Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Factors Associated With Academic Performance Among Second-Year Undergraduate Occupational Therapy Students, Tore Bonsaksen, Brian J. Ellingham, Tove Carstensen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Research into occupational therapy education and its outcomes for students is growing. More research is needed to determine the factors of importance for occupational therapy students’ academic outcomes. This study aimed to investigate factors associated with academic performance among second-year undergraduate occupational therapy students in Norway.

Methods: Occupational therapy students (n = 111) from two education programs completed questionnaires asking for sociodemographic, work-related, and education-related information. Hierarchical linear regression analysis was used to examine factors independently associated with the students’ academic performance.

Results: A higher age was associated with better average academic performance among the students, whereas having …

Co-Constructing Simulations With Learners: Roles, Responsibilities, And Impact, Diane E. Mackenzie, Kathleen E. Collins, Mylene J. Guimond, Abby C. Hunter, Kassia J. Jurcina, Johanna L. Mcdonald, Nikki L. Richards, Stephanie. H. Sinclair, Kelsey Y. Taylor

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Co-constructed simulations were designed and piloted with senior occupational therapy master’s students in a neurorehabilitation practice module. The instructor served as the guide for the students through all phases of the case creation, simulation development, delivery, and debrief. The instructor facilitation promoted self-regulated learning (SRL) of knowledge and skill development through independent discovery and peer learning. This paper provides an evidence-informed co-construction simulation design with outlined stages, roles, and responsibilities for the instructor and learner. Thematic qualitative analysis of student feedback highlighted enhanced insight and SRL as a result of multiple role preparation, observation and interaction with peers, close interaction …

Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Educator Practices And Preferences In Clinical Education, Kaitlyn Ryan, Melanie Beck, Lee Ungaretta, Magdalena Rooney, Elaina Dalomba, Leamor Kahanov

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The shortage of clinical education fieldwork sites coupled with a concern over the quality of the required fieldwork experience poses an unintended outcome for the recent changes in the health care system and an increasing number of occupational therapy students. While the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) issues standards for fieldwork education, the quality of the experience is known to vary. The present study employed a mixed methods concurrent nested design with a quantitative online survey alongside qualitative individual semi-structured online interviews to examine the practices and preferences of fieldwork educators in Pennsylvania ACOTE accredited programs. From the …

Balancing Efficacy And Effectiveness With Philosophy, History, And Theory-Building In Occupational Therapy Education Research, Barbara Hooper, Jyothi Gupta, Andrea Bilics, Steven D. Taff

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The preferred focus for education research in occupational therapy increasingly rests on studies that investigate efficacy and effectiveness in the teaching-learning context. While important, the almost exclusive promotion of outcomes-focused studies can come at the expense of other forms of inquiry, including philosophy, history, and theory-building. To fully inform education and enhance practice, outcomes-focused research needs the conceptual foundation provided by philosophical, historical, and theory-building studies. In this paper, the authors suggest that the research enterprise in occupational therapy education is in its infancy and, therefore, quite susceptible to shortcuts that head straight to outcomes. To address this issue, the …

Exploring Students' Use Of Feedback During Occupational Therapy Level Ii Fieldwork Experiences, Karen Snyder

Occupational Therapy Collection

Researchers confirmed that the use of feedback assists with the improvement of students’ confidence and performance. Multiple studies focus on the provision and acceptance of feedback; however, it was not known if, or how, students internalized the feedback to apply it successfully. Since there is a difference between providing feedback and the interpretation of its true message, this phenomenon was studied to add empirical knowledge regarding students’ feedback interpretation. This qualitative study explores the perceptions of how students interpret information received from Level II fieldwork educators and what meanings students attributed to the feedback. The use of phenomenological methodology guided …

Influence Of A Post-­Graduate Physical Therapy Residency Program On Clinical Reasoning, Professional Development, And Career Advancement In Nairobi, Kenya, Shala Cunningham

Department of Physical Therapy Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Problem Statement

Residency programs that emphasize clinical reasoning and manual therapy can provide a means to optimize the outcomes of physical therapy without the need for or access to expensive equipment. The residency format of continuing education could allow physical therapists in developing countries access to specialty training and ongoing mentorship. However, there are limited studies that investigate the influence of residency training on the progression of clinical reasoning, professional development, and career advancement.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was threefold. The first objective was to describe the outcome of a post-graduate orthopaedic manual therapy residency program on development …

Mathematical Abilities In Children With Developmental Language Disorder, Alexandra M. Cross, Lisa M.D. Archibald, Marc F. Joanisse

Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Publications

Purpose. The present paper provides a scoping review of the literature on mathematical abilities in developmental language disorder (DLD). Children with DLD typically struggle with learning in school, however the mechanism by which DLD impacts academic success is unclear. Mathematics involves demands in the multiple domains, and therefore holds potential for examining the relationship between language and academic performance on tasks mediated by verbal and non-verbal demands.

Methods. A scoping review was performed via computerized database searching to examine literature on mathematics and DLD. The 21 papers meeting inclusion criteria compared children with typical development or DLD on various tasks …

Cognitive And Metacognitive Factors In Reading Comprehension For Occupational Therapy Assistant Students, Cynthia L. Meyer

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Difficulties with reading comprehension among occupational therapy assistant (OTA) students can diminish their ability to understand didactic textual information limiting clinical performance and can impact OTA attrition rates and limit graduate success when completing the national certification examination.

Participants were one cohort of OTA students from a rural public community college.

This was a convergent mixed-method design (Creswell & Creswell, 2018). The students’ perceptions of cognitive and metacognitive factors affecting reading and the students’ preferences for cognitive and metacognitive strategies were assessed through a 59-item survey assessment combining the Text-Learning Strategies Inventory (TLSI) (Merchie, Van Keer, & Vandevelde, 2014), the …

Perceptions Of Atp Certified Occupational Therapy Practitioners On Assistive Technology Education In Occupational Therapy Programs, Karen M. Dishman Otd, Otr, Atp

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

This capstone project focused on identifying which categories of assistive technology (AT) that practitioners perceived to be needed in entry-level master’s occupational therapy (OT) programs; and validating the need for post-professional AT training and post-professional AT certificate programs. For this capstone project, a survey approach was used as the data collection method. The purpose of the survey was to determine perceptions of OT practitioners on AT education received during their entry-level OT program. The survey was returned by 148 occupational therapy practitioners certified as assistive technology professionals (ATP) by the Rehabilitation and Engineering Society of North America (RESNA). Results indicated …

Occupational Therapy Intervention For Project Search Interns With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Potential For Improved Transition Outcomes, Jessie L. Bricker

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

As the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) continues to rise, it is increasingly important to address the needs of adults with ASD as they transition into the work world. Project SEARCH, an internationally recognized program, has been successful in assisting individuals with disabilities in attaining competitive employment. Yet even in this program model, individuals with ASD have lower employment outcomes than individuals in other disability categories. The purpose of this action research study was to explore the needs of individuals with high functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD) within the Project SEARCH program from their own perspectives, and to examine …

Student Readiness: Examining The Impact Of A University Outdoor Orientation Program, Eddie Hill, Timothy Posey, Edwin Gómez, Stephen L. Shapiro

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

This study examined the impact of a university outdoor orientation program on participants’ transition to higher education. Researchers focused on participants’ experiences during the program, utilizing a mixed-methods approach to measure resilience and well-being. Pre- and posttest instruments consisted of two pre-established scales and a series of open-ended questions, which were administered during a 4-day university outdoor orientation program. Findings indicated significant improvement of resilience and well-being in participants through outdoor orientation program involvement. Additionally, direct content analysis identified major themes related to resilience, well-being, and readiness for college.

A Comparison Of The Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test And The Wechsler Scales, Samantha Denhart

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The present study was designed to determine the correlation between a commonly used cognitive ability test (i.e., Wechsler) and a verbal memory test (i.e., Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test) by analyzing archival data from a clinical sample of adults. Many researchers have continued to establish the relationship between cognitive ability, or IQ, and learning and memory skills; however, there is little research regarding when differences between IQ and memory scores are statistically significant. Results of this study indicated 17 of 20 IQ index/memory correlations were statistically significant and a series of simple regressions generated standardized residuals. These residuals generated confidence bands …

Utilizing Standardized Patient Feedback To Facilitate Professional Behavior In Physical Therapist Students: A Pilot Study, Mary Anne Riopel, Bini Litwin, Nicki Silberman, Alicia Fernandez-Fernandez

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Physical therapist (PT) students receive feedback on professional behavior performance from academic and clinical faculty members. Literature is lacking on the impact that verbal feedback from standardized patients (SPs) may have on physical therapist student learning of professional behaviors. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the use of standardized patients’ feedback as a strategy for professional behavior development. Methods: A sample of convenience identified 13 doctoral physical therapist students prior to initiation of their first full-time clinical experience. Subjects were excluded if they had prior experiences with standardized patients or had completed a full-time clinical experience. …

Increasing Rehabilitation Therapists’ Confidence Utilizing Evidence-Based Interventions: Pilot Study, Stephanie Hovick, Ingrid Provident

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Evidence-based practice enables rehabilitation therapists to provide the best quality of care and outcomes for patients. However, rehabilitation therapists are often not confident in using evidence in many settings.

Purpose. The objective of this evidence-based practice project was to determine if educational small group sessions enhanced occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, and a speech and language pathologist’s confidence in utilizing and applying evidence.

Method. Eleven rehabilitation therapists of multiple disciplines (occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, and a speech and language pathologist) from a skilled nursing facility participated in …

Thriving In The First Semester Of Graduate School: A Process Of Rebalancing And Self-Determination, Judith Malek-Ismail, Sheila R. Krajnik

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Beginning graduate school can be an overwhelming experience dominated by changes in roles, restructuring of routines and habits, and shift in one’s balance of daily activities. The researchers employed a phenomenological design to explore perceptions of this experience among 33 graduate students during their first semester of a full-time entry-level Master of Occupational Therapy program. One overarching theme, turbulence and rebalancing, and four superordinate themes emerged: (I) anxiety, (II) contextual stress, (III) social supports, and (IV) self-determination. The stages the participants appeared to go through were cyclical in nature, where students experienced a recurring movement of turbulence and rebalancing, progression …

Self-Determination Theory And Professional Reasoning In Occupational Therapy Students: A Mixed Methods Study, Tiffany Bolton, Evan Dean

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy (OT) education frequently utilizes experiential learning as an effective instructional method to develop professional reasoning in OT students. However, there is little information about the development of professional reasoning. The researchers used a mixed-methods design to determine the extent to which an experiential learning course was effective in supporting professional reasoning ability with thirty-six OT students. Participants were students enrolled in an experiential learning course, which was part of their didactic graduate curriculum. Students attended an assigned setting weekly for sixteen weeks. Researchers collected data using the Self-Assessment of Clinical Reflection and Reasoning (SACRR) as well as reflective …

Innovations In Occupational Therapy Education: The Centralized Service Learning Model, Lauren E. Milton, Robyn Otty

College of Health & Human Services (TUN) Publications and Research

Partnerships between community organizations and engaged university members creates realistic learning experiences for occupational therapy students while encouraging civic responsibility. The authors propose service learning as the core of an innovative course design framework using the Centralized Service Learning Model (CSLM). Three phases are described. Phase One provides a description of the CSLM using a generalizable model, with specific application within existing occupational therapy program coursework. Phase Two provides leadership opportunities for a subsequent cohort of students within the curriculum. Finally, Phase Three integrates faculty scholarship. To understand students’ knowledge-level awareness, a survey based on course objectives can be administered, …

Using Foot Pressure Analysis To Predict Reoccurrence Of Deformity For Children With Unilateral Clubfoot, Juanita Jean Wallace

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Reoccurrence of deformity can affect upwards of 64% of children with clubfoot. The ability to use foot function as a measure of reoccurrence has not been previously assessed. The purpose of this investigation was to utilize foot pressure analysis to predict the probability of reoccurrence in children with unilateral clubfoot. Retrospective foot pressure data revealed predictive algorithms detecting the probability of experiencing any type of reoccurrence (overall reoccurrence) and for experiencing a tibialis anterior tendon transfer (TATT). The equation for overall reoccurrence reported sensitivity and specificity of 0.82 and 0.81 and the equation for TATT reported values of 0.81 and …

8902: Athletic Training Student Application Of Evidence-Based Practice During Clinical Education: A Report From The Athletic Training Clinical Education Network, B. L. Van Lunen, J. M. Cavallario, S. E. Walker, R. C. Bay, C. E. Welch Bacon

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context: Previous research has demonstrated that the translation of evidence-based practice (EBP) from didactic environments to clinical practice can be difficult. The level to which athletic training students (ATSs) incorporate EBP during clinical experiences is still largely unknown. Objective: To assess whether ATSs are integrating concepts of EBP during patient encounters (PEs) as a part of their clinical experiences. Design: Multisite, panel design. Setting: Three Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education-accredited professional athletic training programs (2 baccalaureate, 1 postbaccalaureate). Patients or Other Participants: One thousand three hundred nineteen PEs (539 pediatric patients, 775 adult patients, 5 missing) were entered …

8892: Athletic Training Student Application Of Interprofessional Education During Clinical Education: A Report From The Athletic Training Clinical Education Network, S. E. Walker, J. M. Cavallario, C. E. Welch Bacon, R. C. Bay, B. L. Van Lunen

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context: Past research has identified interprofessional education (IPE) as a challenging core competency to incorporate into health care education, and suggested that the lack of IPE is a barrier to students' ability to provide patient-centered care. The extent to which IPE is being incorporated into athletic training clinical experiences for athletic training students (ATSs) is still largely unknown. Objective: To assess whether ATSs are integrating concepts of IPE during patient encounters (PEs) during their clinical education. Design: Multisite, panel design. Setting: Three Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education-accredited professional athletic training programs (2 baccalaureate, 1 postbaccalaureate) via convenience sampling. …

Exploratory Application Of A Sensory Activity Schedule In Head Start Preschool, Marian Perez, Elaine Wong, Michelle Perryman

Student Research Posters

Objective: The objective of this research is to determine whether the implementation of sensory activity schedule in a preschool classroom can increase the on-task behaviors of the students.

Methods: Three students were recruited to participate in a quantitative multiple single subject design with qualitative follow-up study. The participants performed sensorimotor activities before circle time and were monitored for frequency of their off-task behavior using a time sampling frequency data collection. Afterwards, the head teacher was interviewed to discuss the experience.

Results: Off-task behavior decreased from baseline on all three children, which supports the efficacy of sensory activity schedule in reducing …

The Effects Of Emerging Technology On Healthcare And The Difficulties Of Integration, Skyler J. Pavlish-Carpenter

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: Disruptive technology describes technology that is significantly more advanced than previous iterations, such as: 3D printing, genetic manipulation, stem cell research, innovative surgical procedures, and computer-based charting software. These technologies often require extensive overhauls to implement into older systems and must overcome many difficult financial and societal complications before they can be widely used. In a field like healthcare that makes frequent advancements, these difficulties can mean that the technology will not be utilized to its full potential or implemented at all.

Objective: To determine the inhibiting factors that prevent disruptive technology from being implemented in conventional healthcare.

Methods: …

Student And Faculty Perceptions Of Live Synchronous Distance Education For Allied Health Students Following Program Expansion To A Rural Campus, Betsy J. Becker, Kelsey Rutt, Allyson Huntley, Harlan Sayles, Kim Michael

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background & Purpose: Distance education (DE) is a means to meet allied health workforce needs in rural locations where healthcare worker shortages are apparent. Five allied health programs were expanded to a rural campus teaching synchronously using distance education technology. The purpose of this convergent parallel mixed methods study was to explore perceptions of allied health students and faculty at two campus locations.

Methods: Quantitative and qualitative information were collected through a survey of students and faculty (physical therapy, physician assistant, and medical imaging [diagnostic medical sonography, radiography, magnetic resonance imaging] programs). Both campuses served as live and distance sites …

Using Online Professional Development To Increase Self-Efficacy In School-Based Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Educators, Meghan Suman, Ingrid Provident

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The purpose of this study was to determine if school-based occupational therapists who participated in a series of online professional development modules on the topic of fieldwork education reported increased feelings of self-efficacy regarding the ability to fulfill the role of fieldwork educator. In this single-group design, participants completed a series of six online professional development modules. Each module consisted of a narrated slideshow presentation, case study activity, and online discussion board. Participants completed a self-efficacy survey before and after completing the series of modules. Results indicated a significant increase in self-efficacy related to fieldwork education following completion of the …

Innovations In Occupational Therapy Education: The Centralized Service Learning Model, Lauren E. Milton, Robyn Otty

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Partnerships between community organizations and engaged university members creates realistic learning experiences for occupational therapy students while encouraging civic responsibility. The authors propose service learning as the core of an innovative course design framework using the Centralized Service Learning Model (CSLM). Three phases are described. Phase One provides a description of the CSLM using a generalizable model, with specific application within existing occupational therapy program coursework. Phase Two provides leadership opportunities for a subsequent cohort of students within the curriculum. Finally, Phase Three integrates faculty scholarship. To understand students’ knowledge-level awareness, a survey based on course objectives can be administered, …

On-Campus Occupational Therapy Clinic Enhances Student Professional Development And Understanding, Kelly Erickson

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Changing healthcare systems impact clinical sites that provide fieldwork for occupational therapy programs and require students to be prepared for the pace and demands of the clinical settings. Occupational therapy programs strive to enhance hands-on experiences in didactic curriculum to better prepare students for Level II fieldwork. An on-campus clinic course was implemented over two semesters with students engaging in the occupational therapy process with adult and pediatric clients from the community under the supervision of faculty. Student surveys and focus group data were analyzed over five years. Survey responses to open-ended question were triangulated with data from focus group …

The Impact Of An Interprofessional Geriatric Training Experience: Attitudes Of Future Healthcare Providers, Lisa J. Knecht-Sabres, Minetta Wallingford, Michelle M. Lee, James F. Gunn, Esperanza M. Anaya, Sarah E. Getch, Nathaniel D. Krumdick, Gloria M. Workman

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

As the older adult population increases, it is vital to educate and train healthcare providers as members of interprofessional healthcare teams who can work effectively with these individuals. Ageism is a potential obstacle to achieving this goal. The purpose of this pre/post-test design pilot study was to determine the impact of an interprofessional geriatric training experience on the attitudes of future healthcare providers towards interprofessionalism and working with older adults. Sixteen graduate level students from occupational therapy and clinical psychology programs completed four interprofessional sessions with older adults residing in a long-term care facility. Quantitative data were gathered from pre/post-test …

An Online Training To Prepare Occupational Therapy Students To Work With Clients With Limited English Proficiency And Interpreters, Elizabeth A. Harrison, Mansha Mirza

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Effective communication between occupational therapists (OTs) and their clients is key to quality, client-centered services. Most OTs can expect to work with clients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). Language barriers may negatively impact client safety and client satisfaction. Working with language interpreters is a key means for OTs to best serve clients with LEP; however, few OT curricula provide adequate training in working with interpreters. This paper presents a new, innovative online training for preparing OT students to work with clients with LEP and interpreters. The brief online training used informational slides, video role plays and written case studies to …

Effects Of Aquatic And Land Plyometrics On Athletic Performance: A Systematic Review, Alissa Rhode, David C. Berry

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

The purpose of this study was to systematically review literature to determine whether aquatic plyometric training (APT) increases athletic performance compared to land-based plyometric training (LPT). We identified 6 articles from PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and single-citation matching from January, 1995 through January, 2017 using search words “aquatic plyometric training OR aquatic plyometric OR aquatic plyometrics.” After screening (title, abstract), 6 articles were reviewed for inclusion criteria: (1) full-report/abstract, (2) peer-reviewed RCTs/clinical trials, (3) English language, (4) focused on healthy individuals (free of current, lower-extremity, musculoskeletal injuries) ages 16-30 years, and (6) included strength, power, and/or vertical jump [VJ] dependent …

Effects Of Leg Girth And Leg Strength On Division I Track Athletes Race Performance, Benjamin Clay Dixon

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

Thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Science, Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts by Benjamin Clay Dixon on December 7, 2017.