Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Supporting Successful Community Reintegration For Maricopa Reentry Center Residentsjustine, Justine C. Gonzales

OT Student Capstones

In 2018, the combined state and federal imprisonment rate was 431 sentenced prisoners per 100,000 U.S. residents (BJS, 2020). Arizona is #5 in the nation with the highest imprisonment rate, 559 sentenced prisoners per 100,000 state residents (BJS, 2020). As of May 2020, there are currently approximately 5,300 offenders under community supervision in Arizona with a majority (4,600 offenders) serving a Truth in Sentencing (TIS) (ADC, 2020).

Barriers to reintegration: laws and legal restrictions, societal stigma and employer attitudes, limited education, limited cognitive skills, limited work experience, inadequate job skills, unstable housing, inadequate social services, lack of a state-issued identification …

Occupational Therapy For A Child With Food Protein Induced Enterocolitis In An Outpatient Multidisciplinary Intensive Feeding Program: A Case Report, Kristel Ferrer

OT Student Capstones

Objective: This article presents a case report of a child with food protein induced enterocolitis,

various feeding difficulties, and poor sensory processing. It discusses the significance of occupational therapy in a multidisciplinary feeding therapy team and describes the outpatient occupational therapy-based plan and interventions during 14 weeks of an intensive feeding therapy program.

Method: Chart review of assessments and daily treatment notes and clinical observations were examined. Progress towards goals was obtained through daily treatment notes and informal parental interviews. Results: Improvement in occupational performance and participation in mealtime and play is captured through daily treatment notes and clinical observations. …

Pet Pals Program: Experiences Of Volunteer Residents Providing Friendly Pet Visits To Individuals In A Memory Support Unit, Kelsey Odell

OT Student Capstones

Studies show that animal-assisted therapy modalities have an effect on motivation for participation, behavioral or psychosocial regulation, and physical and cognitive functions in individuals with dementia. Dementia is a progressive neurocognitive disorder that affects cognition and memory. As the disease progresses, skills needed to participate in activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), community engagement and socialization decrease, making maximal independence more difficult. The Pet Pals Program provides educational and teaching concepts to volunteers and their pets to provide friendly pet visits to those in the memory support units. The program emphasizes the benefits of …

Use Of Intentional Play On Emotional Self-Regulation In Children With Trauma Histories, Erin Sullivan

OT Student Capstones

The purpose of this Capstone research project was to examine the impact of intentional play as a means to increase emotional self-regulation skills in children with traumatic histories and explore how Occupational therapists (OTs) can use such strategies while working with this population. The research was conducted at an emergency children’s shelter and consisted of an educational component for staff and direct contact with the children. Eight staff members participated, and data was gathered on 22 children (N=22) over a span of five weeks. An outcome measurement adapted from the Short Child Occupational Profile (citation needed) was used to obtain …

Incorporating Functional Hand Assessments As Outcome Measures In Burn Rehabilitation: A Pilot Study, Kristin Hazak

OT Student Capstones

Purpose: To incorporate the use of two hand function assessments, the Sollerman Hand Function Test (SHT) and the Brief-Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (bMHQ), in the outcomes measure protocol at a regional burn center for improving functional assessment and recovery progress tracking of burn injured hands. Methods: Seven participants were included in this pilot study. Inclusion criteria were individuals 10 years of age and older with current admission to the Arizona Burn Center with a primary diagnosis of partial thickness (2nd degree) to full thickness (3rd degree) burn injury, including at least one hand, with no restriction on TBSA or agent. …

The Occupational Therapy Examination And Practice Preparation (Otepp) Program: Development, Implementation And Evaluation Of An Educational Program For Internationally-Educated Occupational Therapists, Colleen E. Mcgrath

Occupational Therapy Publications

This paper provides a chronological overview of the development, implementation, and evaluation of an educational initiative aimed at ensuring internationally-educated occupational therapists are prepared to enter practice in their new country, Canada. The three major phases of the program’s 12-year evolution are described, to distill the key lessons learned at each phase. Data related to the demographics of participants, program content, results of the national examination, registration, and employment outcomes are included. An enhanced understanding of the transition experience of internationally educated occupational therapists provides a strong foundation from which to support internationally-educated colleagues and strengthen the occupational therapy profession.

An Educational Workshop Discussing Implementation Of Yoga Techniques In Occupational Therapy In An Acute Care Setting, Tatsiana Karcheuskaya

MOT Student Capstones

My project focused on benefits of incorporation of yoga elements to occupational therapy interventions in an acute care setting. My goal was to improve functional outcomes and perceptions of well-being for clients in an acute care. The objectives were to locate and analyze available evidence supporting incorporation of yoga breathing techniques and mindfulness to occupational therapy in acute care; educate occupational therapy practitioners working in an acute care on possibilities of utilizing yoga techniques during therapeutic interventions; to determine if provided information improved knowledge of the participants regarding the subject and if they felt comfortable utilizing suggested techniques with the …

Stakeholder Perceptions On Transitioned Foster Youth Work Outcomes: A Mixed Methods Study In San Antonio, Bonnie Inkel

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Purpose: This examination of stakeholder perceptions on transitioned foster youth work outcomes is a crucial step to identify service strengths and barriers, characteristics of successful/unsuccessful outcomes, and opportunities for occupational therapy collaboration in San Antonio, Texas.

Method: A mixed-methods approach identified perceptions from two groups of stakeholders. Group I included transitionedfoster youth ages 18–24, and group II involved public/private agency professionals working with youth. Small sample sizes prevented traditional statistical analysis, but the Excel VARA (variance) statistical function analyzed numerical spread combinations from collected data, thus providing quantitative analysis.

Results: Participants confirmed they had not completed a similar survey on …

Occupational Therapy’S Needs Assessment For Service Navigation For Children With Autism, Kristina Lauren Paula

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background. This capstone project brings to our attention the importance of occupational therapy’s role in meeting the continued needs of children with autism. As the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) continues to increase, so does the disparity in the accessibility of services for children and their families. Therefore, it is imperative to facilitate a diagnostic process and identify the child’s specific needs, to implement early intervention strategies. The medical model of disability, an internationally recognized approach in diagnosing children withautism, views autism as a problem that individually belongs to the child. Although the current medical model is preferred by …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Impact Of Stroke On Marriage: Life Satisfaction And Occupational Performance In Daily Life, Melissa Arwood

Online Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Following a stroke, an individual may experience physical, cognitive, and emotional changes. For individuals in a marital relationship, the spouse’s life is also impacted post-stroke. The majority of current literature regarding the impact of stroke on marriage focuses on one spouse. This study sought to address this gap by exploring the impact of stroke on the marital dyad.

Method: A qualitative, phenomenological approach was used for this study. Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Colaizzi’s method as explained by Shosha (2012).

Findings: Four couples, eight participants were included in this study. One …

Living With A Chronic Condition: Perspectives Of College Students At A Public Institution Of Higher Education, Kelley Lynn Harlan

Online Theses and Dissertations

Chronic conditions are ongoing, have a pattern of recurrence or deterioration, and produce consequences impacting an individual’s quality of life. An estimated 164 million Americans are expected to be affected by chronic conditions by the year 2025 (Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, 2016). College students with chronic conditions face unique challenges making it difficult to succeed in traditional degree programs due to unpredictable shifts in wellness. The purpose of this qualitative research was to discover the lived experience of college students with chronic conditions. Eight adult, full-time, traditional university students with chronic conditions were recruited and participated in a one-time, …

An Evaluation Of The Factor Structure And Internal Consistency Of The ‘Conceptions Of Learning’ And ‘Preferences For Teaching’ Measures In American Occupational Therapy Students, Tore Bonsaksen, Adele Breen-Franklin

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

When planning to use measurement scales in new samples and contexts, examining the scales’ psychometric properties is an important initial step. This study examined the factor structure and internal consistency of two measures that are part of the Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students (ASSIST) – the Conceptions of learning and Preferences for teaching and courses – in a sample of American occupational therapy students. The students (n = 115) completed the measures and provided basic sociodemographic information. Scale structure was examined with Principal Components Analysis (PCA), while consistency between scale items was assessed with mean inter-item correlations. …

Exploring Sleep Health Among Occupational Therapy Students, Kathy M. Yang, Stacy Smallfield

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

A substantial number of health-professional graduate students do not follow the national recommendation of obtaining at least seven hours of sleep per day. Decreased sleep duration and quality are strongly associated with daytime sleepiness and dysfunction, academic burnout, low academic performance, and mental health symptoms and disorders. However, limited research exists on sleep health among occupational therapy (OT) graduate students. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore OT graduate student perspectives on sleep and to measure their sleep duration, quality, and practices to inform sleep promotion strategies for increased student well-being. A mixed-method study with a cross-sectional design …

The Critical Friend: Development Of A Peer Supervision Training For A Student-Run Occupational Therapy Clinic, Anne Murphy-Hagan, Lauren E. Milton

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

An occupational therapy program at a research institution in the Midwest offers a student-run outpatient stroke clinic to prepare learners for the student-to-clinician transition. Notably, the students practice peer supervision in which participants with roughly the same level of training monitor, evaluate, and support one another. This project details the development of The Critical Friend, an evidence-based peer supervision training program implemented in a student-run occupational therapy clinic. The ADDIE Model of Instructional Design, which classifies five phases of instruction implementation (analyze, design, development, implementation, and evaluation) was utilized to translate research knowledge into a learning deliverable. This paper …

What Does The Evidence Say About Student, Fieldwork Educator, And New Occupational Therapy Practitioner Perceptions Of Successful Level Ii Fieldwork And Transition To Practice? A Scoping Review, Blakeney Patterson, Mariana D'Amico

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This study explored occupational therapy (OT) student, fieldwork educator, and new practitioner perceptions of successful Level II fieldwork experiences and how those experiences related to transitioning into practice. A scoping review was conducted where articles related to OT fieldwork experiences were analyzed using key terms and databases. A total of 14 articles related to OT fieldwork experiences and transitions into practice were critically analyzed. Three studies explored student perceptions of fieldwork experiences and perceived self-efficacy, two studies investigated student perspectives of fieldwork educators, four studies explored transition to practice of recently graduated OT students, two studies investigated student perceptions of …

Masters To Doctorate: Impact Of The Transition On One Occupational Therapy Program, Rebecca Ozelie, Kia Ashley Burks, Samantha Lee, Kathryn Riggilo, Michelle Sivak

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Within the field of occupational therapy, the issue of transitioning from an entry-level master's degree to an entry-level doctorate degree is under debate. As such, it is important to investigate the impact of the transition in order to help make educated decisions about the potential future of the profession.This study analyzed retrospective data collected from six cohorts at one Midwestern university to analyze the impact of the transition to an entry-level doctorate on diversity, admission and matriculation rates, and fieldwork reservations. No statistical difference in diversity between masters and doctorate level cohorts was found but it is of note that …

Teaching And Learning Occupation In Occupational Therapy Education: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis, Mikaylah Miller, Melanie J. Roberts

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupation is the core focus of the occupational therapy profession and is a complex concept for students to know and understand. The aim of this review was to understand how teaching and learning occupation has been represented by educators and students across qualitative studies in occupational therapy education. A qualitative evidence synthesis was conducted which included searching four databases; CINAHL, Medline, Scopus, and Embase. Research articles were screened using inclusion and exclusion criteria by two reviewers. The search resulted in 328 records being identified, with 13 articles included. The methodological quality of included articles was assessed using the Critical Appraisal …

The Use Of Video In The Occupational Therapy Graduate Classroom, Stephanie Bachman

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

As the cost of graduate education continues to rise and occupational therapy moves toward a value-based reimbursement system, the development of clinical reasoning skills in a short timeframe becomes increasingly more important in occupational therapy education. Incorporating the use of video into occupational therapy curricula is an effective method of introducing and reinforcing material, developing critical thinking skills, and refining skills of interpersonal communication, observation, and documentation. Determining which technology to use, and how to integrate it effectively into a course, can be overwhelming for instructors, especially those new to using video applications. This article introduces various types of video …

Effectiveness Of Instructor-Led Discussion Versus Simulation To Prepare Students For Fieldwork, Elena W. Espiritu, Thu M. Can, Natalie N. Michaels, Allison Koch, Beth F. Hallmark

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy students do not always feel prepared to start fieldwork. The study purposes were to 1) measure the effectiveness of refresher sessions on students’ perceived self-efficacy, knowledge, and skills related to fieldwork preparedness and 2) determine whether using simulation with standardized patients (SPs) was more effective than a discussion-based format. The participants (N=34) were entry-level occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) students. Four students acted as a control group while the remaining 30 students were randomly assigned to experimental groups (discussion or simulation). Outcome measures included a readiness for fieldwork survey (quantitative self-reported ratings and qualitative questions), a knowledge-based exam, and …

Mindfulness In The Occupational Therapy Classroom: Infusing Grit, Gratitude Practice, And A Growth Mindset Into Ot Education, Amy Mattila, Elizabeth D. Deiuliis, Retta M. Martin, Jemma Grogan

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

With the rigor of occupational therapy programs increasing to meet the demands of the diverse healthcare system, students are reporting stress and anxiety at an increasing rate. This mixed methods study assessed the outcomes of occupational therapy students who participated in a comprehensive mindfulness program that included interventions on grit, gratitude practice, and growth mindset. Twenty-four occupational therapy students participated in the 10-week mindful-based intervention program prior to a Level I fieldwork experience. Data was collected pre- and post-intervention using the 12-item Grit Scale, the Gratitude Questionnaire (GQ-6), the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ), journal entries, and a satisfaction …

Physical And Occupational Therapy For Young Children With Delayed Motor Development: Exploring Current Practices, Challenges, And Families’ Implementation Of Home Activities In Early Intervention, Afnan Gmmash

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

The literature supports the use of family-centered early intervention(EI) for young children with or at risk for cerebral palsy (CP) to promote the children’s motor development. Young children with or at risk for delayed motor development in their first three years of life are entitled to EI under Part C of The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act. Identifying current EI provided for young children with delayed motor development is essential to detect possible gaps and factors that could prevent therapists from providing the best EI. Understanding the parent’s perspective on the implementation of activities outside therapy to maximize the …

Occupational Therapy In Haiti: A Pilot Study To Identify Intervention Methods Used During Short-Term Medical Missions, Sheelagh M. Schlegel, Kathleen Mathieson

Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications

Due to the shortage of occupational therapists (OTs) in Haiti and over 800,000 individuals with disabilities, most occupational therapy assessments and interventions are provided by OTs on short-term medical missions (STMMs). Learning which methods OT use to provide assessments and interventions during these STMMs is the first step to understanding how to facilitate followup and carry-over for clients and ensure longevity for STMMs in Haiti. This study used a cross-sectional, descriptive design to gather data on methods used by OTs. Thirty-three OTs, who travelled to Haiti on STMMs, completed a 16-question, online survey. The most common method provided by OTs …

Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: Linking Motor And Process Skills, Sensory Patterns, And Psychiatric Symptoms, Lola Halperin, Janet Falk-Kessler

Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications

Background: Consistent evidence suggests sensory abnormalities and skill deficits in people with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder (SSD). Further exploration of their sensory patterns and performance skills is warranted to promote community participation among these individuals.

Method: This study examined sensory patterns and motor and process skills in relationship to psychiatric symptoms in adult patients with SSD. Participants were evaluated using the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile, the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills, and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale.

Results: Of the 18 participants, the majority showed sensory differences, deficits in motor and process skills, and the presence of moderate to severe symptoms. …

Developing An Assessment Of Reading Impairment And Its Impact On Occupational Performance In Older Adults With Glaucoma In A Metropolitan Area Of The Southeastern Us: A Mixed Methods Approach, Robin Deacy

All ETDs from UAB

According to the United States Administration on Aging (AOA, 2014), the population of individuals over 65 will be 98 million by the year 2060, doubling its 2014 estimates. As our population ages, the prevalence of glaucoma increases. Vision loss resulting from glaucoma can limit participation in valued occupations including engagement in reading. It has long been thought that mobility issues and glare sensitivity were the main factors that characterized glaucoma. In the late 1990s and early 2000s researchers began to examine quality of life (QoL) in those with glaucoma. It was during these early QoL studies that the first reports …

A Pilot Study Exploring The Impact Of Interprofessional Simulation On Role Clarity And Student Readiness For Collaborative Clinical Practice, Shira Schecter Weiner, Laura Hagan, Julie F. Kardachi

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Interprofessional collaboration is recognized as a healthcare practice paradigm that may decrease overall costs and minimize errors. Yet it remains common for practitioners to provide care within silos, inadequately considering the impact of their decisions on other providers and overall costs, which ultimately may negatively impact the patient. Integrating interprofessional collaboration in school curricula can establish the importance of this approach to healthcare. For optimal efficacy, every professional in the healthcare team must recognize their unique role and the roles of others, to allow for seamless interprofessional collaboration. Simulation is a teaching tool that provides students with the opportunity …

Cultural Competency: Integrating An Evidence-Based Course For Increasing Inclusive Practices, Tracy A. Chappell, Ingrid Provident

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

PURPOSE: The United States is rapidly becoming more culturally diverse; thus, therapists need to be equipped with an adequate skill set to provide culturally inclusive services. Although educational institutions and continuing education courses provide some form of cultural competency training, there is no standardized approach currently for occupational therapists. METHODS: This article describes an evidenced-based course which was used to develop cultural competence among 11 occupational therapy practitioners. The online components included activities to increase knowledge, skills, comfort, awareness, and resources for practice settings. A pre-test/post-test format using the Clinical Cultural Competency Questionnaire (CCCQ) was used to gather quantitative information. …

Do Beliefs About Knowledge Predict Occupational Therapy Students’ Critical Thinking? A Longitudinal Correlational Study, Anita W. Mitchell, Walter Stevens, Vikki G. Nolan

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Beliefs about knowledge and knowing, or epistemic and ontological cognition (EOC), are potential influences on critical thinking, yet little research exploring these relationships has been published in educational literature or in occupational therapy (OT). This study examined the association between domain-general and OT-specific EOC and critical thinking in OT students. The Epistemological Beliefs Inventory, modified Four-Quadrant Scale, and Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal were administered to a convenience sample of 102 OT students, before and after the didactic portion of an OT program. Results of logistic regression indicated that only the general belief in an omniscient authority as a source of …

Professional Identity Of Undergraduate Occupational Therapy Students, Harrison Gray, Kay Colthorpe, Hardy Ernst, Louise Ainscough

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Throughout the development of an individual, their identity, or how they see themselves, frequently changes. An important part of identity formation in adolescents is the development of professional identity, which is how they perceive themselves in a professional context. The establishment of a strong professional identity has been linked to life satisfaction, psychological well-being and success in one’s chosen career. The aim of this study was to identify the extent of professional identity development in second year undergraduate occupational therapy students. As part of an assessment task, students were asked to describe why they chose occupational therapy, how they saw …

Prevalence And Types Of Incivility In Occupational Therapy Fieldwork, Deborah J. Bolding, Travis Dudley, Adrienne Dahlmeier, Lauren Bland, Aimee Castro, Adrianna Covarrubias

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Civility between health professions students and fieldwork educators enhances positive learning outcomes, while incivility can lead to stress, loss of confidence, mistakes, disengagement, and decreased patient outcomes. A survey of recent graduates of occupational therapy programs (N = 247) explored the prevalence and types of incivility and bullying experienced during their Level II fieldwork experiences. Respondents reported that incivility in fieldwork education was widespread, with more severe experiences of bullying reported by 16% of respondents. Occupational therapy programs and fieldwork educators must take an active role in prevention and management of uncivil behaviors, and promote positive academic and patient …

Characteristics Of Occupation-Based Education Within Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Programs: Professional Leaders' Perspectives, Georgia Canty, Melanie J. Roberts, Matthew Molineux

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy is a profession concerned with promoting health and well-being through occupation, and accordingly occupation should permeate all aspects of the profession. Entry-level education is the primary means by which new members of the profession become educated about occupation and its place in occupational therapy practice. Therefore, it is essential that education reflects the core concept of the profession. To date there have been individual opinions about occupation-based education but no studies have documented the characteristics that demonstrate this approach from the perspective of professional leaders. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted to explore professional leaders’ views on, and …