Mental Health And Belongingness Of Doctor Of Physical Therapy Students: A Mixed Methods Study Centering Black Student Voices, Robyn Redline

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Background: Despite efforts to increase recruitment and enrollment, the physical therapy profession lacks Black students and clinicians. Racially marginalized students have higher rates of academic difficulty during physical therapy education (PTE) than White students. Mental health and belongingness have been proposed as prerequisites for reaching academic achievement and attaining one’s full potential. Conversely, poor mental health and lack of belongingness during PTE may contribute to the underrepresentation of Black Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students and clinicians. Yet not enough is known about the relationships between mental health, belongingness, and the academic achievement of DPT students. Purpose: This study aimed …

Navigating The Future Of Ot Education: Student Insights On Integrating Course-Specific Ai Chatbots, Laura E. Landon, Nicole Grames, Maggie Gannon, Addison Jarus, Annie Trezza

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education has garnered much attention, prompting educators to thoughtfully examine its implementation within their curricula. This study explores the perceptions of occupational therapy (OT) students regarding the future integration of a novel, course-specific Anatomy AI chatbot: an innovative tool uniquely developed by our internal team to provi¬¬¬de personalized support and resources tailored specifically to the anatomy curriculum. The researchers sought to understand the desired features of a course-specific Anatomy AI chatbot and the factors that influenced student willingness to adopt this technology in their learning experience. Findings revealed that 79% of participants …

Fieldwork Supervision, Motivation And Competency Among Norwegian Community-Based Occupational Therapists, Even E. Edvardsen, Tore Bonsaksen, Sissel Horghagen, Cathrine Arntzen, Unni Sveen, Astrid Gramstad, Ruca E. K. Maass, Linda Stigen

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapists’ supervision of students remains a critical component during occupational therapy education. This study aimed to examine supervision practice, motivation, and competency among community-based occupational therapists in Norway, exploring organizational and personal factors associated with formal and perceived supervision competency, willingness to serve as fieldwork educators, and collaboration with educational institutions. A cross-sectional survey was distributed among occupational therapists in community-based practice in Norway. A total of 617 occupational therapists participated in the study. Free-text responses were thematically analyzed and interpreted. Differences between fieldwork educators and non-fieldwork educators’ training, recency of being fieldwork educators, willingness to assume the role …

Impact Of A Virtual Support Program On Student Success In Neuroscience And Neuroanatomy Courses: Opportunities And Challenges, Abbigail Kubiak, Sue A. Sisto, Janice Tona

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

We investigated the outcomes of a novel neuroscience and neuroanatomy support program (NSP) developed and implemented in the pre-professional phase of an accredited Bachelor of Science/ Master of Science occupational therapy (OT) program. This research demonstrates the potential of targeted small group tutoring as an effective means to promote student success and retention. Modeled after Response to Intervention programs, we used a three-tiered approach to support student success. All students received standard lecture content (Tier 1). Students who desired extra help attended an optional recitation (Tier 2) and students who received a score of 70% or lower on one or …

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 …

Predictors Of Nbcot Examination Pass Rates: The Role Of Gpa, Gre, And Otke Scores In Occupational Therapy Education, Sherri Powers, Lori Eggers Saxby, Christopher Mecklin

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Given the critical role of National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification in occupational therapy (OT) practice, this study examined predictors of NBCOT examination success to inform program improvement. Analyzing data from 59 Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) graduates at a single institution over the course of three years (2020–2022), a retrospective design with logistic regression assessed undergraduate grade point average (GPA), prerequisite GPA, within-program GPA, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, and pre- and post- Occupational Therapy Knowledge Examination (OTKE) scores as predictors of first-attempt NBCOT pass rates. Of 58 students with reported outcomes, 56% passed …

Improving Self-Regulated Learning Among Occupational Therapy Students, Pola Ham

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Many occupational therapy students, particularly first-generation students, face significant academic and social challenges in higher education that affect their self-regulated learning (SRL). SRL involves goal setting, self-monitoring, strategy implementation, and reflection. The rigorous academic demands, combined with the unique challenges experienced by many first-generation students, exacerbate these difficulties, particularly in developing SRL skills, which are essential for academic and professional success. While first-generation students often lack these skills due to a variety of factors, many occupational therapy students also struggle to develop these skills, regardless of background. This narrative review examines the role of SRL in occupational therapy education and …

The Effectiveness Of Botulinum Toxin Injections In The Management Of Chronic Neck And Shoulder Myofascial Pain: A Nursing Perspective, Jia Zhou

Nursing | Senior Theses

Abstract

Background

Chronic neck and shoulder myofascial pain has long been challenging patients and medical professionals due to its limited response to traditional therapies on top of high recurrence. Physical therapy, oral analgesics, and trigger point injections have only provided partial or short-term relief. As a result, botulinum toxin type A injections have been explored as an alternative treatment. Previous studies have shown promising short-term outcomes, but concerns regarding long-term safety, cost-effectiveness, and potential adverse effects, particularly in older adults, have remained unresolved. These gaps have highlighted the need for comprehensive evaluation from both clinical and nursing perspectives.

Objective

The …

The Impact Of Professionalism Education And Formative Feedback In Doctor Of Physical Therapy Students Utilizing The Abbreviated Cpi Feedback Form In The On-Campus Clinic Environment, William L. Scott

Dissertations

Problem

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) developed the Clinical Performance Instrument (CPI) to assess the professional behaviors required for a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) student to be considered "entry level" in their clinical training. Feedback from our clinical partners has indicated that, historically, students from the Andrews University DPT program have scored lower than students from other programs in several areas of the CPI during their clinical experiences. According to subjective reports from our clinical partners, these areas included safety, professional behavior, accountability, communication, and critical thinking. These five areas have been the focus of our efforts in …

Translating Knowledge Of Functional Cognition Into Occupational Therapy Practice, Mckenzie R. Behrendt, Emilea Rogers, Azia Ourada, Sara Mengler, Mackenzie Post, Stacy Smallfield

Translational Science in Occupation

Functional cognition is a critical component for safely and effectively performing daily occupations. Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners are uniquely positioned and trained to address functional cognition while considering a client’s abilities and environments. A multimedia e-learning module was developed as a teaching modality to enhance understanding and application of functional cognition concepts for OT students and practitioners. As educators, it is important to assess the effectiveness of the teaching and learning experiences we create. We evaluated the multimedia e-learning module for quality, value, and usefulness using critical reflection perspectives. These perspectives included a literature review, as well as from learner, …

Newly Credentialed Athletic Trainers' Onboarding Process During The Transition To Practice, Ashley B. Thrasher, Stacy E. Walker, Julie M. Cavallario

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context: As new athletic trainers (ATs) transition into their roles, some employers provide orientation and onboarding to assist with the transition to practice. Research in which authors outline the ideal onboarding process for new ATs transitioning to practice is lacking.

Objective: To examine the onboarding process for new ATs.

Design: Grounded theory.

Setting: College or university, secondary school, and hospital or clinic.

Patients or other participants: Seventeen newly credentialed, employed ATs who recently graduated from professional masters' programs (11 female, 6 male; 25.6 ± 2.2 years) and 12 employers (6 female, 6 male; years in role supervising new ATs: 8.5 …

Comparing Immersive And Nonimmersive Clinical Experiences In Athletic Training Education: Effects On Student Engagement And Confidence, Julie M. Cavallario, Shana Pribesh, S. E. Walker

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context

With the shift to a graduate-level professional degree in athletic training, it was hypothesized that immersive clinical experiences (ICEs) would be more effectively integrated into curricula than non-ICEs (N-ICEs) and better prepare students for practice.

Objective

To longitudinally compare clinical engagement opportunities in ICEs versus N-ICEs and assess if these opportunities are associated with changes in student confidence in performing related tasks.

Design

Prospective, longitudinal, time-diary study using a Web-based survey. Patients or Other Participants: Fifty-three first-year, master’s-level athletic training students from 21 programs.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Participants reported their type of clinical experience (ICE, N-ICE, or none), the …

The Impact Of Onboarding During Transition To Practice For Newly Credentialed Athletic Trainers, Ashley B. Thrasher, Stacy E. Walker, Julie M. Cavallario

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context

As new athletic trainers (ATs) transition into their roles, some employers provide extensive orientation and onboarding to assist with the transition to practice (TTP); however, onboarding practices are inconsistent. Understanding how onboarding affects TTP can help employers implement impactful onboarding tactics.

Objective

Examine how the onboarding experience impacted the TTP and the effects of the process on individuals.

Design

Grounded theory.

Setting

Secondary school, hospital/clinic, college/university.

Patients or Other Participants

Seventeen newly credentialed, employed ATs who had graduated from professional masters' programs (11 female, 6 male; age = 25.6 ± 2.2 years) participated in this grounded theory study.

Data …

Hypnosis And Mindfulness Audio Recordings For Reducing Fatigue In Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Study, Mark P. Jensen, Susan Robles, Michael G. Nash, Susanne May, Dwan M. Ehde, Melissa A. Day, Owen Gottlieb, Laurence I. Sugarman, Kevin N. Alschuler

Articles

Background

Fatigue is a common problem in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective

The objective was to evaluate the effects on fatigue of having 4 weeks of

access to audio recordings of therapeutic hypnosis (HYP) and mindfulness meditation

(MM) practices.

Methods

A total of 333 individuals with MS and fatigue were randomly assigned to

one of the three treatment conditions for 28 weeks: (1) access to therapeutic HYP audio

recordings, (2) access to MM audio recordings, or (3) no access to recordings

(treatment as usual or TAU). Fatigue impact (primary outcome) and other outcomes

were assessed at 4, 16, and …

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

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

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

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 …

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

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

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

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

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

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

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

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

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

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

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

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

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

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

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

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

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

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

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

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

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

Professionalism…What Is It Anyway? Researching And Communally Defining An Elusive Social Construct In Occupational Therapy Programs, Carol Lambdin-Pattavina

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

For its entirety, the profession of occupational therapy’s understanding of and approach to the development of professionalism in occupational therapy students (OTS) has remained relatively static and based largely on a White, Western, and male-dominated understanding of professionalism and how it manifests in academic environments. This understanding and approach are highly problematic in that it does not take into account the kaleidoscope of cultural differences that require occupational therapy practitioners to show up in different ways based on the needs and preferences of clients, communities, and populations. This research qualitatively analyzed existing documents containing references to professionalism utilized in one …

Factors Influencing Reflection And Self-Assessment Of Simulation Performance: Comparing Student And Preceptor Ratings, Kaitlin R. Sibbald, Diane E. Mackenzie

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Simulation with simulated patients is increasingly used in occupational therapy. Ensuring the debrief component meets student needs to develop their self-assessment skills for participating in a self-regulating profession is essential. This explanatory mixed-methods research sought to explore factors contributing to accurate and inaccurate self-assessment of simulation performance for novice occupational therapy learners in a part-time introductory fieldwork course. Self-ratings and preceptor-ratings of performance on eleven simulation objectives were compared for sixty-five novice occupational therapy students. Factor analysis was used to explore contributors to differences in ratings between students and preceptors. Students’ written plus-delta debrief reflections were analyzed to explore what …

Vision Rehabilitation In Ot And Ota Curricula: A Survey To Academic Programs, Angela Butler, Beth A. Barstow

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapists are trained to evaluate and treat occupational performance problems. Client factors, such as vision, greatly impact an individuals’ ability to participate in meaningful occupations. New accreditation standards do not include language related to vision. Therapists must be prepared to evaluate and treat the increasing prevalence of visual challenges from children with cerebral visual impairment to older adults with age related conditions. This survey explored how vision rehabilitation is covered in accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant programs and the expertise of faculty teaching vision content. A thirteen-question survey was sent to accredited programs. Questions included multiple response, …

Student Perceptions Of The Effectiveness Of Simulated Versus Clinical Experiences In Learning Clinical Skills, Joanne M. Baird, Tracy Van Oss, Maureen Hoppe, Jean Prast, Audrey Zapletal, Ketki Raina

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy education programs use simulation and clinical environments to teach students clinical skills. However, students’ perceptions of how these environments meet their learning needs are not known. The objective of this study was to explore entry-level occupational therapy students’ perceptions of the effectiveness of simulation and clinical environments in learning clinical skills. This was an observational study, measuring the students’ perceptions after engaging in simulations and clinical environments. Participants were occupational therapy students enrolled in Master's and Doctorate programs (N = 460) in five accredited entry-level occupational therapy programs. Students completed the Clinical Learning Environment Comparison Survey (CLECS). CLECS …

Developing A Trauma Informed Occupational Therapy Workforce, Shruti Gadkari, Ethan A. Mcmahan

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Trauma is a prevalent condition that impacts individuals, groups, and populations. Trauma informed care (TIC) is a strengths-based approach that was developed to address the pervasiveness of trauma and prevent re-traumatization. Occupational therapy practitioners are likely to encounter individuals and groups who have experienced trauma and need to be familiar with the impacts of trauma as well as principles of TIC. While trauma and TIC concepts have been taught as learning modules, workshops, or continuing education courses, this study adopts the innovative approach of integrating these concepts across a two-course sequence on pediatric occupational therapy through readings, didactic content, and …

Harnessing Social Media For Occupational Therapy Graduate Program Recruitment, Rebecca Ozelie, Annika Knuth

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The occupational therapy (OT) profession faces a national enrollment decline, with many United States graduate programs struggling to fill seats. As social media use continues to rise among young adults, OT programs may benefit from leveraging digital platforms to enhance visibility and attract qualified applicants. This study explored how prospective students engage with OT program social media accounts and what content influences their admissions decisions. Using a cross-sectional survey design, 161 current or incoming OT graduate students from programs across the United States were surveyed about their social media habits during the admissions process. Results revealed that 69.5% of participants …

Factors Influencing Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program Offer Acceptance Across Student Demographics, Megan Hoover, Mckenna Johnson, Colleen Bullen, Elizabeth K. Schmidt, Jackson M. Miller

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This research study aimed to identify key factors influencing Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) students' acceptance of program offers. An online survey was developed based on relevant literature and study objectives and validated through expert review. A total of 281 students, including a sub-set of students from underrepresented backgrounds (n=70), across the United States completed the survey. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, Chi-square tests with Bonferroni correction, and multinomial logistic regression including demographic variables and factors moderately to strongly influencing program acceptance. Qualitative responses were analyzed using content analysis. Key findings reveal geographic location, application process, cost …