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Educating Using Plain Language: Nighttime Postural Care Assessment Training Package
Full text linkBackground. There is a lack of high-quality research and inadequate training available to healthcare professionals and caregivers on Nighttime Postural Care (NTPC). Purpose. The purpose of this project was to 1) develop a training package on NTPC assessments to educate caregivers of children with cerebral palsy (CP) and the research team, and 2) educate clinical scientists on plain language.
Approaches. The author used the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT) and Program for Research Institute of Medicine and Science (PRISM) Editing Checklist to evaluate training materials and generated recommendations. Volunteer research team member representatives completed the training and pre-post training surveys. In addition, a presentation on plain language was delivered to a group of clinical scientists.
Outcomes. Mean PEMAT and PRISM Editing Checklist scores improved following revisions. Ratings of perceived competency in NTPC assessment and intervention increased following the training. Perceived knowledge and confidence in plain language among clinical scientists increased when comparing pre- to post-surveys, but perceived ability in plain language decreased. Implications. The evaluation of training materials resulted in improvements to ensure the training met the health literacy standards of the intended audience. Researchers and healthcare professionals need to evaluate the plain language of materials to ensure understandability
Nonpharmacological Interventions for Pain for Prenatal and Postnatal Women: An Education Module for Providers
Full text linkIntroduction. Pain during pregnancy is one of the most common complaints from the expecting mother (Katonis et al., 2011). An educational module was created for the staff at Options for Women Cornerstone and a post-module survey was provided to examine outcomes.
Purpose. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to educate providers at Options for Women Cornerstone on nonpharmacological interventions for pain to potentially use with future clients who may be experiencing pain, and to examine the post-module survey responses that supplemented suggestions for future practice. Approach An initial needs assessment was conducted to identify the primary purpose of this quality improvement project. Preliminary examination of existing evidence regarding nonpharmacological interventions for pain was conducted and the evidence-based articles assisted in educational module creation. The educational module was provided to volunteers and staff at Options for Women Cornerstone in St. Michael, Minnesota. An optional post-module survey was provided, and responses were examined to supplement project implications and future recommendations for the site as well as the profession of occupational therapy.
Outcomes. Post-module survey results (n = 5) suggest that the educational materials presented were beneficial to the staff at Options for Women Cornerstone.
Recommendations. Implement occupational therapy services into interdisciplinary teams that address pain during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, as well as postnatal care
Impact of Integrated Education on Child Oral Health
Full text linkBackground. Allied health professionals can apply their unique scope of practice to educate and promote oral health that best fits families’ daily habits, routines, and cultural practices (Anderson et al., 2020; Gold & Tomar, 2018; Iwao et al., 2019).
Purpose. The primary purpose of this capstone project was to increase family utilization of oral healthcare services and daily oral hygiene practices through cultivating positive oral health experiences for all children.
Approach. A child intake questionnaire and social story were created to prepare children for their dental exam, provide child-specific oral health education, and understand childrens’ oral health habits and dental experiences for children receiving dental services. Child-reported responses were evaluated using descriptive and categorical analysis to understand child dental experiences before and after their dental exam.
Outcomes. 378 children completed the child intake questionnaire. 68% of children served had poor oral hygiene, and 32% had fair to good oral hygiene. Children with fair to good oral hygiene reported slightly more positive oral health experiences when compared to children with poor oral hygiene.
Implications. Ready, Set, Smile’s interdisciplinary team should further evaluate the impact of various educational methods and mindfulness activities on child dental experiences. For example, do children who receive oral health education prior to their dental exam report more positive oral health experiences compared to children who did not receive education
The Beyond Bethany Mentorship Program: Equipping Volunteers to Support Asylum-Seeking Women
Full text linkThere are a number of factors that negatively impact the integration of asylum-seekers into the culture and society of their host countries. This portfolio describes the creation of a mentorship intervention to support the integration of asylum-seeking women in an urban community. This included the creation of a mentor role description, application, virtual training, and follow-up surveys. The initial training included 5 mentors. Survey results indicated that mentor training positively impacted volunteer self-perceived readiness for mentorship. It also positively impacted their self-perceived ability to practice trauma informed care and cultural humility in their relationship with their mentee. This project suggests the value of occupational therapy knowledge and skills in the support of persons seeking asylum. Implications of this project include opportunities for advocacy at the local and national level
Interpreting Beyond the Binary: An Exploration into the Experience of American Sign Language Interpreters Beyond and Between Female/Male Binaries
Full text linkThis study explores the experience of sign language interpreters who exist between and beyond female/male gender binaries. Limited research in the field of sign language interpreting to date centers the experiences of transgender and non-binary interpreters, prompting the need for inquiry into this population. Through a mixed-methods approach using surveys (N=31), interviews (n=4) and a focus group (n=4) participants were asked to describe experiences with colleagues, interpreter users, hiring bodies and the general interpreting field. Three themes emerged from the findings including (a) collegial relationships indicating both lack of support and instances of collegial solidarity; (b) personhood of interpreters pertaining to extralinguistic knowledge and interpreter identity; and (c) binary constructions within the field of interpreting. This work seeks to build interpreter scholarship beyond gender binaries and incorporate a gender expansive foundation for research to come
A Toolkit for the Managing Childhood Obesity: Increasing Provider Satisfaction in Providing Care for Overweight Children
No full textProblem Statement: The goal of the project was to develop and implement a toolkit to manage childhood obesity and increase satisfaction in pediatric providers within a rural primary care setting.
Background: The project site was a rural pediatric clinic that was lacking educational resources to counsel families on healthy diet and physical activity as well as clear recommendations for referring patients to multidisciplinary weight loss interventions. Providers were often referring patients to weight management services outside of the local community and services were being underutilized by patients.
Methodology: A toolkit was developed to assist providers in caring for overweight children. This included resources to counsel patients and families on healthy nutritional choices and physical activity and incorporated a workflow to encourage utilization of the local dietician and clear follow-up guidelines with the primary care provider. Using dietician services locally along with telehealth for follow up appointments with the primary care provider was intended to increase family’s accessibility and improve adherence. Pre- and post-surveys were completed by the healthcare providers at the project site to measure satisfaction in managing childhood obesity.
Results: The survey results showed an increase in provider’s knowledge and access to resources in caring for overweight children. The toolkit made time spent counseling on healthy diet and physical activity more efficient. Results showed a dramatic uptake in utilizing dietician services within the local community, making services more accessible to families.
Conclusion: The intent of the project was to increase provider satisfaction in caring for overweight children. This was accomplished by developing a toolkit that contained the necessary educational resources and a defined workflow process for referring patients to nutritional counseling services and recommendations for follow up appointments with the primary care provider. By developing this process, providers were more willing to utilize multidisciplinary services within the local community, increasing accessibility to families
Reducing Inpatient Mental Health Readmissions: Connecting Recovery to Meaningful Life
Full text linkThe rates of mental illness remain high with one in five experiencing a mental health diagnosis with estimates expected to rise significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic (National Alliance for Mental Illness, n.d.; USA Facts, 2021). At the same time, mental health treatment has undergone significant changes over the last few decades. Treatment models have shifted to focus on preventative and community-based care, shorter lengths of acute inpatient hospital stay, and a strong push by multiple stakeholders to measure the quality outcomes of care. In healthcare settings, there is a strong drive amongst hospital leadership to improve health outcomes with measurable outcomes, enhanced patient experience, and reduced healthcare costs (Institute for Improved Healthcare, 2021).
The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) has published guidelines and evidence-based practice standards for mental health; however, the acute inpatient mental health setting has not yet been adequately reflected in the research. While we believe that we play a vital role in helping our clients with a critical mental health hospitalization recover and resume their quality of life, what evidence is there to guide our treatment interventions and advocate for the value of our care? Despite our professional roots in mental health, this practice area has struggled to develop and maintain research standards to further inform good practice.
The aim of this project was to raise awareness of the current practice dilemma for mental health, provide education on the current literature of interventions that reduce readmissions, and the implications or recommendations for occupational therapists. The knowledge translation projects were disseminated in three approaches. The first method was education provided to occupational therapy practitioners, educators, and students through a continuing education webinar with the Minnesota Occupational Therapy Association (MOTA). The second project included a poster session and presentation that was presented to practitioners, educators, and students hosted by MOTA. Lastly, the third way the knowledge was translated was through an article written to be submitted for publication in OT Practice magazine.
The three knowledge translation projects targeted increasing awareness of the effective interventions that reduce the likelihood of readmission to an inpatient psychiatric hospital. Through a review of the evidence, strong research studies have proven that using a recovery- oriented model to provide psychoeducation and discharge planning for individuals in an inpatient setting is effective at decreasing readmission rates. Occupational therapy is in direct alignment with the recovery model, but more research is needed on the role of OT within inpatient mental health settings, and more globally on the effectiveness of our interventions for mental health conditions, and the role we provide as vital members of the treatment team
RACIALLY AND ETHINICALLY APPROPRIATE SKIN AND HAIR CARE FOR HOSPITALIZED INFANT OF COLOR
No full textBackground: Health equity principles demand that patients of color have access to racially and ethnically appropriate skin and hair care products. People of color are disproportionately affected by atopic dermatitis. Skin care during infancy may have life-long implications, as immature skin barrier function increases the risk of cutaneous allergen sensitization. Skin maintenance can be directly supported through routine skin emollients applications in infancy, decreasing the probability for the later development of atopic dermatitis. Patients with textured hair require daily applications scalp and hair oil to prevent hair breakage and scalp dermatitis conditions. Products made for hospital use are often hypoallergenic and chlorohexidine gluconate compatible but are not often appropriate for patients of color.
Purpose: Improve outcomes for hospitalized infants of color and support the nurse-patient relationship, with a nurse-driven evidence-based care guideline for healthy skin maintenance, by supporting appropriate product application of racially and ethnically skin and hair care products.
Methods: A nursing care guideline was created and disseminated. Information on common skin and scalp conditions, along with historical and current ethnical significance of textured hair, were presented to nursing staff at a one-hour nursing continuing education session. Nursing surveys were requested at two junctures, before and after the education. Bedside audits were completed to ensure the new products were being utilized. The skin integrity of infants, and hospital-acquired infections possibly related to new product use, were monitored through previously well-established pathways.
Results: Nursing surveys demonstrated they felt surer on how to care for textured hair, felt the products optimized their skin maintenance efforts, and that families of color approved of the new products. The new topical oils were, stored on the unit, were readily adopted by the ICC nursing staff. Products stored in the hospital’s central storeroom were far less likely to be noted at the bedside. Healthy hair, scalp, and skin maintenance were achieved, and no dermatitis conditions or hospital- acquired infections occurred in associated with the new products
Promoting Pre-Feeding Skills: Development and Implementation of an Oral Motor Protocol and Clinical Guidelines in a Level IV NICU
Full text linkIntro: Oral feeding is often the last discharge criterion for preterm infants in the NICU and a leading cause of extended hospital stay. Preterm infants lack motor practice they would receive in utero when swallowing amniotic fluid and have underdeveloped physiological systems and oral structures, delaying feeding skills. Standardized pre-feeding oral motor protocols that include stimulation of oral structures and sucking on pacifiers have been shown to improve feeding efficiency, decrease transition time to full oral feeding, and decrease length of stay.
Purpose: The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to update the clinical guidelines on oral motor interventions in the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital (UMMCH) NICU to improve the neurodevelopmental outcomes of premature infants by targeting oral motor skills through a new protocol to enhance breastfeeding and bottle feeding.
Approach: Following an extensive literature review on best oral motor practices, the occupational therapists participated in a survey and focus group, were trained to implement the new protocol, and completed a follow-up survey to assess the utility of the protocol and updated clinical guidelines. Infant oral motor outcomes were also analyzed.
Outcomes: All therapists reported feeling satisfied with the guidelines and confident in implementing the protocol and modifying it with intubated infants. Therapists also reported improved patient outcomes, including secretion management and swallowing, arousal levels, tolerance to stimulation and oral interest, and bottling skills. Short-term infant outcomes during the protocol include high percentages of good secretion management, activated swallowing, and latching to a pacifier.
Recommendations: UMMCH NICU should continue to implement the protocol with infants of appropriate gestational age, utilize the clinical guidelines to train new therapists, provide additional training on the protocol as needed, continue quality improve cycle and adjust guidelines appropriately based on new evidence, provide parent education on protocol, and distribute modified nursing guidelines to further promote positive oral input for premature infants in the NICU
Preserving the history of occupational therapy education: Methods in the information age (peer-reviewed poster session)
No full textThere is growing appreciation of the rich history of occupational therapy\u27s early years. This presentation will discuss the challenges of maintaining archives and documenting the recent history of occupational therapy programs in the information age. Methods to identify, organize, and preserve program history and disseminate outcomes to stakeholders and profession will be shared