Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Occupational Therapy Practitioners’ Perceptions Of The Effectiveness Of Employer-Sponsored Evidence-Based Practice Activities, Kelli Spayd

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Evidence-based practice is an expectation for the practice of occupational therapy, however, practitioners are not engaging regularly in it. Employers have started to offer activities, such as journal clubs and case studies, or access to research articles and continuing education activities, to help increase evidence-based practice use.

Purpose: The purpose of this descriptive open-ended survey study was to evaluate the perceived effectiveness of employer-sponsored evidence-based practice activities by occupational therapy practitioners. It was the goal of the research to answer the question: what are occupational therapists’ perceptions regarding employer-sponsored evidence-based activities?

Theoretical Framework. The Model of Human Occupation provides …

Use Of Concept Mapping Within A Functional Neuroanatomy Course To Promote Critical Thinking Skills In Occupational Therapy Students, Alissa R. Baker

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Critical thinking involves examining and reflecting on one’s own biases, assumptions, and thinking processes. Within occupational therapy (OT), critical thinking skills are foundational skills to support effective clinical reasoning and decision making; however, there is limited evidence on how these skills can be developed and applied within OT education to support positive student outcomes.

Purpose: The purpose of this research project was to explore the use of explicit instruction on critical thinking paired with concept mapping as teaching methods to support entry-level OT student mastery of content knowledge related to functional neuroanatomy. This study aimed to answer the following …

Occupation And Time-Use: The Narratives Of One Individual With Tetraplegia, Amanda Balser

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Successful health-management habits of individuals with tetraplegia have correlated with better quality of life and occupational engagement. Objectives: Little is known about the experience of time-use during these practices and the influence these routines have on participation in other meaningful occupations. This study aimed to explore the stories an individual with tetraplegia has about time-use in health management practices, influences on time-use, and feelings about quality of life and life satisfaction. Methodology: Narrative inquiry was used to explore the stories of time-use of one individual living with tetraplegia. Findings: Eleven interpretive stories were thematically represented illustrating the complexity of …

Interprofessional Collaboration Practice Between Nurses And Occupational Therapists, Kimberly Lamke

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: There is limited research on the interprofessional relationship between occupational therapists and nurses in pediatric outpatient settings, as well as the understanding nurses have of occupational therapy. Interprofessional collaboration is a key component in pediatric client care, regardless of the setting. Interprofessional collaboration is imperative to ensure that health care teams are efficient and able to provide clients with the highest quality of care (Loy et al., 2015).

Purpose: The purpose of this Capstone is to determine how nursing students perceive occupational therapy in a pediatric setting and to examine their perceptions of the interprofessional relationship. Further, it will …

Occupational Therapists’ Clinical Reasoning In Aat With Dogs In Pediatric Therapy, Catherine C. Goodman

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to understand the clinical reasoning used by occupational therapists to select animal assisted therapy with a dog to be included in a treatment plan for their pediatric occupational therapy clients

Theoretical Framework. The Ecology of Human Performance model supports the study purpose and emphasizes the effect of a person’s context and environment on their ability to function and perform tasks.

Methods. The descriptive qualitative study used interviews of seven occupational therapy practitioners who have included dogs in therapy sessions with children. Interactive coding and theme development was employed with member checking applied to …

Understanding The Experiences Of Occupational Therapists Assessing And Treating Functional Cognition Following Stroke, Emma R. Gregg

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background. Stroke is one of the leading causes of long-term disability in the United States, with many stroke survivors experiencing cognitive impairment. Despite the prevalence and impact of cognitive impairment amongst the post stroke population, the evidence for functional cognition assessment and intervention in occupational therapy practice is not well described, and there is currently no evidence available exploring the perceptions of occupational therapists regarding functional cognition for stroke survivors.

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to explore the perceptions of occupational therapists assessing and treating functional cognition in individuals following stroke.

Methods. This qualitative descriptive study included occupational …

Effectiveness Of Electrical Stimulation In Treating Upper Extremity Pain For Older Adult Clients Residing In A Skilled Nursing Facility, Cody L. West

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: It is estimated that 55% of older adults who reside in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have chronic pain that affects their daily function. However, limited research has been conducted on the effectiveness of electrical stimulation (e-stim) in treating upper extremity (UE) pain for the older adult population specifically.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine whether electrical stimulation can decrease UE pain in clients age 65+ residing in a SNF. A sub-question in the study was whether e-stim can improve UE functional performance in older adult clients.

Theoretical Framework: There are two guiding theoretical …

Maintaining Occupations For Long-Term Care Residents, Lara Albano

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

This Capstone project focused on client-chosen occupations and the use of client-centered evaluations and interventions for long-term care residents. Client-chosen occupations keep our clients actively engaged in therapy, gives them a sense of control, and maintains their identity. The purpose was to prepare occupational therapists to address long-term care residents’ unique occupational needs and promote participation in their chosen and meaningful occupations. It aimed to examine how occupational therapists interpret and include client-chosen occupations and occupation-based assessments in evaluations and interventions for long-term care residents in skilled nursing facilities.

Telehealth Vs Face To Face Pediatric Screenings: A Pilot Study, Katherine S. Ryan-Bloomer, Joan Ziegler Delahunt

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The global pandemic heightened the importance of occupational therapy (OT) education programs to prepare students for telehealth practice. The objective was to examine the following research questions: 1. Does self-assessment of pediatric competency skills improve following participation in pediatric screenings? 2. Is there a difference in self-assessment of pediatric competency skills between those students who perform pediatric screenings via telehealth versus face-to-face? 3. What is the lived experience for students who perform telehealth and face-to-face pediatric screenings? A mixed method- quasi-experimental design and phenomenological tradition were employed. The study utilized online surveys, focus groups, telehealth screenings with an urban preschool, …

Perceptions On Non-Traditional Models Of Fieldwork Supervision, Michelle Forfa, Christine Helfrich, Rebecca Simon

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy fieldwork education has historically followed the traditional apprenticeship model, which pairs one student with one fieldwork educator for supervision and guidance through the transformational process from student to entry-level clinician. There is an absence of high-level evidence to support this model as best practice in fieldwork education. Despite data published to endorse alternative supervision models, fieldwork educators (FWEs) appear hesitant to embrace these approaches. The purpose of this investigation was to explore occupational therapy practitioners’ views on the value and challenges associated with the implementation of non-traditional models of supervision during Level II fieldwork education. The study specifically …

Level Ii Fieldwork Educators' Perceived And Experienced Challenges With Using The Collaborative Fieldwork Supervision Model, Oaklee Rogers, Cherie Graves, Tamara Turner, Debra J. Hanson, Marilyn G. Klug

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Fieldwork shortages have been noted in the literature for some time. With the ever-changing healthcare system and an increasing number of students in occupational therapy programs, the scarcity of fieldwork placements is dire. Rooted in adult learning principles, the collaborative fieldwork supervision model is one approach to fieldwork education that may alleviate the shortage of placements, while also supporting student learning. This model is designed to have one fieldwork educator supervising two or more students throughout a fieldwork experience. The strengths and challenges of this model are well documented, although it is unclear if the identified challenges are the same …

Exploring Fieldwork Educator Development: Preparation Methods And Support Tools, Pamela Karp, Kelly A. Lavin, Tara Collins

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Fieldwork education is a critical piece to professional development and competency in occupational therapy. As part of their core curriculum, all students enrolled in accredited occupational therapy programs must complete full-time fieldwork experiences under the direct supervision of a licensed occupational therapy practitioner. This component of the student’s education relies on the skills and training of the fieldwork educator. Academic programs are expected to support occupational therapy practitioners in their role as fieldwork educators in the form of resource provisions to enhance supervisory skills. However, there are no clear standards that describe how to vet, effectively disseminate, or implement the …

An Exploration Of The Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone: Perspectives From Capstone Coordinators, Graduates, And Site Mentors, Anne F. Kiraly-Alvarez, Autumn Clegg, Whitney Lucas Molitor, Danielle Friberg

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Few studies have investigated entry-level doctoral capstone outcomes regarding how the experience and project relate to employment opportunities. This descriptive study reports various stakeholders’ perspectives regarding the entry-level occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) capstone in relation to employment opportunities and awareness of the profession. Authors disseminated a nationwide survey to doctoral capstone coordinators, entry-level OTD graduates, and capstone site mentors. Ten doctoral capstone coordinators, 68 OTD graduates, and 22 capstone site mentors responded to the survey. Collectively, doctoral capstone coordinators reported that 117 OTD graduates obtained employment in a setting related to the focus of their doctoral capstone and gave examples …

The Intentional Fieldwork Education Model: Guiding Fieldwork Educators Toward Intentionality And Competency To Enhance Student Learning, E. Joy Crawford, Nadine Hanner

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Fieldwork education is an essential component of occupational therapy education. The level of competency and preparedness of fieldwork educators may vary substantially and may significantly impact student learning outcomes. The availability of an evidence-based comprehensive fieldwork model to guide the fieldwork educator, clarify issues related to teaching-learning, and provide insightful solutions to issues the educator may encounter, is warranted but is not currently available. The intentional fieldwork education model, introduced in this article, was developed to provide a framework to enhance fieldwork educator competency, self-efficacy, and student learning outcomes. In addition, the model emphasizes the significance of intentionality in the …

Finding A Voice: Overcoming Shame Through A Classroom Collective Exploration Of Vulnerability, Mary Catherine Lockmiller, Amy Armstrong-Heimsoth

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

In keeping with the call for greater justice and diversity within the occupational therapy profession, many educational programs are taking steps to infuse diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across their curriculum. In this paper, we will introduce the theoretical concepts underpinning the first assignment in a DEI curriculum thread in one entry-level occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) program, grounding it in critical pedagogy and exploring how it provides a first step to critical aptitude by providing space for an open-ended, reflexive dialogue about subjective experiences of internalized shame and marginalization. Students learn how to practice self awareness, understand shame culture, and …

Passing The Five-Year Mark: Reflections On Growth And Trends, Dana M. Howell, Cynthia L. Hayden, Renee Causey-Upton

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

No abstract provided.

Use Of The Subject-Centered Integrated Learning Model And The Occupational Experience Profile To Promote Students' Connections Among Occupation, Self, And The Profession, Adele Breen-Franklin, Karen Atler

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Recent research related to occupational therapy education identified the need for a conceptual model to help guide the design and implementation of occupation-centered education. Spurred by this research, the Subject-centered Integrative Learning Model-Occupational Therapy (SCIL-OT) emerged as a model to enable educators and learners to keep the concept of occupation at the center of all occupational therapy education and learning. That work, largely focused on teaching students to connect non-occupation content to occupation (Hooper et al., 2020). However, teaching students about occupation directly can also benefit from using the SCIL-OT model to design learning experiences. The purpose of this paper …

The Development Of A Well-Being Program For Occupational Therapy Graduate Students, Stacy Smallfield, Emma Burry, Kelsey M. Lawrence, Kathy M. Yang, Katherine M. Chin, Hannahmarie Klute

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

High levels of stress among occupational therapy graduate students have led to the adoption of unhealthy coping habits such as poor nutrition, little exercise, and disrupted sleep. In response, many institutions have explored programming and even curricular changes to support student well-being. However, very few are built upon a strong theoretical foundation to address holistic well-being. Therefore, this paper describes how logic modeling was used to develop a student well-being program based on Facilitating Learning and Occupational Well-Being Using Research-Based Initiatives for Student Health (FLOURISH), a theoretical approach rooted in the Person-Environment-Occupation Performance Model. A well-being program delivered via a …

“We Weren’T Taught How To Recover From A Pandemic:” Recent Occupational Therapy Graduates’ Reflections On Covid-19, Laura H. Vanpuymbrouck, Carli Friedman

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

In the spring of 2020, graduates from occupational therapy (OT) programs across the globe were entering a world of clinical unknowns. The students from this graduating cohort likely had little to no education or training on how to deliver OT in the wake of COVID-19. How well prepared did these new graduates perceive themselves to be to enter a healthcare climate in a pandemic and what were their biggest concerns? The objective of this study was to understand new graduates’ perspectives of the impact of COVID-19 on their future as occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs), and their sense of preparedness to …

Exploring The Experiences Of Black/African American Students In Entry Level Occupational Therapy And Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs: A Survey Study, Riqiea F. Kitchens, Amber B. Armstead, Karthik Mani, Lima Ghulmi, Diane M. Collins

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Black/African American students account for 6.5% of the enrollment in entry-level occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) programs (AOTA, 2019). OT and OTA programs serve as the entry point to increasing diversity in the profession and contribute to a diverse healthcare workforce. Limited research exists that offers insight into the experiences of minority students enrolled in OT and OTA programs. The purpose of this study was to explore the academic experiences of Black/African American students enrolled in entry-level OT and OTA programs to identify supports and barriers in the educational experience. Eligible participants were asked to complete an …

The Effect Of An Online Journal Club On Fieldwork Educators’ Perspectives On Student Professionalism, Nathaniel R. Dare, William Janes

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This study examined the effect of an online journal club on fieldwork educators’ perspectives on student professionalism. Fieldwork educators participated in a five-week journal club on the topic of professionalism. Thirty-nine fieldwork educators completed the experience, which entailed a pre-posttest survey, reading one article, and participating in a weekly, asynchronous discussion. Ratings of confidence in supervising students who exhibit unprofessional behaviors increased at a statistically significant level from pretest to posttest. Qualitative themes are presented for pre-posttest questions, in addition to the weekly discussion responses. An online journal club for fieldwork educators increased self-ratings of confidence in supervising students who …

Intraprofessional Collaboration In Ot/Ota Academia: Immersive Innovations For Skill Building, Terri Reichley Dennehy

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Intraprofessionalism is vital to service delivery. This inquiry sought to develop and examine a college elective combining occupational therapy (OT) with occupational therapy assistant (OTA) students, to foster collaborative relationships, and to provide intraprofessional innovations in academia across an entire semester, immersing learners from multiple colleges/universities. Qualitative participatory action research (PAR) was used to determine ways to integrate OT and OTA students from four disparate programs in intraprofessional learning, and to understand students’ perspectives regarding the immersive, learner-centered educational programming. The research cycled through planning, acting, observing, and reflecting on topics related to OT/OTA integration, supervision, and role delineation. Inquiry …

Changes In Study Approaches, Self-Efficacy, And Mental Health In Allied Healthcare Students During The Covid-19 Crisis, Elaina J. Dalomba, Tore Bonsaksen, Mary Jan Greer, Saji Mansur

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

There is growing concern about student mental health, particularly during the COVID-19 crisis. Mental health factors impact self-efficacy and study behaviors, thus there is a need to explore changes in these factors during the pandemic. The aim of this study was to explore changes in allied healthcare students’ approaches to studying, self-efficacy and positive mental health before and during the COVID-19 crisis. The Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students, General Self-efficacy scale, Mental Health Continuum – Short Form were given to graduate students (n=26) prior to, and one year into the pandemic. Repeated measures analyses of variance were performed. …

International Students’ And Alumni Perspectives On Their Transition To Graduate Level Occupational Therapy Education And Daily Life In The United States, Areli D. Benitez, Daniel Park, Sarah Bream

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

International students who enroll in American occupational therapy academic programs must quickly adapt to the academic demands and everyday life rhythms within the United States. This qualitative study contributes to the body of knowledge of lived experiences of international occupational therapy students, specific to their transition to graduate occupational therapy education and daily life in a new country. Thirteen (13) international occupational therapy graduate students and alumni participated in an individual or joint interview. Three key themes emerged from the findings and include the following: 1) Challenges: Inside and Outside of the Classroom, 2) A Support System: A Home Away …

Barriers, Challenges, And Supports To The Implementation Of Standardized Patients And Simulated Environments By Occupational Therapy Education Programs, Amanda Mack, Anne Escher, John Wong

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

A national survey examined the implementation rates, barriers, challenges, and supports to implementation of two types of simulation (standardized patients and simulated environments) by entry-level occupational therapy education programs in the United States. It also sought to identify relationships between program characteristics and implementation of these types of simulation. An online survey inquiring about academic program characteristics and use of simulation was sent to all occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant programs in the United States in 2017 prior to the implementation of the 2018 Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education Standards and the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Data …

Occupational Therapy Students’ Responses To Online Standardized Patient Simulations, Robyn Wu, Chi-Kwan Shea

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Campus closures during the COVID-19 pandemic led to the innovation of online standardized patient (SP) simulations. Extensive preparation with the faculty, simulation specialists, SPs, and 42 occupational therapy students was required to smoothly adapt an occupational therapy learning module from in-person to online simulations. The concepts of functional task alignment and psychological fidelity from the simulation literature guided the process of designing the online simulations. Post-simulation, student perceptions about learner engagement, psychological fidelity, and accomplishment of the simulation’s learning outcomes were collected using anonymous surveys. All 36 survey respondents found the online SP encounters to be engaging. Most experienced realism …

Occupational Therapy Assistant Student Perceptions Of Multi-Site, Single Site, And Simulated Level I Fieldwork, Tammy Divens, Laura Cruz

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Fieldwork education is the practical application of an occupational therapy education. Level I fieldwork is an important component that introduces students to the clinical setting for basic understanding of client interactions. Quality fieldwork programs in occupational therapy are more difficult to procure than ever before due to critical shortages of placements. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a major impact on all medical professions. The need for remodeling Level I fieldwork education possibilities has significantly increased. This study compares occupational therapy clinical education across three modalities recognized by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) standards: a simulated, virtual environment; …

Cohort Analysis Of Four Graduating Classes Of Occupational Therapy Students' Knowledge Of Aging, Lavona Traywick, Brittany N. Saviers, Terry Wayne Griffin, Teressa Brown

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

At the same time that the number of senior adults in the United States is steadily rising, there is also a rising shortage of allied health care professionals, including occupational therapists, to meet the current and expected needs of the senior adult population. There are national standards that all occupational therapy programs must meet; however, there is not a set national curriculum. It is assumed that students will enter their respective occupational therapy programs with a base knowledge of aging due to prerequisite requirements. To test that assumption, with Institutional Review Board approval, over four consecutive years 192 first-year, first-semester …

Level I Fieldwork Using Simulation: Student Performance Outcomes And Perceptions, Nicole C. Harris, Sarah Nielsen, Marilyn G. Klug

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The purpose of this study was to examine students’ perceptions and performance outcomes of a virtual fieldwork using Simucase® in conjunction with supplemental activities and debriefing opportunities. The simulation replaced Level I clinic-based fieldwork experiences that were cancelled due to COVID-19. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using a modified evaluation tool to assess student performance outcomes and perceptions for students in the Year one Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) cohort (n=57) and the Year two Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) cohort (n=57) enrolled in a public university in the rural Midwest. Student ratings were compared using chi-square test of independence …

Validation Of Objective Structured Clinical Examination (Osce) Based On The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (Otpf): A Pilot Study, Marzieh Pashmdarfard, Afsoon Hassani Mehraban, Narges Shafaroodi, Kamran Soltani Arabshahi, Soroor Parvizy, Akram Azad, Samaneh Karamali Esmaeili

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Fieldwork education is an integral part of the educational process in occupational therapy and assessing student competency at the end of fieldwork is important. The aim of this study was to design and conduct an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) based on the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF) for occupational therapy students on Level II fieldwork in Iran. A seven-station OSCE was designed and conducted with 13 students. Face and content validity of the exam scenarios and grading checklists was assessed via faculty review. The correlation between scores from each station and total OSCE scores were obtained to assess construct …