Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Reflecting The Communities That We Serve: Embracing Diversity And Inclusion Initiatives In Occupational Therapy Education, Jonette Ishmael, Ots, Nuriya Neumann, Ots, Tracey Vause-Earland, Otr/L, Phd

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Background

• There is a current lack of diversity seen in OT classrooms across the country.
• It is paramount we create a diverse occupational therapy student body in order to meet the needs of the diverse communities we serve.
• Students, educators, and therapists, need to develop cultural reflexivity, humility and safety when serving patients of various background (Taff & Blash, 2017).
• Through establishing diversity and inclusion initiatives within OT education we can increase awareness and provide education that will radically shape the OT workforce in coming years.
• Efforts to diversify OT programs is key to progressing as a profession, and reflecting …

Primary Care-Ot For Older African Americans With Diabetes And Mild Cognitive Impairment: Intervention Approaches And Case Stories, Catherine Verrier Piersol, Phd, Otr/L, Faota, Susan Santalucia, Ms, Otr/L, Michele Rifkin, Mhsed, Otr/L, Barry Rovner, Md, Robin Casten, Phd, Neva White, Np, Crnp, Cde

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Purpose:

To test the efficacy of a collaborative intervention to lower hemoglobin A1c levels (HbA1c) in older African Americans with Type 2 diabetes (DM), Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), and suboptimal medication adherence and glycemic control.

Aims:

1. To reduce HbA1c level by 0.5% at 6 and 12 months.
2. To increase MEMS-measured adherence to an oral DM medication at 6 and 12 months.

Hypotheses:

1. Fifty-five percent of intervention participants, compared to 25% of control participants, will have a reduction in HbA1c of 0.5% at 6 months (short term effect) and 12 months (maintenance effect).
2. The Primary Care-Occupational Therapy intervention will increase MEMS-measured …

The Contribution Of Technology To The Development And Sustainability Of An Occupational Therapy Community Of Learners In Doctoral Education, Susan Toth-Cohen, Phd, Otr/L, Mary Gozza-Cohen, Phd, Sandra Schefkind, Otd, Otr/L, Faota

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

This case study describes the pivotal role of technology in developing a community of practice (COP) designed for post professional occupational therapists that enabled doctoral students, alumni and faculty to share information and insights about topics, initiatives and research critical to the Occupational Therapy field. The COP evolved through ongoing development of the post-professional occupational therapy doctorate (PPOTD) program at Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

The conceptual foundation for the COP moved beyond an initial focus on course delivery to an emphasis on development, implementation, and sustainability of a vibrant learning community. Transformation of the COP was greatly facilitated through the …

An Occupation-Based Learning Support Program For At-Risk Occupational Therapy Students, Arlene Lorch Otd, Otr/L, Ches

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Objectives:

• Describe an occupation-based, learning support program offered to occupational therapy students struggling academically.

• Identify key learning issues identified by occupational therapy students and staff seeking academic support services.

• Develop an initial outline of steps to identify need and create an occupation-based, learning support program.

Increasing The Degree To Which Evidence-Based Practice Is Carried Out By Ots At Magee Rehabilitation, Debra Zelnick, Otd, Otr/L

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

PICO Question:

Does in-service education on evidence-based practice provided to occupational therapists increase knowledge of the tools and resources necessary to become evidence-based practitioners?

Systematic Review: Occupational Therapy And Chronic Conditions In Primary Care, John Flood, Jillian Petty, Noreen Reidy, Shannon Whyte

Collaborative Research and Evidence shared Among Therapists and Educators (CREATE Day)

Learning Objectives:

• Define occupational therapy’s role in the primary care setting with a focus on those with chronic conditions using Occupational Therapy Practice Framework terminology.
• Describe the current evidence on occupational performance related to occupational therapy services in primary care.
• Discuss the future implications for occupational therapists working in primary care.

Exploring The Depths Of Health Literacy Are We Teaching This And Why Does It Matter?, Susan Toth-Cohen, Phd, Otr/L, Tracey Vause-Earland, Ms, Otr/L

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Background: Why does Health Literacy Matter?

• Healthcare practitioners often work with older persons with low health literacy without realizing that this issues limiting the success of their interventions. They may also lack awareness of the serious impact that low health literacy can have, since it is associated with lower reported health status, increased hospitalizations, and increased morbidity (Levasseur & Carrier, 2011).
• The current US healthcare system places increase demands on consumers to manage their own health (Smith & Gutman, 2011).
• Educators in the health professions must instill a sense of responsibility in future practitioners to understand the important role they …

Occupational Therapy And Sensory Integration For Children With Autism: A Feasibility, Safety, Acceptability And Fidelity Study., Roseann C Schaaf, Teal W. Benevides, Donna Kelly, Zoe Mailloux-Maggio

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

Objective: To examine the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of a manualized protocol of occupational therapy using sensory integration principles for children with autism. Methods: Ten children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder ages 4-8 years received intensive occupational therapy intervention using sensory integration principles following a manualized protocol. Measures of feasibility, acceptability and safety were collected from parents and interveners, and fidelity was measured using a valid and reliable fidelity instrument. Results: The intervention is safe and feasible to implement, acceptable to parents and therapist, and therapists were able to implement protocol with adequate fidelity. These data provide support for implementation …

Development And Evaluation Of Health And Wellness Exhibits At The Jefferson Occupational Therapy Education Center In Second Life, Susan Toth-Cohen, Therese Gallagher

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

Virtual worlds such as Second Life are increasingly used for consumer health and higher education. The present paper will describe the development and evaluation of public exhibits on health and wellness at the Jefferson occupational therapy education center in Second Life.

Addressing Spirituality For Clients With Physical Disabilities, Laura Feeney, Susan Toth-Cohen

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

Spirituality is acknowledged as a key influence in human life. However, occupational therapists do not necessarily address clients' spiritual needs in practice. This article describes ways that occupational therapists working in physical disabilities settings address spirituality in practice.

Providing Services To Family Caregivers At Home: Challenges And Recommendations For Health And Human Service Professions, Susan Toth-Cohen, Laura N. Gitlin, Mary Corcoran, Susan Eckhardt, Pamalyn Kearney, Rosalyn Lipsitt

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

The home represents a relatively new arena for practice for most service providers, especially those working with families of persons with dementia. This article describes four key factors to consider when working with caregivers of persons with dementia in their homes. The authors also discuss seven common challenges of service provision in the home and recommend strategies for addressing these challenges.