Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Survey Of Occupational Therapy Students' Attitudes, Knowledge And Preparedness For Treating Lgbt Clients, Deborah J. Bolding, Vivian Rodriguez, Helen Nguyen, Laurie A. Drabble

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Members of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) populations are sexual and gender minorities and are at risk for significant health disparities compared to heterosexual populations. This study examined occupational therapy students’ and recent graduates’ (n=435) basic knowledge, clinical preparedness and attitudinal awareness for working with LGBT clients using the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Development of Clinical Skills Scale (LGBT-DOCSS; Bidell, 2017). Students in the study generally rated themselves low (between three and four on a seven-point scale) on questions related to clinical preparedness, indicating they felt they did not have adequate training relative to working with LGBT clients. …

What Drives Engagement In Professional Associations? A National Survey Of Occupational Therapy Students, Suzanne E. Holm, Patricia Stutz-Tanenbaum, David Greene

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Exploring the factors that influence occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) students to join and participate in professional associations is critical to determine how to extend engagement after graduation. Previous research on health care student participation in professional associations has not included OT or OTA students. The researchers conducted an online quantitative national pilot survey to explore the perceptions of OT/OTA students and to identify supports and challenges for membership. The purposive sampling of currently enrolled students took place over three months in 2017, resulting in 251 responses representing all geographic regions in the United States. The researcher-developed …

Comparing Moral Reasoning Across Graduate Occupational And Physical Therapy Students And Practitioners, Brenda S. Howard, Cheyenne Kern, Olivia Milliner, Lindsey Newhart, Sarah K. Burke

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Practicing clinicians must use moral reasoning to solve ethical problems and combat moral distress. Development of moral reasoning in occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) students has been significantly under researched. The purpose of this study was to analyze the differences in moral reasoning between first year and second year OT and PT students and between students and OT and PT practitioners. Investigators utilized a cross-sectional study design with a convenience sample of University of Indianapolis OT and PT students and a combination of convenience and snowball sampling to recruit licensed OT and PT practitioners. One hundred and fifty-four …

Pre-Entry Selection Assessment Results And Final Degree Outcomes Of Occupational Therapy Students: Are There Relationships?, Sarah Louise Mcginley

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy (OT) admissions tutors are tasked with ensuring the recruitment of high-quality candidates who can demonstrate both academic and professional skills throughout their education and subsequently into practice. While standardized admissions criteria do not exist, it is widely accepted that both cognitive and non-cognitive characteristics should be assessed to establish academic and professional qualities of applicants. Pre-admission qualifications are generally classed as a reliable assessment of academic (cognitive) ability, with literature supporting positive but variable relationships between academic qualifications and degree classifications. Evidence to support trusted assessments of pre-admission professional (non-cognitive) skills is lacking, with ambiguity surrounding relationships between …

Knowledge Translation Approaches In Occupational Therapy: A Scoping Review, Brianna Perkins, Amelia Di Tommaso, Matthew Molineux, Penny Power, Anna Young

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

A gap exists between what is known in occupational therapy and how occupational therapists practice. Knowledge translation approaches have been designed to bridge the gap between research and practice. Currently there is limited literature exploring the knowledge translation approaches being implemented specifically within occupational therapy. Therefore, a scoping review was completed to provide an overview of the existing literature on knowledge translation approaches in occupational therapy. Three electronic databases were searched. All peer-reviewed quantitative and qualitative articles which met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. A data extraction table aided the analysis and synthesis of the literature. The initial search returned …

The Occupational Therapy Examination And Practice Preparation (Otepp) Program: Development, Implementation And Evaluation Of An Educational Program For Internationally-Educated Occupational Therapists, Susan E. Baptiste, Shaminder Dhillon, Kathryn Decker, Nancy Lidstone, Leah Dix, Colleen E. Mcgrath, Pat Mcmahon, Elizabeth Steggles, Claudia Von Zweck

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

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.

Representation Of Theory In Occupational Therapy Education: An International Systematic Mapping Review, 1940-2015, Rachel Heeb, Barb Hooper, Steven D. Taff

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Previous review research has outlined the state of various aspects of occupational therapy education. No reviews, however, have examined how theory, specifically, is represented in educational scholarship. This systematic mapping review explored the way in which theory, as it relates to both occupational therapy practice and pedagogy, has been discussed throughout occupational therapy education scholarship. In the education scholarship, theory pertaining to occupational therapy practice often overlaps with theory pertaining to pedagogy; therefore, both domains were included in the review. A systematic search for occupational therapy education literature published between 1940 and 2015 resulted in 9765 unique citations, 556 of …

Student Perspectives Of The Effective Behaviors Of Occupational Therapy Level Ii Fieldwork Educators, Leah S. Dunn, Stephanie Arias, Alexa Beyer, Elizabeth Hermes, Sydney Radcliff

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy students complete a period of clinical education, when they apply academic learning in clinical situations, supervised by a fieldwork educator. Fieldwork education supports the student in developing technical and clinical reasoning skills, engaging in evidence-based practice, and socialization to the profession. Despite the key role fieldwork educators play in occupational therapy student professional and skill development, evaluation of educator skills and the fieldwork experience are slight. This descriptive study explored occupational therapy fieldwork educator behaviors to determine those behaviors indicative of a quality experience from the student perspective, using the Clinical Teaching Effectiveness Inventory (CTEI). Student responses identified …

Development, Implementation And Evaluation Of Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones: A National Survey, Erika Kemp, Anna Domina, Theresa Delbert, Andrew Rivera, Lydia Navarro-Walker

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Entry-level clinical doctorate degrees are becoming more prevalent in the United States for occupational therapy. As indicated by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education® standards, the doctoral capstone is an essential component to the entry-level doctorate degree. Despite the importance of the doctoral capstone, there have been limited publications about doctoral capstone development, implementation, and evaluation. A retrospective review was completed on qualitative descriptive data from a national electronic survey of entry-level occupational therapy doctoral (EL-OTD) programs regarding implementation of the doctoral capstone experience and project. Fifteen EL-OTD programs responded to the survey. Based on results, there was not …

An International Fieldwork Placement: A Mixed Methods Study, Dianna Lunsford, Kristin A. Valdes

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of an international fieldwork placement on occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) students’ cultural competence, community engagement, and ethical leadership. This study used a mixed methods approach. The Public Affairs Scale (PAS) was used to gather pre and post placement data on cultural competence, community engagement, and ethical leadership. Qualitative data was themed from a reflection paper along with researcher field notes from a fieldwork placement to Ibarra, Ecuador. Eleven OTD students participated in the study. The study demonstrated a convergence of the data in the area of cultural competence and responsiveness. …

Development Of A Financial Literacy Component For A Comprehensive Secondary Transition Program For Diploma-Bound Students With Learning Differences, Rose Marie Borillo

Student Capstone Papers

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), schools are required to provide transition planning for students with disabilities and mental illness by age 16 (Eismann et al, 2017). Occupational therapists have been underutilized in secondary transition planning, despite their expertise in targeting functional abilities, comprehension, and health using activity analysis to promote skill attainment and achieve independence (Mankey 2012; Eismann et al, 2017).

At the Winston School, there was no formal transition program aside from the individual college counseling provided by a staff member. A coordinated transition program was indicated to prepare students for life after high school to …

Developing Financial Literacy Skills For A Secondary Transition Program For Students With Learning Differences, Rose Marie Borillo, Becki Cohill, Susan Macdermott

San Marcos, Fall 2019

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), schools are required to provide transition planning for students with disabilities and mental illness by age 16 (Eismann et al, 2017). Occupational therapists have been underutilized in secondary transition planning, despite their expertise in targeting functional abilities, comprehension, and health using activity analysis to promote skill attainment and achieve independence (Mankey 2012; Eismann et al, 2017).

At the Winston School, there was no formal transition program aside from the individual college counseling provided by a staff member. A coordinated transition program was indicated to prepare students for life after high school to …

Exploring Wheelchair Service Delivery In A Dedicated Seating Department, Cara E. Masselink

Dissertations

This study is a series of three studies aimed at exploring wheelchair service delivery in a department of physical and occupational therapists dedicated to wheelchair seating. The three studies utilized a retrospective analysis to investigate the clinical documentation written by the practicing clinicians between 2007 and 2017. The first study aimed to describe the wheelchair and accessory recommendations made in the 11-year period, in relationship to age and gender. The majority of recommendations in the dedicated seating department were for complex wheelchairs. The results indicated the ratio between standard and complex power mobility devices and four complexities of cushions changed, …

Developing An Ignatian Pedagogy For Occupational Therapy Education In China: The Lived Experience Of The First Two Entry Level Otd, Jesuit Trained Clinicians, Angela Patterson, Alfred G. Bracciano

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

This paper explores the lived experience of the initial two Chinese professionals, competitively selected by a Traditional Chinese Medicine University, to attend and graduate from the Creighton University entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program. The process and challenges facing implementation of an international collaborative relationship between a Jesuit university and a public higher education institution in China is considered along with the challenges facing international students immersed in Jesuit health care education. Highlights of differences between Eastern and Western higher education are suggested in the discussion. A review of Jesuit education in China provides the historical background and context …

Third-Wave Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, And Behavioral Activation, Sonny Misa, Mary Muhlenhaupt, Otd, Otr/L, Faota

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Learning Objectives

• Restate Active Participation, Just-right Challenge, Motivating and Rewarding, and Therapist as Coach in their own words
• Differentiate between Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Third-wave Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Illustrate the difference between meditation and mindfulness
• Discuss the implication of extended Behavioral Activation for occupational therapy practice

Facilitating The Creative Process Through Collaboration, Jennifer K. Fortuna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Miles Parker Scharfenberg, an artist based in Richland, Michigan, provided the cover art for the Fall 2019 edition of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). “Late Night Fireworks” is a 30” x 40” painting made from acrylic on canvas. Born 15 weeks premature, Miles’ multiple health impairments have made it difficult to engage in meaningful occupations, such as painting. With support from his mother, Carol; occupational therapy students; and members of the community; Miles creates colorful abstract expressionist paintings. Collaboration is part of his creative process. In this fifth anniversary issue of OJOT, Occupation and the Artist is following …

Occupational Therapy’S Work And Industry Area Of Practice: Content In Entry-Level Professional Occupational Therapy Curricula: A Survey, Thomas F. Fisher

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process identifies work as an area of occupation that has long been recognized by the profession as an area of practice. This study identified how entry-level professional occupational therapy programs meet educational standards required by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education for educational programs. Standards identified were those that relate to the area of work and industry practice. One hundred and sixty-seven program directors were invited to participate in a survey directed at work and industry occupational therapy practice. Items on the survey related to content taught in their entry-level occupational therapy …

Use Of Standardized Assessments And Online Resources In Stroke Rehabilitation, Susan H. Lin, Pamela R. Bosch, Veronica T. Rowe, Susan E. Fasoli, Jeanne Langan

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The extent to which movement-related standardized assessments and online resources are used in stroke rehabilitation is unclear in the United States.

Method: The researchers used a cross-sectional descriptive survey that examined (a) therapists use of movement-related standardized assessments, (b) factors influencing learning of new assessments, and (c) use of frequency of online resources by occupational therapists and physical therapists in the United States.

Results: Of 151 respondents (46.4% occupational therapists, 53.6% physical therapists), the most frequently used movement-related assessments by occupational and physical therapists were the Berg and Fugl-Meyer Assessment, respectively. More physical therapists use motor-related …

Health Management: Occupational Therapy’S Key Role In Educating Clients About Reliable Online Health Information, Amy Armstrong-Heimsoth, Melissa L. Johnson, Meredith Carpenter, Tincey Thomas, Ashley Sinnappan

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Only 12% of Americans possess proficient health literacy skills. Among those with the lowest health literacy are individuals with chronic health conditions. Occupational therapists are well prepared to assist these clients with health literacy, given our roles in teaching new health management skills and health promotion.

Methods: An educational course was designed and taught to over 100 individuals and caregivers with chronic health conditions to assist in finding and determining trustworthy health information online. An author designed pre postsurvey was used to evaluate effectiveness.

Results: There was a significant pre-post change in four categories: finding quality …

Going Beyond Accessibility By Advocating For Inclusive Playgrounds, Alexander Herrera, Otas, Amanda Shoffner, Otas, Kiondrah Wilson, Otas, Sara Loesche, Ms, Otr/L, Cht

School of Continuing and Professional Studies Posters

Play is the primary occupation of all children and is vital for the development of physical, cognitive, and social-emotional skills. Children of all abilities benefit from play and should all have equal opportunity to use and explore playground equipment. Many community playgrounds are limiting and create barriers which do not allow all children to use them. It is important that occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) step up and utilize their skills and knowledge to bring about a change.

Occupational therapy practitioners, with their knowledge of environmental barriers, understanding of disability and specific knowledge of activities, are in an ideal position to …

Parenting With Down Syndrome: The Role Occupational Therapy Plays, Kalhie M. Mayer, Bs, Otas, Aubrey Rubin, Otas, Jessica Schatzan, Otas, Sara Loesche, Ms, Otr/L, Cht

School of Continuing and Professional Studies Posters

• OTPs can help individuals with Down Syndrome complete their activities of daily living so they can be independent and start a family
• Sex education is an very important area for OTPs to work on with individuals who have Down Syndrome or other intellectual disabilities
• OTPs play a huge role in helping people with Down Syndrome parent efficiently and effectively through various strategies such as recommending adaptations to support the occupations of a parent
• OTPs can be instrumental in advocating for individuals with Down Syndrome who have children through linking them with agencies, completing performance assessments, and testifying in legal proceedings …

Inclusive Community: Exploring The Benefits Of Sensory Friendly Environments, Corinne Hanna, Otas, Shoshana Weisberg, Otas, Sara Loesche, Ms, Otr/L, Cht

School of Continuing and Professional Studies Posters

Sensory friendly environments support inclusivity for children with autism and their families. Environmental barriers often cause an unpleasant experience for children who experience sensory processing disorders. Occupational therapy practitioners have a role in collaborating with teachers for modifications in the classroom and advocating for sensory friendly events within the community to promote engagement in childhood occupations.

Fighting A Battle Against The Opioid Epidemic With Occupational Therapy, Emily Best, Otas, Douglas Milke, Otas, Teresa Vega, Otas, Sara Loesche, Ms, Otr/L, Cht

School of Continuing and Professional Studies Posters

• The opioid epidemic is an opportunity for occupational therapy practitioners to help promote health and wellness within communities, populations, and individuals.
• Occupational therapy practitioners are trained to understand unique learning styles by looking at a person’s habits, roles, routines, environments, performance skills, client factors, etc.
• Occupational therapy’s client-centered and holistic values provide an advantage in adapting intervention strategies to what works best for a particular client or population

Impact Of Spinal Cord Injuries On Occupational Performance And Successful Role Acquisition During Motherhood, Caitlin Defrehn, Bs, Otas, Marie Quainoo, Ba, Otas, Sara Loesche, Ms, Otr/L, Cht

School of Continuing and Professional Studies Posters

OT services can be utilized to optimize a mother’s function, mobility and engagement during and after pregnancy

OTPs can help women with SCIs fulfill the role of mother by providing

• “training, adaptations, and resources” (para. 14)
• “evaluating and recommending wheelchair seating and positioning” (para. 6)
• Evaluating [mental], physical and environmental barriers in the home and community and recommending modifications (para. 8) (AOTA, 2015)

Current literature indicates that there are limited resources for mothers living with SCIs, especially regarding care of infants

Additional research is necessary to “examine the most effective strategies and adaptations” (p.2)

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Oncology: Returning To Work During And After Treatment, Annamarie Scheidell, Otas, Stephanie Sloane, Bs, Ms, Otas, Sara Loesche, Ms, Otr/L, Cht

School of Continuing and Professional Studies Posters

Medical advances have improved the five-year survival rate for patients diagnosed with cancer and some late-stage cancers that once were terminal have now become manageable, chronic conditions. Because of this, more individuals with cancer as well as survivors of cancer are re-entering the workforce. Resuming the role of worker is considered an important step in recovery for many. Occupational therapy (OT) can play an important role in facilitating a successful transition back to work for both cancer patients and survivors.

The Meaning And Motivation Of Children Participating In Animal-Assisted Therapy: A Pilot Study, Beth Laskowski, Melissa Y. Winkle, Whitney Lucas Molitor

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

Background: Despite claims that animal-assisted therapy is beneficial, there is limited empirical evidence supporting this. Current literature supports the physical, emotional, and psychological benefits an animal can provide, but few studies have explored the outcomes of incorporating an animal into skilled treatment facilitated by a healthcare professional. This study seeks to explore the effects of animal-assisted therapy in outpatient pediatric occupational therapy practice.

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to explore the meaningfulness and motivation animal-assisted therapy interventions provide for pediatric clients when compared with traditional occupational therapy treatment.

Methods: Researchers utilized a within-participants repeated-measures design for this study. …

Promoting Healing With Therapeutic Use Of Clay, Jennifer Fortuna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Alice McCall Smith, occupational therapist and artist based in North Carolina, provided the cover art for the Summer 2019 issue of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). The piece, titled “Mother and Child,” is an 8-1/4” tall sculpture made from clay. Alice grew up on a hill sheep farm in the Scottish Highlands. She has used many of the skills learned on the farm in everyday life and in occupational therapy practice. After being diagnosed and treated for depression, Alice turned to sculpting to cope with challenging emotions. The therapeutic use of clay was a meaningful part of her …

Community-Working Occupational Therapists Serving As Fieldwork Supervisors: Characteristics And Associated Factors, Tore Bonsaksen, Anne-Stine Dolva, Sissel Horghagen, Unni Sveen, Cathrine Hagby, Cathrine Arntzen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

As enrollment numbers grow in occupational therapy academic programs in Norway, the need for more fieldwork placements and supervisors increases. More knowledge about factors of importance for occupational therapists’ decisions to take on the role of fieldwork supervisor may promote easier access to supervisors who are ready for the task, and it may assist in addressing the barriers for those who are not. We recruited a sample of 561 community-working occupational therapists for an electronic survey conducted in 2017. Quantitative survey responses were obtained and used in the current study. The differences between supervisors and non-supervisors were examined with independent …

A Preliminary Historical Report On Embracing Online Education In Occupational Therapy, Janel Anne Belarmino, Angela Bahle-Lampe

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The relevance and popularity of online occupational therapy education have been increasingly recognized. This paper describes the historical development of online occupational therapy education. Findings revealed three shifts in occupational therapy education, namely shifts in perception, in mode of instruction, and in the roles of teachers and students. The inception of online education in occupational therapy was a product of technological advancement and the demand for improved access to occupational therapy online education. The early phase of occupational therapy online education was confronted with challenges related to hesitance in the development and implementation of online programs and to negative perceptions …

Challenging The Status Quo: Infusing Non-Western Ideas Into Occupational Therapy Education And Practice, Wanda J. Mahoney, Anne F. Kiraly-Alvarez

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The authors of this Topics in Education article, who are both occupational therapy educators, reflect on challenging concepts related to decolonizing occupational therapy education, an idea they first encountered at the 2018 World Federation of Occupational Therapists Congress. They acknowledge that Western views heavily influence the occupational therapy concepts they teach to their students. The downside of approaching occupational therapy education and practice primarily from a Western worldview is that occupational therapy students and practitioners may perpetuate societal inequities through their practices and are not well-prepared to address the occupational needs of individuals and communities around the world. This article …