Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Interweaving Teaching Strategies In Interprofessional Education: A Pilot Study With Graduate Occupational Therapy And Physician Assistant Students, Eric C. Nemec Ii, Lola Halperin, Jaimee Hegge

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The importance of interprofessional education (IPE) has been emphasized by the World Health Organization and is currently required by both the occupational therapy (OT) and physician assistant (PA) education accreditation agencies in the United States. Moreover, a growing body of evidence suggests that IPE fosters learners’ understanding of the roles different disciplines play in healthcare delivery and prepares future health professionals for patient-centered care. Authors designed and implemented an IPE event aimed to foster the following core Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) competencies among graduate OT and PA students: Values/Ethics for Interprofessional Practice, Roles and Responsibilities, Interprofessional Communication, and Teams and …

Kinesthetic Learners During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Occupational Therapy Students’ Perspective On E-Learning, Michael Stamm, Kailey Francetic, Regina Reilly, Angela Tharp, Nicole Thompson, Ryleigh Weidenhamer

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The purpose of the study was to understand the perspective of kinesthetic learners in an online learning environment. A Microsoft Forms survey was created and distributed to the sample population using the university electronic mailing list. If self-identified as kinesthetic learners, subjects were asked to participate in a semi-structured focus group. Twenty-six subjects responded to the survey, with 73% (n=19) identifying as kinesthetic learners. Quantitative results showed subjects felt most confident in content comprehension but less confident in clinical application. Qualitative data collection led to emergence of the following four themes—advantages, disadvantages, accommodations to e-learning, and external factors. …

Use Of A Webinar To Assess Fieldwork Educator Readiness To Provide Occupational Therapy Services And Supervise Students Through Telehealth, Jennifer A. Calabrese, Jeanne M. Coviello, Anna Y. Grasso, Kelly A. Otchet, Erica A. Pugh, Mary Beth Thomas, Bridget Trivinia

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020, many school-based occupational therapy practitioners experienced intensified job demands including a rapid shift to telehealth service delivery. Additionally, academic fieldwork coordinators sought to find effective methods of delivering fieldwork education and supporting those involved, including the occupational therapy fieldwork educators and students, as they navigated the new context imposed by the pandemic. A study was completed using a synchronous webinar format and post-webinar survey to explore school-based occupational therapy practitioners’ perceptions of readiness to provide occupational therapy services through telehealth, the perception of preparedness of potential, current, and …

Level I Fw In A Simulated Environment: A Blueprint On How To Use Simucase™, Elizabeth D. Deiuliis, Amy Mattila, Retta M. Martin

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Simulation education is a sought-out teaching modality in allied healthcare education to bridge the classroom and the clinic. In addition to developing healthcare student professionals’ skills, attitudes and key competencies, simulation can also be used to address the national fieldwork shortage, as well as site capacity issues related to the current pandemic. Although the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) has recently indicated that simulation is an acceptable method to deliver Level I fieldwork, there are limited resources available. This paper will provide a pedagogical blueprint for incorporating computer-based simulation and case-based learning principles using the Simucase™ platform for …

Admission Factors That Predict Canadian Occupational Therapy Students' Practicum Success, Jill Stier, Behdin Nowrouzi-Kia, Markus Ott, Adam Mohamed

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The evaluation and refinement of admission practices are pertinent topics for admissions committees. There has been limited research that explored the relationship between applicant admission scores and practicum performance. Our study suggests that practicum performance may demand different skills than achieving high academic standing prior to admission. Continued efforts to identify factors predictive of practicum performance will assist occupational therapy (OT) admissions committees to select the highest caliber applicants who will become future practitioners. This study explored which admission factors predicted competency-based fieldwork evaluation for occupational therapists (CBFE-OT) scores for students enrolled in a Canadian Master of Science in Occupational …

Occupational Therapy Student Perceptions Of Wellness: Focus Group Findings, Kelsey Lawrence, Katherine Chin, Stacy Smallfield

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Despite the evidence of significant consequences stemming from the intense demands on students, most graduate-level programs have insufficiently considered components of students’ wellness. Thus, the purpose of this research study was two-pronged: 1) to evaluate current occupational therapy students’ perceptions of wellness and 2) to explore student perceptions on using communities of practice as a program delivery method to enhance wellness. A qualitative study design was selected to gather experiences and feedback from occupational therapy graduate students. Participants were recruited via email from a convenience sample of a large, research-based Midwestern occupational therapy program. Participants attended one focus group and …

The Kawa Model’S Value For Level Ii Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Students, Terri Blakely, Marie-Christine Potvin, Michael Iwama

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Fieldwork (FW) plays a crucial role in occupational therapy (OT) education by fostering students to become competent entry-level practitioners. Reflective journaling promotes increased competence in OT FW students. The Kawa Model can be used as a journaling framework that uses metaphorical illustrations to self-reflect. It has been described as useful in multiple contexts. No study has yet investigated the use of the Kawa Model as a self-reflection tool with OT FW students. Video self-reflections of their Kawa Model drawings and audio recorded semi-structured interviews were used to explore Level II FW students’ perceptions of the usefulness of the Kawa Model. …

Outcomes And Perceptions Of Graduates Of An On-Campus And Hybrid Occupational Therapy Program, Alie Banning, Morgan Dickerson, Angelique Hill Roebuck, Lou Jensen

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Hybrid education, which combines face-to-face and online learning, is being implemented in an increasing number of graduate schools. However, there is limited research on the outcomes of graduates of hybrid programs. The purpose of this study was to a) examine the employment characteristics, professional characteristics, and education perceptions of graduates from an entry-level doctor of occupational therapy program; and b) investigate differences in these variables between graduates of the on-campus and hybrid pathways. A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 146 graduates of an occupational therapy program that includes on-campus (n=111) and hybrid (n=35) pathways. Data were analyzed using an …

Using Metacognitive Training With Kinesiology Students, Christina Davlin-Pater, Leah S. Dunn, Roy Bower, William Cipolli, Sara Biddle

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

As future healthcare practitioners, kinesiology students must become expert learners who choose strategies resulting in deep and durable learning. Metacognitive instruction goes beyond the use of study skills as it focuses on student reflection and evaluation of their learning success, and ultimately establishes effective learning skills, a requirement for professional practice. To examine if an intervention in a kinesiology course affected metacognitive awareness and use of metacognitive strategies, a quasi-experimental research design utilized a convenience sample of 89 upper division undergraduate occupational therapy students and master’s level athletic training students enrolled in kinesiology courses. Using an online survey including the …

A Longitudinal Study Of Interprofessional Education In Graduate Students From Rehabilitation Sciences, Sarah Elkington, Connie Summers, Celia Pechak, Patricia Lara, Francesca Hernandez

Faculty Publications

• Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations. A longitudinal study evaluated the effects of interprofessional education (IPE) experiences on 71 rehabilitation science graduate students' perceptions of interprofessional collaboration (IPC). Physical therapy, OT, and speech-language pathology students rated their perceptions of IPC and their knowledge of other disciplines' roles across their first year of graduate school. IPE experiences are an important aspect of professional preparation. Primary Author and Speaker: Sarah Elkington Contributing Authors: Connie Summers, Celia Pechak, Patricia Lara, and Francesca Hernandez

Exploring Accessibility And Social Inclusion For Children With Hearing Impairments In Residential Camps Through The Occupational Therapy Lens, Tiffany Coles

Student Capstone Papers

Children are encouraged to engage in various play, leisure, and social participation activities to enhance the development of life skills, independence, and social skills. A common leisure and social participation activity for children aged 6 to 18-years-old is to attend residential camp. Residential camps provide children a structured opportunity to engage in leisure activities while learning to become independent and self-confident when socializing and making new friends. Attending camp can be a fun and engaging environment to help accelerate growth in key developmental outcomes, such as positive identity, social skills, physical skills, positive values, and spirituality.

Within the residential camp …

Healing The Mind And Soul With Art And Music, Jennifer K. Fortuna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Gracie Fisher, an artist and composer based in Santa Barbara, California, provided the cover art for the Fall 2020 edition of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). “The Fruit of Spirit” is a 16” x 20” oil painting on canvas. When a rare neurologic condition left Gracie paralyzed from the neck down, art and music helped to heal her mind and soul. Upon returning home from the hospital, Gracie’s wish was to create an inclusive environment where children of all abilities could engage in art and music. She founded the Grace Fisher Foundation so others could experience the healing …

Patient Activation And Engagement (Pae): Guidelines For Acute Care Occupational Therapy Practice, Koob Moua

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

This paper provides a set of guidelines for occupational therapists practicing “patient activation” and “patient engagement” approaches in the acute care hospital setting. Patient activation and engagement (PAE) has gained attention in the health care setting as the new effective intervention. Occupational therapists create client-centered goals and treatment plans in alignment with PAE approaches in the health care system but barriers continue to exist in practice settings that prevent appropriate implementation of such techniques. This paper presents evidence that an occupational therapist’s role should not be limited to the assessment of a client’s independence with activities of daily living in …

Doing It Right: Ot Meeting Population Needs With Covid-19, Amanda Balser, Shirley P. O'Brien, Peggy Wittman

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

An Unexpected Outcome Of A Pediatric Simulation Encounter For Occupational Therapy Students., Anne H. Zachry, K. Booker, S. B. Lancaster

Faculty Presentations

This presentation reviewed how to plan and implement a pediatric simulated educational experience to align with the targeted course learning objective(s). Participants learned how to incorporate best practices into simulation education in order to advance occupational therapy education.

Doing It Right: Ot Meeting Population Needs With Covid-19, Amanda Balser, Shirley O'Brien, Peggy Wittman

Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy Faculty and Staff Research

In 2010, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) identified strategic goals for health promotion and disease prevention in Healthy People 2020. Some of the overarching goals were to “achieve health equity, eliminate disparities, and improve the health of all groups” in order to address inequities tied to race and ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, geography, and disability (p. 3). The plan also targeted health disparities by recognizing social determinants of health and creating “social and physical environments that promote good health,” including the development of policy and programs (HHS, 2010, p. 3). Health disparities are population specific and …

Promoting Interprofessional Collaboration Through Education In The Inpatient Rehabilitation Setting, Emma Murphy

OTD Capstone Projects

As part of a 14-week occupational therapy doctoral capstone project, the author partnered with Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital to research and address interprofessional collaboration in the inpatient rehabilitation setting. The project sought to attain a comprehensive assessment of the current interdisciplinary collaboration environment at VSRH, improve communication between the therapy and nursing departments, provide rehabilitation education for nurses on staff-identified topics, and promote interprofessional collaboration as a whole.

Understanding The Impact Of Social Distancing On Older Adults And Senior Centers To Better Adapt Towards A New Normal, Salina Jivan

Student Capstone Papers

COVID-19 brought about social distancing mandates that posed as a new barrier to meaningful social participation in the community. The purpose of this project was to understand the impact of social distancing on older adults and senior organizations to better inform the role of OT in helping seniors adapt towards a new normal within the community. A qualitative study and needs assessment were performed through phone interviews with seniors and organizations that support them from around the United States. Themes highlighted seniors desire for social contact and cautious return to the community once mandates are lifted. Both seniors and organizations …

Occupational Therapy And Accessibility In The Outdoors And Summer Camps, David M. Lewis

Student Capstone Papers

Opportunities for positive youth development (PYD) are promoted through both outdoor and camp experiences. The experiences provided by the outdoors and camps are ideal for developing physically, cognitively, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. These areas of PYD are further generalizable to several aspects of occupational performance and participation, while continuing to have benefits throughout the lifespan. While the outdoors and camps provide these valuable opportunities for development, the environments and contexts of these opportunities are often limiting factors for individuals with disabilities. Utilizing an occupational therapy approach allows for further understanding of how to promote inclusion and accessibility practices in these …

Understanding The Impact Of Social Distancing On Older Adults And Senior Organizations To Better Adapt Towards A New Normal, Salina Jivan

San Marcos, Summer 2020

COVID-19 brought about social distancing mandates that posed as a new barrier to meaningful social participation in the community. The purpose of this project was to understand the impact of social distancing on older adults and senior organizations to better inform the role of OT in helping seniors adapt towards a new normal within the community. A qualitative study and needs assessment were performed through phone interviews with seniors and organizations that support them from around the United States. Themes highlighted seniors desire for social contact and cautious return to the community once mandates are lifted. Both seniors and organizations …

Bringing Function To Families: Ot’S Role In Parenting With Sci, Alexandra Economou, Ots, Molly Flannery, Ots, Nikki Tutelman, Ots, Courtney Wagner, Ots, Rebecca Sinko, Otd, Otr/L

Collaborative Research and Evidence shared Among Therapists and Educators (CREATE Day)

Objectives:

• Describe participation challenges that impact the role of parenting for parents with SCI
• Identify evidence-based intervention areas within the scope of OT that facilitate participation in the role of parenting with SCI
• Discuss the unique need and application for OT services to support parents with SCI

PICO Question:

What are interventions within the scope of OT practice that increase participation in the role of parenting with spinal cord injury (SCI)?

Promoting Coping For Adults With Neurodegenerative Conditions, Julia Kraushaar, Ots, Melanie Watt, Ots, Kristine Ismael, Ots, Julia Snavely, Ots, Adel Herge, Otd, Otr/L, Faota

Collaborative Research and Evidence shared Among Therapists and Educators (CREATE Day)

Objectives

• Identify neurodegenerative conditions and how they impact occupational performance and quality of life (QoL)
• Describe the effects of coping skill interventions on QoL among adults with neurodegenerative conditions
• Examine the role of occupational therapy in improving QoL in adults with neurodegenerative conditions

PICO Question

Within the scope of occupational therapy, what are the effects of coping skills interventions on improving quality of life in adults with neurodegenerative conditions?

Promoting Independence: Empowering Successful Transitions Out Of The North American Foster Care System, Samantha Chong, Ots, Kevin Dang, Ots, Leondra Graves, Ots, Taylor Holt, Ots, Rebecca Sinko, Otd, Otr/L

Collaborative Research and Evidence shared Among Therapists and Educators (CREATE Day)

Objectives

• Identify the supports and barriers of youth transitioning out of the North American foster care/foster home care systems.
• Describe occupational therapy’s current and emerging roles in life skills/IADL training with youth transitioning out of the foster care system.
• Describe the positive outcomes related to successful transitions into adulthood for foster youth.

PICO Question:

What life skills training interventions conducted by occupational therapy practitioners improve independence for youth transitioning out of the foster care system?

Empower The Future: The Impact Of Family-Centered Interventions On School Success For Children From Low Socioeconomic Backgrounds, Jacqueline Bruce, Ots, Ornella Delle Noci, Ots, Amaris Dobson, Ots, Bryan Johnston, Ots, Rebecca Sinko, Otd, Otr/L

Collaborative Research and Evidence shared Among Therapists and Educators (CREATE Day)

Objectives

• Describe poverty’s impact on early childhood development and subsequent effects on school participation.

• Discuss evidence-based, family-centered interventions associated with increased school success for children from low-income communities.

• .Acquire the knowledge to apply effective interventions within the scope of occupational therapy practice to promote improved school success.

PICO Question:

What is the impact of family-centered occupational therapy interventions on future school participation for children (0-6 years old) from low socioeconomic backgrounds?

Ready For Relationships: Promoting Appropriate Dating Behaviors In Adolescents & Young Adults With Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities, Lauren Buch, Ots, Kelly Dennin, Ots, Chelsea Fife, Ots, Eileen Mee, Ots, E. Adel Herge

Collaborative Research and Evidence shared Among Therapists and Educators (CREATE Day)

Objectives:

• Identify the need for effective relationship, sexuality expression, and sex education programming for adolescents with IDD based on current literature.
• Examine the role of occupational therapy in facilitating the development of healthy dating behaviors for adolescents with IDD.
• Apply components of a best practice approach to facilitate the development of appropriate dating behaviors for adolescents with IDD.

PICO Question:

What interventions within the scope of occupational therapy will lead to appropriate dating behaviors in adolescents and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities?

Smooth Transitions: Adapting To New Roles For Transgender Individuals, Rylea Hager, Ots, Daniella Mazzo, Ots, Meredith O’Neal, Ots, Eileen Young, Ots, Rebecca Sinko, Otd, Otr/L

Collaborative Research and Evidence shared Among Therapists and Educators (CREATE Day)

Outcomes:

• Define transgender and understand the occupational challenges associated with the gender-affirming transition process.
• Discuss the impact of the knowledge gap in gender-inclusive care, as well as the barriers to accessing healthcare services for transgender individuals.
• Acquire knowledge from current research and apply to occupational therapy interventions for transitioning transgender individuals in the process of new role assumption

PICO Question:

How can occupational therapists utilize interventions within their scope of practice (I) to promote positive transitions to new occupational roles (O) for individuals who are transgender (P)?

Let’S Get Spiritual! How Integrating Spirituality Into The Ot Process Impacts Well-Being For Those Experiencing A Life-Altering Diagnosis, Taneisha Esplin Jolley, Ots, Jeffrey Gold, Ms, Ots, Nicholas Luca, Ots, Antôn Nguyễn, Ots, E. Adel Herge, Otd, Otr/L, Faota

Collaborative Research and Evidence shared Among Therapists and Educators (CREATE Day)

Outcomes:

• Define spirituality as it applies to the scope of occupational therapy practice for individuals experiencing life-altering diagnoses and conditions
• Describe current evidence that supports incorporating clients’ spirituality into the occupational therapy process to ensure a holistic approach to practice
• Apply spiritual-based interventions in order to achieve positive outcomes for individuals experiencing life-altering diagnoses and conditions

PICO Question:

How does incorporating spirituality within the OT process impact well-being/QOL for individuals who have experienced life-altering conditions or diagnoses?

Moving On Up: The Transition From Middle To High School For Neurotypical Adolescents, Corinne Dever, Ots, Julia Forebaugh, Ots, Alexandra Mangino, Ots, Madeline Gamble, Ots, Samantha Morse, Ots, Rebecca Sinko, Otd, Otr/L

Collaborative Research and Evidence shared Among Therapists and Educators (CREATE Day)

Objectives

• Define the role of occupational therapy for the middle to high school transition.
• Identify potential interventions within the scope of occupational therapy to facilitate the transition from middle to high school.
• Acquire the knowledge from current research to apply occupational therapy interventions to neurotypical adolescents transitioning from middle to high school.

PICO Question

What kind of (I) interventions fall within the scope of occupational therapy (O) to increase school participation for (P) neurotypical adolescents transitioning from middle school to high school?

Piloting Relaxation Techniques As Part Of Occupational Therapy Programme In An In-Patient Psychiatric Setting, Humera Saeed, M. Shameel Khan, Natasha Farid

Department of Psychiatry

No abstract provided.

Integrating Art Into Life In Pursuit Of Occupational Balance, Jennifer K. Fortuna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Dr. Sharon Gutman, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, an occupational therapy professor and artist based in New York, provided the cover art for the Summer 2020 edition of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). “Goldfish” is a 10” x 13” watercolor painting. Dr. Gutman has nearly 30 years of experience in clinical practice, higher education, research, and service to the profession. Dr. Gutman pursued a career in occupational therapy because it was a field where she could use her creativity. This decision led to an extraordinary career and a life of service to others. When the demands of a busy lifestyle …