Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Cultural Respect In Academia, Alondra Ammon

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Given the aim to increase diverse representation in health care to promote equitable health care outcomes, occupational therapists must critically examine how we respect cultural diversity. This opinion piece intends to highlight the importance of creating academic spaces where students can thrive and carry over those teachings beyond the classroom and into the communities they serve. The author, who identifies as a person of color, is a Ph.D. candidate and academic occupational therapy educator who integrated their constructionist epistemological lens and reviewed literature to inform a working definition of cultural respect and recommendations. Cultural respect involves recognizing, understanding, and appreciating …

A Synthesis Of Professional Socialization Literature And Educational Opportunities In Occupational Therapy, Jessica Nakos

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The purpose of this topic on education paper is to synthesize the literature on professional socialization across disciplines, emphasize professional socialization as a research priority, and discuss opportunities to improve occupational therapy education. Relevant literature from higher education, business education, and health care professions were included that support the critical role of professional socialization to development of professional identity. A critical appraisal and discussion provide reflection on the role of educators, opportunities for program improvements, and implications to occupational therapy research and education. Dimensions of meaning associated with professional socialization are introduced and offer a unique occupation-based lens through which …

Primary Care Occupational Therapy: Diagnoses, Outcomes, Reimbursement, And Team Satisfaction, Sue Dahl-Popolizio, Tina M. Sauber, Mandi Ogaard, Martina Mookadam, Shanthi V. Cambala, Felicia E. Trembath

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Literature supports including occupational therapists on primary care teams. Few occupational therapists practice in this setting. The health care community needs more information regarding the benefits of occupational therapists on the team.

Method: We completed an 18-month pilot integrating an occupational therapist in a primary care team, tracking conditions treated by the occupational therapist, visit duration, reimbursement, and level of primary care providers’ (PCP) satisfaction. We then evaluated outcomes via a retrospective chart review.

Results: Visits were brief, averaging 35 min. Longer visits did not improve outcomes. Occupational therapists were reimbursed by Medicare (47%), commercial (47%), …

A Retrospective Study Of Healthcare Needs Of Unpaid Caregivers In The United States, Ranelle M. Nissen, Jessica Mchugh Conlin, Mackenzie L. Feldhacker, Whitney Lucas Molitor, Allison J. Naber

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Introduction: Demand for caregivers is on the rise. In the US, 53 million individuals provided care in 2020. Older adults constitute nearly half of all care recipients and often receive care from a family member. This study identified the health care needs of caregivers regarding health care use, access to resources, and unmet needs.

Methods: We used a retrospective, cross-sectional design to examine existing data collected between 2013 and 2018 regarding caregiver experiences. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a chi-square test of independence.

Results: Caregivers were primarily female, White, between the 18 and 64 years …

Breastfeeding As Co-Occupation: Occupational Therapy’S Role In Promoting Health And Well-Being, Lisa Joelle Sutton, Julie D. Kugel, Dragana Krpalek, Arezou Salamat

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Even with efforts to encourage mothers to breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months, the majority of women are not able to undertake breastfeeding as the sole means of infant nutrition provision for various reasons. The role of occupational therapists working with mothers who breastfeed is complex and not strongly supported in the literature. Therefore, this qualitative study was designed to examine the role that occupational therapists may engage in supporting mothers and infants in the co-occupation of breastfeeding.

Method: A qualitative phenomenological study design was applied and included 11 occupational therapists working with breastfeeding dyads. The …

The Experiences Of Routine Powered Mobility Users In An Assisted Living Facility: A Case Study, Richelle Louise Gray

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore the contrasting experiences of two routine powered mobility device (PMD) users in an assisted living facility (ALF).

Method: A case study approach using three forms of data (semi-structured interview, observation, and media collection of pictures) was used to formulate a comprehensive description of the two PMD user’s experiences. Data analysis was completed using line-by-line coding and in vivo to generate possible themes. Process coding, descriptive coding, and analytic memos were then employed to better understand the connection of the data and ensure themes generated were appropriate.

Results: Following …

Preparation And Use Of Physical Agent Modalities Among U.S. Occupational Therapists: A Mixed-Methods, Exploratory-Descriptive Study, Keith Gentry, Tammy Lesage, Devin Hebble, Lilly Adams, Ashlyn Watts

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Physical agent modalities (PAMs) are used by occupational therapists to prepare for or facilitate participation in purposeful activities. However, little has been published in the last quarter century regarding how U.S. occupational therapists use and are prepared to use of PAMs in contemporary clinical practice. In this study, U.S.-based occupational therapists were surveyed regarding their use of PAMs, preparation for use, and perceptions of that preparation.

Methods: Survey data was collected from a purposive sample of 141 U.S.-based occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants as part of this exploratory-descriptive, mixed-methods study. Thematic and descriptive statistical analyses were …

Pawsitive Purpose: The Impact Of Autism Assistance Dogs On The Occupations Of Autistic Children, Morgan Starkweather, Amie E. Germain, Christine A. Kivlen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background. The World Health Organization recognizes that participation is important to individuals’ well being; yet, autistic children participate in fewer activities compared to neurotypical children. This article aims to describe the role of autism assistance dogs (AADs) in promoting participation and engagement in occupations and activities of daily living (ADLs) for autistic children.

Method. A qualitative interpretative phenomenological design was used. Two semi-structured interviews from a narrative perspective were conducted with each participant. Four volunteer parents and primary handlers of their child’s AAD participated in the study. Inductive analysis was used to interpret open-ended questions. Following transcription, Creswell’s …

Current Landscape Of Interventions That Promote Self-Determination In Adolescents With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities In Secondary Transition: A Scoping Review, Chia-Yang Chiang, Tsu-Hsin Howe

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Purpose: Although promoting self-determination in secondary transition is an important goal when working with adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the conceptualization and definitions of self-determination and its associated skills are not consistent. The aim of this scoping review was to examine how self-determination and its associated skills have been conceptualized and defined in interventions that support secondary transition in adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities and how self-determination is operationalized accordingly in those interventions.

Method: Studies published between 2006 and 2021 were searched using databases, including MEDLINE, PubMed, ERIC, PsycINFO, Education Source, and OTseeker. Hand-searching of bibliographies was …

Occupational Therapists’ Consideration Of Sexual Orientation And Gender Identity When Working With Adolescents: A Preliminary Study, Kristin S. Willey, Dana Howell, Camille Skubik-Peplaski

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Adolescents who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, asexual, and plus (LGBTQIA+) have reduced quality of health care because of stigma, lack of awareness, and insensitivity. Recently the American Occupational Therapy Association added sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) as a personal factor in the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework. It is important to understand how occupational therapists incorporate SOGI into their services provided to adolescents.

Purpose: This study explored if occupational therapists considered an adolescent client’s SOGI when providing services. Research questions included: do occupational therapists perceive that SOGI influences adolescents’ occupations, and do occupational …

Understanding The Needs Of Gender-Diverse Youth And Young Adults And Their Staff Members In Homeless Shelters And Supported Housing, Sharon Gutman, Ashley Choi, Alexis Kearney, Margaret Swarbrick Dr

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Gender-diverse youth experience twice the risk for homelessness as their same-age cisgender peers and report experiencing discrimination in homeless shelters and supported housing.

Method: Eighteen participants (9 gender-diverse residents and 9 staff members) were interviewed individually to understand their experience of and needs in these settings.

Results: The major findings included: (a) Gender-diverse service recipients felt unsafe and vulnerable in these facilities. Sharing space in which to carry out occupations of vulnerability often triggered anxiety and PTSD. (b) Gender-diverse service recipients felt that staff members did not understand how cumulative trauma adversely affected participation in programmatic …

Effectiveness Of An Occupational Therapy-Led Social Skills Group Using Parent Training: A Pilot Study, Sheryl Eckberg Zylstra, Yvonne L. Swinth, Aimee Sidhu, Julie Anderson

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Social skills support the development of a positive self-concept and engagement in a variety of life roles, habits, and routines. The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework clearly defines the occupational therapist’s role in working with children with difficulties in social skills; however, little research exists examining the effectiveness of occupational therapy-led group interventions to support social skills development. Incorporating parent training into social skill development can improve overall outcomes and reinforce skill development across contexts.

Objective: The purpose of this pilot study was to determine whether an occupational therapy-led social skill group, combined with parent training, was effective …

The Use Of Occupational Therapy Interventions In A Hematology-Oncology Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Lucy Weathers, Sarah Schwartzberg, Kenneth Pettit, Fang Wang, Shilpa Gorantla, Saad Ghafoor

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe the role of occupational therapy (OT), including types of interventions that can be provided in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) setting, and to evaluate the use and safety of OT services in an early mobility program.

Methods: A retrospective review via medical records occurred between January 2019 and June 2020. The frequencies and adverse events of OT interventions were compared preimplementation (January–September 2019) and postimplementation (October 2019–June 2020) of an early mobility program.

Results: A convenience sample of 56 patients comprised the preimplementation group, and 83 comprised the postimplementation …

Finding Harmony In Academic Life: Blending The Teacher-Scholar Model, Shirley P. O'Brien

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy affords many role options. Academic faculty is one example of a role. Faculty are expected to participate in teaching, service, and research/scholarship activities within their roles, as shaped by institutional type. This article highlights the academic journey and considerations for embracing leadership as teacher-scholars in occupational therapy.

An Orientation Towards Care In Occupational Therapy: A Theoretical Framework, Myah G. Beylotte

Movement and Being: The Journal of the Christian Society for Kinesiology, Leisure and Sports Studies

The purpose of this paper is to explore Ethic of Care (Gilligan, 1936; Noddings, 1984) in an occupational therapy (OT) setting and to determine if empathetic and relational care can provide greater patient outcomes. Ethic of Care (EoC), originally established by Gilligan (1936), is a moral orientation towards care that has been applied in the areas of education, nursing, sports coaching, and other popular professions (Fisher et al., 2017; Gano-Overway et al., 2009; Knust & Fisher, 2015; Lachman, 2012; Newton et al., 2007; Noddings, 2005; Schools, et al., 2020), but has not been widely researched in the field of OT. …

The Effectiveness Of Technology And Smart-Home Based Teaching Modules For Direct Care Workers, Emily Demers, Andrea Mesbergen, Elise Kuiper, Jenna Prohaska, Lauren Czajka

Masters Projects

Little research has investigated the benefits of implementing technological devices in at-home environments for those with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD). Assistive technology has the capability to increase resident’s self-determination, communication, and overall independence in completing everyday tasks. This study explored the effects of training/education on the ongoing use of technology within the living space of those with IDD. The methodology for this study included a 2-part series of modules to teach direct care workers how to use and support their residents in using Amazon Alexa Show devices, Amazon Alexa Dot Devices, smart lights, and smart doorbells. The series included …

Mitigating Care Provider Turnover For Children With Developmental Disabilities, Abigail Equinoa

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

No abstract provided.

Development Of A Student-Run, Faculty-Directed Pbc, Olivia Holloway, Angela Blackwell, Julie Seidle

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Benefits of creating a student-run, faculty-directed, community-based Pro Bono Clinic for community members to engage in the occupation of gardening.

Promoting Academic And Social Well-Being For Young Adults With Asd Towards Post-Secondary Education And Employment, Theresa Holcomb, Pam Kasyan-Howe, Kristin Domville

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This program and policy-type capstone addresses the gap in inclusive services for young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in post-secondary education (PSE). It resulted in developing and implementing a Social Engagement program designed to enhance communication skills, self-advocacy, and workplace preparedness—key factors for academic and vocational success. Guided by the Occupational Adaptation Model (OAM) and the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model, the program used a board game-based format to facilitate interactive learning and the practical application of social skills. Targeting young adults with ASD involved in vocational training, the program emphasized developing professional communication and workplace social interaction. The findings indicate …

Ot Clinical And Cultural Preparedness Working With Gender Diverse Clients, Arthur Lui

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

No abstract provided.