Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Increasing Emotional Intelligence Through Self-Reflection Journals: Implications For Occupational Therapy Students As Emerging Clinicians, Natalie A. Perkins, Arlene A. Schmid

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy practitioners and students need skills associated with emotional intelligence (EI) as it is linked with therapeutic use of self. It is vital to train and educate occupational therapy students in self-awareness in order to prepare them to work effectively with future clients and co-workers. This study explored the use of self-reflection journals among graduate students during their spring semester of a full-time on-campus Master’s in Occupational Therapy program. Researchers aimed to understand the impact of self-reflection journals on trait EI. First year master level occupational therapy students (n=39) completed the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue). Quantitative data were …

Student Perceptions And Grade Comparisons After Exposure To Instructor-Made Skills Videos In A Kinesiology Course, Pamela Karp, Robert G. Gallagher

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The purpose of this mixed method, descriptive case study was to determine whether the use of pre-recorded instructor-made videos (PRIMVs) in a kinesiology course, along with curricular design changes, facilitated increased conceptual and practical student learning. The study examined three student cohorts in one occupational therapy program. Two of the student cohorts had unrestricted access to the PRIMVs designed to support student learning of bone and muscle palpation and joint actions. Students from the two cohorts completed a survey about their experience of having access to the videos. Exam data from the student cohorts who had access to the videos …

Collaborative Learning In A Faculty-Led Occupational Therapy Level I Fieldwork: A Case Study, Karen M. Keptner, Susan Maureen Klein

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Fieldwork experiences in occupational therapy are meant to bridge the gap between academic learning and clinical practice. Various formats for fieldwork experiences have been encouraged as sites become harder to find. A faculty-led fieldwork experience is one suggested format. Faculty-led initiatives using a collaborative learning model (CLM) allow faculty to supervise a group of students at one time. In order to understand more about using a CLM within Level I fieldwork, a case study approach was used to describe the experience of nine occupational therapy students. Results suggest that the students involved in this faculty-led Level I fieldwork experience in …

Use Of Case Studies To Promote Critical Thinking In Occupational Therapy Students, Denise D. Allen, Susan Toth-Cohen

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Critical thinking is a necessary component of clinical reasoning that should be addressed as part of the graduate curriculum for occupational therapists. For students to apply critical thinking in practice they must also have confidence and minimal anxiety about their abilities. Case-based learning was chosen to address critical thinking skill development, increase confidence, and decrease anxiety. The purpose of this mixed methods pilot study was to evaluate progressively independent engagement with case-based learning on student performance, confidence, and anxiety in applying critical thinking skills in the clinical setting. Critical thinking was measured using a rubric to assess students’ performance in …

Critical Thinking And Transformational Learning: Using Case Studies As Narrative Frameworks For Threshold Concepts, Christine Berg, Rachel Philipp, Steven D. Taff

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Critical thinking is an essential component to the occupational therapy process that is a timely skill with the rapid pace of change in our healthcare system. Critical thinking exposes assumptions, biases, beliefs and points of view and challenges a shift in epistemology by asking, ‘how do we know what we believe to know?’ Case studies are a tool to engage the learner in critical thinking and are commonly employed in occupational therapy curricula. Social determinants of health (SDH) describe environmental circumstances that affect health. The authors propose that SDH, embedded in case studies, serve as a threshold concept. A threshold …

Metacognition Of First Year Occupational Therapy Students: A Comparison Of Entry-Level Degrees, Leah S. Dunn, Pamela Lewis-Kipkulei, Roy Bower

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The purpose of this study was to compare the metacognitive awareness among first year students in entry-level occupational therapy programs. The study investigated the similarities and differences in awareness of cognition and strategies used to regulate cognition in occupational therapy assistant (OTA), Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), and Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) programs to inform teaching practices for the different educational demands and expected outcomes of each program. Thirty occupational therapy students (11 OTA, 10 MOT, and 9 OTD) completed the Metacognitive Awareness Inventory (MAI) during their first semester of occupational therapy courses at two universities. Overall, the results indicated …

Proposing A Metacurriculum For Occupational Therapy Education In 2025 And Beyond, Quinn P. Tyminski, Amy Nguyen, Steven D. Taff

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The American healthcare system has undergone significant changes in the past few years due to government and corporate-level changes. As healthcare requirements continue to shift, occupational therapists must continue to assert their role or risk losing relevancy. Therefore, educational programs must prepare students to meet the populations’ shifting healthcare needs through agile curricula which focus less on isolated skills and more on broad areas of impact. To determine essential content comprising a ‘metacurriculum’ for occupational therapy education of the future, nine articles were analyzed using Bloom’s Taxonomy (revised) to code each document into knowledge, skills, and behaviors. Major themes were …

Accommodation Use By Individuals With Disabilities In Occupational Therapy Fieldwork, Rebecca Ozelie, Megan Delehoy, Sierra Jones, Erin Sykstus, Victoria Weil

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The number of individuals enrolling in postsecondary education with a diagnosed disability is rising. However, the literature reflects a gap between mandated institutional policies and the extent of accommodation use and success. This study examines the use, type, and prevalence of accommodations used by students with disabilities completing occupational therapy fieldwork rotations, as well as the common barriers to accommodation access. Snowball sampling methodology was utilized to send out a 26-item questionnaire to occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants. Two hundred and ninety-two occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants answered the questionnaire to identify disability type, disclosure of disabilities, and …

Health Literacy In Student-Created Occupational Therapy Home Programs, Karen Flaherty, Sarah Foidel, Nancy E. Krusen

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This single site case report examined student-designed client educational materials for integration of health literacy principles in occupational therapy education. Researchers analyzed 16 home programs from first and second year occupational therapy doctorate students using the Health Literacy Advisor (HLA) and the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool – Printable (PEMAT-P). The HLA provides scores of readability indexes, including Fry, SMOG, Flesch-Kincaid, and Flesch Reading Ease. The PEMAT-P assesses understandability and actionability. Results indicated reading levels near recommended 6^th grade reading scores with some improvement from first to second year educational level, though not necessarily useable material. HLA difficult to …

Developing An International Cultural Learning Project: An Effort Towards Introducing Internationalization In The Classroom, Mary Zadnik, Pavlina Psychouli, Kayla Collins

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

In an increasingly diverse and global society, allied health professionals must be ready to meet the needs of clients with different cultural values, habits, and attitudes. Understanding how culture impacts decision making in healthcare is a fundamental skill. However, education and experiences to help prepare future practitioners to meet this need are often lacking in allied health. This paper highlights a call to develop methods to identify and overcome barriers in providing students with culturally diverse and immersive experiences both feasibly and efficiently. A pilot cross-cultural experience was created utilizing the technique of Internationalization at Home (IaH) and integrating technology …

Instructing Students How To Use Evidence-Based Technology Interventions With Older Adults, Michele L. Tilstra, Michelle L. Webb, Sandra E. Groger

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Current evidence supports the use of technology with older adults and the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education standards for entry-level occupational therapy programs mandate instruction on the use of technology to support occupational performance. The literature does not clearly define specific strategies to teach entry-level occupational therapy students how to implement technology interventions with older adults. The purpose of this paper is to provide OT educators with recommendations for teaching entry-level students to use evidence-based technology with older adults. The authors reviewed current literature. The recent evidence helped the authors define practical curriculum recommendations for instructing entry-level occupational therapy …

A Skills-Focused Approach To Improving Therapist Goniometry Accuracy Using A Simulation Laboratory, Miranda Yelvington, Beverly J. Spray

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Goniometric measurements are widely used in the field of occupational therapy to measure range of motion, define and describe movement, and predict the functional implications of joint limitations. These measurements are further used in documentation and as a means of justifying reimbursement. While goniometrics are a hallmark of our practice, therapist competency is rarely assessed. This study sought to evaluate whether a skill focused, simulation assisted training could lead to improvements in accuracy and consistency of goniometric measurements. Ten therapists at a single facility completed goniometric testing utilizing a simulation module to assess three joint motions (shoulder abduction, elbow flexion …

The Editors’ Perspective: Reflecting On Two Years Of The Journal Of Occupational Therapy Education, Renee Causey-Upton, Cynthia L. Hayden, Dana Howell

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

No abstract provided.

Towards Identifying Peer Supervision Competencies For Graduate-Level Occupational Therapy Students: A Scoping Review, Annie Murphy-Hagan, Lauren E. Milton

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

In the occupational therapy (OT) profession, peer supervision groups are recommended for professional development, lessening attrition, and relieving stress. Peer supervision is under researched, thus competencies to support this practice are unknown. The purpose of this scoping review was to: (1) summarize the research knowledge around peer supervision to support evidence-based practice in OT, (2) map supervision competencies and key themes in the literature, and (3) isolate peer supervision competencies that may be especially relevant to graduate-level OT students. The long-term aim of this research is to develop a framework for evidence-based peer supervision training. Researchers investigated the question: What …

Examination Of Potential Factors To Predict Fieldwork Performance: A Program Evaluation Project, Sandra M. Whisner, Matthew Geddie, Dawndra Sechrist, Eugene Wang

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This program evaluation project evaluated the validity of a hypothesized model for predicting fieldwork performance using data of 121 occupational therapy students from a single university. The first aim was to evaluate the hypothesized relationships between observed measures (e.g., admission GPAs) and proposed latent factors (e.g., academic achievement) for predictor and outcome variables. Factor analysis of the outcome variable revealed a three-factor structure, measured by 13 items from the Fieldwork Performance Evaluation for the Occupational Therapy Student. However, factor analyses of the predictor variables did not support the proposed latent factors: Academic Achievement and Professional Potential. The second aim was …

Student Perspectives Of The Occupational Therapy Doctoral Experience In An Academic Setting, Stacy Smallfield, Shelby Wood

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The purpose of this study was to gather student perspectives of the 16-week doctoral experiential component (DEC) of the entry-level doctor of occupational therapy educational curriculum from students who completed the DEC in an academic setting. A retrospective qualitative study of a focus group of five students who completed the DEC in an occupational therapy (OT) academic setting was conducted using semi-structured interview questions. Codes were grouped into themes and the findings were summarized. Four major themes emerged: 1) learning experiences; 2) purposeful ambiguity; 3) knowledge and skill development; and 4) newfound appreciation. Learning experiences included …

Design Of An Osce To Assess Clinical Competence Of Occupational Therapy Students, Nancy E. Krusen, Debra Rollins

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) are a series of controlled, timed stations in which students demonstrate clinical skills. OSCEs are commonly used within health professions education to demonstrate competence, prepare for clinical education, and conduct program evaluation. The body of literature addressing the use of OSCEs in occupational therapy (OT) is growing; however, there are no available guidelines for developing an OSCE specific to the profession. The purpose of this paper is to describe the design of an OSCE for OT students prior to fieldwork placement. Twelve OT practitioners participated in a modified-Delphi method to generate possible OSCE scenarios. The …

From Perceiving To Achieving: Experiences Of An Adolescent With Autism Spectrum Disorder In A Summer Day Program, Spencer Thomas Hammond

Online Theses and Dissertations

Literature describing the experiences of adolescents and their families with summer day-programs is scarce. This study sought to reveal such experiences from one individual participating in a summer program, HorseAbility, in which individuals with disabilities interact with each other through planned and self-directed activities, therapeutic riding, and activities associated with taking care of horses. Interviews were conducted with an adolescent diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, his parent, a staff member of the summer day program, and the therapeutic riding instructor. Observation data and personal journaling was also used for data collection mechanisms. Data sources were triangulated to provide a rich …

Occupational Therapists' Perceptions And Clinical Reasoning Of Splints Used In Adults With Neurological Conditions, Yichen Jiang

Online Theses and Dissertations

Using splints for upper extremity functional improvement in neurologically impaired patients is a common practice among occupational therapists despite inadequate evidence to support this intervention. This mixed-method study aims to address the gap in research regarding occupational therapists’ perceptions of current neurological splinting trends, perceived effectiveness of splinting, their rationale for splinting, and confidence in splinting. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four occupational therapists across the United States. A 37-item online survey was then developed and administered to 129 occupational therapists who practice with neurologically impaired populations. Three themes were developed from the qualitative data: clinical reasoning guides decision-making and …

Understanding The Impact Of Hobby Participation On Quality Of Life During Cancer Treatment, Bethany Lynn Keuter

Online Theses and Dissertations

Objective: Over the past two decades there has been significant research on the benefits of leisure participation in increasing quality of life (QoL). Additionally, there is a substantial foundation of research exploring the role of leisure engagement in life-threatening illness and cancer. The aim of this study is to explore the role of regular hobby participation on QoL with regards to finding purpose and meaning making, increased coping skills, and social support through hobby participation during breast cancer treatment.

Method: Qualitative descriptive study using snowball sampling for participant recruitment. Data collected through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis completed through process of …

Part 2: Preparing Entry-Level Occupational And Physical Therapy Students To Promote Healthy Lifestyles Emphasizing Healthy Eating With Individuals With Disabilities, Brooks C. Wingo, Donald H. Lein, Beth A. Barstow, Christopher A. Eidson, Tara S. Pearce, Laurie A. Malone, David M. Morris

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Rehabilitation professionals including occupational therapists (OT) and physical therapists (PT) are increasingly called upon to incorporate health promotion of lifestyle behaviors including physical activity and healthy eating into routine clinical care. While OTs and PTs may be comfortable promoting activity-related behaviors, many are less comfortable with nutrition behaviors. To address entry-level OT and PT students’ perceived discomfort with discussing diet-related behaviors, faculty developed a healthy eating module for students to use during a community-based service learning program. The purpose of this paper is to describe the formative evaluation process of developing the healthy eating module, and to discuss results of …

Understanding Regenerative Medicine And Its Position In Healthcare, Tyler F. Ward

Kentucky Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

Abstract: Regenerative medicine is an emerging field of the healthcare industry that has the potential to treat a myriad of health conditions. Induced pluripotent stem cells, human embryonic stem cells, and tissue engineering are a few of the treatment methods that may be delivered by healthcare professionals in personalized medicine. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval is necessary within the United States before any of these treatment options are available. Specific cellular therapies are currently undergoing clinical trials and it may be years before approval is acquired. The National Institute of Health is proactively working to ensure that healthcare policies, …

A Blind Spot In Health Care Services: The Intellectual/ Developmental Disabled Population And Training Of Primary Care Providers, Shaina Goode

Kentucky Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

The intellectual and developmental disabled (I/DD) population is exposed to barriers that prevent access to quality healthcare. One of the main barriers is lack of training among primary care providers to treat the I/DD population. Because this population requires further devotion when addressing personal health needs, it is necessary to understand how lack of training and experience for primary care providers hinders the I/DD population’s health. Primary healthcare providers need further training to obtain skills to provide adequate access for this population to reduce health disparities. Further training such as professionally facilitated courses on disability through lectures or seminars, discipline-specific …

Human Papillomavirus: The Influence Of Prevention And Vaccination, Lacey N. Russell

Kentucky Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

Human Papillomavirus infections (HPV) are the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the United States. Of cancers in parts of the body where HPV is often discovered about 80% originated from an HPV infection. Despite this knowledge and the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine, vaccination by both genders in Kentucky and on a national scale remains highly underutilized. As a result, preventable incidence and mortality rates from HPV-related illness are elevated. Health care delivery factors such as increased vaccination and preventative care, insurance coverage, and accessible rural health care are necessary for HPV prevention and promotion of holistic health. The …

Greater Needs, Greater Spending: Improving Care For High-Need, High-Cost Patients, Laken Tackett

Kentucky Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

High-need patients spend up to four times more than the average American adult on health care services and prescription medications annually. Tailoring services to each individual’s needs could improve health care outcomes, effectively decreasing costs. Although high-need individuals make up only 5% of the population, they account for 50% of national health care expenditure. Improving care for this population is vital. Implementing an occupational therapist in the primary care process is one way to improve health for these individuals. Highly specialized care coordinators could also be beneficial for this population to coordinate services and medications, making sure there are not …

Medical Marijuana And The Healthcare System, John T. Lear-Phillips

Kentucky Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

Many individuals in America suffer from chronic diseases (Glaucoma, Cancer, PTSD, HIV/AIDS, and multiple sclerosis) and medical marijuana can alleviate the side effects associated with these conditions. The federal government should legalize marijuana in order to give individuals with chronic diseases the organic medication they need to manage their symptoms. The current literature discusses how this topic is a national and community healthcare issue due to the large numbers of individuals with chronic conditions who could benefit from access to medical marijuana. Medical marijuana has the ability to improve the cost, access, and quality of healthcare in the United States …

Nursing Perceptions Of Occupational Therapy For Delirium Management In The Intensive Care Unit, Emma Mcclellan

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Occupational therapy (OT) has been identified in existing research as an appropriate profession for addressing cognitive impairments such as delirium common to intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization. Purpose: This study hypothesized that cultural change must occur within the ICU setting regarding the importance of rehabilitation services for mental functioning and cognitive stimulation in addition to early mobility in the prevention and management of ICU delirium. The intent of this capstone project was to determine the perceptions of ICU nurses regarding the inclusion of and collaboration with OT for the management of ICU delirium. Theoretical Framework: The purpose and objectives …

Training Appalachian, Hospital-Based Occupational Therapists On The Use Of Standardized, Occupation-Based Outcome Measures And Treatment Concepts For Traumatic Upper Extremity Injuries: A Pilot Program, Donald G. Pitts

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Executive Summary

Background. Traumatic injuries to the upper extremity, such as crush injuries, tendon lacerations, burns, and amputations, are common and may result in missed work, decreased independence in activities of daily living, and decreased the quality of life. In urban areas, traumatic upper extremity injuries are often treated by a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), who is an occupational or physical therapist with specialized training who has passed a national certification examination. In the Appalachian region of Kentucky, people with traumatic hand injuries are most likely to be treated in a hospital-based outpatient orthopedic setting that is primarily staffed with …

A Pilot Experimental Study Of Adding The Copm To The Occupational Therapy Evaluation Process In The Swing-Bed Division Of A Rural Hospital Setting, Sarah T. Durbin Ms.

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Extensive evidence is available on the efficacy of occupation-based practice for improving patient outcomes in hospital settings. There were no studies that took place specifically in the swing-bed division of rural hospital settings regarding occupation-based practice prior to the implementation of this study. Purpose: This study sought to determine whether the addition of the COPM would increase occupational performance and patient satisfaction for individuals treated in the swing-bed division of a rural hospital setting. Theoretical Framework: The Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement is the primary theory supporting this study, due to the emphasis placed on client-centeredness, spirituality, …

The Impact Of Interactive Education On Caregivers Caring For Individuals With Dementia, Lisa K. Hong

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are becoming more prevalent and individuals with the disease requiring much physically and emotionally from caregivers. As caregivers are often thrust unprepared into their roles, the need for quality education becomes increasingly important.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify changes in caregiver perception after participation in an interactive educational program. The following research questions were used: 1) What is the perception of both professional and family caregivers about their ability to provide care following an interactive education program for dementia care? 2) Does an education program change the caregiver’s general knowledge …