Factors Impacting Student Success in a Graduate Neuroscience Course

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceived factors that occupational and physical therapy graduate students believed led to success in a clinical neuroscience course. A cross-sectional survey design was utilized from a convenience sample of Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students. There were 76 (42%) responses collected, comprised of 62 (82%) OTD students and 14 (18%) DPT students. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze all survey results. Results indicated that success in a graduate neuroscience course may be supported with prior science coursework. Success in a graduate neuroscience course may be supported with additional resources such as a tutor, visuals, and other supplementary materials. Occupational therapy programs may consider supporting a neuroscience course with additional resources in order to facilitate student success

Exploring Anatomy Coursework and Perceptions of Occupational Therapy Students: A Survey Study

Occupational therapy practitioners utilize their knowledge of human anatomy to understand underlying anatomical dysfunction and how it impacts occupational performance. However, anatomy is not a required standalone course within occupational therapy curricula. This may leave students at a disadvantage throughout occupational therapy programs, fieldwork, and as practitioners. The primary purpose of this study was to explore graduate level occupational therapy students’ previous anatomy undergraduate coursework, student perceived preparedness of anatomical knowledge, and their performance in a mandatory Analysis of Human Movement course within our university’s occupational therapy graduate programs. The secondary purpose was to determine student interest in a standalone online anatomy review course if one were offered at the start of program matriculation. Participants (n=87) completed a 14-item survey regarding demographics, prior anatomy coursework, perceived preparedness, and academic performance in a mandatory Analysis of Human Movement course. Descriptive statistics and a Pearson’s correlation were conducted. Data analysis revealed statistically significant correlations among several variables including perceived preparedness, and whether students felt they would have benefited from and participated in an online anatomy review course. No statistically significant correlations were found between academic performance and any other variable. Data analysis also revealed that regardless of prior anatomy coursework, perceived preparedness, and academic performance almost all participants (n=80; 92%) indicated that they would have benefited from and participated in an online anatomy review course. Though continued research is warranted, occupational therapy programs may consider the implementation of a standalone anatomy course to promote students’ academic and clinical success

Identifying Grasp and Pinch Patterns in Ceramic Interventions: Video Analysis of Adults Completing Ceramic Activities

Background: Occupation-based interventions are effective in hand rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to identify the grasp and pinch patterns used during specific ceramic activities for rehabilitative interventions. Method: A convenience sample of 59 videos with 38 subjects were taken of adults without hand dysfunction completing various ceramic activities. Elementary Grasp Actions (EGA’s) were analyzed to identify the different grasps and pinch patterns. Results: The EGA’s occurred 279 times across 12 ceramics activities. The EGA’s with the highest frequencies include nonprehensile, pinch, and lateral pinch. Nonprehensile was the most frequently used grasp used by the left hand. The EGA’s with the most prolonged durations were nonprehensile, special pinch, and oblique. The mean frequency and duration of each grasp and pinch pattern for specific ceramic activities are presented. Conclusion: Therapists can use the results of this study to help individuals with hand dysfunction through specific ceramic activity interventions

Intraprofessional Education in Allied Health and Nursing Curricula

Abstract Purpose: Throughout all healthcare systems, healthcare workers collaborate interprofessionally and intraprofessionally. Studies show that successful teamwork within a healthcare team leads to an increase in patient satisfaction and outcomes. The purpose of this scoping review is to explore and examine the literature on allied health and nursing intraprofessional education and determine best approaches for educators to successfully implement intraprofessional education in allied health and nursing curriculums. Method: A literature search was conducted between July 7, 2022 through July 9, 2022. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA- ScR) was used for this scoping review. Five databases (PubMed, ERIC, PsychINFO, MEDLINE, and CINAHL Complete) were explored. Results: Two hundred twenty-one titles and abstracts were screened for inclusion. After initial screening, 177 articles were excluded, leaving 44 articles for full review. Thirty-three studies assessed were excluded after full review, leaving 11 articles to be included in the study. A hand search was performed on the 11 included articles, yielding an additional 90 articles for title and abstract review, 69 articles were excluded for relevance. Of the 21 remaining hand searched articles 11 were excluded, leaving a total of 19 combined articles left for data extraction. Conclusion: Studies on the effectiveness of intraprofessional educational programming in allied health is limited due to low level evidence. However, this review provides many ways in which educators can develop and implement intraprofessional experiences within curriculums that show promising results

An International Fieldwork Placement: A Mixed Methods Study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of an international fieldwork placement on occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) students’ cultural competence, community engagement, and ethical leadership. This study used a mixed methods approach. The Public Affairs Scale (PAS) was used to gather pre and post placement data on cultural competence, community engagement, and ethical leadership. Qualitative data was themed from a reflection paper along with researcher field notes from a fieldwork placement to Ibarra, Ecuador. Eleven OTD students participated in the study. The study demonstrated a convergence of the data in the area of cultural competence and responsiveness. Qualitative data additionally identified themes of personal and professional transformation as well as an increased connectedness among participants. No changes were identified on the PAS questions related to community engagement and ethical leadership. As a result of the placement, students gained skills and awareness in the area of cultural competence, improved critical thinking, gratitude, and a willingness to learn about others’ differences. An international fieldwork placement may be beneficial in developing cultural humility and transforming students professionally and personally

Therapist perceptions of best practice as ordered by referral source: An exploratory survey

© 2017 Hanley & Belfus Introduction: Productive outcomes for the hand therapy patient involve many components. Understanding whether therapists agree with the recommendations they receive, or find these informative, is a first step into understanding how shared decision-making on a treatment plan can be optimized. Purpose of the Study: The purposes of this study include (1) the extent which therapists see variable presentations of primary surgical/management in some indicator exemplars where practices vary from accepted/evidence-based practice; (2) hand therapists\u27 level of agreement with the interventions prescribed on referrals, (3) describe the undocumented complications observed by hand therapists, and (4) report the therapists\u27 perceptions as to the reasons for these complications Methods: A survey was designed and pilot tested. Multiple-choice questions and free text allowed further explanation. The survey was administered through an electronic mailing to all American Society of Hand Therapy members with available e-mail addresses. Raw survey data were extracted and processed. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze therapists\u27 demographic information. Frequencies of therapists\u27 responses were calculated. Results: Ninety percent of all who responded have been in practice 10 years or more. The mean of the “often and always” ordered interventions was 20%. The mean of therapist perceptions as to whether these ordered interventions are best practice was 14%. Sixty percent reported that they had found an undocumented condition, and 60% reported to have found a postoperative complication. Perceived reasons for complications included the lack of communication and therapy intervention. Discussion: Hand therapists can play an important role in improving patient outcomes. Therapists can provide the health care team information regarding best practice. Additionally, the hand therapist may be who first identifies a postsurgical complication or an undocumented issue. Communication between the hand therapist and referral source is vital in optimizing patient outcomes. Conclusion: Hand therapists can play an important role in improving overall outcomes for patients. The inter-professional working relationship between the referral source, hand therapist, and the patient is a complex phenomenon and communication between the hand therapist and referral source is vital