Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Life History Of Catherine (Catie) Sondrol, Mot, Otr/L, Molly Maudal, Lydia Swanson

Oral History Posters

The participant was one of 31 participants interviewed as part of a larger study, Life Histories of Individuals Who Have Been Influential in Developing Occupational Therapy (OT) with ties to North Dakota and Wyoming. The purpose of this project is to gather information about the history and evolution of occupational therapy practice in North Dakota and Wyoming through life histories of individuals who have been influential in developing OT in these two states.

Evolution Of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History Of Diane Norell, Msw, Otr/L, Caelin Hansen, Jessie Zimmer

Oral History Posters

This life history is one of 31 life history interviews which are part of a larger project, Life Histories of Individuals Who Have Been Influential In Developing Occupational Therapy (OT) In North Dakota and Wyoming. The purpose of the project is to gather information about the history and evolution of occupational therapy (OT) practice in North Dakota and Wyoming through life history of individuals who have been influential in developing OT in these two states. It is anticipated that the life history process will be a powerful way to gather this information. This study is intended to provide current and …

Evolution Of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History Of Dr. Julie Grabanski, Phd, Otr/L, Sydney Gayton, Madisyn Rick

Oral History Posters

Purpose: Gather information about the history and evolution of occupational therapy (OT) practice in North Dakota and Wyoming through life histories of individuals who have been influential in developing OT in these states. Our participant was one of thirty-one participants for the larger study. The KawaModel was used to guide our data collection process and we implemented interview questions that reflected the model. The KawaModel was designed for cultures who value a collectivist mindset (Iwama, 2006). The water represents life flow, the river side walls and bottom represent the environment, rocks represent problematic life circumstances that disrupt water flow, and …

Life History Of Zondra Thompson, Mot Otr/L, Brianna Johnson, Kylie Walthers

Oral History Posters

This study offers a glimpse into the life of Zondra Thompson from the time she graduated in 1972 from the Occupational Therapy Program at the University of North Dakota to the time she retired in 2007. This life history is one of the 31 life history interviews which are a part of a larger project, Life Histories of Individuals Who Have Been Influential in Developing Occupational Therapy (OT) in North Dakota and Wyoming. The purpose of the project is to gather information about the history and evolution of occupational therapy (OT) practice in North Dakota and Wyoming through life histories …

Life History Of Jason Kjar, Mot, Otr/L, Alana Grabarkewitz, Alyana Simpron

Oral History Posters

The purpose of this project is to gather information about the history and evolution of occupational therapy (OT) practice in North Dakota and Wyoming through life histories of individuals who have been influential in developing OT in these two states and/or at the national level. It is anticipated that the life history interviews will be a valuable experience and an effective way to gather information about this individual. The study is intended to provide occupational therapy students and occupational therapists with a snap shot of the history of OT, and how OT practice as evolved over time in the North …

Evolution Of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History Of Marylou Wittmann, Otr/L, Elizabeth Hauck, Kimberly Harmelink

Oral History Posters

This life history is one of 31 life history interviews which are a part of a larger project, Life Histories of Individuals Who Have Been Influential in Developing Occupational Therapy (OT) in North Dakota and Wyoming. The purpose of the project is to gather information about the history and evolution of OT practice in North Dakota and Wyoming through life histories of individuals who have been influential in developing OT in these two states. It is anticipated that the life history process will be a powerful way to gather this information. This study is intended to provide current and future …

Evolution Of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History Of Anne Haskins, Phd, Otr/L, Dayton Bender, Shaina Simonson

Oral History Posters

This life history is one of 31 life history interviews which contribute to a larger project, Life Histories of Individuals Who Have Been Influential in Developing Occupational Therapy (OT), in North Dakota and Wyoming.The purpose of this life history study is to gather information about the history and evolution of occupational therapy practice (OT) in North Dakota and Wyoming through life histories of individuals who have been influential in developing OT in these two states.This study is intended to provide current and future generations of occupational therapy practitioners a view of history and OT practice has evolved from its inception …

Generationactive: Creating Healthier Communities Two Generations At A Time, Jerrica Thiel, Mallory Manecke

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Obesity has become an epidemic across all ages, as the prevalence of obesity has nearly tripled over the last 40 years (World Health Organization, 2017-a). Obesity can have a detrimental impact on the health and future of Americans, as many diseases are correlated with obesity. Diabetes, which often occurs secondary to obesity and is the 7th leading cause of death in America, is similarly on the rise (CDC, 2012). To combat these issues, there is a great need for a health promotion initiative that provides individuals of all ages an opportunity to learn about health and wellness, to take steps …

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, …

Pinch Testing Positions Among Certified Hand Therapists: A Cross-Sectional Survey, Sueann R. Woods, Christa Lilly

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Background: Pinch strength is indicative of later functional hand use following injury to hand. However, we believe clinicians (and more specifically CHTs) currently do not use a consistent measurement of pinch grip, despite availability of a “gold standard” of current (2015) ASHT standards for measuring pinch grip.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey (N = 175, 35% response) was designed to determine whether CHTs adhere to the standardized testing position for palmar pinch strength as recommended by the ASHT.

Results: Results determined that only 5.7% (n = 10) of the CHTs surveyed complete the entire ASHT standardized testing …

Exploring Student-Led Interprofessional Education Through A Community Service Project, Lindsay Ann Doerschuk

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to explore the effectiveness of a student-led interprofessional education (IPE) workshop in improving student attitudes and perceptions toward IPE. Students from four health science programs including Dental Hygiene, Communication Sciences and Disorders/Speech and Hearing, Health Services Administration and Occupational Therapy participated in a community service event. Students provided screenings to veteran patients including a health history intake, hearing test, and sleep screening while other students observed.

Methods: Students were asked to attend an orientation, the Vets Day IPE workshop, and a debrief session. This mixed methods approach study utilized the Readiness for Interprofessional …

Evolution Of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History Of Dr. Julie Grabanski, Phd, Otr/L, Sydney Gayton, Madisyn Rick

Oral History Student Papers

This qualitative study was completed in order to gather information about the history of the occupational therapy practice. The process was guided by the Kawa Model and life histories of influencers in North Dakota and Wyoming were collected. A face-to-face interview was conducted at the University of North Dakota with Dr. Julie Grabanski in order to collect this needed information. After the transcription and data analysis were complete, the student researchers discovered that Dr. Julie Grabanski has applied what she has learned from her occupational therapy education to her everyday life. It was also found that she embraces an occupational …

Evolution Of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History Of Annie Schlecht, Motr/L, Cimi, Paige Rieger, Jordyn Himley

Oral History Posters

This life history one of 31 life history interviews which are a part of a larger project, Life Histories of Individuals Who Have Been Influential in Developing Occupational Therapy (OT) in North Dakota and Wyoming, The purpose of the project is to gather information about the history and evolution of occupational therapy (OT) practice in North Dakota and Wyoming through life histories of individuals who have been influential in developing OT in these two states. It is anticipated that the life history process will be a powerful way to gather this information. This study is intended to provide current and …

Experiences Of Balance Among Novice Occupational Therapists, Mary Nell Wagner

Online Theses and Dissertations

For new occupational therapists, finding balance between the demands of work and their personal lives is challenging. The transition from student to practitioner is filled with uncertainty as new therapists try to meet the demands of working in a continuously changing environment. Research describing how new therapists define and experience balance in their own daily lives is currently missing in the literature. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of novice occupational therapists in creating occupational balance while working in the healthcare system. Six novice therapists in their first year of practice were recruited for this …

Fragile X Syndrome And Family Occupations: Sertraline Treatment, Tracy Ye, Decerie Mendoza, Elena A. Javier, Martina C. Dualan

Student Research Posters

Current research on children with Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) lacks inclusion of qualitative outcomes on the child’s daily occupational performance. Standardized measurements are frequently utilized and provide useful information, however, can be less sensitive to change (Berry Kravis et al., 2013) and miss capturing family perspectives and improvements within meaningful occupations. This research incorporates family perspectives via semi-structured interviews to promote an in-depth understanding about FXS and its impact on child and family occupations in addition to standardized assessment scores through in-depth case study analysis. This study used a mixed method research design examining four male participants who were given …

A Sensory-Based Program To Enhance Occupational Performance For Dementia, Naomi Grace Wong, Jacob Joseph Gantan, Ivy Annahi Torres-Flores, Heather Anne August

Student Research Posters

Dementia is a neurological disease, causing behavioral and cognitive symptoms, that progressively impairs an individual’s ability to engage in meaningful activities. Progressive deterioration associated with dementia impacts occupational performance and independence and quality of life. Sensory based interventions, such as drumming groups, have been hypothesized to be a non-pharmacological intervention for individuals with dementia. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of a sensory based intervention program, in this case participation in a drumming group, on functional engagement during self-feeding for individuals with dementia. Researchers gathered data over the course of two days using the Functional Behavior …

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 Impact Of Fall Efficacy On Occupational Performance In Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Michelle Fong, Araya Moua, Erin Denola, Merit Franklin

Student Research Posters

Falls are a major health concern in the older adult (OA) population. While there is research on falls and their prevention, research on how low fall efficacy (FE) impacts the occupational engagement of the OA population is limited. FE is defined as the confidence a person has in his/her ability to complete a task without falling (Tinetti & Powell, 1993). A qualitative study was conducted using a phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences of OAs with low FE and the impact on occupational performance. Participants who scored ≤ 6 on the Modified Fall Efficacy Scale (MFES) engaged in a …

Assistive Technology And The Impact Of Occupations, Chelsea Golding, Chantelle Bond, Vhernna Fernandez, Eizelle Barrientos

Student Research Posters

Objective: The purpose of this research was to empirically examine the occupational impact of assistive technology - AT (with a specific focus on word prediction, text to speech and speech recognition) from the perspectives of the end user, family and school personnel (e.g. teachers, therapists & specialists) across various contexts (e.g. home, school, community).

Method: Qualitative data included semi-structured interviews, audio and video recordings, and records reviews. The data was coded and analyzed using a constant comparison method to identify themes pertaining to the occupational use of AT and thusly the impact to overall occupational performance.

Findings: Six themes were …

Occupational Responses Of Older Adults Following Partner Loss, Carol Huang, Jane Song, Peter Behr, Stephanie Sterner

Student Research Posters

Spousal loss has been frequently identified as a life stressor that can greatly impede one’s ability to age at home. The purpose of this study is to identify the occupational changes that commonly result after this event and their impacts on one’s ability to age in place. This study utilized a qualitative phenomenological research design. Eight participants were recruited from an educational program for older adults and were interviewed using a semi-structured interview format. Researchers transcribed and coded all interviews to determine emergent themes. Two major categories of themes were found: occupational and intrinsic responses. The areas of occupation that …

Clinician, Educator, And Student Perceptions Of Entry-Level Academic Degree Requirements In Occupational Therapy Education, Whitney M. Lucas Molitor, Ranelle Nissen

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Entry-level occupational therapy degree requirements have varied since the establishment of the profession. Currently multiple degree paths exist. There are cited benefits for a multiple degree path system; however, barriers also exist. Most notable among these are confusion among recipients of services and other health care providers. As other healthcare professional programs have transitioned to a single point of entry at the doctoral level, occupational therapy, until recently, had not yet made this change. A nationwide online survey was used to assess perceptions of the entry-level doctorate. Participants included current occupational therapy practitioners (clinicians or educators) and students in entry-level …

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 …

Applying The Social Change Model Of Leadership To An Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program, Lorry Liotta-Kleinfeld, Debra Gibbs, Yvette Hachtel, Teresa Plummer

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy educators are tasked with preparing the future leaders in the profession. This responsibility requires a thoughtful and evidence based approach to reviewing and revising curricula to address changing professional and societal needs while aligning with a university’s mission and vision. While the need for occupational therapy leadership has been a topic of much discussion in the literature, little has been written about evidence-based curricular practices to develop and prepare students for leadership roles. This article demonstrates how one entry-level occupational therapy doctorate program incorporated the underpinnings of the Social Change Model of Leadership Development (Wagner, 2006) into 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 Development Of A Role-Emerging Fieldwork Placement In A Homeless Shelter, Quinn Tyminski

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The purpose of this project was to develop and evaluate student learning outcomes of a role-emerging fieldwork Level II placement in a local homeless shelter. A role-emerging fieldwork placement denotes any placement in which there is not an identified occupational therapy program or no on-site occupational therapy (OT) supervisor. The project ran from January through June 2017 at a local homeless shelter with 1 Masters of Occupational Therapy (MOT) student from a local university completing their first Level II fieldwork rotation from January through March, followed by 2 MOT students completing their second rotation from April through June. Fieldwork supervision …

Admission Requirements And Practices In Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Programs, Patricia Bowyer, Cynthia Tiongco, L. Kaye Rubio, Judy Liu, Sandra M. Whisner

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

When establishing admission processes for entry-level doctoral programs, admission requirements for master-level programs provide a comparison for consideration. The purpose of this study was to provide information about admission practices for graduate-level occupational therapy programs. The three aims included: 1) to describe admission requirements of a sample of entry-level master’s programs; 2) to examine the relationship between attrition and admission requirements for the sample; and 3) to provide a summary of admission requirements used by entry-level master and doctoral programs in the United States. Results of the study provided a synthesis of information about admission requirements that included programs’ minimum …

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 …

Increasing Self-Efficacy Through Role Emerging Placements: Implications For Occupational Therapy Experiential Learning, Amy Mattila, Elizabeth D. Deiuliis, Ann B. Cook

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Fieldwork education is an essential component of occupational therapy curriculum design and student development. Today’s students are faced with a variety of challenges in the changing, diverse healthcare system, and educators need to ensure there are placements that best prepare them for these demands. Role emerging fieldwork offers an opportunity to not only meet the curricular requirements of fieldwork education, but also afford students the chance to develop confidence and skills unique to this kind of placement. The purpose of this explanatory case study was to explore graduate occupational therapy students’ self-efficacy before and after a Level I role emerging …

Differences In The Use And Perceptions Of Evidence-Based Practice Between Occupational Therapy Students And Practitioners, Alison Nichols, Paige Creighton, Annie Derolf, Shelby Hale, Leann Vandeman, Kersten Laughlin, Kelsie Long

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This study explored differences in perceptions of evidence-based practice (EBP) between occupational therapy (OT) students and practitioners. Researchers aimed to understand student and practitioner perceptions of barriers, knowledge, attitudes, and confidence in EBP. Occupational therapy students (n=61) and practitioners (n=21) completed an online researcher-created survey and the Evidence-Based Practice Confidence (EPIC) Scale survey. Results indicated practitioners were more confident in utilizing EBP than students, particularly when identifying a gap in knowledge related to a patient (p = <.001) deciding on a course of action for a client (p = <.001), and assessing the efficacy of EBP on client outcomes (p = <.001). This finding was inconsistent with previous research, which may be due to more practitioners receiving formal education on EBP. It is critical for OT education to support student learning and application of clinical reasoning throughout the EBP process in order to increase confidence. This study was limited by the use of a homogenous population from a single university.