Breathe Before The Exam: A Single-Session Yoga Intervention For Anxiety Reduction In Doctoral Ot Students,
2026
Rush University Medical Center
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 …
Integrating Service-Learning And Student-Led Research: Exploring Its Impact On Occupational Therapy Doctorate Students,
2026
Eastern Kentucky University
Integrating Service-Learning And Student-Led Research: Exploring Its Impact On Occupational Therapy Doctorate Students, Laura Bray, Camille Skubik-Peplaski, Shirley P. O'Brien
Journal of Occupational Therapy Education
The ability to communicate, critically think, and build confidence in delivering occupational therapy services is essential for occupational therapy students. Service-learning has been found to assist with translating abstract concepts to concrete interactions with real-life situations. A mixed-method pedagogical study was conducted to examine the student experience of leading a research project using service-learning pedagogy and changes in student confidence in their use of occupation. Qualitative themes of Confidence in Occupation; Communication to Build a Partnership; Thinking on Your Feet; and Service-Learning Promotes Growth were revealed. Additionally, student confidence pre-/post-ratings indicated a statistically significant increase in confidence, further supporting qualitative …
Development Of Soft Skills In Occupational Therapy Education: A Faculty Perspective,
2026
Shenandoah University
Development Of Soft Skills In Occupational Therapy Education: A Faculty Perspective, John Adkins, Alysha Skuthan
Journal of Occupational Therapy Education
Soft skills, such as communication, emotional intelligence, and response to feedback, are critical for the success of occupational therapy students but are often underemphasized in educational standards and curricula. This qualitative study examined how faculty perceived, defined, and facilitated the development of soft skills during the didactic phase of occupational therapy education. Using a phenomenological design, 12 faculty members from accredited occupational therapy programs participated in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis revealed six themes: Hidden Skills, Incorrect Assumptions, and What’s Trending addressed faculty perceptions, while What’s Developing, What’s On Us, and Why Does It Matter described faculty responsibilities and strategies to …
Using Video Analysis To Support Development Of Therapeutic Use Of Self In Occupational Therapy Education,
2026
Midwestern University, Glendale
Using Video Analysis To Support Development Of Therapeutic Use Of Self In Occupational Therapy Education, Cynthia L. Selim, Katharine A. Ricks
Journal of Occupational Therapy Education
Despite recognition of the importance of therapeutic use of self, there remains limited research on effective, evidence-informed approaches within occupational therapy education. Video analysis has emerged as a method to enhance students’ critical thinking, interpersonal communication, and observation skills, however, its direct impact on therapeutic use of self has not been examined. This study evaluated the effectiveness of structured video analysis assignments in improving occupational therapy students’ self‑efficacy for therapeutic use of self and explored student perceptions of the learning experience. Two cohorts of first-year occupational therapy students (n=62) participated in a 10-week course based on the Intentional Relationship Model …
Primitive Reflex Integration Training For Occupational Therapy Students In India,
2026
Kids N Fun Therapy Center, Westborough, Massachusetts
Primitive Reflex Integration Training For Occupational Therapy Students In India, Nalini Sripall, Samuel K. Durairaj, Arun Kumar, Suja A. Chandrasekaran
Journal of Occupational Therapy Education
Primitive Reflex Integration (PRI) is an important intervention for occupational therapists for the treatment of neurological, motor, and sensory processing issues in children. The topic is clinically relevant, yet there is scarce formal education available on the subject for occupational therapists in India. A needs assessment survey was developed and implemented to better understand the knowledge related to PRI of 40 postgraduate occupational therapy students in India. The needs assessment showed that most of the students were aware of PRI but were not consistently using PRI techniques to treat retained primitive reflexes. The participants also noted barriers, such as a …
What Motivates Occupational Therapy Students To Self-Study Anatomy,
2026
University of Toronto, Toronto
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, …
Factors Influencing The Access To Activity Resources Of Occupational Therapy Students During Work-Integrated Learning: A South African Perspective,
2026
University of Pretoria, South Africa
Factors Influencing The Access To Activity Resources Of Occupational Therapy Students During Work-Integrated Learning: A South African Perspective, Karin Van Niekerk, Mischa Viviers, Sunike Nel, Thandi Pelebese Takalo, Reitumetse Georgia Mofutsana, Yi-Fang Chen, Carla Faber
Journal of Occupational Therapy Education
Activities are the backbone of occupational therapy intervention. In order to effectively use activities during Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) placements, occupational therapy students require access to appropriate activity resources. This study explored the factors influencing the access to activity resources of South African occupational therapy students from the University of Pretoria during their undergraduate education and how this potentially affected student learning. A qualitative descriptive design was used. Fourteen participants with WIL experience were selected through purposive and quota sampling to ensure diversity in living situations and WIL experience. Data were collected through one-on-one semi-structured interviews and were analyzed thematically. Six …
Predictors Of Academic Success, Fieldwork Performance, And Licensure Examination Outcomes In Occupational Therapy Students: A Scoping Review,
2026
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Predictors Of Academic Success, Fieldwork Performance, And Licensure Examination Outcomes In Occupational Therapy Students: A Scoping Review, Sabina Khan, Leila Gojraty, Karen Park, Lesley Khan-Farooqi, Rayya Ibrahim-Muzaffarr, Sade Harris, Janay Jones, Llonique Jackson, Christianah Edema
Journal of Occupational Therapy Education
Declining first-attempt National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy pass rates and concerns regarding student retention underscore the need to identify factors associated with occupational therapy student success. This scoping review aimed to map the current evidence on predictors of academic success, fieldwork performance, and licensure examination outcomes in occupational therapy programs. MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and OTSeeker were searched for peer-reviewed studies published between January 2016 and January 2026. Empirical studies examining predictors of occupational therapy student outcomes were included. Predictors were mapped using Astin’s Input-Environment-Output model and grouped into subthemes. Of 3,402 records, 25 studies met the inclusion criteria. …
Evaluating A Global Occupational Therapy Telementoring Program: An 18-Month Pre–Post Analysis Of Ot Echo,
2026
MGH Institute of Health Professions
Evaluating A Global Occupational Therapy Telementoring Program: An 18-Month Pre–Post Analysis Of Ot Echo, Sarah Mckinnon, Kate Barlow, Kelsey Sullivan, John Wong
Journal of Occupational Therapy Education
Global inequities in access to mentorship and continuing professional development limit workforce growth and clinical capacity in occupational therapy. OT ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes), an international telementoring and professional development program utilizing the Project ECHO model, was developed to provide accessible, case-based professional development to occupational therapists worldwide. This study employed a repeated-measures pre–post evaluation design across 18 monthly OT ECHO sessions conducted between December 2023 and June 2025. Each session included a brief didactic presentation, case-based discussion, and facilitated small-group breakout sessions. Participants completed pre- and post-session knowledge assessments consisting of three to four multiple-choice questions aligned …
Exploring And Enhancing The Accommodations Process For Disabled Students In Occupational Therapy Education: An Action Research Study,
2026
University of Washington
Exploring And Enhancing The Accommodations Process For Disabled Students In Occupational Therapy Education: An Action Research Study, Danbi Lee, Emma Gregg, Keri Degroot
Journal of Occupational Therapy Education
The study aimed to explore barriers and supports to the accommodations process for disabled occupational therapy students from the perspectives of disability resource professionals, faculty, and students; identify actionable recommendations; and implement actions to better support students with disabilities. This action research study, guided by the Look-Think-Act Action model, recruited students, faculty, and staff from one Master of Occupational Therapy program. Focus groups, individual interviews, and a priority survey were conducted. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Action steps were discussed in the action planning group and the research team implemented feasible recommendations. Twenty-four students, disability resources professionals, and faculty …
Disability Accommodation Implementation Within Occupational Therapy Academia: A National Descriptive Survey On Knowledge, Training, And Attitudes,
2026
University of Minnesota
Disability Accommodation Implementation Within Occupational Therapy Academia: A National Descriptive Survey On Knowledge, Training, And Attitudes, Nicole Pawek, Julie Olson Rand, Rebecca Ozelie, Hannah Y. Oldenburg
Journal of Occupational Therapy Education
Occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant programs are accredited health professional programs that have, anecdotally, seen an increase in requested disability accommodations among students over the last decade. There is limited knowledge regarding faculty preparedness, available resources, and attitudes related to implementing accommodations in accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant programs located in the United States. Researchers aimed to describe faculty knowledge and experience with disability accommodation implementation, as well as identify available training and resources related to accommodation implementation and faculty attitudes toward the accommodation implementation process. Researchers used the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys (CHERRIES) …
Toward A Critical Occupational Therapy Education: A Discrit-Informed Framework,
2026
The City College of New York
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 …
Teaching Crisis Co-Regulation In Occupational Therapy: A Pilot Study Of A Simulation-Based Role-Play,
2026
Bowling Green State University
Teaching Crisis Co-Regulation In Occupational Therapy: A Pilot Study Of A Simulation-Based Role-Play, Carli Dimeo, Allen Keener, Elizabeth G. Hunter
Journal of Occupational Therapy Education
Health professions educators have identified a need for tools to assess student competence in de-escalation and co-regulation. Despite the importance of proficiency with these clinical skills, there is little evidence examining effective approaches for teaching and assessing these skills in occupational therapy students. This pilot study utilized a simulation-based role-play experience to determine the feasibility of a teaching method for occupational therapy students to apply these skills in psychosocial scenarios. Activities were conducted as a required component of a Psychosocial and Community Practice course. Prior to the simulation, students completed instruction addressing emotional regulation and co-regulation. Students then practiced these …
Interprofessional Simulation Improves Confidence For Fieldwork In Acute Care Settings,
2026
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Interprofessional Simulation Improves Confidence For Fieldwork In Acute Care Settings, Valley Mccurry, Tara S. Pearce, Chris Eidson, Patricia Perez
Journal of Occupational Therapy Education
Preparing occupational therapy students for fieldwork in acute care settings presents logistical and educational challenges, and students often report limited confidence in their readiness for this environment. Simulation-based learning is a safe, structured approach for developing clinical reasoning, communication, and teamwork skills prior to Level II fieldwork. This study examined the impact of an extended time, multiple patient interprofessional acute care simulation. Students rotated through a series of increasingly complex patient cases across multiple units in a simulated acute care hospital, interacting with authentic and simulated hospital equipment, a simulated electronic health record, and structured debriefing. Three independent cohorts of …
Student And Faculty Perspectives On Perceived Stress, Coping, And Educational Practice In A Community College Occupational Therapy Assistant Program,
2026
SUNY University at Buffalo
Student And Faculty Perspectives On Perceived Stress, Coping, And Educational Practice In A Community College Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, Kristen Morgus, Tiffany Karalis Noel, Christopher Stavisky
Journal of Occupational Therapy Education
This mixed methods study examined occupational therapy assistant (OTA) students' and faculty members' perceptions of supports and challenges influencing perceived stress, with the aim of generating actionable recommendations for OTA education. While existing literature offered information regarding stressors and coping mechanisms for occupational therapy and non-traditional students, the confluence of these two identities in this OTA student population, as well as faculty perspectives, presented an underexplored area of inquiry. Specifically, this study examined how the intersection of OTA student identity and non-traditional student status influenced perceived stress, an underrepresented focus in the existing occupational therapy education literature. Data were collected …
Collaboration Between Occupational Therapy Doctorate And Doctor Of Osteopathic Medicine Students: Interprofessional Education In Fall Prevention,
2026
Nova Southeastern University
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 …
How Do Students Come Across Occupational Therapy And What Makes Them Want To Study Occupational Therapy? Implications For Recruitment,
2026
Department of Occupational Therapy, VIA University College, Aarhus, Denmark
How Do Students Come Across Occupational Therapy And What Makes Them Want To Study Occupational Therapy? Implications For Recruitment, Mette Eg Bruun, Mette Krohn, Sofie Balle Riis, Lene Tanggaard, Tina Helle
Journal of Occupational Therapy Education
Recruitment challenges in occupational therapy education vary globally. To address workforce needs, it is necessary to examine the factors influencing students’ decisions to pursue occupational therapy. This study investigated how students discovered occupational therapy, what they found appealing about the profession, the influence of study location, and demographic differences between students enrolled in an urban university city and a rural district. Three focus group interviews with 15 occupational therapy students were conducted, supplemented by descriptive statistics comparing student characteristics across urban and rural programs. Qualitative analysis identified five categories: (1) discovering occupational therapy by chance, (2) the power of occupational …
Comparing Pre-Occupational Therapy Student Intercultural Competence Through Local And Global Service Learning,
2026
Xavier University - Cincinnati
Comparing Pre-Occupational Therapy Student Intercultural Competence Through Local And Global Service Learning, Leah S. Dunn, Diane Ceo-Difrancesco
Journal of Occupational Therapy Education
This study examined undergraduate pre-occupational therapy student intercultural competence (ICC) development through a local or global service-learning experience. Using a mixed-method approach, responses to the Inventory for Assessing the Process of Cultural Competence among Healthcare Professions-Student Version (IAPCC-SV) were compared as well as a content analysis of student essays before and after the service-learning experience to determine ICC growth. Both groups demonstrated ICC growth, but global participants continued their development past the experience. Student essays revealed themes of dissonance, reflection, transformation, and advocacy, with local students focusing on clients and global students adopting broader advocacy goals. Immersive experiences in occupational …
Balancing Acts: Exploring Chronic Illness’ Impact On Achievement In Graduate Health Education,
2026
Gannon University
Balancing Acts: Exploring Chronic Illness’ Impact On Achievement In Graduate Health Education, Olivia J. Fulton, Lizeth S. Iboy, Bonnie Decker
Journal of Occupational Therapy Education
Graduate students with chronic illness encounter barriers as they navigate graduate programs to achieve their personal goals. Chronic illnesses are often invisible, which makes it more challenging to navigate the educational system. This study aimed to understand participants’ ability to engage in their academic environment and how the severity of their symptoms related to their diagnosis impacted participation in lectures, laboratory activities, exams, and competencies. Nineteen participants completed the online survey with questions regarding demographics and perception of how their condition impacted their academic performance on their best days versus worst days. Three assessment tools were incorporated into the survey: …
Sketching Ot Theory: The Meaning Of Visual Notetaking To Learning Occupational Therapy Theory For Ot Students,
2026
University of British Columbia
Sketching Ot Theory: The Meaning Of Visual Notetaking To Learning Occupational Therapy Theory For Ot Students, Julia Henderson, Delainey Ebel, Ilona Jones, Katie Lee Bunting
Journal of Occupational Therapy Education
Visual notetaking is a creative learning strategy used in health professions education. This study defines it as any form of notes, recorded using physical or electronic means, that are not solely text-based, but incorporate some degree of color, symbolism, shapes, diagrams, and/or other visual imagery to represent concepts. While no previous studies have investigated visual notetaking in the context of occupational therapy education, occupational therapy’s prevalent use of visual representations to convey complex, relational, and holistic theoretical concepts suggests that visual notetaking may have potential as an inherently aligned and effective pedagogical approach for teaching occupational therapy theory. Our study …
