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Evaluating Entry-level Occupational Therapy Education and Practice: A Qualitative SWOT Study in the Philippines
Full text linkOccupational therapy education plays a pivotal role in equipping professionals to meet the dynamic demands of healthcare systems. This study evaluated the Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy (BSOT) program at Velez College in the Philippines, utilizing a qualitative analysis framework to explore its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) as perceived by educators, students, alumni, and practitioners. Findings highlight the program’s robust generalist curriculum, strong community-based partnerships, and interprofessional collaboration opportunities. However, challenges such as limited access to standardized assessment tools, high educator turnover, and insufficient specialization opportunities were identified. Notably, emerging demands in mental health and holistic care present growth opportunities for the program, alongside the need to address persistent threats such as brain drain and financial barriers. By leveraging strategies like expanding mental health training, fostering educator retention, and integrating stakeholder-driven curriculum revisions, the program can enhance its relevance and sustainability. This study underscores the importance of program evaluations in informing adaptive educational strategies that align with global and local healthcare needs. Future research needs to explore the long-term impacts of such initiatives on graduate outcomes and workforce retention
Impact of a Virtual Support Program on Student Success in Neuroscience and Neuroanatomy Courses: Opportunities and Challenges
Full text linkWe investigated the outcomes of a novel neuroscience and neuroanatomy support program (NSP) developed and implemented in the pre-professional phase of an accredited Bachelor of Science/ Master of Science occupational therapy (OT) program. This research demonstrates the potential of targeted small group tutoring as an effective means to promote student success and retention. Modeled after Response to Intervention programs, we used a three-tiered approach to support student success. All students received standard lecture content (Tier 1). Students who desired extra help attended an optional recitation (Tier 2) and students who received a score of 70% or lower on one or more exams were invited to participate in the NSP (Tier 3), which included both instrumental (concept review, study skills development), and psychosocial support in small groups that were formed based on responses to the Study Skills Inventory. Each NSP group met virtually once a week for an hour. Program success was measured by the number of students who failed at least one neuroscience and/or neuroanatomy exam and ultimately passed the course. Changes in student success between 2021 (no NSP) and 2022-2023 (NSP) were assessed. Analysis found a significant association between course year and number of students failing. While students failed at least one exam at similar rates all three years, significantly more students ultimately passed the courses in 2022 and 2023, when the support program was implemented. Results provide grounds for development and implementation of this support program and others like it to increase student achievement and retention in a university setting
The Rhythms of Our Bones
Full text linkGrief is universal. It permeates all things. This collection is organized into four sections, each concerned with such universality, such permeability, and how the “small,” personal griefs of human relationships echo and form dialogues with the larger, more global griefs of war and violence. Ultimately, at the core of this collection, lies an investigation of family, masculinity, and how all griefs are absorbed and passed down by the generations that have preceded us
The Effect of Language (English/Spanish) on Bilinguals\u27 Level of Extroversion, Empathy, and Biculturalism
No full textBilinguals have the ability to switch between two languages. Using two languages determines how bilinguals think, feel, and behave. In this study, we will give bilinguals a questionnaire that is half in English and half in Spanish; the survey will contain items regarding extroversion, empathy, and biculturalism. The goal is to determine whether answering in Spanish or in English changes the level of extroversion, empathy, and biculturalism of bilingual participants. We hypothesize that participants will score higher on extroversion and empathy in their first language compared to their second language. Biculturalism may influence the effect that language has on extroversion and empathy, as those with their cultures less integrated might show larger effects of language. These results will add to the debate on linguistic relativism –the idea that language affects how people think. The practical implications of these findings are likely to impact the lives of bilingual people
Nutrition Perceptions and Challenges in College Students
No full textStudents from a variety of different backgrounds come to college. One difference they can experience is at the level of diet and nutrition. In some cases, students may gain access to new and healthier food coming to college, others may have fewer healthy options. Additionally, the pressures of attending school and making decisions on your own can change how you view food and eating patterns. The goal of this study was to examine the nutritional intake of college students in Kentucky. Students were asked to complete a survey to determine how they feel their nutrition has changed since attending college. 195 students have completed the survey. According to the survey, 50% of students feel they had good eating habits before coming to college, but 59% state that their eating habits have gotten worse since coming to college. Fourteen percent of students stated that their biggest nutritional concerns was the amount of fast food they consume, while others suggest that schools providing healthier food options on campus would be beneficial. Based on these results, many college students struggle to eat properly during school, having healthier food options on campuses will not only make students happy and healthy but also improve the overall health of college students across the state of Kentucky
Using Faculty Development to Integrate Virtual Reality (VR) Experiential Learning Across the Disciplines
Full text linkA faculty/staff partnership describes their experiences using faculty development sessions to integrate Virtual Reality (VR) experiences across curricula. Helping faculty to integrate VR and share VR experiences with their students fosters experiential learning while removing (some) economic barriers and fostering students’ engagement and excitement with the area of study
ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT THERAPY (ACT) FOR APPALACHAINS: CULTURAL ADDITIONS TO ACT
Full text linkThis project examined the potential application of cultural additions to various aspects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This project is specifically focused on cultural adaptations of ACT for the Appalachian population. The ACT adaptations were devised based on a review of research on Appalachian culture, including the region’s geography, history of exploitation, cultural values, and clinical considerations for working with Appalachian populations. An overview of ACT and treatment effectiveness of ACT is included. It is important to note that this project is intended to be a supplement to ACT, and should be used in tandem with an ACT workbook for new practitioners. This supplement can be used as a standalone for practitioners competent in ACT as an addition to their practice. Databases included in this research included Academic Search Complete, Academic Search Ultimate, PsycINFO, and Psycharticles. Additionally, information on Appalachian culture was found on reputable online websites such as the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), the American Psychiatric Association (APA), and first-hand accounts from various Appalachian residents. The research conducted is then used to create cultural additions to informed consent within ACT, ACT mindfulness worksheets, and ACT values worksheets that can be used in sessions with an Appalachian client, as well as theoretical session dialogue to guide practitioners. Additional research was conducted to include program evaluation methods, along with potential clinical implications of the proposed ACT additions. All cultural additions to ACT worksheets were created with written permission from Dr. Russ Harris, whose work was instrumental to this project
Disparities Between Reported and Actual Study Habits and Perceptions Among First Year Occupational Therapy Graduate Students
Full text linkStudying for exams forms a significant part of the occupational therapy graduate school experience. While successful completion of exams is a central focus for students, little time is devoted to explicitly teaching new graduate students how to most effectively study. Instead, when they enter their occupational therapy programs, students experience a steep learning curve, and often rely on previous habits or trial and error to discover the most efficacious study strategies. The purpose of this study was to examine the study behaviors, habits, and beliefs of new graduate students to gain insight into the prevalence of use of various study strategies. Further, the study investigated the use of active study strategies and self-regulated learning approaches connected to studying. First year occupational therapy students (n = 64) completed intake and exit questionnaires, which were distributed at the start and end of their first semester in the program. The surveys focused on study plans, beliefs, and actions. Findings suggested that students intended to use more study strategies than they actually used. Results also indicated that students relied more on passive than active study strategies. Although passive study strategies were prevalent, participants believed in the efficacy of active study strategies, indicating a disconnect between intention and behavior. Explicit instruction in active study strategies may be beneficial to students so that they can more effectively use approaches they, and the evidence base, believe to be most effective
The Obsession with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - An Analytical Overview
No full textObsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a well-known mental health condition that affects a multitude of people around the world. However, despite its widely recognized status, OCD is often highly misrepresented and stereotyped in casual conversation. This analysis seeks to draw comparisons between the realistic experience of OCD in daily life and the stigmatized assumptions about people living with OCD and about OCD itself. To combat stereotypes so often used in casual rhetoric, examples of realistic OCD symptoms, thoughts associated with OCD obsessions, and OCD compulsions will be analyzed and compared to current stigma or widely held beliefs. The comparisons in this overview will aim to challenge preconceived notions and delegitimizing narratives. Understanding the reality of OCD, the cyclical nature of obsessions and compulsions, and developing a greater sense of empathy towards these experiences is crucial to providing support to those who live with OCD.
Keywords: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, obsessions, compulsions, stereotypes, misrepresentation
Friend or Faux: A Scientific Comparison of Reciprocal Relationships and Parasocial Relationships and Their Psychological Effects
No full textThe prominence of social media in our society has led to an increase in the presence of parasocial relationships—a relationship in which someone perceives another person as having an interpersonal relationship with them, despite not interacting with the media user directly. Our current body of literature has produced little understanding of how these relationships compare to reciprocal relationships, in terms of their psychological ramifications. Specifically, there is little consensus in the literature about what factors of well-being are most impacted by sustaining parasocial relationships. This study aimed to investigate these gaps in knowledge and compare how these different types of relationships affect psychological factors of well-being. The specific psychological factors investigated in this research included perceived social support, sense of belonging, subjective well-being, mood, quality of relationship, perceived closeness of relationship, relationship intensity, and wishful identification. The present study utilized a between-subjects experimental design in which participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions, including a control condition. In the two experimental conditions, participants were asked to write about either their favorite media persona or a real friend they have. The primary hypothesis was that parasocial relationships would be less impactful on the psychological well-being of individuals than reciprocal relationships, which could help to inform our understanding of the consequences of developing parasocial relationships. It was found that while overall, parasocial relationships can affect individuals’ mental well-being, they are not directly equal to that of a reciprocal relationship