scholarly journals Interprofessional Collaboration between Occupational Therapists and Speech Language Pathologists with Children who have Sensory Processing Deficits

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie Kruszynski ◽  
Jackie Leeseberg ◽  
Tommy Loranger ◽  
Courtney O'Keeffe ◽  
Haley Pfafman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Sensory Processing ◽  
Speech Therapy ◽  
Interprofessional Collaboration ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
The United States ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Processing Deficits ◽  
Speech Therapists

Introduction Background: Occupational therapists (OT) and speech-language pathologists (SLP) are unique within their skills. Both professions work closely together in a collaborative manner to improve child and family outcomes. Purpose:The aim of this study is to develop evidence based interprofessional educational modules to improve outcomes between occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists when working with a child who demonstrates sensory processing disorder. Aim of the study: 1.Understand the impact of interprofessional collaboration OTs and SLPs when working with a child with sensory processing deficits 2.Understand the influence of educating SLPs on sensory processing 3.Demonstrate the Methodology Research Design: Mixed Methods Study using Pre-test Post-test and Qualitative Method Initial stage of study: 5 Speech Language Pathologists to determine Face Validity and 5 Occupational Therapists to determine Content Validity. Results Phase 1: Complete Phase 2: Recruitment is to begin September 2018 Phase 3: Recruitment to begin Spring 2019 Conclusions Conclusion to be determined upon Phase 2 CompletionImplications for practice: In this study, we have sought to demonstrate the value of interprofessional collaboration between occupational therapy and speech therapy graduate students treating sensory processing issues in pediatric clients. There is a growing body of research emphasizing sensory processing as an important component of human behavior, affecting health care practices and increasing among children in the United States (Dunn, 2007). Individuals with sensory processing challenges, mostly children, can experience disruptions to their daily routines, decreased participation at home and school, and attention issues that cause challenges during speech therapy sessions and that may hinder treatment outcomes. Our study has aimed to increase the body of knowledge pertaining to sensory processing challenges in relation to speech therapy specifically, such as ways that speech therapists can identify sensory processing challenges among their pediatric clients and make necessary referrals for occupational therapy services to increase therapy outcomes, as well as to demonstrate effective collaboration and interprofessional education practices between  occupational therapists and speech therapists to be furthered by future research. 

A Worthwhile Collaboration: Integrating Optometry and Occupational Therapy in the Treatment of Children

2020 ◽  
pp. 221-236
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Professional Growth ◽  
Interprofessional Collaboration ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
The Body ◽  
Collaborative Practice ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Visual Deficits ◽  
Vision Deficits

Background: Vision deficits are highly prevalent in children with neurodevelopmental disorders including those with motor delays, learning and reading difficulties, and maladaptive behaviors. These deficits can interfere with their participation and performance in everyday life activities and therefore, require a comprehensive approach to therapy. As such, optometrists and occupational therapists are an optimal team to provide interprofessional collaborative care, reported in research as best practice, in the treatment of these children. However, little is known about the long-called-for collaboration between these professions. The purpose of this study was to explore factors and implications associated with a collaborative practice between optometrists and occupational therapists in the co-management of vision deficits in the pediatric population. Methods: A qualitative, descriptive design was employed to explore perceptions of collaborative practice among teams of optometrists and occupational therapists in the remedial care of children with visual deficits. Following IRB approval, co-located optometrists and occupational therapists were recruited for this study. Semistructured interviews served as the primary data collection tool to investigate the factors and implications of collaborative practice. Results: Eleven professionals provided informed consent and took part in this study, including five occupational therapists and six optometrists. Following thematic analysis, four overarching themes emerged including 1) professional boundaries, 2) co-located, integrated practice, 3) professional growth, and 4) improved patient care. Participants indicated that although barriers exist, exercising humility, upholding patient-centered focus, maintaining mutual respect, communicating frequently, and co-location were factors that enable collaboration. Positive outcomes related to both the provider and the patient were further highlighted supporting the interprofessional collaboration between these professionals. Conclusions: The findings of this qualitative study add to the body of evidence underpinning interprofessional collaborative practice. Furthermore, this study supports the coordination of care, through optometry and occupational therapy collaboration, in the treatment of visual deficits in children with special needs.

scholarly journals A Survey of Occupational Therapists on a New Tool for Sensory Processing

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Caroline J. Mills ◽  
Elisabeth Michail ◽  
Rosalind A. Bye
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Sensory Processing ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Planning Tool ◽  
Processing Differences ◽  
Further Development

Occupational therapy is the leading profession with regard to supporting children who experience difficulties with occupations as a result of sensory processing differences. However, there are mixed reports with regard to the efficacy of various sensory interventions and approaches, leaving little clear guidance for occupational therapists supporting children with these difficulties. The Sensory Form is a planning tool developed in 2017 to guide occupational therapists in their professional reasoning for assessment and intervention of sensory processing differences. To date, no research has been conducted on its use. Researchers introduced the tool to 20 occupational therapists with relevant experience and conducted an online survey of their perceptions about The Sensory Form. Findings were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. Therapists reported that they found the tool acceptable for use, described key strengths and weaknesses of The Sensory Form, and outlined changes to improve the tool. The Sensory Form may have an application in guiding the practice of therapists supporting children with sensory processing differences. Further development of associated resources may be warranted.

The entry-level occupational therapy clinical doctorate: The next education wave of change in Canada?

2016 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
pp. 306-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ted Brown ◽  
Jeffrey L. Crabtree ◽  
Joe Wells ◽  
Keli Mu
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
The United States ◽  
Occupational Therapy Education ◽  
Clinical Doctorate ◽  
Entry Level ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
Therapy Education

Background. Currently, Canada and the United States are the only two countries that mandate entry to the occupational therapy profession at the master’s level. There was a recommendation considered by the American Occupational Therapy Association that by 2025 all education programs would move to the clinical doctorate level. In August 2015, the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education made the formal decision that for now, the entry-level qualification for occupational therapists in the United States will remain at both the master’s and clinical doctorate levels. Purpose. This article presents an overview of the types of doctorates available, the pros and cons of moving to the clinical doctorate, and some potential questions that will need to be considered. Key issues. Is the next step in the educational progression of occupational therapy in Canada the entry-level clinical doctorate? What are the potential implications for the profession, our clients, and funders? Implications. Further discourse and investigation of this issue is needed.

scholarly journals A Mobile App Directory of Occupational Therapists Who Provide Home Modifications: Development and Preliminary Usability Evaluation

10.2196/14465 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e14465
Author(s):  
An Thi Nguyen ◽  
Emily Kling Somerville ◽  
Sandra Martina Espín-Tello ◽  
Marian Keglovits ◽  
Susan Lynn Stark
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Home Modifications ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Background Home modifications provided by occupational therapists (OTs) are effective in improving daily activity performance and reducing fall risk among community-dwelling older adults. However, the prevalence of home modification is low. One reason is the lack of a centralized database of OTs who provide home modifications. Objective This study aimed to develop and test the usability of a mobile app directory of OTs who provide home modifications in the United States. Methods In phase 1, a prototype was developed by identifying OTs who provide home modifications through keyword Web searches. Referral information was confirmed by phone or email. In phase 2, community-dwelling older adults aged older than 65 years and OTs currently working in the United States were purposefully recruited to participate in a single usability test of the mobile app, Home Modifications for Aging and Disability Directory of Referrals (Home Maddirs). Participants completed the System Usability Scale (SUS) and semistructured interview questions. Interview data were coded, and themes were derived using a grounded theory approach. Results In phase 1, referral information for 101 OTs across 49 states was confirmed. In phase 2, 6 OTs (mean clinical experience 4.3 years, SD 1.6 years) and 6 older adults (mean age 72.8 years, SD 5.0 years) participated. The mean SUS score for OTs was 91.7 (SD 8.0; out of 100), indicating good usability. The mean SUS score for older adults was 71.7 (SD 27.1), indicating considerable variability in usability. In addition, the SUS scores indicated that the app is acceptable to OTs and may be acceptable to some older adults. For OTs, self-reported barriers to acceptability and usability included the need for more information on the scope of referral services. For older adults, barriers included high cognitive load, lack of operational skills, and the need to accommodate sensory changes. For both groups, facilitators of acceptability and usability included perceived usefulness, social support, and multiple options to access information. Conclusions Home Maddirs demonstrates good preliminary acceptability and usability to OTs. Older adults’ perceptions regarding acceptability and usability varied considerably, partly based on prior experience using mobile apps. Results will be used to make improvements to this promising new tool for increasing older adults’ access to home modifications.

Occupational therapists’ use of yoga in post-stroke care: A descriptive qualitative study

2020 ◽  
pp. 030802262091037
Author(s):  
Alexandra P Andrews ◽  
Karen E Atler ◽  
Jennifer Dickman Portz ◽  
Marieke VanPuymbroeck ◽  
Caroline M Rose ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Stroke Rehabilitation ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Stroke Care ◽  
The United States ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Daily Activities ◽  
Treatment Technique ◽  
Psychosocial Needs ◽  
The Past

Introduction Over the past decade, yoga has gained popularity in health care. The benefits of yoga can go beyond the physical to address the psychosocial and emotional. Such gains can be beneficial for people who have had a stroke. As a leading cause of disability, stroke can lead to challenges returning to daily activities. Occupational therapists may use yoga to promote engagement in daily activities after stroke. This study aimed to understand how and why occupational therapists integrate yoga into stroke rehabilitation. Methods This study involved occupational therapists practicing in the United States. Ten occupational therapists using yoga in practice participated in a semi-structured interview. Interview data were transcribed and analyzed using deductive and inductive coding. Themes emerged from the data related to the benefits of using yoga in stroke rehabilitation. Results According to this study, yoga is currently being used as a treatment technique and merged with occupational therapy. Yoga may promote client-centered recovery; bring “context” to therapy; and address physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs following stroke. Conclusion Individuals who have had a stroke may face challenges related to both physical and psychosocial engagement. The use of yoga in occupational therapy may be beneficial after stroke for both physical and psychosocial rehabilitation.

Exploring Occupational Therapists' Experiences in U.S. Primary Care Settings: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie A. Rouch ◽  
Tara C. Klinedinst ◽  
Jennifer S. White ◽  
Natalie E. Leland
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
The United States ◽  
Care Team ◽  
Primary Care Team ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Care Experience ◽  
Centered Care ◽  
And Behavior

Importance: Occupational therapy's scope of practice aligns with the goals of comprehensive primary care set forth by the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Pub. L. 111-148). To successfully integrate occupational therapy into primary care, we must understand occupational therapy practitioners' experiences in this setting. Objective: To explore facilitators of, barriers to, and recommendations for integrating occupational therapy into primary care. Design: A descriptive qualitative design that incorporated semistructured interviews, member checking sessions, and deductive thematic analysis. Interviews were structured to capture occupational therapists' experiences of and recommendations for practicing in primary care. Setting: Primary care. Participants: A purposive sample of licensed occupational therapists with at least 6 mo primary care experience in the United States. Results: Seven participants reported 1 to 8 yr of experience in primary care. Four themes emerged that contextualized the experiences of occupational therapists in primary care. The first theme captured the process of gaining entry onto the primary care team. Once structurally embedded on the team, the second and third themes, respectively, captured barriers and facilitators to navigating team-based care and providing patient-centered care. The fourth theme reflected participants' vision and ideas of how to expand reach nationally to promote consistent integration of occupational therapy into primary care. Conclusion and Relevance: Given the important role of an interprofessional primary care team in improving population health, this study is timely in that it explored occupational therapists' experiences in this emerging practice area. What This Article Adds: Occupational therapists in this study used their skills, resources, and networks to become part of a primary care team. They indicated that they contributed to positive outcomes through working with patients on self-management, functional problem solving, and behavior change.

The Impact of Reimbursement Systems on Occupational Therapy Practice in Canada and the United States of America

2002 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 143-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyn Jongbloed ◽  
Toby Wendland
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
United States Of America ◽  
Cost Control ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
The United States ◽  
Publicly Funded ◽  
The Usa

Different funding and cost-control mechanisms in Canada and the United States of America (USA) have a powerful influence on occupational therapy practice in each country. Canada's public health insurance system emphasizes access to health care services based on medical need. Costs are controlled at the provincial government level by limiting the capacity of facilities and personnel. Occupational therapists in publicly-funded settings have considerable professional autonomy to use occupational therapy theoretical models and to be client-centred. The measurement of outcomes is not always required and the interventions of individual occupational therapists are infrequently scrutinized. The USA has no universal, publicly-funded, comprehensive health insurance. Health care policies are driven by financial priorities and cost control occurs at the service delivery level. Insurance companies define the scope of occupational therapy practice by identifying what services they will pay for and they scrutinize occupational therapy interventions. The emphasis on effectiveness and efficiency leads to critical examination of interventions by therapists. Canadian occupational therapists can learn much from their colleagues in the USA in this area.

scholarly journals A Mobile App Directory of Occupational Therapists Who Provide Home Modifications: Development and Preliminary Usability Evaluation (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
An Thi Nguyen ◽  
Emily Kling Somerville ◽  
Sandra Martina Espín-Tello ◽  
Marian Keglovits ◽  
Susan Lynn Stark
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Home Modifications ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

BACKGROUND Home modifications provided by occupational therapists (OTs) are effective in improving daily activity performance and reducing fall risk among community-dwelling older adults. However, the prevalence of home modification is low. One reason is the lack of a centralized database of OTs who provide home modifications. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to develop and test the usability of a mobile app directory of OTs who provide home modifications in the United States. METHODS In phase 1, a prototype was developed by identifying OTs who provide home modifications through keyword Web searches. Referral information was confirmed by phone or email. In phase 2, community-dwelling older adults aged older than 65 years and OTs currently working in the United States were purposefully recruited to participate in a single usability test of the mobile app, Home Modifications for Aging and Disability Directory of Referrals (Home Maddirs). Participants completed the System Usability Scale (SUS) and semistructured interview questions. Interview data were coded, and themes were derived using a grounded theory approach. RESULTS In phase 1, referral information for 101 OTs across 49 states was confirmed. In phase 2, 6 OTs (mean clinical experience 4.3 years, SD 1.6 years) and 6 older adults (mean age 72.8 years, SD 5.0 years) participated. The mean SUS score for OTs was 91.7 (SD 8.0; out of 100), indicating good usability. The mean SUS score for older adults was 71.7 (SD 27.1), indicating considerable variability in usability. In addition, the SUS scores indicated that the app is acceptable to OTs and may be acceptable to some older adults. For OTs, self-reported barriers to acceptability and usability included the need for more information on the scope of referral services. For older adults, barriers included high cognitive load, lack of operational skills, and the need to accommodate sensory changes. For both groups, facilitators of acceptability and usability included perceived usefulness, social support, and multiple options to access information. CONCLUSIONS Home Maddirs demonstrates good preliminary acceptability and usability to OTs. Older adults’ perceptions regarding acceptability and usability varied considerably, partly based on prior experience using mobile apps. Results will be used to make improvements to this promising new tool for increasing older adults’ access to home modifications.

scholarly journals How Does a Child with Sensory Processing Problems Play?

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeryl Benson ◽  
Meghana Nicka ◽  
Perri Stern
Keyword(s):  
Sensory Processing ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Play Skills ◽  
Naturalistic Environment ◽  
And Behaviors ◽  
Processing Deficits

The occupation of play during one’s childhood years serves as a foundation for the development of future occupations in an individual’s life. By understanding a child’s extant play skills and deficits, one may then provide the necessary interventions needed to promote development and successful growth into new occupations. The purpose of this paper was to understand how a child with sensory processing deficits plays in a naturalistic environment. The findings revealed an interplay between the child’s underlying sensory processing deficits and his play skills and behaviors. Increased understanding of how a child with sensory processing deficits plays will provide information for other occupational therapists and help in the treatment of children with similar deficits.

scholarly journals Leisure in mental health occupational therapy interventions: a qualitative investigation

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e200101119439
Author(s):  
Adriana Goncalves Queiroz ◽  
Anna Caroline Galan ◽  
Logan Darbyshire ◽  
Jordan Smith ◽  
Lisa Mische Lawson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
The United States ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Mental Health Settings ◽  
Occupational Therapy Interventions

Mental health care has been shifting from treating mental illness to health promotion. Occupational therapists aligned with the new paradigm can include leisure in their recovery-oriented interventions helping mental health patients live a meaningful and satisfactory life. The aim of this paper is to determine the common perceptions of leisure among occupational therapists who practice in mental health settings, and to understand how they implement leisure as an intervention when working with individuals with severe mental health disorders. A qualitative methodology was used to explore Occupational Therapy perceptions of leisure. Through snowball sampling 5 occupational therapists from a metropolitan city in the Midwest of the United States of America to complete a semi-structured interview were recruited. American Occupational Therapy Association Practice Framework (3rd edition) guided the thematic analysis. Three themes emerged, including Concepts of Leisure, Occupations, and Leisure as Therapy. Theme definitions, examples and implications are discussed. Although occupational therapy practitioners in mental health consider leisure important, it is underutilized in their interventions. The professional’s perspectives of leisure influences how they include it in their practice.

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