Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Qualitative Analysis Of College Students' Interest In Mhealth Solutions, Leslie Hoglund, Craig M. Becker, Cara Tonn

Health Behavior, Policy & Management Faculty Publications

This study explores college students' perceptions of an AI-driven mHealth application designed to promote well-being. With rising mental health challenges in academic settings, students increasingly seek digital tools that provide holistic support for physical, mental, and financial health. Through focus groups, this qualitative study examines students' preferences for personalized health tracking, educational content, and flexible reminders within a private, supportive community. Key findings emphasize students' desire for a balanced, all-in-one app that integrates health and wellness tools without overwhelming them with notifications. Students also highlighted the importance of social media integration for outreach, though concerns were raised about potential stress …

Clarification Of Public Health Pathways Toward Clinical Careers: A Pilot Study Describing A Benchmark Analysis Project, Elizabeth A. Brown, Melissa Feliciano, Daniel Martinez

Health Behavior, Policy & Management Faculty Publications

Introduction: Undergraduate public health programs have adapted the required basic sciences based on medical and technological advances and the needs of the public health workforce. We aim to demonstrate how a benchmark analysis project was used to improve curriculum and develop a model where basic sciences in public health can be used to build pathways to clinical graduate programs like medicine, pharmacy, physician assistant, etc.

Methods: Authors conducted a benchmark analysis of Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) Degrees (or public health-related degrees) in the southern region of the United States (US) to explore required basic sciences. Authors searched …

Impact Of Volume-Based Procurement Policy On Coronary Stent Use In Tianjin: Interrupted Time Series Analysis, Zhao Yang, Liangyu Ni, Wei Zhao, Yuxi Li, Yongyi Wu, Qiyun Zhu, Linlin Da, Weijia Liu, Qi Zhang, Jianping Li, Bin Jiang

Health Behavior, Policy & Management Faculty Publications

Objectives

This study aimed to analyze the impact of China’s centralized volume-based procurement policy on the procurement and utilization of coronary stents in Tianjin from 2019 to 2021.

Methods

An interrupted time-series design was used to assess monthly procurement data of coronary stents and balloons in Tianjin from January 2019 to December 2021.

Results

The volume-based procurement policy significantly reduced coronary stents prices, with an average price reduction of 92.67% for ten selected stents, and the lowest price dropped to 469 CNY. Following policy implementation, annual procurement in Tianjin increased by 59.55%, and tertiary hospitals demonstrated a significant monthly level …

Exploring Occupational Therapy Students’ Coping Strategies And Styles, Ashley E. Stroud, Amanda J. Mohler, Amanda M. Carpenter

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This study aimed to determine occupational therapy students’ coping strategies and styles to manage stress. The final sample included 160 students, with 39 master of occupational therapy (MOT) students and 121 occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) students who were currently enrolled in an MOT or OTD program. This study used a cross-sectional, descriptive survey. The survey included both closed-ended and open-ended items to provide a greater insight into occupational therapy graduate students’ stressors, coping strategies, and coping styles. Results of the survey showed the most frequently reported coping strategies for both programs were emotional support, instrumental support, self-blame, and religion. The …

Assessing The Impact: Retrospective Analysis Of Department Initiatives On Students' Success In Standalone Occupational Therapy Anatomy Course, Rebecca Ozelie, Saba Elothman, Bridget Hahn

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Student success in anatomy courses is critical for entry-level occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) programs, yet many students struggle to master this foundational subject. Research on effective academic interventions to support anatomy learning in OTD programs is limited, leaving a gap in understanding the impact of supplemental resources. This study examined the effectiveness of targeted academic interventions, such as an anatomy bootcamp, peer-led tutoring, and the Anatomage Table for virtual dissection, in improving student performance in a standalone anatomy course. A retrospective cohort design compared two groups of students enrolled in the course during Fall 2022 (FA22; n=36) and Fall 2023 …

Disparities Between Reported And Actual Study Habits And Perceptions Among First Year Occupational Therapy Graduate Students, Melisa P. Kaye, Marcella Mccollum, Sydney Hanzalik

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Studying for exams forms a significant part of the occupational therapy graduate school experience. While successful completion of exams is a central focus for students, little time is devoted to explicitly teaching new graduate students how to most effectively study. Instead, when they enter their occupational therapy programs, students experience a steep learning curve, and often rely on previous habits or trial and error to discover the most efficacious study strategies. The purpose of this study was to examine the study behaviors, habits, and beliefs of new graduate students to gain insight into the prevalence of use of various study …

Effect Of An Elective On Preparation For Fieldwork In An Acute Care Setting, Abbey Glenn, Brandi Fulwider

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The current study evaluated the effect of an eight-day elective course on preparedness for the acute care setting. The course was offered to Master of Science in occupational therapy students before their second Level II fieldwork experience and focused on developing necessary skills for success in acute care. Course content was based on feedback from previous students, fieldwork educators in acute care, and faculty experiences in that setting. Specifically, the course combined case-based and skills-based simulations to help students develop skills and to build confidence. Small group activities involving role-playing communication scenarios were also included, where students played the role …

Belonging And The Lived Experiences Of Underrepresented Occupational Therapy Students, Daniel Cezar Da Cruz, Angela Murphy, Zara Mahmood

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Belonging has been explored in research in higher education with a focus on student engagement or performance and the impact of psychological aspects on individuals' learning. Few studies focused on underrepresented occupational therapy students’ belonging. Our research aimed to explore the lived experience of occupational therapy students regarding belonging at university. This phenomenological study was conducted with six occupational therapy students from the United Kingdom who volunteered to participate in semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was carried out through Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA). Three themes were constructed: Theme 1: Representation and belonging - “I was the only non-white person in the …

Work Readiness Among Occupational Therapy Students In The Usa: Associations With Approaches To Studying, Adele Breen-Franklin, Colleen M. Maher, Tore Bonsaksen

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Previous studies have looked at the association between study approaches and student grades with a focus on deep, strategic, and surface learning. This study used a cross-sectional design to examine the association between study approaches and students’ feelings of readiness to practice. Thirty-five students in master’s and clinical doctoral programs completed the Work Readiness Scale and the short 18-item version of the Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students (ASSIST). Using a linear regression analysis, higher scores on the strategic study approach (β=0.38, p<0.05) and lower scores on the surface study approach (β=-0.44, p<0.05) were associated with higher scores on the Work Readiness Scale. Studying harder (i.e. spending more hours studying) was not related to feeling ready to practice. Rather, studying wisely, meaning using a strategic approach to studying and avoiding using a surface approach, was associated with students’ increased feeling of readiness to practice.

Trust During Troubled Times: Evidence From Sierra Leone’S Ebola Epidemic, Colin Cannonier

Funded Scholarship

Existing literature provides evidence that crises can considerably impact public trust. However, research on these dynamics in lower-income and postconflict countries like Sierra Leone is limited. Using nationally representative survey data and district-level Ebola infection data, herein, we examine the relationship between the Ebola epidemic and various measures of government trust. Our analysis, which employs propensity score matching and other techniques, reveals a notable decline in trust among individuals exposed to the outbreak. Our estimates indicate that individual perceptions of trust in government and other government entities decreased by 11.6%– 33.6% following the Ebola epidemic. This relationship is driven by …

Influence Of Multi-Species Data On Gene-Disease Associations In Substance Use Disorder Using Random Walk With Restart Models, Erich J. Baker, Everest U. Castaneda, Sharon Moore, Jason A. Bubier, Stephen K. Grady, Michael A. Langston, Elissa J. Chessler

Funded Scholarship

A major challenge lies in discovering, emphasizing, and characterizing human gene-disease and gene-gene associations. The limitations of data on the role of human gene products in substance use disorder (SUD) makes it challenging to transition from genetic associations to actionable insights. The integration of data from multiple diverse sources, including information-dense studies in model organisms, has the potential to address this gap. We demonstrate a modified performance of the Random Walk with Restart algorithm when multi-species data is integrated in the heterogeneous network within the context of SUD. Additionally, our approach distinguishes among disparate pathways derived from the Kyoto Encyclopedia …

Élaboration Et Faisabilité D'Application D'Une Méthode D'Évaluation Biomécanique De L'Exposition Physique Lors Du Port D'Exosquelettes En Milieu De Travail, Xavier Robert-Lachaine, Hakim Mecheri, Denys Denis, Christian Larivière

Rapports de recherche scientifique

La prévalence des troubles musculosquelettiques (TMS) liés au travail physique reste prédominante selon les données épidémiologiques. Les récentes avancées technologiques des exosquelettes représentent une opportunité pour la prévention des TMS. Des études ont montré que les exosquelettes peuvent réduire l'activité musculaire pendant des tâches spécifiques en laboratoire. Cependant, très peu d'études ont évalué les exosquelettes directement sur le lieu de travail.

L'objectif est d’élaborer une méthode d’évaluation de l'efficacité des exosquelettes à réduire l'exposition physique des travailleuses et travailleurs et de vérifier sa polyvalence. La méthode indique la posture et l'activité musculaire des régions du dos et des épaules à …

Naming The Invisible: Exploring Implicit Design Thinking In Occupational Therapy Curricula, Dominique C. Sherratt, Mary Butler, Shoshannah Kiriam, Ben Sellar

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy inherently involves the application of design and co-design skills within professional practice, yet there is limited evidence about how these skills are taught to students. This study used a qualitative descriptive design to explore the perspectives of occupational therapy educators in Australia and New Zealand on how and where design and co-design skills are integrated within occupational therapy curricula. Educators were purposively sampled from the Australian and New Zealand Council of Occupational Therapy Educators (ANZCOTE), with additional participants recruited through snowball sampling. Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with occupational therapy educators. Interviews were conducted and analyzed using the …

Current Practices In Implementing The Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Needs Assessment: A National Survey, Laurie D. Stelter, Kaitlyn Cremer, Lou Rutigliano, Leslye Morris, Lima Ghulmi, Ana Allegretti

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Entry-level occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) programs navigate curricular decisions related to designing, implementing, and refining doctoral capstone processes. One of the complex requirements is the doctoral capstone needs assessment (DCNA) which each student completes prior to the implementation of the doctoral capstone project. The researchers aimed to contribute to the specificity of DCNA-related understanding, informing quality decision-making, via a national, cross-sectional survey of current DCNA practices. Purposive sampling resulted in a 24.3% (n=54) response rate of mostly Doctoral Capstone Coordinators (DCCs; 98.1%) representing programs across doctoral capstone experience levels. The timing of DCNA processes trended toward the latter half of …

Floor-To-Stand Transfers In Older Adults: Insights Into Strategies And Lower Extremity Demands, Lyndsay Stutzenberger, Tyler Whited

Faculty Publications - College of Physical Therapy

Background/Objectives: Getting up from the floor is an important functional skill for independence in older adults but is not often assessed clinically. The purpose of this study was to investigate how floor-to-stand transfer (FTS) ability is related to self-report measures and five-time sit-to-stand (5XSTS) performance, as well as compare peak joint angles during common FTS strategies and lower extremity demands between the 5XSTS and a commonly instructed FTS strategy. Methods: Thirty-four community-dwelling older adults completed self-report measures and performed the 5XSTS, a FTS in a self-selected manner, and an instructed FTS strategy. Biomechanical analysis of the lower extremities was used …

Predicting Student Success In Entry-Level Doctor Of Physical Therapy Courses, Lyndsay Stutzenberger, Tess Swake

Faculty Publications - College of Physical Therapy

Early identification of students at risk for academic challenges in a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program may allow for timely intervention and support. Little is known about the ability of the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) to predict academic success in firstyear courses in a DPT program. Participants were 33 firstyear DPT students from a single cohort. Student demographics, previous academic performance, and responses to the MSLQ for Anatomy and Biomechanics courses were collected early in each semester. Spearman correlations determined associations between undergraduate grade point average (GPA) or MSLQ responses and grades for Fall and Spring semesters. …

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome And The Effects Of A Ketogenic Diet: A Scoping Review, Jason Brumitt

Faculty Publications - College of Physical Therapy

Background/Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy experienced by females. Diagnosis of PCOS is established when at least two of the following are present: hyperandrogenism, oligo-anovulation, and/or polycystic ovaries. Conservative treatment for PCOS includes dietary modifications and physical activity. The purpose of this scoping review was to evaluate the efficacy of a ketogenic diet in improving biochemical measures and reducing the severity of PCOS symptoms. Methods: CINAHL, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases were searched to find research published in peer-reviewed journals between 2019 and 2025. An article was included in this scoping review if the study assessed …

Running Biomechanical And Isokinetic Strength Differences In Masters Runners With And Without Achilles Tendinopathy, Matthew Klein, Christopher Patterson, Annette Karim, Tyler Cuddeford

Faculty Publications - College of Physical Therapy

Masters runners are an increasing proportion of the running com-munity. The most significant musculoskeletal changes in runners occur after the age of 50 in addition to changes in injury rates and types, the most common being Achilles tendinopathy (AT). Previous evidence has suggested similarities between risk factors for AT and age-related changes that are focused at the hip and the ankle during the propulsive stage of running. The purpose of this study was to investigate biomechanical and peak torque association to AT in masters runners. Thirty-two masters runners over age 50 with AT(60.31 ± 8.37, n = 16) and without …

How Identities Shape Belonging In Occupational Therapy Education: A Phenomenological Exploration Of Student Belonging, Quinn P. Tyminski, Rowhea Elmesky

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Belonging is defined in a variety of ways but most often refers to an individual’s feelings of acceptance, inclusion, support, and respect within a certain environment. Belonging is an innate human need and contributes to success in academic and professional settings. Within occupational therapy (OT) education, minimal attention has been paid to the specific concept of belonging with no research focused on long-term qualitative explorations of student belonging for students with historically minoritized identities (HMIs). Thus, the goal of the present study was to better understand how students with multiple HMIs experienced the phenomenon of belonging in OT education. Utilizing …

Contemporary Pain Neuroscience Knowledge And Attitudes Among Students: A Cross-Sectional Study, Sue F. Curfman, William J. Best, Molly T. Williams, Kathryn Schmidt, Amy Rasmussen, Gary P. Austin

Funded Scholarship

Purpose: Healthcare education programs often provide limited training in contemporary pain neuroscience, leaving future professionals ill-prepared to address the pervasive and biopsychosocial problem of chronic pain. Exploration of the level of understanding of contemporary pain neuroscience and the attitudes toward people in pain among university students may help educators identify appropriate roles for students in pain-related interprofessional education. This study assessed and compared knowledge of contemporary pain neuroscience and attitudes and beliefs toward individuals experiencing pain among university students.  

Design: Cross-sectional observational study. Methods: 284 undergraduate and graduate, healthcare and non-healthcare students completed the revised Neurophysiology of Pain Questionnaire and …

Evidence-Informed Teaching Practices Across Faculty Terminal Degree Categories, Steven D. Taff, Meredith Gronski, Yejin Lee, Ashley Stoffel, Theresa Carlson Carroll, Jenica Lee, Carolyn M. Baum

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Many faculty spend a considerable proportion of their time and effort in teaching, yet intentional preparation for this important responsibility is rare. Currently, there exists no standard guidance for which content areas or competencies are necessary for quality educator development as they perform the various faculty roles. In this descriptive study, we surveyed 334 occupational therapy/ occupational therapy assistant (OT/OTA) faculty from across the United States using a 53-item instrument that explored to what degree do OT/OTA faculty use and document evidence-informed teaching practices and if the use of evidence-informed teaching practices differs across faculty terminal degree category (entry-level occupational …

Evaluating Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Education And Practice: A Qualitative Swot Study In The Philippines, Paolo Miguel P. Bulan, Janice A. Rojas, John Ray O. Suerte, Nikki Y. Pestaño, Maria Menierva G. Lagria, Cristito P. Dimitiman Jr., April Grace A. Chiongbian, Frances Vince E. Dimitiman, Martina Nicole A. Ligutom, Debbie Rose D. Cabañero, Jay Arr M. Sale

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy education plays a pivotal role in equipping professionals to meet the dynamic demands of healthcare systems. This study evaluated the Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy (BSOT) program at Velez College in the Philippines, utilizing a qualitative analysis framework to explore its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) as perceived by educators, students, alumni, and practitioners. Findings highlight the program’s robust generalist curriculum, strong community-based partnerships, and interprofessional collaboration opportunities. However, challenges such as limited access to standardized assessment tools, high educator turnover, and insufficient specialization opportunities were identified. Notably, emerging demands in mental health and holistic care …

Student Psychosocial Well-Being And Burnout During Level Ii Fieldwork: An Explanatory Mixed Methods Analysis, Grace V. Perry, Katherine F. Varughese, Yongyue Qi, Cary Moore, Vanessa D. Jewell

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The purpose of this study was to explore the influence fieldwork educator support has on stress, burnout, and self-efficacy, and examine how both students and fieldwork educators support student psychosocial well-being and protective factors during Level II fieldwork (FWII). An explanatory sequential mixed method design was used, including a student cross-sectional survey (n=129) followed by one student (n=5) and two fieldwork educator focus groups (n=12). Outcome measures utilized for the cross-sectional survey included the Perceived Stress Scale, self-developed Perceived Fieldwork Educator Support Questionnaire, Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, and New General Self-Efficacy Scale. Results showed that statistically significant correlations existed among perceived …

Barriers And Facilitators Of A Sense Of Belonging Among Occupational Therapy Students And Faculty: A Qualitative Study Using The Ecology Of Human Performance Framework, Sabina Khan, Elizabeth Deluca-Berg, Kersten Laughlin, Jacqueline Achon, Khalil Mrabe, Christianah Edema

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

A sense of belonging significantly influences both student engagement and faculty motivation. The objective of this study was to identify the barriers and facilitators of a sense of belonging among students and faculty of an occupational therapy department. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted with fifty-one students and ten faculty recruited via non-random purposeful sampling. Data were collected through focus group discussions with students and semi-structured interviews with faculty. Both the focus group discussions and interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed by a professional transcription service. Inductive coding was used to identify initial themes, which were then deductively mapped to the …

Identifying, Organizing, And Prioritizing Ideas On How To Support The Entangled Relation Between Theory And Practice In Occupational Therapy Education: A Group Concept Mapping Study, Rina Juel Kaptain, Jacob Østergaard Madsen, Anna Marie Lassen, Kristina Tomra Nielsen

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Transfer of learning from an academic setting to clinical practice and vice versa represents a challenge. The aim of this study was therefore to identify, organize, and prioritize ideas on how to support the entangled relation between theory and practice in occupational therapy (OT) education. To gain broad perspectives on the topic, Group Concept Mapping (GCM) was applied among OT students, lecturers, and fieldwork educators. GCM included six phases: Preparing (formulating a focus prompt), Generating ideas (brainstorming based on focus prompt: “To support the relation between theoretical and practical elements in the OT program there is a need for.. …

The Impact Of A Multi-Method Approach For Ethics Education On Occupational Therapy Students’ Self-Efficacy And Confidence, Brittany Nash, Jeffery Etheridge, Sierra Sosa, Verenice Macias, Araya Bradley, Kayla C. Osowski, Natalie Cornwell

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of a multi-method approach for ethics education. The investigators measured occupational therapy (OT) students’ self-efficacy for ethical decision-making and explored their perception of what contributed to their confidence in understanding the American Occupational Therapy Association’s (AOTA) 2020 Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics. This one-group mixed methods study included twenty Master of OT students. Self-efficacy was measured via a pre-test and post-test using an adapted version of the New General Self-Efficacy Scale, and open-ended questions captured data regarding student perceptions of what contributed to their confidence. Students presented with high …

An Environmental Scan Of Preparation For Occupational Therapy Intraprofessional Collaboration In Ontario, Teresa R. Avvampato, Mark Hall, Dianna Fong-Lee, Marcia Finlayson

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Intraprofessional collaboration between occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapist assistants (OTAs) is important for safe, effective, and efficient occupational therapy services. However, challenges such as role misunderstandings in Canada exist, which impact OT-OTA intraprofessional collaboration and the quality of care provided. This study aimed to reveal the OT-OTA intraprofessional collaboration preparation taking place in Ontario, Canada, during entry-to-practice education. An explanatory sequential environmental scan was conducted, which involved a survey distributed to OT and OTA educators, followed by six focus groups: two with OT educators, two with OTA educators, and two with OT and OTA recent graduates. Key findings revealed …

Enhancing Intraprofessional Collaboration: A Quantitative Study On The Impact Of Paired Learning In Ot And Ota Programs, Chia-Wei Fan, Vicki Case

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This study investigated the impact of pairing 112 occupational therapy (OT) and 66 occupational therapy assistant (OTA) students in small groups over a 13-week clinical skills class. Students worked together in the weekly 2-hour class to practice various clinical skills and had the option to attend an additional weekly 2-hour open lab. A repeated measures design was used to evaluate students’ perceived importance and ability to engage in intraprofessional collaboration based on the Kirkpatrick model. The Intraprofessional Collaborative Practice Survey (ICPS) was administered at three time points: the beginning (T1), the middle (T2), and the end of the trimester (T3) …

Design Thinking As A Theoretical Framework To Spark Innovation In Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctoral Projects, Jessica D. Asiello, Sunny R. Winstead

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Contemporary occupational therapy (OT) practice is situated within healthcare, education, and community-based systems faced with increasingly complex problems. There is therefore a need to develop OT practitioners’ capacity for innovation to influence change. Post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PPOTD) students are seasoned clinicians with an understanding of the challenges of everyday practice, combined with an intrinsic motivation for professional growth that led to their return to higher education. Thus, PPOTD students are a sub-population of OT practitioners who are uniquely primed for development as innovators. Despite the prevalence of PPOTD programs in the United States, there is limited literature on …

Why Occupational Therapy?: A Qualitative Analysis Of Incoming Students’ Reasons For Entering The Profession, Laura H. Vanpuymbrouck, Carli Friedman

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Insight into students’ views and understandings of what occupational therapy (OT) practitioners do and what a career will be like can shed light into how the profession is socially perceived. Additionally, this knowledge can be useful for recruitment, retention, and curriculum design, especially for addressing misunderstandings and inaccurate perceptions. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the narratives of incoming OT students when asked why they chose to enter the profession of OT. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze sociodemographic data, and then thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data about why participants wanted to become occupational …