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Feasibility of Mindfulness at Work: A Continuing Education Program for Occupational Therapy Practitioners Experiencing Burnout
Get PDFHealthcare professionals, including occupational therapy practitioners, are experiencing epidemic levels of burnout. Professional organizations have prioritized research and programming to address burnout. This study evaluated the feasibility of an evidence-based virtual mindfulness continuing education program, Mindfulness at Work, and the mindfulness strategies participants learned and embedded into their workday. This program was developed and facilitated by an occupational therapist who is also a registered advanced yoga teacher. A total of 11 occupational therapy practitioners experiencing burnout met with the facilitator for once-weekly synchronous sessions over three weeks. OT practitioners were taught mindfulness strategies to use throughout their workday. Participants practiced the strategies at work between sessions and discussed their experiences during subsequent sessions. Aspects of the feasibility of both the program and the mindfulness strategies were measured post-only. Participant burnout was measured pre and post. Participants rated the virtual mindfulness continuing education program and mindfulness strategies as acceptable, appropriate, and feasible. There were significant decreases in pre- and post-test burnout scores during this preliminary evaluation. Attendance and retention rates were high. Eligibility criteria challenged recruitment capability
Advancing Entry-Level OTD Students from Novice to Competent with Foundational Skills Using Cognitive Apprenticeship Constructs
Get PDFThis manuscript describes how one entry-level occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) program used an innovative approach to scaffolding assignments through a cognitive apprenticeship (CA) framework. Cognitive apprenticeship strategies include learning in the context or culture of the profession. This is achieved through observation, coaching, engagement, and discovery of strategies by the instructor. This framework was implemented to facilitate the learning of occupational, activity, and task (OAT) analyses through a four-week module within a first-semester foundations course. Cognitive apprenticeship constructs were used as instructional teaching strategies including active learning, group facilitated assignments, hands on observation, and immediate feedback and modeling of professional reasoning by the instructor. The assessment of findings supporting the effectiveness of the use of CA to implement this module included a mixed methods approach. A quantitative analysis of pre- and post-test surveys measuring confidence levels related to entry-level occupational therapy practice skills demonstrated that each survey item was statistically significant for increased confidence. A qualitative analysis of open-ended questions identified themes related to teaching strategies and the development of a foundational occupational therapy identity. The aim of this project is to expand the use of similar evidence-based applications for CA to progress student professional reasoning and occupational therapy practice skills while also supporting development of an emerging professional identity. This manuscript makes a substantive contribution to the teaching and application of analyses within OT education and the use of professional terminology, particularly the foundational understanding of the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework-IV and how it is applied in practice. The module demonstrated successful scaffolding of concepts built across several weeks. Cognitive apprenticeship constructs facilitated students\u27 progression from novice to competent problem solvers within an OT context, which positively impacted the reported confidence of associated entry-level skills
The Non-Standardization of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder: A Call to Action
Get PDFAttention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most diagnosed disorders in adults and children, yet there is no standardized method to assess for ADHD. The similarity of symptoms shared across other disorders (comorbidity) makes the assessment of ADHD a very delicate process. This is not aided by the fact that the assessment of ADHD is not standardized. This allows individuals able to assess for ADHD to give a test or a combination of tests that they find fitting. This in turn brings into question the quality of testing and disagreement in diagnosing across fields. Lastly, ADHD-focused measures typically fail to address the overlap in symptoms with other disorders, which can help assist clinicians with differential diagnoses. The question then becomes, how does one attempt to standardize ADHD testing while providing testing that shows adequate clinical validity in both the diagnosis of ADHD and differential diagnosing? This paper aims to produce insight into the complications of ADHD diagnosis and suggest a solution to current testing, in the form of an assessment battery
Aging at Home
No full textThis capstone project, Aging at Home, explores the role of occupational therapy (OT) in facilitating aging-in-place. Motivated by the challenges a 95-year-old family member faces, the project aimed to equip aging adults with OT resources to support their desire to remain in their homes. The project was conducted primarily at the Lexington Senior Center and involved two key phases: Leadership through Inquisition and Program Development and Education. The first phase included meetings, workshops, and experiences with senior living organizations to understand the needs and concerns of aging adults. The second phase focused on developing and delivering the Aging at Home workshop, attended by 26 participants who learned about aging-in-place principles and received various resources. Key findings highlighted the importance of holistic care and the need for more services to support aging adults. The capstone underscored that occupational therapy is ideally suited to implement aging-in-place, emphasizing core values like honesty, integrity, and trust. Lastly, this capstone demonstrates that aging adults desire comprehensive, person-focused care, and OT practitioners are well-equipped to meet this need by addressing both physical and psychosocial aspects of aging.https://encompass.eku.edu/otd-capstone-posters/1056/thumbnail.jp
Program Development of Pediatric Therapy Clinic for Rural Hospital
No full textThis capstone project focuses on addressing the critical need for pediatric occupational therapy services in rural western Kentucky. The purpose of this project and experience was to assist in program development of a comprehensive resource for Livingston Hospital to guide the establishment of a pediatric therapy gym including clinic design, equipment suggestions, and various marketing and survey components. The main goals that were completed throughout this experience included: design/develop an outpatient pediatric therapy gym, examine current outpatient pediatric clinics’ practices and procedures, inspect current pediatric therapy clients’ parents and current hospital workers feelings/thoughts/ideas on rural outpatient pediatric therapy, and design a business plan for Livingston Hospital for program development of an outpatient pediatric clinic. To achieve this, I combined hands-on experience, research, and community engagement. Overall, this project highlights the essential role of occupational therapists in designing specialized therapeutic environments, implementing evidence-based practice, and collaborating with healthcare professionals for effective treatment plans.https://encompass.eku.edu/otd-capstone-posters/1062/thumbnail.jp
Appalachian Foodways and Industrial Foraging
No full textAppalachian foodways, the cultural practices of obtaining, preparing, and eating food in Appalachia, have evolved alongside the various cultures that have lived in and around the region. Appalachian foodways are steeped in Native American tradition with large influences from immigrated European cultures including but not limited to the Scots-Irish, Germans, and Spanish. Some aspects of Appalachian foodways have remained constant for centuries, while others continue to adapt and evolve. This research project aims to give context to the evolution of Appalachian foodways into modernity, ending in what can be described as the “industrial foraging” era. Through oral history interviews with questions centered around the evolution of foodways throughout the interviewees’ life, this project sought to understand what might have brought these cultural changes. Today, the vast majority of Appalachian residents obtain their food at a grocery store or from restaurants.https://encompass.eku.edu/swps_undergraduategallery/1360/thumbnail.jp
Visualize Whole-Self Model - An Instructional Design for Occupational Therapy Education
Get PDFInnovative teaching approaches are changing traditional approaches by using a variety of teaching and learning methods to allow learners to succeed. This paper describes a new instructional model for healthcare education based on the science of learning, educational theories, and best practices in lesson design. The Visualize Whole-Self (VW) Model was designed to provide a learning structure for faculty as they guide the instruction of students in health professions. From the beginning of the program, students visualize themselves as professionals while working with faculty to learn content. The Visualize Whole-Self Model requires students to continually assess their strengths and weaknesses to achieve the course expectations and objectives. The VW Model allows faculty to plan lessons for students using the four quadrants of Prepare Some, Practice Some, See Some, and Prove Some. The quadrants within the model are flexible to ensure lesson designs are focused on the specific objectives or skills to be mastered. This structured approach to learning places the demonstration of mastery on the students and the development of background understanding, practice activities, and ongoing coaching on the faculty. Initially designed for occupational therapy (OT) education, the VW Model can be used by faculty in any healthcare profession that focuses on both cognitive and psychomotor knowledge and skill development. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the model is effective and further qualitative and quantitative studies are needed
Investigating the bioactive properties of the genus Lygodium through phytochemical composition analysis
Get PDFMany of the secondary metabolites produced by plants serve as a chemical defense mechanism against herbivory, some of which have been utilized by humans for medicine (Kusari et al., 2014, Facchini and De Luca, 2008). While many phytochemicals have been identified in angiosperms, other major land plant lineages have received less attention despite their taxonomic diversity and putative utility. For instance, some species of monilophyte (ferns), are used medicinally by indigenous cultures to treat various ailments (Wong et al., 2018). Of focus in this manuscript is the genus, Lygodium (Sw.) which is comprised of climbing ferns exhibiting worldwide distribution. Previous studies on Lygodium venustum and Lygodium flexuosum indicate medicinal usage in Mesoamerica and India (Morais-Braga et al., 2012, Achari et al., 1986). We investigated the bioactive compounds in two North American species, Lygodium palmatum and Lygodium japonicum. Metabolites were identified using acetonitrile and hydrochloric acid extracts from fresh and herbarium tissue samples, analyzed through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Our results identified the presence of two flavonoids; quercetin and kaempferol in L. palmatum, and the absence of kaempferol in the herbarium samples of L. japonicum. We found that kaempferol production can vary significantly among individuals from different populations, which may be correlated with the biosynthesis of phenylalanine as a result of differing environmental stressors (Kumari et al., 2023). Future work will include other Lygodium species, such as L. microphyllum and L. venustum, with the goal of constructing a chemical phylogeny to better understand the evolution of secondary metabolism in the genus
Accessing Appalachia - One Byte at a Time - The Need for Broadband Access in Rural Eastern Kentucky Region
Get PDFThe digital divide presents a significant challenge in rural Eastern Kentucky, where the absence of broadband internet access has hindered economic development, education, health care, and overall quality of life. Broadband, characterized by high-speed internet access that is always on and faster than traditional dial-up, is a convenience and a necessity in the contemporary world. This paper explores the critical need for broadband deployment in rural Eastern Kentucky, underscoring its potential to transform the region by promoting economic growth, enhancing educational opportunities, improving healthcare access through telemedicine, and fostering social inclusion. Despite the challenging terrain and the high costs associated with infrastructure development in these areas, the paper argues that innovative solutions and strategic investments can overcome these barriers. The paper concludes with policy recommendations to accelerate broadband deployment in Eastern Kentucky, emphasizing the role of federal, state, and local governments in partnership with private sector stakeholders. Through a comprehensive approach that includes policy reform, financial incentives, and community engagement, broadband access in Eastern Kentucky can bridge the digital divide, unlock economic potential, and significantly improve the lives of its residents
So, You Think You Can Lead? A Study On The Emotional Intelligence Of Female District Leaders Of K-12 Education
Get PDFHave you ever encountered a leader who just had the “it” factor? They always knew the right thing to do, and it almost felt like they could read the minds of others and anticipate their needs? What if I told you that these are also things that can be learned and strengthened within oneself based on the emotional intelligence framework? Research has shown for years the strong link that exists between emotional intelligence and impactful leadership. Though the research is strong in outlining organizational impacts in all settings, including education, there is still limited research on how this learned trait of emotional intelligence can be applied to aspiring female district level leaders in the K-12 educational realm. This is important because in the field of education where almost three quarters of teachers are female, there is almost a 50% down trend of females who enter and remain in district level leadership positions. This research is a phenomenological qualitative study. The purpose of this study is to investigate the emotional intelligence of female district level leaders in the K-12 education system and to determine the similarities and differences which exist in their emotional intelligence competencies. The resulting implications could be that this information be utilized in the recruitment and coaching of aspiring and existing female leaders in district level positio