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Perspectives of Occupational Therapy Graduates on Sentinel Events During Transitions to Practice: A Phenomenographic Study
Get PDFResearch suggests new occupational therapists face many positive and negative experiences during their transition from student to therapist. Current research lacks information regarding sentinel events that occur during this shift. An exploration of sentinel events as interpreted through the life course perspective may inform how to support the transition to occupational therapist. The purpose of this study is to (a) determine sentinel events that occur during the transition to practice for new occupational therapists and (b) the impact of these events. A phenomenographic approach guided a semi-structured interview with 14 recent occupational therapy graduates. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was conducted. The results show themes of (a) becoming independent, (b) feeling isolated, (c) navigating the unknown, (d) having supports, and (e) developing new identities. Sentinel events (e.g., navigating a new health diagnosis, orienting to a new workplace) were identified in graduates’ personal and professional lives. Understanding sentinel events in new graduates’ lives can inform curricular and workplace changes to facilitate the transition
Barriers that Affect Equity in the Occupational Therapy Admissions Process: Student and Faculty Perspectives
Get PDFThe use of holistic admissions in higher education has been demonstrated to increase the diversity of incoming student classes; yet, in occupational therapy (OT) research, admissions processes remain under-explored. This phenomenological study aimed to explore the process of OT admissions from the perspective of students, faculty, and staff at a single OT program with the goal to create a more inclusive, equitable, and holistic process. Focus groups were conducted with first-year students, and an online survey was sent to faculty to explore perspectives on the admissions process, necessary qualities for an OT graduate student, and suggestions for increasing inclusion and equity in the admissions process. Several key themes emerged: the cost of applying, lack of uniformity across different institutions’ admissions requirements, and preconceived notions of institutions; flexibility in admissions requirements, connections with the institution, and the need to recruit more diverse participants. Findings of this study are consistent with the literature regarding the use of holistic processes in graduate education, recommending less focus on student academic achievements and increased view of the student as a multifaceted individual with numerous talents. As a result, recommendations can be made to change admissions processes at this institution and in OT
I Have a Story to Tell Them : Qualitative Analsysis of Interviews with Formerly Homeless Adults
Get PDFBackground: Adults experiencing homelessness (AEH) make up an underserved community, especially in receipt of occupational therapy (OT) services. While there is growing knowledge on the occupational needs of this community, little is known of the occupational needs of AEH to successfully sustain housing long-term. The primary objective of this study is to describe the lived experiences of adults who have successfully transitioned to stable housing after a long period of homelessness. The secondary objective is to use findings to identify key areas for OT intervention with adults immediately following homelessness.
Method: The participants included five adults 25 years of age and older who have lived experience of homelessness and have transitioned to housing 1 or more years before the start of the study. All of the participants were clients of a community-based organization that provides support services for AEH to maintain stable housing. A thematic analysis of audio-recorded, semi-structured interviews was conducted. Two researchers reviewed the interviews to ensure intra-rater reliability.
Results: These five semi-structured interviews resulted in the following six overarching themes: relationships, environments, routines, health management, trauma, and gaps in services.
Conclusions: Formerly homeless adults (FHA) are an underserved population who may benefit from OT services to successfully sustain housing long-term
Teaching Occupational Adaptation Using Constructs of the Model
Get PDFBackground. Quality, evidence-based health care practice and research is guided by theory; therefore, theory should be one of the first courses in health care professional curriculums. Signature andragogical methods of case-based learning, small and large group discussion, active learning, and self-reflection developed the teaching and learning activities to teach the occupational adaptation (OA) model in this study.
Methods. A mixed-methods design of qualitative open-ended questions and quantitative survey were used to measure student understanding and application of theoretical concepts. The lab assignment integrated andragogical methods, the use of the Relative Mastery Measurement Scale (RMMS) for individual and social adaptation, and further reflection of the benefits of the lecture.
Results. Fifty-four occupational therapy doctoral students participated in the study. Themes related to the student experience and understanding. On the exam, more than 80% of students identified applicable uses of OA to case scenarios. An average of 74.4% was determined for correct responses to those five questions. The discrimination index was averaged for those five questions, resulting in a +0.28.
Conclusion. This paper describes how one entry-level doctoral occupational therapy program teaches OA using evidence-based teaching methods. Student feedback and learning for this course was positive
Teaching about Black Adolescents’ Exposure to Trauma: A Mixed Methods Study
No full textBlack adolescents are exposed to race-based forms of historical, structural, cultural, and interpersonal dimensions of trauma. However, social work educators have little evidence-based guidance on how to teach this content in a way that improves graduate students’ sense of self-efficacy (i.e., belief in their ability) to work with Black adolescents who experience trauma. The purpose of this sequential mixed methods study was to examine and understand possible reasons for changes in students’ self-efficacy after completing a graduate-level, elective course in social work that aimed to prepare students to professionally work with Black adolescents who experienced trauma. Quantitative findings from a retrospective pretest-posttest showed that after taking the course, students reported significant improvement in their self-efficacy to provide services to Black adolescents who experienced trauma. Furthermore, qualitative findings revealed that improvements were due to the evidence-based instructional approaches employed by the instructor. Additionally, qualitative findings indicated how students applied the content after participating in the course. Results suggest that prioritizing relationships in the classroom and using evidence-based teaching approaches may be beneficial in supporting students learning and competence about race-based trauma
Predictors of General Well-Being in Postprofessional Students of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
Get PDFBackground: Doctoral students experience decreased well-being during their educational experience. Self-compassion, engagement in meaningful occupations, and occupational balance positively impact well-being in individuals. This study examined the relationships between these constructs in postprofessional occupational science and occupational therapy students.
Method: This quantitative cross-sectional study collected national survey data (N = 113) using the Self-Compassion Scale – Short Form, the Engagement in Meaningful Activities Survey, the Occupational Balance Questionnaire 11, and the 14-item Scales of General Well-Being. Multiple linear regression analysis determined how well each construct predicted general well-being and the strength of each construct’s relationship compared to other constructs.
Results: The model of combined variables was significant, F(3, 104) = 36.22, p \u3c .001, accounting for 51.1% of the general well-being variance. All predictors were significant, with the self-compassion standardized coefficient beta being largest (β = .39), followed by engagement in meaningful occupations (β = .38), and occupational balance (β = .16).
Conclusion: Self-compassion, engagement in meaningful occupations, and occupational balance predicts well-being in postprofessional students, which is consistent with previously known relationships. The participants’ understanding of foundational tenants of occupational science and occupational therapy may have helped mitigate further decline in their well-being, confirming the power of occupation to positively impact well-being
Occupational Therapists\u27 Role in Sexual Education for Teens and Young Adults Living with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Get PDFTeens and young adults living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) do not have equal access to sexual education, thus having lower sexual awareness, little knowledge of preventative sexual health care, and having a more difficult time reading sexual body language (Hannah & Stagg, 2016; Holmes et al., 2019; Mogavero & Hsu, 2020). Deficits in these and many other skills may make it more challenging for teens and young adults living with ASD to engage in an intimate or sexual relationship with a consenting partner. Skilled intervention on the occupation of sexual activity and its related dimensions, such as communication and sensory input, is well within an occupational therapist\u27s scope of practice, yet there is little to no evidence supporting the role of occupational therapists serving clients living with ASD to address such topics. This manuscript will highlight the lack of sexual education supports for teens and young adults living with ASD and how occupational therapists can fill this important role as a trusted sexuality educator
The Use of Occupational Therapy Interventions in a Hematology-Oncology Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Get PDFObjectives: 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 group. Through the BRAVE (Beginning Restorative Activities Very Early) program, occupational therapists increased the percentage of OT interventions performed, including active range of motion (48.21% to 75.90%, p = 0.0008), active bed positioning (41.07% to 46.99%, p = 0.4913), splinting (7.14% to 7.23%, p = 1.00), sensory stimulation (3.57% to 4.82%, p = 1.00), sit to stand (16.07% to 16.87%, p = 0.9014), therapeutic play/activities (50% to 56.63% p = 0.4420), self-care training (5.36% to 15.66%, p = 0.0619), and physical performance tests (33.93% to 39.76%, p = 0.4860). Postimplementation, there were no adverse events.
Conclusion: OT is safe to perform with hematology-oncology patients in the PICU and did not increase adverse events
Maintaining the Complex Personal and Professional Elements of Our Lives in Academe
Get PDFThis reflective essay offers several practical suggestions for scholars and professionals who are looking for ways to sustain abundant personal and professional lives in a discipline that encourages workaholic tendencies and requires many to engage in hybrid working arrangements. We discuss the tensions experienced by many communication teacher-scholars in academe and how various types of boundaries can aid in the maintenance of rest and work