Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

A Comparison Of Modified Team-Based Learning And Lecture-Based Instruction In Occupational Therapy Education, Paul Bonzani, Vanessa D. Jewell, Barbara P. White

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This study explored the comparative effectiveness of team-based learning and lecture-based instruction in consecutive cohorts of occupational therapy students. Further, the study explored student perceptions of team-based learning. The mixed method study employed a two-group, quasi-experimental design and a broad qualitative design using thematic analysis with a convenience sample of consecutive occupational therapy student cohorts (N=70, N=62) in a human movement class. Cohort A (N=70) received instruction using a lecture-based instruction (LBI) approach and individual assessment. Cohort B (N=62) received modified team-based learning (TBL). Mid-term, final examination, and final course grades were compared. Thematic analysis was employed to assess student …

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 …

Knowledge And Perceived Barriers Of Ot Students In The Transition Planning Process: A Pilot Study, Patrick A. Leytham, Robyn Otty

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The involvement of related service personnel (such as occupational therapists) in the transition planning process for children with disabilities has consistently been reported as low. The purpose for this pilot study was to (a) compare Masters-level occupational therapy student knowledge of transition-related terminology to practicing therapists and (b) determine what perceived barriers students have as it relates to transition planning. A one-shot case study design was used to collect data. Occupational therapy students participated in a one-hour lecture on transition planning and a three-hour lab wherein they learned how to administer transition planning inventories. Afterwards, they completed a brief survey …

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 …

Retrospective Analysis Of Graduates’ Outcomes In A Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program, Nichole Morrow, Barbara Townsend, Vanessa D. Jewell, Angela Bahle-Lampe, Yongyue Qi

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

There are limited studies within occupational therapy literature assessing the outcomes of advanced degrees. Specifically, there is a scarcity of literature about the benefits of completing a post-professional occupational therapy doctorate (POTD) program. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively examine graduates’ professional and personal outcomes at a midwestern university with an established POTD program. A total of 64 graduate exit surveys completed by POTD graduates between the years of 2008 and 2017 were analyzed using a mixed methods research design. Emergent categories from the data included a greater sense of self-empowerment and confidence, expanded career opportunities, and increased …

Qualitative Analysis Of Occupational Therapists’ Reflective Notes On Practicing Their Skills In Building And Maintaining Therapeutic Relationships, Farzaneh Yazdani, Amy Stringer, Laya Nobakht, Tore Bonsaksen, Kellie Tune

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Previous research has shown that occupational therapists have increased their self-efficacy for using self intentionally in therapeutic encounters. However, experiences related to such changes have not yet been explored. The authors developed a therapeutic use-of-self training workshop to support the confidence and competence of practicing occupational therapists in using the Intentional Relationship Model and possibly enhancing their self-efficacy for therapeutic use-of-self. The purpose of the study was to explore the experiences of practicing occupational therapists in transferring learning from a training workshop focused on the therapeutic use-of-self into real world practice. Thirteen occupational therapists participated in the workshop and subsequently …

The Purpose Of Capstone In An Entry-Level Clinical Doctorate: A Scoping Review, Nancy E. Krusen, Anne Murphy-Hagan, Sarah Foidel

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This scoping review examined outcomes of capstones in relation to entry-level doctoral education programs within the health professions. Aims of the study included mapping existing evidence related to capstone across entry-level clinical doctorates; investigating the purpose of capstones within health professions education; and identifying future research initiatives. Researchers applied and reported via the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews systematic approach, and Best Evidence Medical Education global scale. The study indicated a gap in existing literature. Few health professions described requirements for capstones as part of an entry-level doctorate. Reviewed articles offered no consistent definition, intent, process, or outcome for capstones. …

Occupational Therapy Students’ Self-Efficacy For Therapeutic Use Of Self: Development And Associated Factors, Chia-Wei Fan, Tove Carstensen, Milada C. Småstuen, Farzaneh Yazdani, Brian Ellingham, Tore Bonsaksen

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy students need to develop self-efficacy for therapeutic use of self in practice. This longitudinal study examined Norwegian occupational therapy students’ self-efficacy for therapeutic use of self over a 16-month period and investigated predictors of their end-point self-efficacy. One hundred and eleven students from two universities completed a self-efficacy questionnaire related to the use of self after a workshop, and at 3-month, 10-month, and 16-month follow-up. The students’ self-efficacy development was analyzed with linear mixed effect models, while factors associated with self-efficacy were investigated with linear regressions. The students from both universities showed a linear increase in self-efficacy for …

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. …

Understanding The Occupational Therapy Perspective Of Working With The Homeless Population: Self-Care Interventions, Marisa Leigh Sparbanie

Online Theses and Dissertations

Successful interventions, focused on self-care, have been implemented by occupational therapists in homeless populations. Yet, no study has attempted to explore experiences of occupational therapists implementing self-care interventions. This qualitative, descriptive study sought to understand the experience of occupational therapy practitioners implementing self-care interventions for individuals experiencing homelessness. The interventions took place in various healthcare practice settings. Four participants, recruited through purposive sampling, engaged in semi-structured interviews pertaining to their experiences. The interviews were transcribed and coded using an emergent approach. Three major themes emerged from the data, including experiences in different settings, client-centered care, and institutional barriers and supports.

A Phenomenological Study Of The Impact Of Stroke On Marriage: Life Satisfaction And Occupational Performance In Daily Life, Melissa Arwood

Online Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Following a stroke, an individual may experience physical, cognitive, and emotional changes. For individuals in a marital relationship, the spouse’s life is also impacted post-stroke. The majority of current literature regarding the impact of stroke on marriage focuses on one spouse. This study sought to address this gap by exploring the impact of stroke on the marital dyad.

Method: A qualitative, phenomenological approach was used for this study. Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Colaizzi’s method as explained by Shosha (2012).

Findings: Four couples, eight participants were included in this study. One …

Living With A Chronic Condition: Perspectives Of College Students At A Public Institution Of Higher Education, Kelley Lynn Harlan

Online Theses and Dissertations

Chronic conditions are ongoing, have a pattern of recurrence or deterioration, and produce consequences impacting an individual’s quality of life. An estimated 164 million Americans are expected to be affected by chronic conditions by the year 2025 (Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, 2016). College students with chronic conditions face unique challenges making it difficult to succeed in traditional degree programs due to unpredictable shifts in wellness. The purpose of this qualitative research was to discover the lived experience of college students with chronic conditions. Eight adult, full-time, traditional university students with chronic conditions were recruited and participated in a one-time, …

Experience Of Play Participation And Use Of Lower Extremity Orthoses In Children With Cerebral Palsy: Case Study, Lakyn Elizabeth Jolly-Burchell

Online Theses and Dissertations

This case study sought to understand the experience of a single family of a child with cerebral palsy (CP) using lower extremity orthoses (LEOs) in natural play contexts. CP is the most commonly occurring motor disability in childhood. Associated with CP, impairments in functional mobility, spasticity, varying degrees of muscle tone, ROM, and impaired gross and fine motor control are barriers to meaningful play experiences in this population. LEOs are widely prescribed devices for children with CP, used as walking aids and to improve/offset some of these performance deficits and body structures. Although, the true efficacy of LEOs is yet …

Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex: A Narrative Inquiry Of Women's Experiences And Perceptions, Brandi Winchester

Online Theses and Dissertations

Background

Dysphoric milk ejection reflex is an idiopathic condition experienced by some breastfeeding women that is characterized by an abrupt experience of negative emotions or sensation prior to milk let-down. Many women struggle to make sense of the condition, and report barriers to communicating with others about their experiences and accessing support from healthcare providers. Dysphoric milk ejection reflex is often reported by women to impact self-efficacy and contribute to secondary psychological effects.

Research aim

Exploration of the experience of Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex. Investigation of the impact of diagnosis on the sense of wellness and self-efficacy of affected mothers. …

Use Of Online Educational Modules To Improve Occupational Therapy Students’ Knowledge And Perceptions Of Their Emotional Intelligence Skills: An Evidence-Based Pilot Study, Jennifer Calabrese, Jennifer E. Lape, Theresa Delbert

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Many current students studying in health care professions lack skills in communication, socialization, and decision-making that can lead to an inability to recognize and manage emotions, indicating a need for emotional intelligence training in university health field curricula. This article presents an evidence-based study that used a new approach to education using online emotional intelligence modules within a graduate occupational therapy program to supplement the program’s curriculum. The study was completed over six and one-half weeks and included 28 second-year graduate occupational therapy students. A pre/post-survey design was used to determine participants’ knowledge and their perceptions of their own emotional …

Implementing School-Based Education Programs To Combat Lack Of Access To Psychiatric Facilities In The United States, Marisa L. Sparbanie

Kentucky Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

One in five Americans are diagnosed with a mental illness, yet only 41% of adults received healthcare services in the past year. Due to barriers in accessing care, services are costly, wait times are long, and appointment times are inconvenient. Lack of access to quality, affordable care disproportionately affects those in rural areas and individuals with low socioeconomic status. School-based mental health education programs should be developed as a beginning step to combat increasing mental health conditions and limited access to healthcare facilities. Lack of access to care may lead to occupational injustices such as: occupational alienation, deprivation, and imbalance. …

What Stops Some Occupational Therapy Practitoners From Providing Fieldwork Education?, Jacqueline S. Schafer-Clay

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

A critical fieldwork shortage exists for the profession of occupational therapy and an evidence gap was found; literature with practitioners who do not provide fieldwork education was missing. The purpose of this capstone project was to identify the barriers that stop some occupational therapy practitioners from providing fieldwork education and what benefits and supports may motivate these same individuals to become fieldwork educators. A quantitative descriptive and correlational study with an online survey design, with 25 closed ended questions was distributed through snowball sampling across the United States. Responses were received from 42 states plus the District of Columbia. There …

Incorporating Meaningful Occupations Of Students With Moderate To Severe Intellectual Disabilities Into Structured Learning Experiences With Transition Planning At A Public School System, Catherine Gardner

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

The purpose of this capstone project was to learn from stakeholders how to identify meaningful occupations of students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities and how to incorporate them into their structured learning experiences in school to help them prepare for adult life upon graduation at 21 years old. The project also sought to explore how to involve the students and their families in the process of identifying meaningful occupations.

The Impact Of An Occupation Based Parkinson Caregiver Program On Caregiver's Quality Of Life, Jennifer L. Labonte

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

The goal of the study was to enhance the PD patient’s caregiver’s ability to provide quality care to meet the ever changing needs of a neurodegenerative medical condition along with enhancing quality of life indicators of the caregiver. The community based program covered 7 topics over 4 consecutive weeks. The project design was an experimental one group pre and posttest design. The outcome measurement tool was the Parkinson Caregiver QOL Index. Data was analyzed utilizing a paired t-test for individual questions and the total score on the Parkinson Caregiver QOL Scale. No statistical significance was found between pretest and posttest …

Parental Self-Efficacy Of The “Unexpected Parent”, Cinthia L. Arbogast

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Research focused on the “unexpected parent” is limited. This population of parent is increasing in frequency.

Purpose: The purpose of this capstone study was to provide support to unexpected parents. The study focused on the area of establishing and maintaining routines and consistency as a means to decrease negative behavior in order to improve parental selfefficacy. With improved skills and perceived improved abilities, the aim of this study was to improve this performance of this group of parents during their participation in the occupation of parenting.

Theoretical Framework. The theory driving this research is the occupation-based model called the …

Examining The Benefits Of Educating Caregivers About Tummy Time In The Acute Care Setting, Alexandra L. Turner

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: This project addressed providing parents with education on tummy time in the acute care setting. This is based on a gap in the literature on occupational therapy (OT) services in the acute care setting.

Purpose: The purpose of this research project was to conduct a pilot study to examine the benefit of educating parents of infants in the acute care setting on providing tummy time as a developmental education measure.

Theoretical Framework: The occupational therapy practice theory, of the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) supports the holistic supporting of families, in their role as a parent, to meet the …

The Home Health Aide Experience: Opportunities For Occupational Therapy, Julia Mindlina

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Introduction: Home health aides undergo significantly increased physical stress in their work with minimal support which may contribute to decreased satisfaction with a home health aide position (Czuba et al., 2012). Providing frequent assistance with hands-on self-care tasks and transfers has been correlated with an increased occurrence of physical injury (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 2010). Occupational therapists have specialized skills in task-adaptation, environmental modification, and proper body mechanics that can assist home health aides in maximizing their client’s function and decreasing risk of injury such as back strain. However, little is known about how home health aides …

Person-Environment Interactions: The Psychological Implications Of Behaviors, Confidence, And Self-Efficacy In Falls Management., Lisa S. Roberson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Strong evidence supports medication review and management, health and safety education, and home modifications as a holistic approach to falls prevention. Current research demonstrates that individual interventions reduce the risk of falls yet do not statistically reduce the number of falls (Gallo, Stelmach, Frigeri, & Ahn, 2018). The problem this Capstone project addressed was the limited psychological considerations, awareness of behaviors, confidence, and self-efficacy, as they relate to falls prevention. These psychological factors have not been previously studied in a single study.

Purpose: To determine the relationship or significance of psychological considerations as they relate to fall prevention. Increase …

The Impact Of Education On Implementation Of Mirror Box Therapy Across Occupational Therapy Practice Settings, Nicole Y. Larue

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Mirror box therapy has been found to be effective in changing motor and sensory outcomes in patients with cerebrovascular accident (CVA). It has many benefits to use for occupational therapists such as ease of use, ease of transportation, capability to be used across practice settings, and ability to be incorporated into conventional therapy treatment. However, therapists included in this study may not have been using the intervention due to lack of knowledge or availability of the intervention equipment.

The purpose of this capstone project was to determine the impact education would have on occupational therapists’ attitudes and behaviors towards the …

Acute Care Occupational Therapy Practice: Application Of The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure In A Palliative Care Program, Karen Enlow

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Occupational therapists working in acute care must meet the many challenges of working with a diverse group of clients such as adult cancer survivors. Clients may be transitioned to acute palliative care due to disease progression. Clients in palliative care have many unmet needs affecting engagement in occupations, thus requiring occupational therapy services. The goal of this capstone project is to describe occupation-based problems and level of independence in completing basic activities of daily living among acute palliative care clients to illustrate the importance of using occupation-based approach with this population. The longitudinal prospective study utilized standardized evaluations to assess …

Heart To Heart: Educating Allied Healthcare Students And Professionals About Heart Failure, Samantha M. Barefoot

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Heart failure (HF) is a health problem which providing necessary education to healthcare professionals who serve individuals with HF allows for continuity of care and the promotion of disease management for this population. The intent of this research was to determine if providing an educational in-service to allied healthcare students and practitioners increased their knowledge of OT’s role with HF clients and about HF itself as a condition interfering with occupation. The design of this study involved collecting pre/post survey data to evaluate the knowledge of the participants about the HF population and gathering participant satisfaction data regarding the in-service. …

Outcomes For Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd) Utilizing Adolescent Adaptive Life Skills Groups, Elizabeth A. Grant

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

This capstone project brings to our attention the importance of occupational therapy’s role in meeting the continued and ever changing service needs of individuals with ASD as they transition into adulthood. Adaptive life skill groups fill a gap in services for adolescents and support learning and performance of everyday occupations necessary for independent living. The purpose of this project was to determine if occupational therapy adolescent adaptive life skill groups are an effective method for improving adaptive life skill and maintaining that skill in individuals with ASD over time. This project provided insights into differences in assessment scores for participants …

Movement Opportunities Through Vestibular Engagement To Rhythm (Mover), Lindsay B. Williams

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Across the United States, school systems have decreased the amount of proprioceptive activities and vestibular-based movement opportunities within the school day to focus on academic skills and test score improvement (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010). Stemming from this curriculum modification, children’s free play and movement opportunities are being replaced by more sedentary experiences such as structured academic activities and screen time. As a result, elementary school students with attention deficits, especially those who have a history of prenatal drug exposure, are not receiving sufficient movement opportunities needed during the day to maximize their attention and to regulate …

Exploring Therapist Engagement Using Process Consultation, Rachel B. Spaide

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Purpose Although evidence supports that highly engaged colleagues result in better patient outcomes (Lowe, 2012; Studer, Hagins, & Cochrane, 2014), little is known about the impact of engaged occupational (OT), physical (PT), and speech (ST) therapists on patient outcomes (Mueller, Prins, & deHeer, 2018; Paulsen et al., 2014). This prospective cohort study examines the effect of a voluntary OT, PT and ST workgroup has on therapist engagement and outpatient-perceived quality services. The following research questions about the impact of process consultation within a volunteer therapist workgroup were asked: a) will engagement of all therapists improve as measured by the Utrecht …

The Role Of Evidence-Based Practice In Alzheimer's Disease And/Or Dementia, Laura Leigh Cole

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: As the aging population continues to grow, it is necessary to identify the most up to date and appropriate Evidenced Based Practice (EBP) treatment methods to ensure quality of life for adults in long term care settings. The rapid increase of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease with this population treated in skilled nursing facilities impacts understanding of and continued competency for occupational therapy practitioners in effectively evaluate and treat clients with cognitive deficits.

Purpose: To identify the frequency of use of standardized cognitive assessments in evaluation and treatment in long-term care facilities and skilled nursing facilities and to identify which …