The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of an international doctoral capstone on occupational therapy clinicians’ current practice. The study used a cross-sectional descriptive online ...survey design with qualitative elements with 26 occupational therapy graduates. All participants identified as female and the majority were 25-34 years old. Participants reported that the international doctorate capstone experience positively impacted their cultural competence and professional growth. Qualitative outcomes supported these findings through three themes on culture, building rapport with patients, and professional growth. This study suggests that an international doctoral capstone experience is an important way for occupational therapy students to be prepared to become culturally competent clinicians and advance their professional skills. Limitations of the study included a convenience sample of occupational therapy alumni who graduated from Creighton University and using a non-validated survey instrument. Future studies need to use a representative sample and examine the cultural competence and professional growth of occupational therapy students who did not complete an international capstone project.
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.
Students who are enrolled in professional education programs such as occupational therapy may have inherent attitudes towards the future clients they work with. These attitudes may be influenced by ...the level of their professional education as well as cultural values of their country of origin.
The purpose of the study was to examine occupational therapy students’ attitudes towards individuals with disabilities from an international, cross-cultural perspective and to investigate the possible impact of professional education on students’ attitudes.
485 occupational therapy students from 11 university programs (3 from Australia, 3 from the United Kingdom, 3 from the United States, and 2 from Taiwan) completed the
Interactions with Disabled Person'
s (IDP) scale.
Significant differences were found between occupational therapy students from Australia, Taiwan, the United States, and the United Kingdom on the following IDP variables: overall attitude towards individuals with disabilities, ‘discomfort’, ‘sympathy’, ‘uncertainty’, ‘coping’, ‘fear’, and ‘vulnerability’. Significant differences between first year students as a total group and final year students as a total group were found on their overall attitudes towards individuals with disabilities, ‘discomfort’, and ‘uncertainty’.
The attitudes towards individuals with disabilities among first year and final year occupational therapy students varies between countries and the students’ year level also impacts on their attitudes towards individuals with a disability.
Abstract
Date Presented 4/20/2018
This study examined occupational therapy and physical therapy students’ attitudes toward evidence-based practice and the impact of their professional education on ...their attitudes. Similarities and differences between occupational therapy and physical therapy students were examined.
Primary Author and Speaker: Bobbi Greiner
Additional Authors and Speakers: Angela Patterson, Michelle de la Garza, Keli Mu
Contributing Authors: Margaret Schumacher, Qi Yongyue, Rebecca Jessen
Abstract
Date Presented 04/04/19
Utilization of evidence-based practice (EBP) is an essential requirement of delivering high quality healthcare. This presentation will highlight the findings of a ...research study that investigated the perception of OTs' and PTs' perception of EBP. Participants attending this presentation will gain a thorough understanding of OTs' and PTs’ perception of EBP and acquire strategies to advocate and implement EBP in practice.
Primary Author and Speaker: Angela Lampe
Additional Authors and Speakers: Keli Mu, Yongyue Qi
Contributing Authors: Yali Wang, Kaiti Brown-King, Brady Moran, Elizabeth Talian
Collaboration to increase capacity for healthcare professionals requires careful planning, open communication, implementation, formative and summative evaluation, and sustainability. International ...collaboration to meet the rehabilitation needs of China requires a supportive structure
of faculty and staff implementing the program. The purpose of this article is to explore the development of a collaborative international rehabilitation education program and illustrate outcomes as they relate to professional development, cultural competency, and healthcare team skills. A
retrospective analysis of program assessment data was completed including pre and posttest survey results and focused interviews. Results indicate that program participants had a significant positive change in values and beliefs towards cultural diversity and increased awareness of interdisciplinary
team skills which contributed to overall professional development as future rehabilitation practitioners. The description and assessment of the program also serves as a framework for the development of future collaborative international rehabilitation education programs. Future research could
explore institutional growth and faculty development of collaborating educational institutions.
Health professions education is increasingly creating learning experiences after one's entry-level practice degree. Such experiences include residency and fellowship experiences for health ...professions practitioners. This review of residency and fellowship programs across several health
professions includes the development of residency programs and the implications these developments have on occupational therapy. The analysis across health professions includes medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy. This thorough analysis
can help guide the development of occupational therapy fellowships. This background provides a foundation to focus on the implications for emerging fellowships within occupational therapy. The findings can be utilized to assist in the development of new successful fellowship programs.
BACKGROUND: The significance of evidence-based practice (EBP) cannot be overstated. However, literature on the perception of occupational and physical therapists toward EBP is scarce. METHODS: This ...survey study was intended to examine occupational and physical therapists'
perceptions of EBP. A total of 47 of 261 practicing therapists in a health care system in the Midwest U. S. responded to the questionnaire previously developed by Rubin et al. RESULTS: The results of the study showed that therapists reported familiarity with the EBP process and maintained
an overall positive attitude toward EBP. Of the five subscale measures of EBP, familiarity with EBP process had the greatest average score (3.82±0.48) followed by attitude about EBP process (3.73±0.37). The smallest mean subscale score was found on the measure of current engagement
in EBP process (2.93±0.55). Therapists reported intent to engage in the EBP process but were less favorable to engage in EBP and only reported engagement in EBP a little less than "some of the time." Barriers to engaging in EBP included time, access, and the constraints of the responders'
practice setting. Implications of this study resulted in recommendations for clinical practice and educational programs. J Allied Health 2019; 48(2):119-126.
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