Occupational Therapy Commons^™

The Value Of Occupational Therapy Student Participation In University-Based Student-Run Free Clinics In The United States, Janis W. Yue, Mina Delavar, Bethrese Padini, Erik Vanstrum, Tessa Milman, John Sideris

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

While student-run free clinic (SRFC) participation is well-documented among many health professions, no study has comprehensively characterized occupational therapy student participation. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand both the current presence as well as educational impact of occupational therapy student participation in university-based SRFCs in the United States (U.S). Data collection occurred through a national survey and semi-structured interviews. Surveys were sent to representatives (e.g. program directors, faculty advisors, and student leaders) at all 190 accredited occupational therapy schools. Of these, 118 responded, for an overall response rate of 62.1%. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposeful …

The Kawa Model’S Value For Level Ii Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Students, Terri Blakely, Marie-Christine Potvin, Michael Iwama

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Fieldwork (FW) plays a crucial role in occupational therapy (OT) education by fostering students to become competent entry-level practitioners. Reflective journaling promotes increased competence in OT FW students. The Kawa Model can be used as a journaling framework that uses metaphorical illustrations to self-reflect. It has been described as useful in multiple contexts. No study has yet investigated the use of the Kawa Model as a self-reflection tool with OT FW students. Video self-reflections of their Kawa Model drawings and audio recorded semi-structured interviews were used to explore Level II FW students’ perceptions of the usefulness of the Kawa Model. …

A Nationwide Descriptive Study: Understanding Roles, Expectations, And Supports Of Academic Fieldwork Coordinators In Occupational Therapy Programs, Elizabeth D. Deiuliis, Kimberley Persons, Patricia Laverdure, Elizabeth D. Lequieu

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Fieldwork education is considered a central component to the formative development of occupational therapy professionals and the responsibility for the quality of fieldwork educational experiences falls to the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (AFWC). The roles and responsibilities of the AFWC vary considerably between institutions and are not clearly understood. Using a convergent mixed methods research design, the study aimed to describe the roles and responsibilities of the AFWC in occupational therapy programs in the United States and to identify the structural supports and barriers that influence success in meeting the unique expectations and challenges in fieldwork education. A 64-item online survey …

The Perceptions Of Four Novice Occupational Therapists' Preparedness And Ability To Perform Occupation-Based Practice In Pediatric Practice, Laurie Knis-Matthews, Meagan Koch, Alivia Nufrio, Melissa Neustein Gorman, Feby Zaki, Katheryne H. Wall

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Although occupation-based practice (OBP) is considered best practice within the occupational therapy profession, practitioners continue to have a difficult time actively implementing OBP into treatment. The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) standards necessitate the implementation of OBP. Within the literature, there are gaps in the research investigating novice therapists’ perceptions of incorporating OBP in practice, especially in the United States. Since children and youth is a rapidly growing area of practice, this study focused on investigating how novice therapists are implementing OBP in pediatric settings. This qualitative study therefore investigated the perceptions of four novice pediatric occupational therapists’ …

Building Stress Resilience And Wellbeing: Introducing Mindfulness Training To Reduce Stress In Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Students, Jen Willoughby Vogtmann, Ingrid Provident

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Given the high levels of stress in college students and its impact on academic achievement, a purposefully designed curriculum-based mindfulness stress reduction program was implemented for entry-level occupational therapy students to support student mental health. The small-scale, seven-week study, used a combination of mindfulness-based stress reduction strategies, including a meditative technique known as inquiry-based stress reduction (IBSR), and coping strategies using the Occupational Performance Coaching Model to help students cope with their stress levels. Sixteen student participants explored a variety of stress reduction strategies to best suit their individualized needs. Strategies included phone applications, podcasts, guided meditation, yoga, mindfulness of …

Needs Assessment, Program Development, And Pilot Testing: Training For Occupational Therapy Students Working With Survivors Of Gun Violence, Lea Fang, Aisha Mohammed, Vicki Kaskutas

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

After the first year of operation, members of a student-staffed occupational therapy (OT) clinic found that 36% of their patients’ injuries were violence-related, mostly due to gun violence. The purposes of this project were to identify unmet needs of survivors of violence seen in a clinic setting, identify treating professionals’ preparedness to meet these needs, and develop and pilot test a program within the scope of OT to address these needs. A literature review and key informant interviews, surveys, and focus groups identified potential solutions to address gaps between patients’ needs and professionals’ preparedness to meet those needs. The need …

Evaluating An Interprofessional Ergonomic Intervention For Dental Hygiene Students, Lashonna M. Knight

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Purpose: Ergonomics plays an important role in identifying and reducing biomechanical stress and preventing musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries by creating a better fit between physical requirements and work environments. This study examined the benefits of implementing an interprofessional education (IPE) module in a dental hygiene curriculum with a dental hygienist (DH) and occupational therapist (OT) teaching and assessing students’ ergonomics.

Methods: Students participated in an IPE intervention to incorporate preventive techniques into their daily routine, to model these protective strategies for use as practicing DHs throughout their careers. Prior to the module and at the end of the six-week study, students …

Interprofessional Education Between Dental Hygiene And Occupational Therapy Students In Relation To Stroke Care, Morgan Umlauf

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Purpose: To determine if interprofessional education (IPE) program with dental hygiene and occupational therapy students help determine roles and responsibilities in patients post-stroke.

Methods: A virtual 90-minute educational module was presented to occupational therapy and dental hygiene students, hosted over zoom with a 30-minute presentation followed by an open discussion over two case studies. A pretest was administered before the event and followed by an immediate posttest. Both tests included the Modified Readiness for Interprofessional Learning (mRIPLS) items that are on a 5-point Likert scale.

Results: The virtual IPE showed that there were positive changes in pretest to posttest scores. …

Interweaving Teaching Strategies In Interprofessional Education: A Pilot Study With Graduate Occupational Therapy And Physician Assistant Students, Eric C. Nemec, Lola Halperin, Jaimee Betts Hegge

Physician Associate Studies Faculty Publications

The importance of interprofessional education (IPE) has been emphasized by the World Health Organization and is currently required by both the occupational therapy (OT) and physician assistant (PA) education accreditation agencies in the United States. Moreover, a growing body of evidence suggests that IPE fosters learners’ understanding of the roles different disciplines play in healthcare delivery and prepares future health professionals for patient-centered care. Authors designed and implemented an IPE event aimed to foster the following core Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) competencies among graduate OT and PA students: Values/Ethics for Interprofessional Practice, Roles and Responsibilities, Interprofessional Communication, and Teams and …

Recovering From The Loss Of A Loved One: A Group Protocol For Remaining Active In Valued Occupations While Coping With The Loss Of A Loved One, Hailey Axtell, Ty Berg

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project is to develop a manualized intervention program utilizing the CMOP-E to better understand grief and coping while promoting occupational engagement for older adults who have recently lost a partner. A group protocol was created to address spirituality, the survivor, participation in desired occupations, and the environment to help with the process of grieving and promote occupational performance.

Occupational Therapy And Primary Care: The Tools For Referral, Alexandra Grosser, Kelsey Tadman

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Individuals with chronic conditions receive the most primary care services and account for the highest annual healthcare spending with the poorest outcomes (Leland, Fogelberg, Halle, & Mroz, 2017). Primary care providers (PCP) often address acute symptom management due to inadequate time to explore underlying problems related to diagnoses due to time limitations and a shortage of PCPs. (Dahl-Popolizio, Manson, Muir & Rogers, 2016). It has been recommended that other disciplines are incorporated into primary care to increase holistic, client-centered care and to improve health outcomes. Occupational therapy has been identified as one discipline that is well suited to contribute to …

Cardiovascular Effects Of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation And Bimanual Training In Children With Cerebral Palsy, Manda L. Keller-Ross, Daniel P. Chantigian, Samuel Nemanich, Bernadette T. Gillick

Occupational Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose:

To determine the influence of combined transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to the motor cortex (M1) and bimanual training on cardiovascular function in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods:

Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and HR variability (HRV) were measured immediately before and after 20 minutes of cathodal tDCS to contralesional M1 and bimanual training on days 1, 6, and 10 of a 10-day trial in 8 participants (5 females, 7-19 years).

Results:

Baseline MAP and HR were similar across days (93 ± 10 mm Hg and 90 ± 10 bpm, P > .05). MAP was similar from …

A Group-Protocol: Returning To Life Post Breast Cancer Treatment, Janice Finley, Ashley Timm

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this project was to design a group protocol to assist breast cancer survivors living in the community to address unmet physical, cognitive, and psychosocial needs. There are more than 3.5 million breast cancer survivors within the United States today (American Cancer Society, n.d.). A cancer survivor's performance in meaningful occupations and roles need to be addressed as they learn to live with the long-term physical and psychosocial effects of treatments such as self-confidence and pain management (Burg et al., 2015; Kim, Kim, & Han, 2020). There is a lack of occupational therapy services for individuals diagnosed with …

Parental Caregiver Guide For An Adolescent With Down Syndrome: Transitioning Out Of High School, Kalindi Rachey, Hailey Johnson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The current literature revealed a need to address the establishment, organization, and application of primary health care as well as support programs for parental caregivers of adolescents with Down syndrome, especially during the transition period out of high school (Barros, Barros, Barros, & Santos, 2017). Providing information, resources, and support to parental caregivers of adolescents with Down syndrome and health care professionals, such as occupational therapists, can help alleviate caregiver burden and promote the parents’ quality of life. Occupational therapists can play an important role during the post-secondary transition period for adolescents with Down syndrome by assisting them in …

Addressing Sexual Intimacy Post-Spinal Cord Injury With Clients And Their Significant Other, Michelle Arnhalt, Taylor Beatty

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Discussing sexual participation with a client who has experienced a spinal cord injury (SCI) can be a critical component to addressing their overall occupational needs during the rehabilitation process. Literature has shown that education on sexual intimacy following their injury is often neglected during therapy due to the sensitive nature of the topic (Federici, Artegianai, Pigliautile, Antonelli, Diotallevi, Ritacco, & Maschke, 2019; Hess & Hough, 2012; Walker, Otte, LeMond, Hess, Kaizer, Faulkner, & Christy, 2020). Overlooking the topic of sexual intimacy during the client’s rehabilitation process can impact the client psychologically by decreasing their self-esteem and confidence, their desire to …

Prevention Of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Individuals Utilizing A Home Computer Workstation, Dalton Fetsch, Jonah Kratochvil

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to develop a comprehensive educational guide for office workers and students who utilize a home computer workstation for a majority of their day utilizing current evidence. This guide is intended to help prevent the onset of MSDs that often occur due to improper ergonomic positioning and limited resources when utilizing home computer workstations

Broadening The Role Of Occupational Therapists Within The Icu Setting: An Occupation-Based Toolkit, Roxana Chirinos, Carly Derouin

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to create a quick intervention toolkit for occupational therapists treating clients in the intensive care unit (ICU) in order to increase occupation-based services, quality of care, and improve client outcomes. Additionally, this project hopes to enlighten occupational therapists who may experience burnout while providing services within such an intensive setting.

Creating Sense Of It: An In-Service To Address Military Students Experiencing Sensory Deficits, Danielle Cox, Katelyn Jennings

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Life for military children is challenging as they are exposed to various experiences that may have adverse effects. There is an unprecedented need for additional resources regarding sensory deficits in military children to provide more insight into the challenges faced by this population as well as to increase awareness and support for the demands placed upon children in military families. The purpose of this project is to provide information to educators regarding added sensory challenges faced by military students as well as to increase awareness and support for the demands placed upon these children.

Occupational Therapy For Pregnant Women: An Ergonomics Program For First-Time Mothers, Kaitlyn Berglund, Brianna Peterman

Occupational Therapy Capstones

This scholarly project, Occupational Therapy for Pregnant Women: An Ergonomics Program for First-Time Mothers, provides occupational therapy practitioners with a 3-session group protocol to address ergonomic concerns of pregnancy and new motherhood with pregnant women who are becoming mothers for the first time. These ergonomic concerns are addressed as they specifically relate to the occupations of the clients. Through an extensive literature review, it was found that there is limited research and programming specific to occupational therapy’s role in providing services to pregnant women and new mothers. Ergonomic programming for pregnant women that was previously available did not address occupations …

Prevention, Positioning, Participation: Wheelchair Education And Promotion Of Occupational Engagement For Caregivers In Snfs, Sarah Lovelace, Brandon Steffen

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Certified nursing assistants are considered the principal caregivers within long-term care / skilled nursing facilities (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2019), and spend the most time interacting and caring for residents. Although CNAs provide approximately 60-90% of the care to elderly residents in nursing homes, they are provided with the least amount of education of the direct-care employees (Lerner, Resnick, Galik, Russ, 2010). The purpose of this scholarly project is to provide caregivers in skilled nursing facilities with adequate education and resources to increase certified nursing assistants’ knowledge of pressure injury prevention, correct positioning for increased …