Occupational Therapy Commons^™

The Road To Resilience: Traveling The Path Less Followed To Realize What Is Possible, Jennifer Fortuna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Dr. Bernadette Mineo, PhD, OTR/L, an occupational therapist and mixed media artist based in Portland, Oregon, provided the cover art for the Winter 2019 issue of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). The piece, titled “Paper Dolls” (2009), consists of 37 individual paper doll sculptures made from mixed media. Dr. Mineo believes that being an artist is about connecting with one’s creative heart. Her art is about being playful, challenging oneself, and setting up experiments. Engaging in a daily creative art practice has brought joy to Dr. Mineo’s life. Art has empowered her to take risks, build resilience, and …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Functional Literacy, Lenin C. Grajo, Sharon A. Gutman

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

In this Opinions in the Profession article we aim to uniquely articulate the distinct value of and need for functional literacy development in the clients we serve. Functional literacy, as coined in this article, is the ability to interpret common written materials needed to effectively carry out basic daily life skills and participate in meaningful occupations and social roles. We propose three specific strategies through which occupational therapists, across practice settings, developmental stages, and populations, can assume active roles in literacy support as it is embedded in occupation: literacy (a) as a form of occupational justice promotion; (b) as an …

Role Emerging Placements: Skills Development, Postgraduate Employment, And Career Pathways, Sobiya Syed, Andrea Duncan

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy educators are increasingly using role emerging placements (REPs) as a forum for students to develop skills required to work in emerging areas of practice. This study explores the impact of REPs on skill development, postgraduate employment, and career pathways for occupational therapists. An online survey was sent to occupational therapists across Canada (n = 1,763). Occupational therapists who had completed a REP responded to the online survey (n = 88). Descriptive analysis was used to examine trends in the quantitative data, and content analysis was used to code categories derived from qualitative survey data. Results indicated five skills …

The Feasibility Of Conducting Task-Oriented Training At Home For Patients With Stroke, Veronica T. Rowe, Marsha Neville

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Task-oriented training for upper extremity hemiparesis following a stroke is an effective intervention with evidence of its application in the clinic setting. However, the home provides an enriched and practical environment to implement this intervention. This report presents the feasibility of implementing task-oriented training at home.

Method: Stroke survivors with limitations in upper extremity movement and function were assessed before and after a Task-Oriented Training and Evaluation at Home (TOTE Home) program, and 1 month later. Areas of process, resources, management, and scientific value were analyzed for the feasibility of a larger randomized clinical trial (RCT).

Results …

Occupational Therapy Programming Facilitates Goal Attainment In A Community Work Rehabilitation Setting, Tina M. Deangelis, Kimberly Mollo, Carolyn Giordano, Michaela Scotten, Brianna Fecondo

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

An occupational therapy program for participants with mental health challenges, a history of serious mental illness, recovering from substance use disorders, on parole/probation, and/or experiencing homelessness was implemented in a community work rehabilitation setting. The impact of occupational therapy interventions focused on stress and anger management, sleep hygiene, anxiety and depression management, relapse prevention for addiction, vocational and academic skill building, money management, healthy eating, and relationship and leisure skill development. Participant satisfaction and performance scores regarding individual goal setting and attainment was collected and analyzed via retrospective review of pre/post outcome scores (n = 44) obtained through the Canadian …

“We Don’T Like Talking About Toileting Issues In Front Of Everyone”: Parents’ Reflections On Family-Centered Care, Holli Ruiz

OT Student Capstones

Objective. The objective of this study was to describe how pediatric occupational therapist enacted family-centered care in the outpatient clinic and the resulting perception families had of this care. Method. The use of an open-ended, six question survey was administered to parents of children who were receiving occupational therapy services in an outpatient pediatric clinic. Two researchers employed thematic coding to analyze the results. Results. Five themes emerged including: styles of communication, transfer to home, environment, focusing on the child, and involving the family in goals and focus. Conclusion. There were many positives associated with family-centered care to include satisfaction …

Exploring The Refugee Occupational Experience Across The Socioecological Model, Cyrena Crockett Connolly

OT Student Capstones

The aim of this Doctoral Experiential Component was to explore the occupational experiences of refugees in engaging in cross-cultural occupations. This was done by using the person- environment-occupation model and Occupational Therapy Practice Framework as theoretical lenses to identify and map occupational barriers across the socioecological model. Identifying occupational barriers across multiple levels of prevention creates new ways to address specific occupational needs and allows for impactful change. This project explored the occupational barriers of 8 participants in Salt Lake City, UT. Participants were refugees from Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Syria, and United States-born to Sudanese …

Resiliency In School Experiences: A Dropout Prevention Initiative, Stephanie L. Smith

OT Student Capstones

The ramifications of high school dropout have significant adverse effects both for individuals and society. High school graduation is the social determinant that strongly predicts long-term health and success (American Public Health Association, n.d.). Unfortunately, more than 500,000 high school students dropout each year without the skills and credentials needed to become successful, productive members of society (Communities in Schools, 2009). The dropout numbers for ethnic minorities are disproportionately high. In 2009, the proportions of 16 to 24- year-old high school dropouts were 10.7% for African Americans, 15.9% for American Indians, and 17.9% for Hispanics (Center for Mental Health in …

Occupational Therapy In Community Corrections And Reentry: Program Implementation For Adult Males With Addiction, Cassandra E. Sankey

OT Student Capstones

The evolution of incarceration, or confinement, began in the 18th century with the Quakers, known as the Pennsylvania system, an isolation and penitence ideology (Penner, 1978). Later, the Auburn system was implemented in the 19th century, which embraced an approach of mental isolation (Penner, 1978). Today, citizens entrust the criminal justice system with the power to protect communities from individuals who commit crimes (Muñoz, Moreton, & Sitterly, 2016). Therefore, the United States criminal justice system diversified the supervision of lawbreakers based upon the severity of their crimes, such as jail, prison, probation, and parole. This has led to decades of …

Using The Backward Design Process To Integrate Interprofessional Education Utilizing Simulation In Ot And Pt Educational Curricula, Norman C. Belleza, Maureen Johnson

Physical Therapy Collection

Interprofessional simulation education (IPSE) has been integrated into the OT and PT curriculum. Having a dedicated simulation center on-site allows for continued use of IPSE for regular monitoring and assessment of student achievement in interprofessional exchanges. Additional healthcare disciplines can also integrate IPSE including nursing, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, post-graduate professionals, athletic trainers, and speech and langue pathology. Inclusion of IPSE will augment the collaborative effort for increased interactions among various health care providers.

Integrating Interprofessional Education With Simulation Experiences Within Ot And Pt Curricula: A Look At The Backwards Design Process, Nicole Rodriguez, Norman C. Belleza, Maureen Johnson

Physical Therapy Collection

Interprofessional education has become a significant focus across healthcare disciplines noting the benefits that can be achieved through improving patient outcomes, increasing awareness for potential referral to other providers, and fostering collaboration.

The integration of simulation into established OT and PT curriculum was a less daunting task by using the backward design process. Continued growth and the addition of Speech Therapy, Nursing, and Physician’s Assistant programs will further necessitate use of backward design to integrate meaningful multidisciplinary activities for students.

What Stops Some Occupational Therapy Practitoners From Providing Fieldwork Education?, Jacqueline S. Schafer-Clay

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

A critical fieldwork shortage exists for the profession of occupational therapy and an evidence gap was found; literature with practitioners who do not provide fieldwork education was missing. The purpose of this capstone project was to identify the barriers that stop some occupational therapy practitioners from providing fieldwork education and what benefits and supports may motivate these same individuals to become fieldwork educators. A quantitative descriptive and correlational study with an online survey design, with 25 closed ended questions was distributed through snowball sampling across the United States. Responses were received from 42 states plus the District of Columbia. There …

Occupational Therapy And Veterans’ Resiliency Post-Amputation: Addressing Psychosocial Needs, Alexandra K. Broussard

OT Student Capstones

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this project is to identify: (a) the unmet needs of veterans’ post-amputation, (b) gaps in successful promotion of resilience, recovery, and reintegration, (c) role of occupational therapy in promoting resilience, recovery, and reintegration. METHODS: Needs assessment to identify the unmet needs to address psychosocial adjustment post-amputation from the perspectives of veterans and healthcare providers. RESULTS: This project revealed several themes from the experiences of veterans’ post- amputation and healthcare providers who treated veterans’ post-amputation. DISCUSSION: There is limited research incorporating mental health occupational therapy to improve resiliency for veterans’ post-amputation. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This supports the …

Healthy Brains, Healthy Bodies: A Program Designed To Address Mealtime Routines And Self- Regulation In Children With Dual Diagnosis, Heather Warner

OT Student Capstones

Trauma can be defined as an actual or posed threat that could cause or has caused harm to an individual (National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2018). Situations that put a child at risk or have the perceived threat of putting a child’s life at risk are defined as traumatic and can cause serious detrimental developmental changes. For this particular doctoral project, programs were designed by an occupational therapy student for Tennyson Center for Children, a facility that works with at-risk children and their families, to address concerns in both the school and community-based setting for children who have experienced trauma. …

Sleep And Wellbeing At Phoenix Children’S Hospital, Rebecca Ls Knowles

OT Student Capstones

Background/Literature Review: Sleep and well-being have a dynamic, reciprocal relationship. A review of the literature suggests hospital night shift employees are vulnerable to health disparities due to circadian rhythm disruption, and experience low ratings of well-being. Methods: A multi-layered needs assessment included meetings with interdisciplinary representatives, review of employee satisfaction and attrition data, and interviews with night shift workers. Results: The needs assessment identified several unmet employee needs, including staffing, scheduling, and healthy food access. Insufficient staffing emerged as a barrier to employee health and well-being. Discussion: The results suggested that new graduates enter PCH enthusiastic and resilient but suffer …

An Examination Of Mothering Occupations In The Context Of Spinal Cord Injury, Gohar Ghushchyan-Tigranyan

OT Student Capstones

An examination of mothering occupations in the context of spinal cord injury across cultures, motherhood is a desired life trajectory that is strongly influenced by cultural norms and expectations. Mental or physical injuries can become a barrier to fulfilling this life goal, leaving a great sense of loss and feeling of failure for women (Albright, Duggan, and Rahman, 2009). This paper aims to understand the lives of mothers with spinal cord injury, the physical challenges and adaptation that they found around the disability, and the psychosocial impact of mothering from a wheelchair. This project will also investigate professional involvement, such …

Resiliency And Proactive Coping Methods Targeting Perceived Stress Levels In Older Adults, Katie Holmes

OT Student Capstones

Stress, or perceived stress, has the potential to be life-threatening to those that experience it on a regular basis. Community-dwelling older adults may be particularly vulnerable to perceived stress and its effects due to stressors such as negative life events, chronic disease or declining health, loss of loved ones experienced with the aging process, and social isolation. Stress and mental health and well-being are not being adequately addressed in independent and assisted living communities for older adults. An eight-week stress management program focusing on the concepts of resiliency and proactive coping was implemented at a local retirement community. An overall …

Board Games For Kids: Reducing Stress And Learning Through Play, Benjamin Wolf

OT Student Capstones

The aim of the project, Board Games for Kids was to provide an opportunity for underprivileged children to reduce stress and improve essential life skills through the occupation of play. Despite the lack of scholarly research, board games are widely considered to assist in the development of executive function skills necessary for future life skills. This program served as a pilot test and proof of concept. Clinical observation determined improvements in the development of appropriate play skills, and executive functioning skills such as planning, organizing, and sequencing. Staff observations noted improved peer to peer interactions, mood, and behaviors and abilities …

Case Report: A Modified Early Passive Mobilization Protocol For A Zone Ii Flexor Pollicis Longus Repair, Brandon Ryan

OT Student Capstones

A hand can be injured in many ways, but rehabilitation of a tendon laceration following a surgical repair can be one of the most challenging aspects of hand therapy. For example, rates of secondary repair due to complications, such as tendon rupture or tendon adhesion, have been reported to be as high as 17% (Dy et al., 2012). This can be especially problematic when considering the unique characteristics of the dynamics of thumb flexion when compared with that of the other digits. There are many different protocols for flexor tendon repairs, which can make it difficult for a therapist to …

Use Of The Alert Program® In A Sensory Room At An Emergency Children's Shelter, Sarah May Bautista

OT Student Capstones

Children who have experienced trauma have difficulty with behavioral self-regulation which effects social participation, play, and academics (Petrenchik & Weiss, 2015). Young children learn through exploration of their environment and gather information from the senses of taste, sight, touch, smell, sound, proprioception, and body movement (vestibular). As sensory information is gathered, the brain and body organize and interpret these sensations. The manner in which these senses are experienced determine which sensory experiences are preferred, and the nature of behavioral reactions. Children who have experienced trauma have difficulty managing stress, emotions, and daily routines. In the community occupational therapists can encourage …

Dr. Seuss Fine Motor Development Club, Nicole Borcyk, Madelyn Beck

Honors Program: Expanded Learning Clubs

After school club that helps students develop fine motor skills by doing hands-on activities relating to Dr. Seuss's most popular books.

Benefits Of The Incorporation Of Occupational Therapy Services Into The Clemsonlife Program, Taylor Gee

MOT Student Capstones

This capstone project is based on increasing advocacy for the introduction of occupational therapy services within the ClemsonLIFE program The ClemsonLIFE program, located on the campus of Clemson University, is focused on providing both educational and life skills opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The program lasts between two and three years with graduates earning a certificate of achievement. Currently the program does not incorporate occupational therapy services into their curriculum. The goal of this capstone project is to increase awareness and demonstrate the efficacy of occupational therapy services when incorporated into the program. In order to demonstrate the potential …

Heart To Heart: Educating Allied Healthcare Students And Professionals About Heart Failure, Samantha M. Barefoot

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Heart failure (HF) is a health problem which providing necessary education to healthcare professionals who serve individuals with HF allows for continuity of care and the promotion of disease management for this population. The intent of this research was to determine if providing an educational in-service to allied healthcare students and practitioners increased their knowledge of OT’s role with HF clients and about HF itself as a condition interfering with occupation. The design of this study involved collecting pre/post survey data to evaluate the knowledge of the participants about the HF population and gathering participant satisfaction data regarding the in-service. …

Understanding Therapists' Perceptions Of Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders Using The Model Of Human Occupation Screening Tool, Jaimie K. Estreet

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Exploring occupational therapy (OT) practitioners’ competence when working with clients with co-occurring substance use disorders (SUD). Current literature demonstrates a gap regarding OT practice and SUD as a co-occurring diagnosis.

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative instrumental case study design is to illustrate and more fully understand the issue of OT evaluation and intervention for clients co-diagnosed with SUD, specifically using the Model of Human Occupation Screening Tool (MOHOST) (assessment) in multiple settings.

Theoretical Framework: The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF) and the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) is the framework and theoretical lens used to guide this project. …

Facilitating Early Engagement In Occupational Therapy In The Intensive Care Unit, Sarah Wright

MOT Student Capstones

Early rehabilitation for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) has been the topic of many current research studies. The efficacy of providing occupational therapy (OT) as part of the early rehabilitation/early engagement program has also been assessed, however many OT practitioners are not being utilized or viewed as an integral member of the interdisciplinary team. The purpose of this capstone project was to identify the main barriers that OTs face in the treatment of ICU patients through pre-survey; research current literature to identify solutions to the identified barriers; compile the research into a comprehensive document to present and disseminate …

Harnessing Nature For Occupational Therapy: Interventions And Health Promotion, Gina Ferra Kaplanis

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Literature is beginning to emerge which states that participation in natural environments can be restorative, provide much needed physical activity and assist with health promotion and prevention of illness. Theories such as Attention Restoration Theory (Kaplan, 1995) and Biophilia Hypothesis (Wilson, 1993) support the benefits for participation in natural outdoor environments. Health benefits of participation in nature including accessing Vitamin D, improving balance, attention restoration, reduced myopia, stress reduction are widely present in literature. Despite the health benefits of participation in nature, occupational therapists rarely complete interventions in the natural environment. Principles of adult learning and occupational adaptation were used …

Impact Of Shoulder Pathology On Individuals With Distal Radius Fracture: A Mixed Methods Study, Sarah Beth Doerrer

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this convergent parallel mixed methods study was to expand the understanding of the impact of shoulder pathology on individuals with distal radius fracture (DRF). This included describing the population that had shoulder pathology, comparing participants who had shoulder pathology with participants who did not, and exploring their experiences. The occupational adaptation model guided this study. Recruitment for this study included 45 patients post DRF. Each participant completed a short questionnaire after informed consent was obtained which asked demographic information such as age, gender, race, date of injury, and if the dominant hand was fractured. Over 9 weeks, …

Development Of A Caregiver Education Support Tool For Family Caregivers Of Older Adults With Dementia, Sarah Guariglia

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

For every person diagnosed with dementia, four family members are affected and burdened with providing care. Providing familial care is associated with greater psychological, social, and emotional burden on the caregiver. Caregivers are not provided with adequate education to support successful caregiving and aging in place. This capstone project developed and piloted a caregiver education support tool to simplify the process of finding caregiver education. Five caregivers participated in interviews to guide the development of the support tool, next completed the Likert questionnaire, and tested the caregiver education support tool. Four themes were identified: (1) burden, (2) loss, (3) unmet …

Conflict Management In Occupational Therapy Education: Process Drama As A Teaching Strategy, Theresa Delbert, Tyson Schrader

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The stressful and demanding environment of a healthcare facility can lead to interpersonal conflict. As a result of working in these environments, occupational therapy students may experience such conflict during Level II fieldwork. Research has shown that effective conflict management is an important component of success on Level II fieldwork; however, occupational therapy students often self-report a lack of confidence, comfort, and competence with managing conflict. Forty Master of Occupational Therapy students took part in a 2-day conflict management workshop. The workshop consisted of didactic training of conflict management concepts; large group process drama activities that introduced relevant role-play concepts; …

Elevating Student Understanding: Irish Occupational Therapy Students’ Experience Of A Service Learning Project, Karen Mccarthy, Marian Mccarthy

Occupational Therapy | Faculty Scholarship

Service learning is a pedagogy that embraces learning in action and addresses community needs. Since the adoption of the Occupational Therapy Competencies in 2008 and the launch of national occupational therapist registration in Ireland in 2015, there has been limited research on the effectiveness of service learning pedagogies in Irish higher education for meeting core competencies. The majority of research focusing on evaluating service learning have been North American studies which brings to question the relevance of these service learning outcomes beyond North America and specifically Ireland. This qualitative study examined 11 occupational therapy students’ journal reflections, portfolio entries, and …