Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Teaming For Transition: Interprofessional Collaboration, Megan Sturdivant, Emily Thompson, Sam Skelton, Rebecca Mallory

2020 Honors Symposium

The transition from youth to young adult for individuals with severe disabilities is difficult, provides few opportunities for employment, and offers less of a chance to connect with friends and engage with people. This research presents ways that speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, school counselors, and special educators can collaborate to create a successful transition process for individuals with severe disabilities.

Occupational Therapy: The Supports And Barriers To Practice, Tammy Lane

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: The United States population is aging due to advances in healthcare and the aging of the “baby boomers generation” and the rate of aging is set to be the next public health challenge (Quarterman, 2017). Purpose: To address the unique nature of providing skilled therapy services in rural communities. To gain insight into the recruitment and retention of occupational therapists to rural communities. Theoretical Framework: The Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) (Kielhofner,2008) theory explains how occupations motivate participants in their environments supported by habits and roles in which they engage. Methods: Quantitative design using a descriptive method research approach …

Ace: A Recipe For Occupational Competence, Brittany J. Miller

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Adverse childhood experiences are increasing in society and the lack of knowledge surrounding the condition from the adults who frequently interact with them is concerning. This concern lays the foundation for the development of a targeted approach to pediatric intervention by occupational therapists. The problem this capstone project addresses is expanding the understanding of how adverse childhood experiences mirror other common conditions as well as the need for more competent and confident occupational therapists in identifying and treating children with adverse childhood experiences.

An Exploration Of Financial Management Programming For Residents In One Homeless Shelter: A Qualitative Institutional Case Study, Amy M. Heiser

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Introduction: Homelessness affects the economy, societies, and individuals’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Occupational therapy is a holistic profession that works with all populations across the lifespan. Financial management is a life skill that many Americans struggle with. Evidence on financial management skill development within homeless shelters and occupational therapy is sparse. Occupational justice is a theoretical framework that supports the right for residents in a homeless shelter to have direct interventions toward skill development, such as education in financial management. Methods: This institutional case study explored a homeless shelter to gain knowledge of real-life program phenomena, with focus on …

Strategic Planning For A Psychosocial Occupational Therapy Program: A Swot Analysis, Kellie Roy

OT Student Capstones

PURPOSE

To examine and evaluate the Northern Arizona Veterans Affairs Healthcare System (NAVAHCS) psychosocial occupational therapy (OT) program using a SWOT analysis to inform solution-oriented strategies for future directions of the program.

A Comparison Of Populations: Formerly Incarcerated Men With Substance Use Disorder And Adolescent Psychiatric Patients, Jeanie Fairchild

OT Student Capstones

Aims of the project:

• Equip Maricopa Reentry Center (MRC) residents with life skills necessary for successful reentry.
• Utilize knowledge gained at MRC to teach life skills to adolescents patients at St. Luke’s Behavioral Center (SLBC).

Barriers In Cancer Related Experiences: Where Can Ots Fill In The Gaps, Zoe Hoberman-Kelly

OT Student Capstones

Over the last two decades, oncology has made vast improvements in the treatment and management of cancer. Medical advancements in diagnostic imaging, treatment agents and improved surgical techniques have transformed the effectiveness of cancer delivery and care. However treatment related obstacles and health concerns of survivors trails behind that of the treatment for the actual cancer. The literature identified a growing need for increased psychosocial and self-management services to help provide a more cohesive spectrum of care. The inclusion of occupational therapy services within the cancer care continuum can strengthen functional practice and help treat physical and psychosocial barriers. This …

Multidisciplinary Concussion Rehabilitation Team Referral Demographics, Assessments And Intervention Focus: A Retrospective Analysis, Angela A. Tauer

OT Student Capstones

Objective To review the demographic factors, mechanism of injury, assessments, and treatment by health professionals on a multidisciplinary concussion rehabilitation team in an outpatient clinic setting. Methods: Retrospective chart review of 360 patients attending the outpatient concussion clinic over a 15-month period. Patient data was included for 139 patients meeting inclusion criteria. Data collected on an electronic database was reviewed and analyzed. Results Patients aged 16-82 years (n=139; mean 42 years of age, 65.5% female) were evaluated on average 48 weeks following initial head injury. Patients referred by a physician had a mechanism of injury prevalence of motor vehicle accident …

Experiences Of Caregivers And Healthcare Practitioners Working With Children With Histories Of Family Trauma And Substance Abuse, Alexandra Contreras

OT Student Capstones

While the number of infants born with substance abuse exposure continues to grow, the United States lacks a national monitoring system (CDC, 2019). This may contribute to the discrepancy of services and supports available to those working with children with histories of family trauma and substance abuse. The purpose of this study was to investigate the needs and challenges of caregivers and healthcare practitioners working with children with histories of family trauma and substance abuse. To obtain a better understanding and well-rounded image of the challenges and needs, information was gathered from various perspectives of those involved. This OT doctoral …

Outcomes Of Capstone Experience: Playing Together: Outcomes Of An Online Telehealth Sensory-Motor Development Program For Parents With Children Between The Ages Of 1.0-6.11 Years, Sarah Cunningham

OT Student Capstones

Children with developmental delays or cognitive impairments are more at risk for trauma, attachment, and adverse childhood experiences. The purpose of this pilot study of the telehealth program entitled “Playing Together” is to analyze whether an occupational therapy telehealth parent-training play program is an effective way to deliver services and potentially mitigate the effects of for trauma, attachment, and adverse childhood experiences. Quantitative data was gathered via the standardized assessments of the Short Child Occupational Profile and the Canadian Occupational Profile Measure and qualitative data was gathered using parent interviews, researcher journals, and session observation notes. Participants completed five one- …

Supporting Successful Community Reintegration For Maricopa Reentry Center Residentsjustine, Justine C. Gonzales

OT Student Capstones

In 2018, the combined state and federal imprisonment rate was 431 sentenced prisoners per 100,000 U.S. residents (BJS, 2020). Arizona is #5 in the nation with the highest imprisonment rate, 559 sentenced prisoners per 100,000 state residents (BJS, 2020). As of May 2020, there are currently approximately 5,300 offenders under community supervision in Arizona with a majority (4,600 offenders) serving a Truth in Sentencing (TIS) (ADC, 2020).

Barriers to reintegration: laws and legal restrictions, societal stigma and employer attitudes, limited education, limited cognitive skills, limited work experience, inadequate job skills, unstable housing, inadequate social services, lack of a state-issued identification …

Occupational Therapy For A Child With Food Protein Induced Enterocolitis In An Outpatient Multidisciplinary Intensive Feeding Program: A Case Report, Kristel Ferrer

OT Student Capstones

Objective: This article presents a case report of a child with food protein induced enterocolitis,

various feeding difficulties, and poor sensory processing. It discusses the significance of occupational therapy in a multidisciplinary feeding therapy team and describes the outpatient occupational therapy-based plan and interventions during 14 weeks of an intensive feeding therapy program.

Method: Chart review of assessments and daily treatment notes and clinical observations were examined. Progress towards goals was obtained through daily treatment notes and informal parental interviews. Results: Improvement in occupational performance and participation in mealtime and play is captured through daily treatment notes and clinical observations. …

Pet Pals Program: Experiences Of Volunteer Residents Providing Friendly Pet Visits To Individuals In A Memory Support Unit, Kelsey Odell

OT Student Capstones

Studies show that animal-assisted therapy modalities have an effect on motivation for participation, behavioral or psychosocial regulation, and physical and cognitive functions in individuals with dementia. Dementia is a progressive neurocognitive disorder that affects cognition and memory. As the disease progresses, skills needed to participate in activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), community engagement and socialization decrease, making maximal independence more difficult. The Pet Pals Program provides educational and teaching concepts to volunteers and their pets to provide friendly pet visits to those in the memory support units. The program emphasizes the benefits of …

Use Of Intentional Play On Emotional Self-Regulation In Children With Trauma Histories, Erin Sullivan

OT Student Capstones

The purpose of this Capstone research project was to examine the impact of intentional play as a means to increase emotional self-regulation skills in children with traumatic histories and explore how Occupational therapists (OTs) can use such strategies while working with this population. The research was conducted at an emergency children’s shelter and consisted of an educational component for staff and direct contact with the children. Eight staff members participated, and data was gathered on 22 children (N=22) over a span of five weeks. An outcome measurement adapted from the Short Child Occupational Profile (citation needed) was used to obtain …

Incorporating Functional Hand Assessments As Outcome Measures In Burn Rehabilitation: A Pilot Study, Kristin Hazak

OT Student Capstones

Purpose: To incorporate the use of two hand function assessments, the Sollerman Hand Function Test (SHT) and the Brief-Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (bMHQ), in the outcomes measure protocol at a regional burn center for improving functional assessment and recovery progress tracking of burn injured hands. Methods: Seven participants were included in this pilot study. Inclusion criteria were individuals 10 years of age and older with current admission to the Arizona Burn Center with a primary diagnosis of partial thickness (2nd degree) to full thickness (3rd degree) burn injury, including at least one hand, with no restriction on TBSA or agent. …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Self-Determination And Transition To Adulthood For High School Students In Special Education Programming, Kylee A. Read

OT Student Capstones

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 list occupational therapists (OT) as transition service providers in schools under the related services category (PL 105-117, 1997) able to provide interventions to help students develop skills to access the school curriculum and transition-related activities (Cleary, Persh, & Spencer, 2015). However, OTs are currently not fully participating in providing appropriate services in the areas of secondary education, vocational training, employment, community participation, and independent living to the extent allowed by the law (PL 108-446, 2004). Self-determination is the best predictor of successful transition to adulthood in students with disabilities. Self-determination can …

Aging In Place: Causes And Importance Of Fall Prevention Education, Molly Banks, Danielle Halstead, Mariah Leroux

Critically Appraised Topics

Falls are a significant concern for older community-dwelling adults’ ability to age in place, specifically those who aged 60 and older. Many factors contribute to the risk of falls in older adults that need to be addressed by health care facilities, home health providers, and caretakers. Occupational therapy has a role to educate older adults, as well as health care providers on how to prevent the risk factors of older adults and falls. The purpose of this CAT is to take a deeper look at why this population has so many falls and examine the research addressing education and risk …

Technology In Healthcare: How Artificial Intelligence Will Revolutionize The Profession, Ashley L. Mccowan

Kentucky Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

The topic of artificial intelligence is a hot topic in the U.S. healthcare system and despite some uncertainties, continues to be increasingly integrated into healthcare delivery. Artificial intelligence can be used for different purposes including but not limited to data storage, decision making and image analysis. Critics of artificial intelligence in healthcare are skeptical of its ability to provide security of medical information and afraid that it will eventually replace the need for human healthcare workers. Although the critics skepticisms seem rational, further research of artificial intelligence in healthcare shows that those fears are not based on fact. Artificial intelligence …

Best Practice For Teaching Manual Therapy Techniques To Occupational Therapy Practitioners, Deana K. Jackson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Abstract

Occupational therapy practitioners do not always know how to treat the painful shoulder and this may be due to a lack of education regarding manual therapy. This research project is designed to determine the best practice for teaching manual therapy techniques to occupational therapy providers by providing an in-service to teach new knowledge and skills regarding manual therapy to improve patient care by reducing client shoulder pain. Three types of learning styles were used which include: behaviorist theory, constructivism, and active learning strategies. The design was a two-tailed T test with a pretest/posttest to evaluate knowledge of the participants …

Promoting Writing Development In Preschoolers, Claudia M. Ortiz

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Providing extended opportunities for early writing and early literacy for preschool children into the lessons will enhance their writing skills. Purpose: The purpose of this capstone was to examine the effectiveness of providing a structured early writing plan to the preschool children to promote writing development and early literacy skills.

Theoretical Framework. The Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) guided this study. Methods. This quasi-experimental research measured the emerging writing and early literacy levels of a selected group of 12 preschool students. The Learning Without Tears (LWT) Pre-k Assessments, the Readiness & Writing, and the Language & Literacy were used …

The Occupational Therapy Examination And Practice Preparation (Otepp) Program: Development, Implementation And Evaluation Of An Educational Program For Internationally-Educated Occupational Therapists, Colleen E. Mcgrath

Occupational Therapy Publications

This paper provides a chronological overview of the development, implementation, and evaluation of an educational initiative aimed at ensuring internationally-educated occupational therapists are prepared to enter practice in their new country, Canada. The three major phases of the program’s 12-year evolution are described, to distill the key lessons learned at each phase. Data related to the demographics of participants, program content, results of the national examination, registration, and employment outcomes are included. An enhanced understanding of the transition experience of internationally educated occupational therapists provides a strong foundation from which to support internationally-educated colleagues and strengthen the occupational therapy profession.

Centering The Complexity Of Long-Term Unemployment: Lessons Learned From A Critical Occupational Science Inquiry, Rebecca Aldrich, Debbie Rudman, Na Eon(Esther) Park, Suzanne Huot

Occupational Therapy Publications

Inquiries that rely on temporal framings to demarcate long-term unemployment risk generating partial understandings and grounding unrealistic policy solutions. In contrast, this four-phase two-context study aimed to generate complex understandings of post-recession long-term unemployment in North America. Grounded in a critical occupational perspective, this collaborative ethnographic study also drew on street-level bureaucracy and governmentality perspectives to understand how social policies and discursive constructions shaped people’s everyday ‘doing’ within the arena of long-term unemployment. Across three phases, study methods included interviews with 15 organizational stakeholders who oversaw employment support services; interviews, participant observations, and focus groups with 18 people who provided …

Occupational Therapists As Street-Level Bureaucrats: Leveraging The Political Nature Of Everyday Practice., Rebecca M Aldrich, Debbie Rudman

Occupational Therapy Publications

BACKGROUND.: As front-line service providers who often work in systems regulated by governmental bodies, occupational therapists can be conceptualized as "street-level bureaucrats" ( Lipsky, 1980/2010 ) who effect and are affected by policy.

PURPOSE.: Drawing on understandings from a study of long-term unemployment, this article proposes that occupational therapists, as street-level bureaucrats, respond to inter-related policies and systems in ways that can perpetuate, resist, or transform opportunities for doing and being.

KEY ISSUES.: By highlighting practitioners' everyday negotiation of governmental, organizational, and professional power relations, the notion of street-level bureaucracy illuminates the political nature of practice as well as the …

Change The Environment; Change The Child, Theresa M. Sabo

MOT Student Capstones

Children that have been exposed in utero to illicit drug use by their mothers is a growing problem in society. These children enter the early childhood education system with biological changes to their brains that affect their ability to learn and engage effectively with others. They present with a wide variety of behaviors that they may or may not be able to control. Often these children are labeled as just not trying. An evidenced-based PowerPoint presentation named Change the Environment; Change the Child was developed to provide early childhood educators a better understanding of this population's needs and of interventions …

Occupational Therapy Perspectives On Creating A Sensory Friendly Event, Shana Mickel

MOT Student Capstones

Access to sensory friendly events is important for social development and participation for children and adults with sensory processing needs. The number of these events in local communities are limited. The disconnect between the number of accessible events and companies willing to host such events is exacerbated by limited resources and education available for non-medical companies. This project sought to determine the needs of a local hockey arena and manager and create a guideline that would assist in not only hosting an event but also educating staff to feel more empowered to be part of the planning and implementation aspect. …

An Educational Workshop Discussing Implementation Of Yoga Techniques In Occupational Therapy In An Acute Care Setting, Tatsiana Karcheuskaya

MOT Student Capstones

My project focused on benefits of incorporation of yoga elements to occupational therapy interventions in an acute care setting. My goal was to improve functional outcomes and perceptions of well-being for clients in an acute care. The objectives were to locate and analyze available evidence supporting incorporation of yoga breathing techniques and mindfulness to occupational therapy in acute care; educate occupational therapy practitioners working in an acute care on possibilities of utilizing yoga techniques during therapeutic interventions; to determine if provided information improved knowledge of the participants regarding the subject and if they felt comfortable utilizing suggested techniques with the …

Resilient Aging: Maximizing Functional Abilities Of Aging Adults, Casey M. Perkins

MOT Student Capstones

The Resilient Aging program aims to educate fitness trainers and other movement professionals who work with community-dwelling older adults in order to help them provide the best exercise programs for overall wellness. Training from the program includes education regarding a variety of restorative movements, stretching, positional transitions. proprioceptive training, balance, and strengthening exercise in multiple planes with a variety of loads to maximize the functional abilities, and resilience of the elderly participants, with outcomes aimed at improving the movement professionals" understanding of these topics. The program promotes the client participation in occupations by providing education to movement professionals regarding not …

Educational Perspectives: Integrating A Student Post-Stroke Clinic Within A First-Year Occupational Therapy Kinesiology Course, Mark Blanchard, Barbara M. Doucet

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

ABSTRACT
Purpose: In many occupational therapy graduate programs, student experiences with actual patient evaluation and intervention typically occur following several semesters of didactic instruction. We explored the impact of an early immersive and reflective hands-on patient experience on student learning and clinical skill development. Method: Following participation in five task-specific occupational therapy clinical sessions that were embedded into an applied kinesiology course, students performed reflections on the experience. These reflections included thoughts on kinesiology course content and clinical skill development through patient sessions over the semester. Results: A qualitative thematic analysis of student reflections was conducted. Findings reflected …

Fieldwork Educator Preparedness: A Study Examining The Effect Of An Online Learning Module On The Perceived Preparedness Levels Of Fieldwork Educators, Breanna Chycinski

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

The purpose of this research project was to compare how the implementation of a learning module, titled The Fieldwork Educator Competency Module altered the perceived level of preparedness of occupational therapy (OT) practitioners related to their role as a fieldwork educator (FWEd) for Level II OT students. A quantitative, pre-experimental, one group pretest-posttest research design was used. All components of the research took place in an online, virtual setting. Participants were OT practitioners who were eligible to be a Level II FWEd. Results indicate a positive change for at least one participant for each question of the survey. The largest …

The Impact Of Mobile Media On The Fine Motor Development Of Students Entering Into The Educational System, Bernadette H. Needham

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

The prevalence of mobile technology has greatly increased in our society over the last ten years. As COVID-19 continues to impact our society, the long-term impact of mobile media continues to be a concern with the movement to remote learning. The purpose of this research is to examine the parent’s perspective of increased mobile media usage at a young age on the development of fine motor skills needed for participation in kindergarten. The literature that was reviewed indicates that currently no definitive understanding of the impact of increased mobile media is known. The research was guided through decision making based …