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2026

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Full-Text Articles in Occupational Therapy

Validity And Reliability Of The Professional Belonging Scale For Occupational Therapy Students Version 2, Sarah Corcoran Otd, Otr/L, Pooja Patel Drot, Otr/L, Izabela Dubiel Drot, Otr/L, Theresa Rhett-Davis Edd, Otr/L, Nancy Green Ms, Drot, Otr/L, Emily Pasqualetto Drot, Otr/L, Amanda Carter Drot, Otr/L Jan 2026

Validity And Reliability Of The Professional Belonging Scale For Occupational Therapy Students Version 2, Sarah Corcoran Otd, Otr/L, Pooja Patel Drot, Otr/L, Izabela Dubiel Drot, Otr/L, Theresa Rhett-Davis Edd, Otr/L, Nancy Green Ms, Drot, Otr/L, Emily Pasqualetto Drot, Otr/L, Amanda Carter Drot, Otr/L

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

A strong sense of belonging supports student engagement, motivation, clinical competency, retention, and overall well-being; yet few tools specifically assess this construct in occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) programs. To address this gap, Corcoran et al. (2025) developed the Professional Belonging Scale for Occupational Therapy Students (PBSOTSv1). The current study aimed to revise the PBSOTSv1 for clarity, inclusivity, and alignment with emerging theoretical frameworks and to evaluate the revised version (PBSOTSv2) for content validity and internal consistency reliability. Revisions involved expert cognitive interviews and Content Validity Index (CVI) ratings, guided by Allen et al.’s framework of belonging, …


Generative Artificial Intelligence Application In Occupational Therapy Education, James Wersal, Justin Mason, Mary Shotwell Jan 2026

Generative Artificial Intelligence Application In Occupational Therapy Education, James Wersal, Justin Mason, Mary Shotwell

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is a developing technology within Higher Education Institutions with substantial potential to transform teaching pedagogy, improve individualized learning experiences, and automate administrative functions. GenAI has the potential to bring significant enhancements by advancing adaptive learning interfaces, customized learning materials, and automate administrative support. Despite these benefits, ethical considerations, data privacy, and the risk of over-reliance should be considered prior to using GenAI. The authors highlight how GenAI is supported by adult learning theory and provide practical strategies for incorporating GenAI in the occupational therapy curricula and to support the faculty role. The impact of GenAI on …


The Psychosocial Occupational Therapy Competency Assessment, Revised- Pot-Ca(R), Jenna C. Yeager, Derek Piggott Jan 2026

The Psychosocial Occupational Therapy Competency Assessment, Revised- Pot-Ca(R), Jenna C. Yeager, Derek Piggott

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The Psychosocial Occupational Therapy Competency Assessment (POT-CA) was originally published in 2017 as a framework for assessing student development of foundational skills in evaluation, clinical reasoning, and therapeutic interactions in an occupational therapy psychosocial theory and practice course. The COVID-19 global pandemic necessitated the adaptation of this final student competency assessment for virtual administration. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) was selected as the performance-based element of the competency assessment in lieu of the previously required Allen Cognitive Level Screen (ACLS-5), which was unavailable to students due to pandemic restrictions. The purpose of this article is to present an analysis …


Teaching Occupation Using Subject-Centered Approaches With An Evidence Informed Instructional Design Model, Sheama Krishnagiri, Pollie Price, Steven D. Taff Jan 2026

Teaching Occupation Using Subject-Centered Approaches With An Evidence Informed Instructional Design Model, Sheama Krishnagiri, Pollie Price, Steven D. Taff

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Teaching and learning the core subject of occupation is of singular importance in occupational therapy professional programs. Occupation is a threshold concept for occupational therapy and presents challenges for students to learn about it effectively. This paper presents an innovative instructional approach to teaching this concept accompanied by an example. The proposed instructional approach uses a unique combination of ideas that tie together the Subject-Centered Integrated Learning Model for Occupational Therapy education, the principles of occupation-centered education, threshold concepts and transformative learning, all framed within the 5E Instructional Model. This approach to designing instruction offers a structured way to address …


Hands-On: Integrating Active Learning Into An Upper Extremity Occupational Therapy Elective, Jennifer Radziak, Katie Jones, Kelsey Picha Jan 2026

Hands-On: Integrating Active Learning Into An Upper Extremity Occupational Therapy Elective, Jennifer Radziak, Katie Jones, Kelsey Picha

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

In an effort to provide students with advanced clinical practice skills, several occupational therapy elective courses were developed. The current article describes an educational innovation that involved an in-person elective course for graduate second year Master of Science in Occupational Therapy students that focused on the upper extremity. The course was team-taught, promoted active learning, and used unique activities to engage students in the learning process. Relevant evidence-based practice literature and clinical guidelines were incorporated into the course to teach students about the treatment of upper extremity conditions. The active learning strategies implemented in the course included fresh donor dissection, …


Virtual Reality’S Impact On Occupational Therapy Student Confidence And Fieldwork Performance, Kayla Collins, Kirsten Davin, Marian Gillard Jan 2026

Virtual Reality’S Impact On Occupational Therapy Student Confidence And Fieldwork Performance, Kayla Collins, Kirsten Davin, Marian Gillard

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy students often experience confidence gaps as they transition from academic preparation to real-world practice settings. This quasi-experimental study investigated whether the integration of immersive virtual reality (VR) simulations into the didactic portion of an Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) program affected student confidence and subsequent Level II fieldwork performance. Data from 65 students across three cohorts were analyzed using the Student Confidence Questionnaire (SCQ) and the Fieldwork Performance Evaluation (FWPE). While no significant differences were observed in total confidence or fieldwork scores, students who completed VR simulations reported significantly higher confidence in five subdomains: adaptability, risk-taking, supervision, clinical practice, …


Service-Learning Clinics: A Pathway To Improve Student Learning Outcomes, Ranelle M. Nissen, Whitney Lucas Molitor, Allison J. Naber Jan 2026

Service-Learning Clinics: A Pathway To Improve Student Learning Outcomes, Ranelle M. Nissen, Whitney Lucas Molitor, Allison J. Naber

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This article examines the innovative approach of the Community Integrated Learning (CIL) program, with a particular focus on its application within a rural context. Unlike traditional student-run clinics, the CIL focuses on student learning through hands-on experiences with community volunteers rather than providing direct rehabilitative care. The program, linked to adult and pediatric assessment courses, allows second-year doctoral students to develop and implement intervention plans tailored to the needs and interests of community volunteers. This model addresses the challenges of limited resources and client recruitment in rural areas by emphasizing student professional development and clinical reasoning skills. Data collected from …


Effect Of Simulation On Occupational Therapy Students' Self-Efficacy When Preparing For Level Ii Fieldwork, Juliet Steffe, Karen Menard, Angela Gibson Jan 2026

Effect Of Simulation On Occupational Therapy Students' Self-Efficacy When Preparing For Level Ii Fieldwork, Juliet Steffe, Karen Menard, Angela Gibson

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy academic programs provide students with knowledge and professional skills through coursework and clinical skills practice, enabling them to transition successfully into clinical placement. Despite completing multiple semesters of didactic work, students may experience high levels of anxiety and self-doubt when preparing for Level II fieldwork. The problem addressed in this study was the lack of perceived self-efficacy in clinical skills when preparing for Level II fieldwork, leading to the potential for difficulty transitioning from the classroom to the clinic among entry-level occupational therapy graduate students. A basic qualitative study was conducted using focus groups to explore how providing …


Building Self-Perceived Confidence Through Occupational Therapy And Nursing Student Peer Teaching, Jennifer A. Tokash, Melissa Nolan, Jamie Bittiger, Jessica Wagoner, John Damiao, Michelle Lopez Jan 2026

Building Self-Perceived Confidence Through Occupational Therapy And Nursing Student Peer Teaching, Jennifer A. Tokash, Melissa Nolan, Jamie Bittiger, Jessica Wagoner, John Damiao, Michelle Lopez

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Peer teaching, which is student-to-student instruction, has emerged as a promising pedagogical strategy in higher education, yet it remains underexplored in health professions curricula. While traditional professor-led instruction remains the predominant model, peer teaching may offer comparable or enhanced outcomes, particularly in fostering students’ self-perceived confidence and active learning. This study examined the impact of peer teaching on nursing students’ self-perceived confidence in applying ergonomic principles and performing safe patient handling techniques, as instructed by occupational therapy students. Additionally, the study assessed occupational therapy students’ self-perceived confidence in measuring vital signs following instruction provided by nursing students. Using a quasi-experimental …


Attribution Theory In Occupational Therapy Clinical Education: A Scoping Review, Julia Shin, Anna Domina, Ashley Fecht, Lisa Bagby, Raigan Borsh Jan 2026

Attribution Theory In Occupational Therapy Clinical Education: A Scoping Review, Julia Shin, Anna Domina, Ashley Fecht, Lisa Bagby, Raigan Borsh

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Intrapersonal and interpersonal skills are essential for occupational therapy students’ professional development and fieldwork success. Despite their importance, these competencies are often ambiguously defined, inconsistently assessed, and underemphasized in curricula. Attribution theory, a well-established framework from social psychology, provides a valuable lens for examining how students’ causal attributions influence their motivation, behavior, and professional growth. This scoping review aimed to synthesize the application of attribution theory in health professions education by characterizing attribution-focused interventions, assessments, and student outcomes. Following Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) five-stage framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we conducted systematic searches across Academic Premier, CINAHL, ERIC, OTSeeker, and PubMed …


A Scholarly Exploration Of Teaching Strategies For Learning About Pediatric Sleep, Laura J. Carpenter, Amanda M. Buono Jan 2026

A Scholarly Exploration Of Teaching Strategies For Learning About Pediatric Sleep, Laura J. Carpenter, Amanda M. Buono

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The occupation of sleep is an area of occupational therapy practice for which many practitioners report a lack of confidence and/or knowledge to properly address. The current study addresses this concern by studying the effects of a learning module on students’ confidence and knowledge to address pediatric sleep. The study used a pre-test, post-test non-experimental design and collected survey responses from 48 entry-level occupational therapy students in three different programs. The lecture portion of the module included content about both assessing and intervening, while the case study emphasized intervention-planning only. Results indicated significant gains in knowledge overall (z = …


Faculty Perceptions Of Using Technology For Virtual Debriefing, Kelly Layne, Deanne Otto, Elisabeth Mcgee Jan 2026

Faculty Perceptions Of Using Technology For Virtual Debriefing, Kelly Layne, Deanne Otto, Elisabeth Mcgee

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Face-to-face simulation and debriefing have been widely used and researched in occupational therapy and physical therapy education to provide students with authentic learning experiences. However, technology acceptance of virtual debriefing has not been studied with occupational therapy and physical therapy faculty. This is an important area of study, as the use of technology to facilitate virtual debriefing became more common during the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued to increase in use post-pandemic. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore faculty perceptions of using technology to facilitate virtual debriefing in graduate occupational therapy and physical therapy programs. The …


Effective Teaching Behaviors Of Adjunct Faculty In Occupational Therapy Education: Perspectives Of Students, Adjuncts, And Core Faculty, Kayla Collins, Marian Gillard, Christine Davis, Kirsten Davin, Barbara M. Doucet, Bridget Scheidler Jan 2026

Effective Teaching Behaviors Of Adjunct Faculty In Occupational Therapy Education: Perspectives Of Students, Adjuncts, And Core Faculty, Kayla Collins, Marian Gillard, Christine Davis, Kirsten Davin, Barbara M. Doucet, Bridget Scheidler

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Adjunct faculty constitute nearly half of the higher education workforce in the United States, yet they often receive limited preparation and institutional support for their teaching responsibilities. In occupational therapy education, where rapid program expansion has heightened reliance on adjunct instructors, understanding which teaching behaviors are most valued is critical to ensuring instructional quality, student success, and professional readiness. This study examined perceptions of effective adjunct teaching behaviors in a doctoral occupational therapy program using the Teaching Behavior Checklist (TBC), a validated 28-item measure of teaching effectiveness. Participants included students (n = 33), adjunct faculty (n = 19), and core …


Faculty Perceptions Of Active Learning In Occupational Therapy Education: Strategies Utilized, Feasibility, And Student Outcomes, Heidi N. Robertson, Erin Westover Jan 2026

Faculty Perceptions Of Active Learning In Occupational Therapy Education: Strategies Utilized, Feasibility, And Student Outcomes, Heidi N. Robertson, Erin Westover

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This study utilized a concurrent mixed-methods approach using an online survey to examine occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant faculty members' knowledge and use of active learning strategies, perceived barriers, and perceptions of student engagement and learning outcomes. The investigators developed a survey, including 22 closed and open-ended questions, capturing demographics, knowledge, barriers, strategy use, and student outcomes. Quantitative data analysis employed descriptive statistics, indicating that knowledge of active learning was most frequently gained through on-the-job experience. Findings also revealed differences in strategy use across course types: active learning was used more frequently in practice-based courses and less frequently in …


Change In Perception Of Cultural Self-Efficacy Among Graduate Students In An Occupational Therapy Academic Program, Emma Edwards, Selena E. Washington, Zidong Zhang Jan 2026

Change In Perception Of Cultural Self-Efficacy Among Graduate Students In An Occupational Therapy Academic Program, Emma Edwards, Selena E. Washington, Zidong Zhang

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Culturally responsive care is essential to improving healthcare access and outcomes; however, the extent to which occupational therapy students are prepared to deliver such care remains unclear. Experiential learning embedded within occupational therapy curricula, including fieldwork, is considered a key pathway for developing cultural self-efficacy. This quantitative study examined changes in cultural self-efficacy among graduate occupational therapy students across didactic and experiential learning experiences within a Master of Occupational Therapy program. Using the Multidisciplinary Healthcare Provider version of the Transcultural Self-Efficacy Tool, perceived self-efficacy across the cognitive, practical, and affective domains was assessed across three cohort-based administration periods aligned with …


The Influence Of Level I International Fieldwork Experiences On Subsequent Level Ii Fieldwork Performance, Brittany N. Saviers, Deborah Gangluff Jan 2026

The Influence Of Level I International Fieldwork Experiences On Subsequent Level Ii Fieldwork Performance, Brittany N. Saviers, Deborah Gangluff

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This retrospective cohort study examined whether participation in a Level I international fieldwork placement was associated with differences in student performance during subsequent Level II fieldwork, as measured by the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Fieldwork Performance Evaluation (FWPE). A total of 136 entry-level occupational therapy doctoral students from a single U.S. university were included, with 46 students completing at least one international fieldwork placement in Costa Rica or Tanzania and 90 completing only domestic placements for Level I fieldwork. All students completed three Level I fieldwork experiences, with international placements representing one component of this sequence when applicable. Independent samples …


Equity-Oriented Mentoring For Occupational Therapy Students In Canada: A Narrative Assessment, Kaarina Valavaara, Tara Pride, Chris Mcwilliam, Jaime Blenus, Stephanie R. Bizzeth, Brenda Beagan Jan 2026

Equity-Oriented Mentoring For Occupational Therapy Students In Canada: A Narrative Assessment, Kaarina Valavaara, Tara Pride, Chris Mcwilliam, Jaime Blenus, Stephanie R. Bizzeth, Brenda Beagan

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

In the health professions, mentoring has emerged as a key strategy for reducing the isolation and exclusion of students from equity-denied groups – including students who identify as Indigenous, racialized, disabled and/or queer. Mentoring often focuses on academic and professional skills, which implies students from these groups are somehow lacking. In contrast, ‘equity-oriented’ mentoring focuses on learning in the context of on-going, everyday isolation, exclusion, discrimination and even hostility. Mentors from the profession, who are also members of the same equity-denied groups, provide role models for thriving in the face of oppression. They may provide psychosocial support while helping students …


An Exploratory Study Of Occupational Therapy Students’ Use Of Coping Strategies On Fieldwork, Heidi Horwitz, Sheila Moyle, Hannah Morse, Christine Myers Jan 2026

An Exploratory Study Of Occupational Therapy Students’ Use Of Coping Strategies On Fieldwork, Heidi Horwitz, Sheila Moyle, Hannah Morse, Christine Myers

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This qualitative study explored how occupational therapy students applied coping strategies during Level II fieldwork after completing resilience-focused preparatory modules. Occupational therapy students often experience high stress during fieldwork, and resilience-building strategies may help mitigate these challenges. Participants (N=58) were second-year doctoral students who completed modules designed to increase awareness of personal stressors, enhance self-efficacy, and promote the use of coping strategies. Analysis of student reflections across twelve weeks of placement identified the types, frequency, and contexts of strategy use. Students most frequently reported using emotional regulation, breathwork, and positive self-talk. These strategies were typically employed daily or weekly, often …


Structuring Role-Emergent Level Ii Fieldwork Placements For Success: A Framework Grounded In Collaboration, Accountability, Supervision, And Site Integration (The Cass Framework), Lisa A. Fyffe, Amy Van Camp Jan 2026

Structuring Role-Emergent Level Ii Fieldwork Placements For Success: A Framework Grounded In Collaboration, Accountability, Supervision, And Site Integration (The Cass Framework), Lisa A. Fyffe, Amy Van Camp

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

We propose a framework for implementing role-emergent fieldwork grounded in four structural principles identified in the literature and refined through professional reflection: collaboration, accountability, supervision, and site integration. Occupational therapy students report positive experiences with role-emergent fieldwork placements, citing benefits such as professional development, increased autonomy, and opportunities for innovation. However, studies have found that role-emergent placements often lack the structure students need to develop traditional documentation skills, manage complex practice dynamics, and implement occupational therapy programs in a novel setting. Consequently, occupational therapy students describe challenges with role-emergent placements in defining their professional role, managing high levels of responsibility, …


Advancing Interprofessional Communication: Preliminary Outcomes Of A Novel Collaboration Framework In A Student Head Injury Clinic, Natalia Noce, Kelly Ann Pena, Susan Paparella, Andrew Lynch, Erin Keller, Aaron Dallman, Pamela Rothpletz-Puglia Jan 2026

Advancing Interprofessional Communication: Preliminary Outcomes Of A Novel Collaboration Framework In A Student Head Injury Clinic, Natalia Noce, Kelly Ann Pena, Susan Paparella, Andrew Lynch, Erin Keller, Aaron Dallman, Pamela Rothpletz-Puglia

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

When healthcare providers practice interprofessional practice, care improves, and medical errors are reduced. Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) principles and the Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Patient Performance and Safety (TeamSTEPPS®) frameworks are utilized in healthcare education to develop interprofessional collaborative practice skills, but there is little understanding of how these skills change over time. We sought to evaluate the development of interprofessional collaborative practice skills by examining graduate occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology students' first-hand reports of their experiences over time in an interprofessional head injury clinic. We employed an applied interpretive qualitative research approach longitudinally collecting …


Assessing Supports And Barriers To Equitable Participation In Occupational Therapy Fieldwork For Students From Minoritized Backgrounds: A Mixed Methods Analysis, Kristin M. Nxumalo, Coalition Of Occupational Therapy Advocates For Diversity Cotad, Alexia Rebne, Janis Yue, Ryan Thomure, Ricardo D. Ramirez Jan 2026

Assessing Supports And Barriers To Equitable Participation In Occupational Therapy Fieldwork For Students From Minoritized Backgrounds: A Mixed Methods Analysis, Kristin M. Nxumalo, Coalition Of Occupational Therapy Advocates For Diversity Cotad, Alexia Rebne, Janis Yue, Ryan Thomure, Ricardo D. Ramirez

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Fieldwork experiences in occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) education introduce students to novel environments that they must successfully navigate. When examining the experiences of OT and OTA students from minoritized backgrounds, it is critical to understand their fieldwork experiences so that fieldwork educators and partners can create inclusive, supportive environments that promote success for all students. Within this study, a needs assessment was conducted to explore factors that impacted the OT and OTA fieldwork experiences of students from minoritized backgrounds. Using a mixed methods design, a cross-sectional survey was completed by non-faculty OT practitioners (n=48), Academic Fieldwork …


Reliability And Generalizability Of An Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Assessment Tool In Japan, Keiko Takeuchi, Hirotaka Onishi Jan 2026

Reliability And Generalizability Of An Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Assessment Tool In Japan, Keiko Takeuchi, Hirotaka Onishi

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapists require high-quality clinical education to develop the skills needed for safe and effective practice. In Japan, the duration of occupational therapy education is shorter than in many other countries and the rapid expansion of training schools has created new challenges for assuring the quality of fieldwork. Assessment tools used in long-term clinical training must therefore provide sufficient reliability to support fair pass–fail decisions and meaningful feedback. This study examined the reliability of two conventional learner assessment tools used in one Japanese occupational therapy program: a 17-item supervisor rating form and a 10-item faculty rating form completed after debriefing …


Recognizing Excellence: Key Traits, Qualities, And Behaviors Of The Exceptional Fieldwork Educator In Occupational Therapy, Piper Hansen, Lydia H. Schallenberg, Jayde M. Kahn, Jacqueline Rizzi, Ariel Torres Jan 2026

Recognizing Excellence: Key Traits, Qualities, And Behaviors Of The Exceptional Fieldwork Educator In Occupational Therapy, Piper Hansen, Lydia H. Schallenberg, Jayde M. Kahn, Jacqueline Rizzi, Ariel Torres

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

All students of occupational therapy enrolled in accredited programs are required to complete Level I and Level II fieldwork experiences. A critical factor in shaping successful fieldwork experiences is the fieldwork educator, who guides clinical learning, models professional behaviors, and supports skill development for practice readiness. Despite the importance of the fieldwork experience, the fieldwork educator, and the impact of the supervisory relationship, there is limited understanding of the unique attributes and strategies that distinguish exceptional occupational therapy fieldwork educators. This study sought to investigate the key traits, qualities, and behaviors of the exceptional fieldwork educator in occupational therapy and …


Breathe Before The Exam: A Single-Session Yoga Intervention For Anxiety Reduction In Doctoral Ot Students, Bridget Hahn, Lamis Alnatafgi, Amanda Barbour, Samantha Benak, Leah Downey, Emily Servin Jan 2026

Breathe Before The Exam: A Single-Session Yoga Intervention For Anxiety Reduction In Doctoral Ot Students, Bridget Hahn, Lamis Alnatafgi, Amanda Barbour, Samantha Benak, Leah Downey, Emily Servin

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

First-year occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) students face significant academic stress, yet accessible, evidence-based wellness interventions remain underutilized in graduate occupational therapy education. This study examined the effects of a single pre-exam yoga session on state anxiety and exam performance among first-year OTD students at a Midwestern university. Using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Form Y-1 (STAI-Y1), anxiety was assessed before and after a 60-minute yoga session held immediately prior to a first-term midterm exam. Midterm exam scores were compared to those of a historical control cohort from the preceding academic year; final exam scores were also compared to assess baseline cohort …


Collaboration Between Occupational Therapy Doctorate And Doctor Of Osteopathic Medicine Students: Interprofessional Education In Fall Prevention, Linda Frasier, John V. Rider Jan 2026

Collaboration Between Occupational Therapy Doctorate And Doctor Of Osteopathic Medicine Students: Interprofessional Education In Fall Prevention, Linda Frasier, John V. Rider

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Falls among older adults are a pervasive public health concern that requires coordinated interprofessional strategies. Interprofessional education (IPE) can enhance collaboration and role clarity among students in health professions, particularly in geriatric care, where complex medical, functional, and environmental factors intersect. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of an IPE event involving entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) students focused on fall prevention in older adults. A retrospective cross-sectional design was employed to analyze written reflections from 125 students following their participation in a standardized patient IPE event. Small interprofessional …


Enhancing Occupational Therapy Students' Knowledge Of Menstrual Health: A Quantitative Pilot Study, Glynnis Jones, Skylar Edwards, Allison Bressette, Emilie Wright, Michelle Hiller Jan 2026

Enhancing Occupational Therapy Students' Knowledge Of Menstrual Health: A Quantitative Pilot Study, Glynnis Jones, Skylar Edwards, Allison Bressette, Emilie Wright, Michelle Hiller

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This study examined preliminary effects of a targeted learning module on occupational therapy students’ knowledge and perceived understanding of the profession’s role in menstrual health. Although menstrual health is a universal biological process, it remains underrepresented in occupational therapy curricula. Guided by occupational justice theory, this project aimed to enhance awareness within professional education to promote equity. A quasi-experimental, pre-posttest design assessed changes following completion of a self-paced online module. Fourteen second-year students from accredited occupational therapy programs participated. Subjects completed pre- and post-intervention knowledge assessments and the Menstrual Health Understanding Questionnaire (MHUQ), a 5-point Likert scale measuring perceived understanding …


What Motivates Occupational Therapy Students To Self-Study Anatomy, Samantha Williams, Athena Kirou-Mauro, Kelly Hennessy, Lexi Davidson, Emily S. Ho Jan 2026

What Motivates Occupational Therapy Students To Self-Study Anatomy, Samantha Williams, Athena Kirou-Mauro, Kelly Hennessy, Lexi Davidson, Emily S. Ho

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Informed by self-determination theory, this study examined the motivations and preferred learning styles of entry-level occupational therapy students and explored how their perceived anatomy competency related to their academic performance. To investigate this, ninety-seven occupational therapy students completed a reflective assignment through which they set anatomy self-study learning goals. Self-study learning approaches were categorized, and the relationship between student perceived anatomy competency and academic outcomes (i.e., anatomy quizzes, term grades) was analyzed. When examining self-study learning approaches, students favored computer assisted instructional tools (n = 75, 77%) and integrated clinical application with their learning goals (n = 52, …


Toward A Critical Occupational Therapy Education: A Discrit-Informed Framework, Robert Niewiadomski, Chia-Yang Chiang Jan 2026

Toward A Critical Occupational Therapy Education: A Discrit-Informed Framework, Robert Niewiadomski, Chia-Yang Chiang

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy has long articulated commitments to equity, inclusion, and occupational justice, yet its dominant educational approaches often remain focused on interpersonal competence rather than structural analysis. This conceptual paper argues that contemporary occupational therapy education is insufficiently equipped to prepare practitioners to address the sociopolitical forces shaping occupational participation. Drawing on disability critical race theory (DisCrit), critical pedagogy, intersectionality, and occupational justice scholarship, the authors propose the Critical Occupational Therapy Education (COTE) framework as a structural, justice-oriented reorientation for occupational therapy education. COTE positions racism and ableism as interlocking systems that shape professional norms, knowledge production, and access to …


The Editors' Perspective: A New Era For Jote, Dana M. Howell, Renee Causey-Upton, Cynthia L. Hayden Jan 2026

The Editors' Perspective: A New Era For Jote, Dana M. Howell, Renee Causey-Upton, Cynthia L. Hayden

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

No abstract provided.


Boosting Visibility And Engagement: How Social Media Transforms Recruitment For A Doctorate-Level Occupational Therapy Program, Rebecca Ozelie, Ashley Hong, Rachel Lowenthal, Ava M. Robinson, Grace Steffen Jan 2026

Boosting Visibility And Engagement: How Social Media Transforms Recruitment For A Doctorate-Level Occupational Therapy Program, Rebecca Ozelie, Ashley Hong, Rachel Lowenthal, Ava M. Robinson, Grace Steffen

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Social media use has become an essential strategy for university recruitment and admissions to attract prospective students and influence their graduate school acceptance decisions. Platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook play a significant role in shaping students’ perceptions and research about universities. While other allied health professions have benefited from increased social media use for recruitment, the impact on occupational therapy programs remains underexplored. Research indicates that social media advertising strategies can enhance program visibility and outreach, yet systemic barriers, financial challenges, and post-coronavirus disease enrollment declines continue to affect admissions. This study examines the influence of social media …