Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Self-Determination Theory And Professional Reasoning In Occupational Therapy Students: A Mixed Methods Study, Tiffany Bolton, Evan Dean

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy (OT) education frequently utilizes experiential learning as an effective instructional method to develop professional reasoning in OT students. However, there is little information about the development of professional reasoning. The researchers used a mixed-methods design to determine the extent to which an experiential learning course was effective in supporting professional reasoning ability with thirty-six OT students. Participants were students enrolled in an experiential learning course, which was part of their didactic graduate curriculum. Students attended an assigned setting weekly for sixteen weeks. Researchers collected data using the Self-Assessment of Clinical Reflection and Reasoning (SACRR) as well as reflective …

Differences In The Use And Perceptions Of Evidence-Based Practice Between Occupational Therapy Students And Practitioners, Alison Nichols, Paige Creighton, Annie Derolf, Shelby Hale, Leann Vandeman, Kersten Laughlin, Kelsie Long

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This study explored differences in perceptions of evidence-based practice (EBP) between occupational therapy (OT) students and practitioners. Researchers aimed to understand student and practitioner perceptions of barriers, knowledge, attitudes, and confidence in EBP. Occupational therapy students (n=61) and practitioners (n=21) completed an online researcher-created survey and the Evidence-Based Practice Confidence (EPIC) Scale survey. Results indicated practitioners were more confident in utilizing EBP than students, particularly when identifying a gap in knowledge related to a patient (p = <.001) deciding on a course of action for a client (p = <.001), and assessing the efficacy of EBP on client outcomes (p = <.001). This finding was inconsistent with previous research, which may be due to more practitioners receiving formal education on EBP. It is critical for OT education to support student learning and application of clinical reasoning throughout the EBP process in order to increase confidence. This study was limited by the use of a homogenous population from a single university.

Occupational Therapy Practice Patterns In Two Rural States: Does The College Experience Influence Rural Employment Choice?, Debra J. Hanson, Janet S. Jedlicka, Nicole C. Harris, Marilyn G. Klug

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

An online survey was conducted of 225 occupational therapy (OT) practitioners living in the rural states of North Dakota and Wyoming to explore practice patterns and the influence of the college experience on employment choice. Findings showed that rural practitioners had greater variability of hours spent working (5.5 more hours per week, p=.028), and one more work location on average (p=.006). Therapists in urban settings spent 15% more time in fieldwork education than their rural counterparts (p=.021). Rural practice choice was influenced by participation in Level I and Level II fieldwork (p=.002) but not by loan debt. Study implications for …

Enhancing Professionalism Among Ot Students: The Culture Of Professionalism, Kate Reiter, Loriann Helgeson, Supawadee C. Lee

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy (OT) students are likely to experience generational differences when interacting with faculty and clients. Each generational group has a shared culture and unique set of experiences that influence their behavior, expectations, and perceptions surrounding professionalism. When teaching professionalism to OT students, the cultural underpinnings and influences related to generational groups and their differences become important considerations. This manuscript explores the relationship between culture and professionalism and describes how generational culture influences professional behaviors. It presents a reflective process and guide developed by the authors to enhance professionalism and cultural effectiveness among OT students and guide them in meeting …

Download Entire Issue: Collaborative Healthcare: Interprofessional Practice, Education And Evaluation (Jcipe), Volume 8, Number 2, Fall 2017

Collaborative Healthcare: Interprofessional Practice, Education and Evaluation (JCIPE)

Download Entire Issue: Collaborative Healthcare: Interprofessional Practice, Education and Evaluation (JCIPE), Volume 8, Number 2, Fall 2017

Meet An Ipe Champion From Thomas Jefferson University: Michaela Scotten, Michaela Scotten, Ots

Collaborative Healthcare: Interprofessional Practice, Education and Evaluation (JCIPE)

As part of the two-year curriculum for my Master's degree in Occupational Therapy, I engaged in the Health Mentors Program. Additionally, I had the honor of volunteering with No One Dies Alone through the student IPE interest group throughout my last year. My main involvement with JCIPE was through Student Hotspotting, beginning July, 2016 (offered through Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers Primary Care Progress, and Association of American Medical Colleges). I had the opportunity to work with an interdisciplinary team of eight students and four faculty members to identify "super-utilizing" patients with complex psychosocial and healthcare needs. As a team, …

Virtual Reality As A Training Tool To Treat Physical Inactivity In Children, Adam W. Kiefer, David Pincus, Michael J. Richardson, Gregory D. Myer

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Lack of adequate physical activity in children is an epidemic that can result in obesity and other poor health outcomes across the lifespan. Physical activity interventions focused on motor skill competence continue to be developed, but some interventions, such as neuromuscular training (NMT), may be limited in how early they can be implemented due to dependence on the child’s level of cognitive and perceptual-motor development. Early implementation of motor-rich activities that support motor skill development in children is critical for the development of healthy levels of physical activity that carry through into adulthood. Virtual reality (VR) training may be beneficial …

Integration Of Animal-Assisted Therapy Standards In Pediatric Occupational Therapy, Sara J. Shue, Melissa Y. Winkle, M J Mulcahey

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

The primary purpose of this study was to describe how the best practice recommendations and standards of practice related to animal-assisted therapy (AAT) are being incorporated into pediatric occupational therapy (OT). The study design was a nonexperimental survey that identified the qualifications of pediatric occupational therapists that are incorporating AAT, the AAT standards of practice that are or are not used in practice, and the barriers and facilitators to being an AAT qualified occupational therapist. There were 21 respondents to the survey. The majority of respondents had a master’s degree, more than 10 years working as an occupational therapist, less …

Impact Of Men's Shed On Social Participation And Health Outcomes, Joshua Grimmer

Honors Theses

This paper will explore the concept of a community-based organization, known as a Men’s Shed. The purpose of the research is to determine the positive impacts the North Belfast Men’s Shed has on social participation and overall health outcomes. The key factors observed in this study were the safe environment, camaraderie, social acceptance, and variety of activities the shed offers. The study included a sample of 11 men primarily over the age of 60. At the time of the study, all of the men were retired or unemployed and came from diverse occupational backgrounds. A set of semi-structure questions was …

November 2017 Issue, Occupation: A Medium Of Inquiry For Students, Faculty & Other Practitioners Advocating For Health Through Occupational Studies

OCCUPATION: A Medium of Inquiry about Health through Occupation

No abstract provided.

A Review Of Occupation And Impairment Based Assessments Used In Occupational Therapy, Mariana D'Amico

OCCUPATION: A Medium of Inquiry about Health through Occupation

Objective: The objective of this paper was to analyze the psychometrics, efficacy, and usefulness of assessments to measure occupational performance and occupation-based outcomes.

Methodology: Eight Doctor of Occupational Therapy Students at Nova Southeastern University, along with their professor, analyzed and appraised 46 commonly used assessments to discover and explore the assessments’ purposes, theory-bases, psychometric properties, and usefulness as outcome measures.

Results: We found that many high quality assessments exist and meet the standards for validity and reliability. Although some assessments are client-centered and useful, some still require additional research to strengthen their psychometric properties.

Conclusion: Some widely used assessments …

What Happens After The Nicu? Parents Experience Of Caring For Their Premature Infants At Home, Amanda Pignon

OCCUPATION: A Medium of Inquiry about Health through Occupation

This paper reviews the literature on what happens after the NICU with premature babies and their families and provides perspective of a lived experience. There have been numerous studies conducted on the traumatic experience of the NICU, however there is limited research involving the parenting process and experience following the NICU and caring for a high risk infant at home. Articles were searched through two databases, CINAHL and Pubmed, yielding 15 articles in which three specific themes were outlined; psychological distress of parents, perceptions of parents and linking family to resources. While there are programs available for families, not all …

The Occupational Experiences Of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual And Transgender (Lgbt) Individuals During The Coming Out Process: An Analysis Of Self-Acceptance, Disclosure, And Occupational Change, Lee Meach

OCCUPATION: A Medium of Inquiry about Health through Occupation

Human occupation is an intensely individual process that is colored by the cultural and life experiences of the individual who is engaged in an activity. The experiences of gender and sexual minorities typically defined as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) individuals are different in many ways from the rest of the population. One occupation unique to this community is the process of “coming out” in which the individual discloses their minority sexual orientation or gender identity to others. The coming out process is complex and multi-faceted, involving both the internal reflective process of first self-accepting one’s orientation and identity …

Exercise, Cognition, And The Aging Process Among Active, Competitive, And Sedentary Middle-Aged And Older Adults, Katherine Adams

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Purpose This study aimed to compare the cognitive measures of reaction time and dual-task performance among recreationally active, master athletes, and sedentary older adults aged 50 years or older. Methods 59 late middle-aged and older adults between the ages of 50 to 88 years old participated in reaction time and dual-task tests of which consisted of multiple trials on the same day. Subjects were placed either into the recreationally active, masters athlete, or sedentary activity level group based on the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA) form. For the gait speed with associated dual-task component, subjects walked 10-meters at two …

Effects Of Physical Exercise In Older Adults With Reduced Physical Capacity: Meta-Analysis Of Resistance Exercise And Multimodal Exercise, Chiung-Ju Liu, Wen-Pin Chang, Islene Araujo De Carvalho, Katie E. L. Savage, Lori W. Radford, Jotheeswaran Amuthavalli Thiyagarajan

Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications

Older adults with reduced physical capacity are at greater risk of progression to care dependency. Progressive resistance strength exercise and multimodal exercise have been studied to restore reduced physical capacity. To summarize the best evidence of the two exercise regimes, this meta-analysis study appraised randomized-controlled trials from published systematic reviews. Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Review and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials were searched for relevant systematic reviews. Two reviewers independently screened the relevant systematic reviews to identify eligible trials, assessed trial methodological quality, and extracted data. RevMan 5.3 software was used to analyze data …

Using Virtual Reality To Improve Sitting Balance, Alice Kay Barnes

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This thesis focuses on using virtual reality (VR) to enhance sitting balance and core strength. It is a study in how to create a VR exercise program which is interesting enough to keep players/patients motivated, but comfortable to play and not overwhelming to the senses. The software used for this study was written with the hope that a later version of it might be used with occupational/physical therapy patients one day. For this master’s thesis, the initial testing has been done with healthy volunteers. The software incorporates what developers know thus far about designing for VR, and it is hoped …

The Pathway To The Use Of A Structured And Supported Approach To Debriefing, Anne H. Zachry, S. B. Lancaster

Faculty Presentations

Debriefing plays a critical role in the transfer of knowledge in simulation education. Various methods are used in the debriefing process based on a variety of factors; this presentation sheds light on the pathway to the use of a structured and supported approach as traversed in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Tennessee Healthcare Center as well as reflections and lessons learned along the way. Engagement in this session will allow learners to further develop their debriefing skills through exposure to information about strategies to use in the debriefing process that can be used as part of …

Tic Adapted Child Occupational Self-Assessment (Cosa-T): Modified Tool Based On Clinician Feedback, Heather S. Martin Ppotd, Otr/L, Jan Rowe Dr.Ot, Mph, Otr/L, Faota

Student Capstone Papers

Tic disorders and Tourette syndrome include motor and vocal tics, affecting as much as 1% of the population (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2016). In addition, Tourette syndrome is often associated with comorbid neuropsychiatric conditions that have been linked to poorer quality of life (QoL) in youth compared to peers (Conelea et al., 2011). To manage this lessened QoL, mental health providers have historically treated these youth (Woods et al., 2008). More recently, occupational therapists have noted success in treating these children (Rowe, Yuen & Dure, 2013). In general, occupational therapists address QoL by assessing and treating occupations, roles, and …

Without Warning? What Occupational Challenges Cause Suicide Among Minority Young Adults? A Literature Review

OCCUPATION: A Medium of Inquiry about Health through Occupation

Suicide is a major public health concern within the United States. Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death for all age groups and the second leading cause of death among young adults aged 15-35. This literature review examines the increase of suicide death rates in young adults age 15-35, specifically young adult minority groups. African American, American Indian, Asian American and Hispanic American have unique occupational challenges that led to the act of suicide. In this review various protective and risk factors are examined to determine the best intervention and prevention measures required to address the epidemic of young …

The Contribution Of Technology To The Development And Sustainability Of An Occupational Therapy Community Of Learners In Doctoral Education, Susan Toth-Cohen, Phd, Otr/L, Mary Gozza-Cohen, Phd, Sandra Schefkind, Otd, Otr/L, Faota

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

This case study describes the pivotal role of technology in developing a community of practice (COP) designed for post professional occupational therapists that enabled doctoral students, alumni and faculty to share information and insights about topics, initiatives and research critical to the Occupational Therapy field. The COP evolved through ongoing development of the post-professional occupational therapy doctorate (PPOTD) program at Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

The conceptual foundation for the COP moved beyond an initial focus on course delivery to an emphasis on development, implementation, and sustainability of a vibrant learning community. Transformation of the COP was greatly facilitated through the …