barriers and new pandemic-specific challenges to inform strategies for improving continuity and quality of EI care during future service disruptions.

Methods: Semi-structured virtual interviews were conducted with caregivers of eligible infants and EI providers. …