Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Community-Dwelling Older Adults’ Perceived Self-Efficacy And Readiness For Discharge After Receiving Occupational Therapy Services At A Skilled Nursing Facility (Snf)., Shih-Ni N. Lai

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Abstract

Background: Older adults who plan to go home from a SNF after having injuries have increased concerns about their transition and feel they have limited knowledge and information on community resources. There is research on the critical roles of occupational therapy in preparing community-dwelling older adults to transition home from SNF. However, limited research on community-dwelling older adults' perception of their self-efficacy and discharge preparedness after receiving occupational therapy services at SNF.

Purpose: This project examines the perceptions of community-dwelling older adults’ preparedness and self-efficacy after receiving occupational therapy services in a SNF to increase their quality of life …

Enhancing Support Staff Self-Efficacy In Supporting Neurodiverse Students’ Classroom Engagement, Jennifer Molina

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Executive Summary

Background: Neurodiverse students often face many challenges within their classroom environment due to a mismatch of the environmental demands and the student’s unique processing. This mismatch is often not understood by school support staff which can lead to adverse student outcomes in academic achievement and graduation rates. Support staff are often undertrained and unsupported in meeting the complex needs of neurodiverse students and OTs are often underutilized in this deficit.

Purpose: The purpose of this capstone project was to measure the knowledge and self-efficacy gained by an evidence-based training module for school support staff that promoted increased classroom …

Occupational Therapy Practitioners’ Perceptions Of Workplace Stressors In One Nursing Home Post Pandemic, Owen T. Tabelisma

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Executive Summary

Background:

Multiple stress-related issues brought on by the pandemic affected healthcare staff, including occupational therapists. Nursing home settings were particularly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to understand how occupational therapy practitioners in nursing home settings managed stress during the pandemic and how they perceived stress after it passed.

Purpose:

The purpose of this qualitative study was to evaluate occupational therapy practitioners ’perceptions of workplace stressors in one nursing home during the pandemic and to understand how these stressors may have changed post-pandemic.

Theoretical Framework:

The Occupational Adaptation (OA) model was the theoretical framework that served …

Client Perceptions On The Value Of Pre-Surgical Education Regarding The Recovery Process After Carpometacarpal Arthroplasty, Alice J. Mullholand

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Executive Summary

Background: The delivery of client education is an intervention that has a substantial influence on healthcare outcomes. However, the significance of preoperative education for outpatient hand treatments remains inadequately supported by research. Occupational therapists possess the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively address the issue of health literacy and make valuable contributions toward the promotion of health equity. The existing research fails to provide adequate evidence to support the claim that preoperative education is important for outpatient hand procedures. It is important to promote the adoption of best practices and enhance clients' health literacy regarding hand surgery to …

Experiences Of Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury And Return To Work: A Scoping Review, Soofia Naqvi

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Participation in productive work after a traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) can often be a challenging experience. This experience is unique to each individual and is often impacted by personal and environmental factors as well as government policies. Previous studies have aimed to identify the factors associated with promoting successful return to work after SCI, but often the perceptions of those who experience SCI are excluded from these studies. This study aims to gain insights regarding the experiences of persons with SCI and participation in productive employment. Purpose: To analyze existing literature about the perceptions of persons with (SCI) …

The Great Escape: A Novel Approach To Collaborative Learning (Pilot), K. Megan Carpenter, Anthony D. Cunningham, Laura Smith, Kelly Krigbaum

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Healthcare continues toward team-based approaches in which multiple disciplines collaborate to ensure holistic patient care. National standards for intraprofessional collaboration guide curriculum design for entry-level occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) programs to ensure students acquire specific skills and knowledge needed for current OT practices. Effective intraprofessional collaboration includes effective communication, respect, trust, and understanding of role delineation, which students prefer to learn in experiential, face-to-face formats. The purpose of this study was to examine OT and OTA students’ perspectives of participating in an educational escape room (EER) as a novel experience for intraprofessional education. Investigators created an …

Pilot Of A Simulated Clinical Placement In Occupational Therapy Education In An Australian University Delivered Online: A Cross-Sectional Study Of Students' Perceptions, Linda Barclay, Eli Chu

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

In response to COVID-19, the widespread cancellation of professional practice placements, and the increased uptake of telehealth, Monash University Department of Occupational Therapy developed a simulated clinical placement adapted for online delivery. This paper describes the placement, and reports on the benefits and challenges of participating from the student perspective. This exploratory, descriptive study used a cross-sectional design with a web-based survey administered to students who completed the placement. Participants were first year Master of Occupational Therapy Practice students (n = 33), and second year Bachelor of Occupational Therapy students (n = 32). Numerical data were analyzed descriptively. Content of …

A Proactive Approach To Lymphedema Treatment: A Patient’S Educational Guide, Bridget Jae Reuss

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Lymphedema affects between 90 and 250 million people worldwide, yet there is little information about it, and it is poorly understood by the medical community (Manrique et al., 2022). This too often results in patients not receiving proactive treatment for their symptoms. Proactive intervention increases the patient’s ability to engage in meaningful occupations, socialization, quality of life, mobility, and confidence (Dominick et al., 2014; Lu et al., 2015; Warren et al., 2007; Yarmohammadi et al., 2021).

Submitting Research Grant Applications To Fund A Study Examining The Effect Of Equine-Assisted Therapy On Compassion Fatigue In Caregivers, Briana Minette Kent

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Caregivers are expected to provide the best care possible to their patients, no matter the circumstances. Depending on the need of the individual being cared for, a caregiver’s job can cause an abundance of stress at various levels and can even lead to decreased mental health. This is often accompanied by a lack of self-care, poor health, and overall diminished wellness, otherwise known as compassion fatigue. Occupational therapists can address poor mental health due to compassion fatigue in caregivers by introducing a variety of important skills, habits, routines, and activities that patients need or want to engage in on a …

Fostering A Loving Connection: A Foster Parent’S Toolkit For Understanding And Addressing Behaviors For Children Placed In Out-Of-Home Care, Emily A. Knust

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Children placed in out-of-home care have an 80% chance of having a mental health diagnosis or experiencing negative behaviors related to trauma experiences (Armstrong-Hiemsoth et al., 2020). Children in foster care have been exposed to trauma by being removed from their biological parents and the abuse, neglect, or unsafe conditions that occurred leading up to the removal and placement in out-of-home care (Bartlett, 2021). From this trauma, a child is more likely to experience difficulty with basic self-care skills, executive functioning, emotional regulation, attachment disorders, or positive interactions and relationships within the foster home and their environment (Pervis et al., …

Occupational Therapists’ Perspectives On Using The Physical Environment In Skilled Nursing Facilities, Jennie L. Digrado

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Occupational therapists (OTs) are among the health care professionals who assist individuals with neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) to engage in self-care and leisure skills in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) environment. Although the SNF environment has been researched, a gap exists regarding how OTs use the built environment to help clients with a NCD engage in self-care and leisure-related activities. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand how OTs use the physical environment in a SNF to help individuals with a NCD engage in self-care and leisure related activities. The conceptual framework that guided this study was the …

Moving Toward And Accessing Adult-Oriented Rehabilitation Therapy Services For Adults With Lifelong Disabilities: A Tale Of Three Studies, Catherine Gohrband

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

The aim of this dissertation was to explore how adults with a Lifelong Disability (LLD) access and experience rehabilitation therapy services across their lives. Many LLD diagnoses such as cerebral palsy and spina bifida are considered non-progressive; however, there are common challenges that occur as people with LLD become adults, including increased pain, fatigue, and functional loss. Literature addressing the needs of people with LLD to access adult-oriented medical providers has focused primarily on medical transitions, which have described the processes for pediatric patients moving to adult-oriented settings from pediatric settings. Few studies have addressed the rehabilitation therapy needs of …

Social Skills Development: A Program For Pediatric Occupational Therapy Group Sessions, Kenadee Eyre

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Children with a neurological disorder often demonstrate delays in social skills development (Glenn et al., 2020; Goldingay et al. 2020; & Tanta & Kuhaneck, 2020). This delay in development impacts their participation in meaningful occupations as optimal performance range includes an element of social interaction. The purpose of this product is to provide pediatric occupational therapists with the resources necessary to build social skills groups following a hierarchy of social skills development.

Addressing Adherence To Home Exercise Programs In A Hand Therapy Setting, Austin B. Ellis

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Roughly 1,100 per 100,000 persons experience an upper-extremity injury per year including burns, fractures, or amputations (Ootes et al., 2012). These upper-extremity injuries can impact a person’s physical function, activities of daily living (ADL), social, psychological, and financial aspects in life (Che Daud et al., 2016b). These statistics warrant the need for occupational therapy practitioners specializing in hand therapy, and other hand therapists to address these areas of client’s lives that have been affected by their upper extremity injury.

Supporting Caregivers Of Children With Complex Health Needs, Anne Louise Domanus

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project is to develop and implement programming that provides support and meets the needs of caregivers of children with complex health needs. This was done by providing a resource guide of local community resources to caregivers to increase engagement in leisure occupations.

Educating The Educator: Articulating Ot’S Role In School-Based Collaboration, Bryce Shaun Graves

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Many teachers in the educational field are unaware of the role of occupational therapists (OTs) and how OTs can support teachers and students (Kennedy et al., 2018; Truong & Hodgetts, 2017). Educators who are aware of the OT role often desire further collaboration including realistic recommendations for their classroom (Truong & Hodgetts, 2017). This presents a need for increased education about the role of occupational therapy (OT) in school-based practice and additional instruction for increased effectiveness of OT-teacher collaboration.

Acting On The Need Of A Client, Caregiver, And Practitioner Seating And Mobility Guide, Aleksander Robert Kohn

Occupational Therapy Capstones

There is a significant need for individuals with a disability and specific mobility limitations to require a wheeled mobility device. Wheeled mobility devices allow individuals to gain and/or maintain independence and engagement in occupations. The evaluation, prescription, and fitment of wheeled mobility devices are complex, requiring clients and caregivers to use and maintain these devices in specific ways. Barriers caregivers face can include not positioning the client properly in the wheeled mobility device, damaged or missing wheelchair parts, or improper positioning of the straps and belts, affecting posture, which could lead to secondary complications.

An Occupation-Based Approach To Chronic Pain In Rural Alaska, Emma Elizabeth Lehman

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Adults with chronic pain living in rural communities experience occupational deprivation due to a lack of access to healthcare resources. While chronic pain is multifaceted and treated by multiple professions, occupational therapy (OT) can have a significant role in treating adults experiencing chronic pain with occupation-based interventions to improve their daily complications (Lagueux et al., 2018). The role of OT with chronic pain management is reflected in the evidence-based program entitled Lifestyle Redesign®, which offers effective strategies to improve quality of life, selfefficacy, and daily functioning for those who experience chronic pain (Uyeshiro Simon & Collins, 2017). However, there are …

An Occupational Therapy Perspective On Health And Wellness: A Step Toward Prevention, Olivia Grace Myers

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this project was to develop a group protocol that addresses the primary prevention of obesity through an occupational therapy lens within a community setting.

Living A Trustful Life: A Trauma-Focused Mentorship Program For Foster Youth, Michelle Ann Mcnamee

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Foster youth can experience many challenges as they transition into adulthood which can threaten their success in achieving whom they wish to become. Often, foster youth are exposed to physical, mental, and sexual trauma leading to their removal from their biological home (Engler et al., 2020). Adverse experiences at a young age can be multi-dimensional and long-lasting, leading to negative consequences in occupational performance including self-isolation and hesitation to trust others (Häggman-Laitila et al., 2019; Paul-Ward & Lambdin-Pattavina, 2016).

Program Structure For Children And Adolescents With Disabilities To Increase Participation In Physical Activity, Abbigail Mackenzie Smith

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Children and adolescents with disabilities face barriers and are often excluded from engaging in daily activities such as physical activity and social participation (Bundy & Du Toit, 2019; Hocking, 2019). Activities such as physical activity and social participation not only increase children's and adolescents' sense of belonging, mental health, and quality of life but also impact the development of skills needed to fully engage in society (Bundy & Du Toit, 2019). Opportunities for children and adolescents with disabilities to engage in physical activity and social participation are commonly seen in the form of programs supported by nonprofit organizations. These programs …

A Guide For Occupational Therapists: Utilizing Equine-Assisted Therapy For Children In The Foster Care System Dealing With Trauma, Alexis Skogen

Occupational Therapy Capstones

In 2015, over three million children who were affected by trauma or abuse were reported to Child Protective Services (Papovich, 2019). “Children in the foster care system have often been exposed to traumatic experiences such as violence, illicit substances, and neglect” (Crabill & Hanson, 2018, p.8). Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can be similar to experiencing trauma; children, prior to entering the foster care system, often experience ACEs (Craig, 2020). Children in the foster care system face hardships such as being taken out of their homes, passing through multiple homes, in addition to other childhood traumas they experience prior to their …

Disability Awareness To Promote Inclusivity For Children In The Educational Setting, Abby Bauman

Occupational Therapy Capstones

A large barrier to an effective and successful educational experience is the stigma and perceived judgment surrounding a child’s disability (Fontil et al., 2020). Implementing disability awareness materials into young classrooms is a way to prevent the development of stigma towards disability. Children who received disability awareness programming in the past have shown improved attitudes towards disabilities as opposed to those who have not (Chae et al., 2019). The purpose of this scholarly project is to assist teachers with implementing disability awareness materials to increase encouragement for young peers to accept, include, and support young individuals with disabilities.

Development Of Wellness And Nutrition Through The Use Of Gardening, Josie Anhorn

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The population of older adults has been rising exponentially in recent years (Duffin, 2022), leading to an influx in people moving into retirement or independent living communities. This transition may cause many changes in the new residents’ occupational participation and overall well-being. Research has shown specific areas of concern in socialization, nutrition, self-esteem, physical abilities, and continued participation in meaningful occupations (Holland et al., 2017; Knecht-Sabres et al., 2020; Smith, 2015; Sommerfeld et al., 2018; Swann, 2006; Swann, 2010). Gardening has been shown to positively impact these areas of health and well-being and ease some of the negative symptoms (Thompson, …

Transitioning A Hand Therapy Clinic From Traditional Paper Home Programs To An Electronic Platform: A Quality Improvement Project, Megan Raissa Fuka

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Individuals with upper extremity conditions who receive occupational therapy within the hand therapy context are often provided with paper or electronic home programs (HPs) as part of their rehabilitation protocol. Electronic HPs may promote greater adherence and functional improvements than paper handouts, as they can accommodate various learning styles and address patient barriers (Chung et al., 2020; Harte & Law, 2019; Lambert et al., 2017; Nussbaum et al., 2019; Toci et al., 2021; Valdes et al., in press). Despite evidence showing positive patient satisfaction and outcomes as a result of using electronic HPs, some occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) may be …

Life Skills Training Resource For Individuals Aging Out Of The Foster System, Stephanie Coauette

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this project was to create a training resource for foster families regarding life skills for the population of individuals aging out of the foster care system. There is an identified need for resources for individuals who age out of the foster system for life skills training and basic activities of daily living (ADL) training (Paul-Ward & Lambdin- Pattavina, 2016). Aging out of the foster system means that an individual has turned 18 years old without a legal adoptive family taking responsibility for them (Scannapieco et al., 2007). There is a need for the individuals who are preparing …

A Successful Start With New Start: Transitional Community-Based Services For Student Veterans, Sheena Kay Miller

Occupational Therapy Capstones

For veterans, integration into the community post-service poses a variety of unique challenges as they pursue many different opportunities. One of those opportunities sought out by this population according to the literature is higher education. It is estimated that approximately 900,000 veterans and their families had utilized the post-9/11 GI Bill as of 2018, with that number expected to only increase over time (Ulrich & Freer, 2020). Some of the unique challenges faced by this population include higher rates of mental health diagnoses, suicidal thoughts, and service-related injuries such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI) than their civilian peers (Eakman et …

The Newly Arrived Client: Applying Culturally Responsive Occupational Therapy Approaches To The Refugee Population To Promote Occupational Justice, Dominique Menard

Occupational Therapy Capstones

At the end of 2021, there were 836,300 Somali refugees and asylum seekers worldwide; in Minnesota alone, there are more than 70,000 Somali refugees, which is the largest concentration in the United States (Culture Care Connection, 2022; The UN Refugee Agency, n.d.). As with many refugee populations, Somali refugees experience many healthcare inequities including limited understanding of the resettled nation's healthcare system, poor functional health literacy, provider and/or interpreter gender preferences, discrimination, and limited cultural competence of providers (Eklöf et al., 2019; Fang et al., 2015; Gele et al., 2016; Houston et al., 2021; Njenga, 2022; Wångdahl et al., 2018). …

Water Based Therapy Educational Resource And Program Development For Children With Neurological Disorders, Alicia Young

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Children with neurological disorders require more social, behavioral, and physical support to be successful in everyday life (Ogundele, 2018). The impairments these children face can often lead to isolation, decreased overall functioning, and impact engagement in occupations such as play, social participation, and leisure (Kwan and Collet, 2020). Access to water-based group lessons can be limited due to one- on-one instruction required. Occupational therapy has the skill set to be able to incorporate play, social participation, and leisure-based activities for children with neurological disorders.

Increasing Parent Confidence And Involvement In The Nicu: An Occupational Therapy Educational Guide, Megan D. Berginski

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Research shows that 40% of mothers with preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) reported feelings of depression, and 23% reported experiencing post-traumatic stress symptoms, with that number increasing to 40% after discharge (Harris et al., 2018). Factors that contributed to this included a lack of social support, a lack of empowerment, perceived less capability in their new roles, and the stressful experiences that can happen in this setting (Matricardi et al., 2013; Sabnis et al., 2019). A similar study found that at discharge, 69.8% of parents reported that they were not confident in providing the necessary care …