Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Occupational Apartheid, Kimberly Dewey

OTD 721: Cultural Responsiveness & Occupation

Occupational apartheid is a term that is often misunderstood. I wanted to bring more awareness and understanding to a very real concept that happens every day. I hope to have provided education and examples that make it easy to follow along and see how apartheid shows up on a daily basis. Let's work together as future OT professionals to expand our knowledge and practice to decrease experiences of occupational apartheid.

Kimberly Dewey, Class of 2027

Enhancing Intraprofessional Collaboration In Occupational Therapy: Evaluation Of An Online Course For Canadian Ot And Ota Students, Teresa R. Avvampato, Dianna Fong-Lee, Mark Hall, Marcia Finlayson

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

An environmental scan conducted in 2022 highlighted a need for enhanced preparation for collaboration between occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapist assistants (OTAs) in Ontario, Canada. In response, an online course was developed to disseminate knowledge needed for effective OT-OTA intraprofessional collaboration (IntraPC) in the Canadian context. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the online course to improve perceived preparedness among Canadian OT and OTA students for OT-OTA IntraPC. Participants were Master’s-level OT students and diploma-level OTA students studying in Canada (N = 136), who were invited to complete the course by their program instructors. …

Perceptions Of Occupational Therapy Student Fieldwork Readiness In The Acute Care Setting, Jackie Dusing, Lisa Borrero, Elizabeth Horrall Stith, Kristina Watkins

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy student readiness for Level II fieldwork is necessary for preparing novice clinicians and is challenging to assess, as it requires applying didactic knowledge in real-world clinical settings. There is currently a gap in the literature regarding student perceptions of their readiness for Level II fieldwork, especially in the acute care setting. The aim of this qualitative study is to better understand Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) students’ perceptions of readiness for Level II fieldwork in an acute care setting. This basic interpretive qualitative research study utilized a purposeful sampling with students completing their Level II fieldwork in various …

Pitch It Big: Cultivating Entrepreneurism Through Use Of An Innovative Competitive Business Plan And Presentation, Margaret (Peggy) Grill, Erin Epley

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This educational innovation aimed to explore the effectiveness of a student assignment titled ‘Pitch it Big,’ designed to enhance understanding of the business aspects outlined in the accreditation standards for occupational therapy programs. Limited research evidence exists for business education related to occupational therapy. Working in self-chosen groups based on their targeted area of interest, students collaboratively wrote a business plan for a fictitious occupational therapy business or product invention. Students then participated in a competition modeled after the popular television program Shark Tank, where they pitched their business proposals to a panel of experts acting as judges. The panel …

Exploring The Teaching Methods And Approaches Used By Australian Educators To Teach Occupation, Melanie J. Roberts, Barb Hooper, Bernadette Sebar, Jim Woodburn

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy education standards for teaching occupation are inconsistently applied and there is a lack of evidence to inform teaching practice in Australia. This qualitative study explored what teaching methods and approaches Australian occupational therapy educators used in their classroom, and why those methods were used. The research was completed in two phases: narrative inquiry guided Phase I where educators were interviewed about the methods and approaches used to teach occupation. In Phase II video-reflexive ethnography was implemented, where a video recording of teaching was used as a prompt for a reflexive discussion about the educator’s teaching approaches. The interviews …

Culturally Sensitive Mentorship In Occupational Therapy Education, Janet Njelesani, Shanteria Watson, Amanda Gahlot, Ayesha Ahmed, Grace Kim

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Mentorship provides crucial support and guidance for students, significantly influencing their academic and professional success. Mentorship experiences can vary considerably, with students from historically underrepresented groups facing racism, discrimination, and a lack of opportunities in their professional development. Despite the recognized need for culturally sensitive mentorship, there is a lack of literature within occupational therapy that focuses on the mentoring experiences of students from historically underrepresented groups. This study aimed to address this gap by exploring occupational therapy students’ mentoring needs and experiences to inform the future development of culturally sensitive mentoring programs. Utilizing a cross-sectional survey, the study collected …

Occupational Therapy In Oncology: Enhancing Quality Of Life For Head And Neck Cancer Survivors, Anna C. Hildebrand

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

This occupational therapy capstone project was completed through collaboration with a site that aims to eradicate cancer through multidisciplinary patient care, innovative research, and education and training. The purpose of the project is to improve the quality of life (QoL) in Head and Neck Cancer survivors through resources created to enhance self-efficacy, symptom management, and overall well-being throughout the cancer trajectory. The project included the goal of furthering the health care team’s understanding of occupational therapy’s role within the cancer population, specifically HNC, by providing these supportive resources. Educational patient handouts were distributed to HNC care providers to then distribute …

Building Clinical Expertise: An Occupational Therapy Student-Centered Guide To Foundational Orthotic Fabrication Concepts And Splint Patterns, Belinda Cheng

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The purpose of this doctoral capstone was to support student learning in hand therapy by developing a student-centered educational guidebook that introduces fundamental orthotic fabrication concepts and provides visual splint pattern tutorials in an accessible and comprehensive format. Splint pattern development is a foundational step in orthotic fabrication that helps students comprehend how 2D designs translate into 3D orthoses. To enhance clinical skills through direct practice opportunities, this resource features detailed splint pattern modules for 10 commonly fabricated orthoses, each accompanied by background information and model images, while the orthotic educational content promotes self-directed learning by guiding students to understand …

Long Story Short: Addressing Health Literacy In The Acute Care Setting, Madeline K. Ebright

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project targeted patient and family education in the acute care setting. The primary goals were focused on understanding what education was already being provided and what improvements can be made to educational methods. The primary problem that was addressed through a literature review and needs assessment was a lack of physical resources available. Five core resources were then created across three different departments in order to improve the overall system of health education in the acute care setting and consequently improve patient health literacy. To evaluate the efficacy of the resources they were provided to patients and practitioners …

Adverse Childhood Experiences In The School System, Hollie Hedrick

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

Through my ALE, focused on education in Boyd County Public Schools, I implemented trauma-informed interventions to support students affected by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). My goals were to help children develop emotional and sensory regulation skills, educate school staff on how to support students navigating trauma, and raise awareness of the lifelong impact of ACEs and the value of therapeutic services. ACEs—such as abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction—can disrupt childhood development and lead to poor long-term health and increased need for medical and educational services. It is crucial that professionals help students process and manage these experiences. I delivered 1:1 …

3d Printed Adaptive Technology, Mackenzie Polster

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

For my Capstone experience, I worked with Hancock Health in the outpatient department in Greenfield, IN. My primary ACOTE focus areas were program development (creating 3D printed adaptive technology (AT) for patients) and education (educating about benefits of 3D printing for functional use). Project goals included: educate occupational therapists and patients about 3D printed AT benefits, create 3D printed AT for patients, assess 3D printed AT from patient perspective, and assess relevance of 3D printed AT from OT perspective. There is limited existing research of 3D printing being used for AT. 3D printing often is dismissed due to vendors utilizing …

The Effectiveness Of Vivistim On Ue Function Post Chronic Ischemic Stroke, Chelsea G. Tucker

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The purpose of this capstone project was to learn about a new technology, Vivistim, as it enhances upper extremity function post chronic ischemic stroke through vagus nerve stimulation paired with repetitive task-specific therapy. This project took place at UK Healthcare Outpatient Neurorehabilitation at Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. The AOTA/ACOTE focus areas for this project included education and clinical practice. Specific goals included to learn about the role of occupational therapy in the outpatient neurorehabilitation setting, research background information for case study including ischemic stroke, motor relearning, vagus nerve stimulation, and Vivistim technology, gather observations for case study, …

Exploring The Benefits Of Occupational Therapy In Women's Health, Makayla Witt

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The primary goal of this ALE presentation was to educate healthcare providers, patients, and staff on occupational therapist’s contributions to women’s health. In collaboration with Dr. Byram Ratliff at Sterling Women’s Health, I explored the role of occupational therapy in individualized women’s care. Initial research revealed a lack of awareness regarding how occupational therapy can support women through different life stages. This project involved shadowing my site mentor to understand clinic workflows, then assessing baseline knowledge of occupational therapy using an online survey completed by patients, staff, and providers. Survey results identified limited awareness of occupational therapist’s role, prompting the …

Filling The Gap: Ot’S Role In Addressing Emotional Barriers In Vestibular Rehab, Gabby P. Cordas

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project explored the emotional and behavioral barriers that impact vestibular rehabilitation, and how occupational therapy can help fill that gap. It took place at UK Outpatient Therapy at Cardinal Hill, where physical therapy leads vestibular care. However, many patients struggle with anxiety, avoidance, and frustration that interfere with progress. My goal was to observe those patterns, clarify OT’s role, and create practical tools to support more holistic care.

Research shows that psychiatric comorbidities are common in vestibular disorders—especially episodic conditions like vestibular migraine and Ménière’s disease. Emotional responses such as fear, self-doubt, and withdrawal can worsen symptoms and …

Closing The Gap In Ot Practices: Hospice And Palliative Care, Karly French

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The purpose of this Capstone project and Applied Leadership Experience (ALE) was to explore the perspectives of family members and caregivers of individuals who received hospice or palliative care and to advocate for increased occupational therapy (OT) involvement in these settings. Conducted entirely online under the supervision of Dr. Allen Keener, the project focused on the ACOTE areas of research and advocacy. A thorough literature review revealed that while OT is known to be beneficial in end-of-life care, it is often underutilized. Most existing research reflects the views of healthcare providers, with minimal representation of caregiver perspectives. To address this …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Mental And Behavioral Health, Claudia Robertson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The purpose of this capstone was to promote preparedness of occupational therapy (OT) students for mental and behavioral health practice through the creation of a learning module. This project was completed in collaboration with the University of Kentucky College of Nursing Behavioral Health and Wellness Environments for Living and Learning (BH WELL) research team. Recently, OT students reported a perceived lack of preparedness for level II fieldwork (Bergstresser-Simpson et al., 2023). The literature review and SWOT analysis highlighted a gap between the needs of the mental and behavioral health populations and OT student preparation for level II fieldwork. Though the …

Using The Background Of Occupational Therapy To Argue Our Role In Stress Management: Proposed Lines Of Inquiry, Klaire M. Gowins

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The purpose of this ALE presentation is to present research in support of the development of the Student Stress Management Center (SSMC) at EKU. The researchers’ long-term proposition, beyond the scope of this poster, is to effectively communicate to various audiences the importance and occupation-based characteristics of a Student Stress Management Center for students within the higher education setting. In preparation for that goal, this poster reviews scholarly literature relevant to the field of occupational therapy and its philosophical roots to lay groundwork for clarifying whether and how a revised articulation of the philosophical base is needed, relative to the …

Ot For Independence: A Shelter-Based Approach, Joshua A. Dotson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This Capstone project was conducted at the Clark County Homeless Coalition in Winchester, Kentucky, focusing on supporting individuals experiencing homelessness through occupational therapy (OT). The main objective was to understand shelter staff roles and clients’ occupational needs while helping clients engage in meaningful activities to improve their quality of life and independence. Research showed a strong need for OT services among homeless and mentally ill populations, with client-centered, choice-based interventions proving most effective. Tools like the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) informed the approach, though outcome measurement was limited by inconsistent client participation. Nonetheless, the COPM guided meaningful goal-setting. Informal …

Making Waves In Occupation: Advancing Ot Practice Through Aquatic Therapy, Maria E. Luciano

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This doctoral capstone project focused on enhancing the role of occupational therapy (OT) in aquatic therapy through education, advocacy, and clinical practice. Conducted at a YMCA pool in Richmond, KY, the project aimed to increase OT practitioner competence and confidence in delivering aquatic therapy to adults and older adults. Primary goals included developing an educational plan to support occupational performance for aquatic therapy participants, creating a website with OT-specific aquatic therapy resources, and equipping OT students with guidance on entering this nontraditional practice area. A literature review revealed a lack of OT-specific aquatic therapy resources despite evidence supporting its benefits. …

The Power Of Podcasting In Knowledge Translation For Occupational Therapy, Matthew C. Brandenburg

Translational Science in Occupation

No abstract provided.

Facilitating Independence: Developing A Hands-On Life Skills Program For Youth In Residential Treatment, Shayna Rexrode

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Life skills competency in adolescence can be an important predictor of success in adulthood. Educational and training programs focused on life skills can help youth develop the skills that they need to live independently. Though occupational therapy literature surrounding these types of programs is limited, occupational therapy practitioners are qualified to provide intervention in life skills based on the profession’s scope of practice.

This capstone project focused on the development and evaluation of a new life skills program, the Life Skills Practice Program, at a residential treatment facility for youth with substance use and behavioral diagnoses. Stakeholders at the facility …

Perceived Unmet Needs And Barriers To Services Associated With Traumatic Brain Injury In Rural Populations, Megan M. Bruce

Graduate Student Scholarship

This study investigated unmet needs of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and of their caregivers living in rural communities. The objective of this research study was to identify occupational therapy’s role and intervention priorities for individuals with TBI and their caregivers in rural settings. Descriptive statistics were generated from quantitative survey responses obtained from 84 community-dwelling individuals with TBI and 40 caregivers ranging in age from 18 to 80 years. The most identified “barriers” were poor awareness of the ways to receive services (TBI Survivors = 65%, Caregivers = 61%), inadequate professional/provider knowledge about available supports and services (TBI …

Bridging Gaps With Occupational Therapy: The Unique Role Of Occupational Therapy In Women’S Day Shelters, Alex Sato

Doctoral Projects

Homelessness is a multifaceted, complex issue that we face as a society. Mainstream services provided to homeless or vulnerable populations tend to focus on housing and basic services. While these are essential and meaningful, literature suggests there is a lack in trauma and self-care support (Marzana et al., 2023; Milaney et al., 2020). Looking through an Occupational Therapy (OT) lens, there are a multitude of ways the profession can provide holistic care. Current OT service provision within this population most commonly focuses on obtaining and maintaining housing and addressing the survival occupations these individuals may be engaging in (Cunningham & …

Impact Of Sensory Diets On Occupational Performance, Kyndra Holloway, Cassandra Howard, Makena Collin, Princess Pillos

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

This study investigates the impact of individualized sensory diets on children’s occupational performance in daily life. Sensory diets are structured, child-specific interventions designed to facilitate improved sensory processing by integrating activities into established routines. They involve a tailored home program plan, consistent application, and interventions aligned with the child’s specific sensory needs (Wilbarger, 1995).Using a multiple single-case study design, this research examined the outcomes of sensory diets prescribed alongside direct occupational therapy (OT) services for four white male children aged 3 years, 11 months to 5 years, and 8 months with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Participants were recruited through Developmental FX (DFX) …

Resilience Programming For Occupational Therapy Students: A Mixed-Methods Exploration, Meghan Shellooe, Jalina Madriaga, Valerie Perez, Gabriela Velazquez

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

Occupational therapy students and practitioners experience high levels of stress due to classroom and professional demands which can lead to burnout. Resilience is found as a protective factor against stress and burnout. Resilience can be defined as the different ways systems work together to achieve better results than expected, after experiencing adversity. Concepts related to resilience include social connection, self-efficacy, and mindfulness. Research done on resilience programming for students has been shown to support students in navigating the hardships of college. Resilience programming has been found to be effective for occupational therapists in the workplace during high work demands. However, …

Caregiver Perspectives On Sensory Diets, Naomi Sosa, Catharina Smith, Skylar Simpson, Giavanna Stavros

Occupational Therapy | OTD Research Papers

A sensory diet, a targeted sensory intervention designed to address an individual’s sensory needs, requires a child to engage in frequent, brief activities throughout their day that promote an adaptive response and improve occupational performance. While occupational therapists formulate the sensory diet, the role of administering the sensory diet ultimately lies with the child’s caregiver. Several studies have examined the effectiveness of sensory-based interventions and how caregivers support children with sensory processing disorders; however, caregiver perspectives on implementing sensory diets for their children have yet to be studied. Methods: This study used a descriptive, mixed-methods survey approach capturing quantitative data …

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 …

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 …