Poster Sessions

Preparation of occupational therapy students for level II fieldwork in a nontraditional setting

Presenters: Rebecca Kvasnicka, Aya Ramadan, Danielle Canino, Ahmad Hamdan & Nicole Siek

Description: This research poster focuses on understanding how occupational therapy students perceive non-traditional placements. It also examines how academic programs are using non-traditional placements to support student learning. The aim of the this research is to promote the skills we offer as occupational therapists in nontraditional practice settings by increasing our understanding of how academic programs use level II fieldwork in nontraditional settings to support student learning and the profession of occupational therapy.

Transforming Academia: Revitalizing the Occupational Experience of Students

Presenter: Obioma Morton

Description: Navigating graduate school is often a stressful and emotionally taxing experience. However, research suggests interventions to target well-being can positively impact the student experience, and occupational therapy is well-positioned to put these into practice. According to the Transactional Model of Occupation, occupational therapy aims to optimize participation, occupational performance, and the occupational experience. This poster presentation will review the current understanding of the occupational experience of being a graduate student, as well as describe the development, implementation, and preliminary feasibility and acceptability of an evidence-informed, theoretically-based intervention to promote well-being at one academic medical center.

The Phenomenon of Active Student Participation and the Effects of Mandatory Remote Learning Secondary to COVID-19

Presenters: Cynthia Carr, Haylie Baker, OTS Jade Benson, OTS Kara Meter, OTS & Jessica Plage, OTS, Juliana Sipich

Description: This presentation will explore the phenomenon of active student participation in an occupational therapy program during mandatory remote instructions. This qualitative research study will seek students’ perceptions of active participation, what methods students utilize to engage in remote learning, and how remote learning may translate to hands-on fieldwork. Qualitative interviews will be conducted. The overall goal of this research is to explore the lived experiences of occupational therapy students and their meaning of active participation in their current remotely delivered curriculum.

Impacts and Student Experiences of a Piloted Course-Based Peer Mentoring Program During a Global Pandemic

Presenter: Lauren Stone

Description: The purpose of this study is to evaluate, analyze & assess the impacts of a piloted course-based PM program on student experiences & perception of learning & professional development within an entry-level OT program. This study is a retrospective qualitative evaluation of the effectiveness of implementing PM as an instructional strategy with graduate level OT students to improve collaborative skills, communication skills, leadership, relationship building & clinical readiness. Secondarily, this study also will compare experiences across the three during 3 unique & distinct contextual phases of classroom-based instruction: P1) blended instruction initiated pre-pandemic (COVID-19), ending mid-pandemic; P2) online lecture instruction initiated/ending mid-pandemic; & P3) on-campus lab-based instruction initiated mid-pandemic nearing potential inter-pandemic period.

Examining the occupational therapy faculty perspective of group work in graduate school

Presenter: Erin Simpson

Description: A healthcare professional’s ability to work productively and efficiently in small groups empowers them to meet the challenges they encounter in a contemporary health-care environment. Research shows that group work, an element regularly found in higher education, both fosters academic achievement and improves collaborative abilities. Taking a deeper look at the student perspective will allow members of academia to better facilitate small groups and better prepare students in their future practices.

A Comparative Study of the Education and Background, Position Characteristics, Job Responsibilities, Job Satisfaction, and Well-Being of Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists

Presenters: Dylan Lange, Garrett Duffin

Description: The purpose of this study was to compare the education and background, position characteristics, job responsibilities, job satisfaction, and well-being of Occupational Therapists (OTs) and Physical Therapists (PTs) to better understand the current state of affairs within the two professions. It is evident that there is a lack of awareness regarding the similarities and differences between these professions. Therefore, this study can aid in informing allied health professionals' patient referral management, prospective OT and PT students to understand the career demands, and healthcare consumers to seek appropriate medical management. This study used a mixed-methods, cross-sectional conventional mail survey design with 101 OT and 113 PT participants from throughout the USA.

OT Leaders Promotion of Best Practice in Quality Care Transitions

Presenter: Frank Czuba

Description: While our healthcare system continues to make great strides towards better care transitions there remain inconsistencies with best practices identified in current research. Effective care coordination, person-centered care and promoting effective treatments are crucial parts of effective care transition. However, numerous barriers influence effective and efficient care transitions. The purpose of this research is to explore the factors that influence quality and efficient care transitions while identifying the unique role Occupational Therapy leaders and managers play in fostering the OTPs on their teams and advocating for ways Occupational Therapy helps the health care team strengthen their transitional care services so that clients get better outcomes.

Occupational Therapy after Breast Reconstruction: The Effect on Opioid Refills On Over 450 Patients.

Presenter: Adam Steuer & Alison Iafrate

Description: A retrospective study was conducted in order to determine the efficacy of occupational therapy (OT) as a member of the ERAS team, specifically in treating patients in the acute care setting following breast reconstruction surgery. It was found that OT treatment was significantly associated with decreased prescription of opioid pain pills when controlling for age, BMI, and surgery type. This educational session will outline the methods utilized in this study and explicate the importance of including OT within the ERAS team.

Facilitating Occupational Justice: Occupational Therapists’ Role in Community Reintegration for Persons with Disability

Presenter: Michelle Sivak

Description: This presentation summarizes findings from a study performed to address the following research questions concerning adults with physical disabilities transitioning from institutional living to independent living in the community: 1)How does occupational therapy add value to the community reintegration process?2)What meaning do persons with disability living in an institutional setting associate with the Pre-Assessment for acceptance into the Colbert Consent Decree Program?

Just Keep Swimming: Creation and Implementation of an Adaptive Swim Program For Individuals with Physical Disabilities

Presenter: Mackenzie Traub

Description: The purpose of this session is to educate individuals on occupational therapy's role within the adaptive sports setting and program development. This presentation will highlight the importance of accessibility to adaptive sports programming for individuals with primary physical disabilities in order to improve occupational participation and decrease the barriers to participation in adaptive sports programming. Though it's currently seen as a non-traditional setting, this presentation looks to assist in closing the gap between occupational therapy practice and the adaptive sports setting.

Mindful Mentality: Assessing the Feasibility of an Occupational Therapy Led Mindfulness Group for Oncology Patients

Presenter: Molly Ross

Description: The purpose of this session is to further examine patterns of stress in oncology patients and the feasibility of incorporating mindfulness-based practice into acute care occupational therapy services for this population. Many patients receive acute occupational therapy treatment with a focus physical health, but mental health is increasingly important to focus on as it has effects on rehabilitation outcomes. This session seeks to identify specific areas of occupational performance that are impacted while receiving acute treatment in the hospital and how this may be mitigated by mindfulness-based interventions.

Implementation Challenges with Evidence-Based Practice within Inpatient Rehabilitation to Incorporate Task-Specific Training

Presenter: Eron Bozec

Description: The study objective was to examine the implementation barriers and facilitators after a year of training and the use of a task-specific training manual in inpatient rehabilitation. Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research provided structure for the survey of occupational therapists. Stakeholders reported confidence in evidence incorporation and the barriers related to ease of selection and use of the intervention need to be addressed.

The Role of Occupational Therapy with Lung Transplants

Presenter: AnnMarie Berry, Katie Coakley

Description: This poster will explore the distinct value of occupational therapy with patient with lung transplants and pulmonary diseases. Specifically, the presenters will will provide a review of the literature, examples from practice, and evidence-based resources for supporting individuals with lung transplants and pulmonary disease in their activities of daily life and physical and mental well-being.

Occupational Therapy During a Pandemic: Impact of OT on Care of COVID-19

Presenter:

Description: The purpose of this educational session is to begin defining and expose the role of the COVID-19 OT in the acute care and ICU setting while being on the frontline during a Pandemic. The lingering effects of COVID-19 have been found to continue to hinder an individual’s ability to participate and be successful in activities of daily living. It is vital as occupational therapists to identify these post-acute rehabilitation needs and advocate for our patients to receive this continuum of care to improve functional outcomes of those affected by this deadly virus in the acute setting. Through improvement of individuals' participating in activities of daily living as well as the quality of life following infection of the virus in the earliest stages, we decrease the need for costly additional care past survival in the acute care settings. Defining the role of the COVID-19 OT assists with advocating for the benefits of the profession on improving functional outcomes, as well as advocates for the rehabilitation needs of those affected.

Enhancing IADL Education & Intervention for the Inpatient SCI Population

Presenter: Hannah Phillip

Description: The educational session is designed to educate students about potential Capstone sites, program development projects, and advanced clinical practice opportunities. Additionally, the educational session is beneficial for entry-level practioners to learn about expanding their current clinical practice to include more IADL interventions into the inpatient setting to promote self-efficacy. The presentation offers great detail about adaptive equipment recommendations, intervention ideas, LIFE Center Resources, and additional information to address IADLs in the inpatient SCI setting.

Experiences of Airline Travel in People with Disabilities: A Qualitative Study

Presenter: Kimberly Porsovigan

Description: People with Disabilities (PWD) are impacted by their environment and face numerous barriers when navigating airline transportation. These experiences are associated with lack of self-confidence, lack of control, and exhibiting helplessness (Lee et al., 2012). The purpose of this presentation is to illustrate and summarize the meaning of these experiences and discuss how occupational therapists can use this information to advocate for PWD when participating in airline travel.

Improving Independence in Home Management Skills for Clients with Acquired Brain Injury Using a Structured Telehealth Program.

Presenter: Marie-Claude Touchette

Description: This presentation will provide an overview, including face and content validity, of a program developed using resilient teaching methods to increasing IADL independence for community-dwelling clients with ABI. This program is comprised of four online synchronous modules providing structure, resources, and guidelines for occupational therapy interventions for clients with ABI at a community level of care.

Stigmas About Assistive Technology and Their Impact on Users’ Social Participation

Presenter: Asia Kim, Adriana Hernandez, Lillian Hang, Sohail Mohammed

Description: The purpose of our study is to understand how older adults perceive the use of assistive technology (AT) for social participation and whether stigma and/or ageism impacts the potential use of AT equipment for social participation. Our research question is as follows: How do older adults perceive the use of AT equipment for social participation? How does stigma and/or ageism impact the potential use of AT equipment for social participation?

Education of Drivers on In-Vehicle Automated Technologies: Implications for Occupational Therapy Practice

Presenter: Luther King

Description: This poster presentation will be a result of investigating current literature regarding the education of drivers 18 years and older on in-vehicle automated technologies. The current presentation is a review of twenty relevant articles narrowed down based on the topic listed above. The articles were identified through literary searches conducted via various databases including Google Scholar and PubMed. Through the research we found a variety of different themes including but not limited to driver perceptions, education modalities, and safety.

Aging and Engaging: The Impact of Occupational Therapy on the Promotion of Health and Wellness within a Faith-Based Community

Presenter: Eleanor Sweeney

Description: This educational session focuses on a series of case reports of an 8-week occupational therapy lifestyle redesign group for elderly members who are a part of a church community. This project focuses on how involvement in an occupational therapy group affects the health, wellness, and occupational engagement for elderly members of a faith community. This session is geared toward occupational therapy students and practitioners interested in program development in a community-based setting, particularly one involved with the geriatric population.

Understanding Occupational Therapy’s (OT) Role in Transition Services

Presenters: Katherine Williams, Emma Gelberg, Samantha Henninger, Annelise Wells, Annalisa Minaert, Anna Battistello and Dr. Daniel Rortvedt

Description: Opportunities exist for occupational therapy practitioners (OTP) to partner with special education organizations to advocate for the role of occupational therapy to support transition services for students with disabilities. This presentation outlines a collaboration between a National organization, the Division on Career Development and Transition Services (DCDT), and a graduate occupational therapy program. In Phase 1 of the project, a community-based needs assessment was completed. In Phase 2 of the project, an exploratory survey will be administered to special education professionals to explore their perception of the role of occupational therapy in collaborating to support transition services for students with disabilities.

Interactions with Nature and Wellness: A Study of Accessibility at an Urban Conservatory

Presenter: Carley Rowe

Description: The researcher will discuss how this project sought to address occupational injustice issues by offering an accessible activity-based wellness program at an urban conservatory targeted towards adults with disabilities. The researcher will provide a summary of results of change in perceived wellbeing following participation in a wellness group at an urban conservatory. The researcher will discuss implications for future research and a model for community-based wellness initiatives to address occupational justice and accessibility.

Active Advocacy: Identifying Occupational Therapy’s Role in Community Adaptive Sports

Presenter: Erin Thrasher

Description: This study consists of a mixed method design which used in-depth interviews, surveys, and participation assessments with current members of a community adaptive sports program to determine the influence that occupational therapy can have on participation in this community organization. The study also aims to identify general barriers and enablers to participation in adaptive sports through an occupational therapy lens. The findings from this study will help to support increasing occupational therapy engagement within adaptive sports programs and further enhance participation.

Improving Documentation of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Emergency Rooms: An Interdisciplinary Training Program

Presenters: Molly Bathje, Sarah Brennan, Rose DiGiulio, Maeve McCormack, Marisa Snyder

Description: Health disparities in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are related to a number of factors including poor communication and coordination of care within the health care system. This study reports on findings of a training program aimed at increasing health professionals' knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors related to documentation of IDD within medical records. Results indicate that health professionals report a lack of knowledge about IDD and training was helpful in increasing knowledge of documentation procedures. Using an occupational justice lens, occupational therapy has a role in improving health outcomes of people with IDD by providing education to other health professionals.

Stand Out: Using Theatre to Establish Self-Determination in Adolescents with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Presenter: Samantha Conrad

Description: This study explores the benefit of using performance art to promote self-determination in adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Using self-determination theory, adolescents with IDD engaged in a 10-week technical theatre workshop. Typically-developing peer mentors were trained on the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach and associated metacognitive strategies to assist participants throughout the program. Results of this study indicated that adolescents with IDD can increase their self-determination by engaging in meaningful extracurricular occupations that support their social, cognitive and physical needs.

Going beyond mindful movement: Empowering occupational participation through yoga

Presenter: Hannah Hartz

Description: Yoga is one of the most prominently researched movement-based interventions for promotion of child mental health. The evidence supporting yoga as a medium for self-regulation and improved mental health outcomes is growing. This presentation explores the benefits of a parent training on yoga and mindfulness-based approaches to support occupational engagement in children with Down syndrome.

Perspectives on intimate relationships and self-determination in young adults with Down syndrome

Presenter: Katherine Williams

Description: This session explores the perspectives of young adults with Down syndrome on intimate relationships and self-determination. The role of self-determination and participation in life roles as well as differences in age, gender, and relationship status is discussed as it relates to the formation and maintenance of intimate relationships.

Understanding Diversity and Inclusion within a University Environment

Presenter: Elizabeth Wanka

Description: The aim of this study is to develop an educational program to improve Diversity and Inclusion within a university campus.

Accessible Tourism: Impact of a Training Protocol on Attitudes and Awareness Related to Travel

Presenter: Clarissa Stanhope

Description: Physical and attitudinal barriers are well-documented in the hospitality and tourism industries for people with disabilities, which impact leisure and work occupations. Using the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO), the Model of Social Interaction (MSI), and the Participatory Occupational Justice Framework (POJF) as a foundation, this study uses a virtual training protocol to target attitudinal barriers within a hospitality student population.

Early Intervention Service Delivery via Telehealth During COVID-19: A Research-Practice Partnership

Presenters: Jessica Kronberg & Lauren Little

Description: The COVID-19 pandemic presented the opportunity to research the efficacy of a rapid expansion of telehealth practice from a community-based perspective. The purpose of this poster session is to describe the creation of a research-practice partnership that was leveraged to investigate the efficacy of a 9-week coaching telehealth intervention for families engaged in a community-based, statewide EI system among a small sample of EI providers and families. We examined the extent to which caregivers of children in EI report satisfaction and child performance in individualized goals over a 9 week telehealth coaching intervention as well as the influence of previous experience with EI (in-home v. telehealth only) on parent reported outcomes. Early Intervention (EI) CE credit has been approved for this course.

Occupational Therapy Interventions Delivered via Telehealth: A Scoping Review

Presenters: Natasha Irani & Erica Engel

Description: During COVID-19, occupational therapists experienced a rapid shift in service delivery to using telehealth to serve clients across ages, settings, and populations. While evidence related to occupational therapy delivered via telehealth is emerging, there is yet to be a comprehensive overview of evidence-based interventions and assessment methods as well as how practitioners and recipients of care perceive telehealth. Therefore, the purpose of this scoping review was to address the following research questions: 1) What is the evidence related to intervention methods across ages and populations?; 2) Within occupational therapy interventions delivered via telehealth, what assessment methods were used?; and 3) From a qualitative lens, what is the evidence on perceptions of telehealth among practitioners and recipients of care?

Feasibility and Preliminary Effects of a Community-based Grant Writing Program

Presenter: Sana Hasan

Description: This presentation explores the role of occupational therapy doctoral students in supporting community-based organizations through grant writing. Research findings on the feasibility and preliminary effects of a grant writing program developed by a doctoral student will be presented. A brief overview of the grant writing program will be provided.

What a Diverse Population of Older Adults Perceive as their Needs to Age in Place Independently

Presenters: Caren Schranz, Katie Collins, Ivy Lee, Katie Stasiuinas, Taylor Stazzone & Mallory Winter

Description: This poster will explore the perceived needs of a diverse population of older adults to successfully age in place. The research study focuses on the social and physical/environmental needs of older adults and what it takes for them to continue to be independent. This research study consists of a survey/questionnaire demonstrating what they have considered and what they may still need to consider if they wish to remain independent in their homes

Promoting Awareness: Mindfulness-based Caregiver Training to Optimize Occupational Performance Among Children with Sensory Processing Differences

Presenter: Nicole Kovalevsky

Description: This session presents findings from a pilot study that examined the benefits of a caregiver training on mindfulness-based strategies for children with sensory processing difficulties in a pediatric outpatient setting. Feasibility and effectiveness of integrating mindfulness-based approaches aimed at promoting the child’s and caregiver’s awareness of emotional and physiological regulation, as well as the use of positive reframing to promote occupational performance are discussed.

Empathic space: Creating connection during pediatric occupational therapy telehealth sessions

Presenter: Nicole Bendush

Description: This poster session explores the use of empathy within telehealth in the creation and sustainment of the therapeutic relationship between therapist and caregiver. Research findings explore the creation of “empathetic space” within transcribed telehealth sessions, and suggests opportunities and strategies for professionals to promote empathetic space within their own therapeutic relationships with caregivers.

Teachers’ Perceptions of Occupational Therapy in an Early Childhood Center: Creating Change with Embedded Service

Presenter: Alexandra Wasko & Paula Costello

Description: Therapists practicing within the continuum of children and youth most often provide diagnostic and intervention services to children with identified developmental needs. However many children remain undiagnosed and attend community preschools. This descriptive study investigated a collaborative coaching intervention with community preschool teachers in providing embedded differentiated developmental programming to support inclusive educational practices and occupational participation for young children.

Examining the perspectives of parents and siblings on social participation of family members with autism spectrum disorder

Presenters: Alyssa Rosenorn, Amber Chesky, and Weronika Noyszewski

Description: The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study is to examine the perspectives of parents and siblings on social participation of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). One-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents and siblings of a child with autism from two families, and five these were identified. The themes suggest that their family member with ASD’s challenges with social interaction are linked to behavior, relationships, context, and social skills.

Sweet Dreams: Understanding Children's Sleep Patterns

Presenters: Evangelina Cucuras

Description: The purpose of this presentation is to explore the extent to which children’s sleep habits are associated with bedtime routines, as moderated by developmental diagnosis (Autism spectrum disorder, developmental disability) among children ages 2-12 years old. We also collected qualitative information to learn about caregiver’s perceptions on their child’s sleep habits and routines. Findings from this study are meant to develop effective sleep evaluation guidelines for OTs to incorporate sleep in their evaluation process and treatment sessions in pediatric outpatient settings.

Reinforcing Students’ Occupational Identity: Supporting Student Engagement Through Occupational Therapy Consultation

Presenter: Anna Shakeshaft

Description: This session explores supports and barriers to student’s academic engagement in a therapeutic day school setting. The session describes outcomes of a mixed methods study that examined academic needs of children with a variety of psychological, socioemotional and behavioral differences and diagnoses, including: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit Disorder, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Anxiety, Depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) . Outcomes of occupational therapy consultations with educators aimed at supporting student’s classroom participation through environmental accommodations are discussed. Educator and occupational therapy perspectives on supports and barriers to participation for students are presented.

Promoting self-regulation in an elementary school during a global pandemic

Presenter: Deborah Zeitlin

Description: The poster will present self-regulation strategies to improve students’ learning experiences in an elementary school setting via remote, in-person, or hybrid learning setting. The capstone research took place during the global pandemic within a low socioeconomic school. The topic was selected due to unforeseen school closures during the 2020 and 2021 school years. Specifically, this poster will explore evidence-based self-regulation strategies that teachers and therapists could use within a public school setting asking the following question: “How can we promote self-regulation in an elementary school during a global pandemic?”

Understanding the current role of school-based occupational therapy practitioners in addressing childhood grief and loss and identifying next steps to expand their current practice

Presenter: Jennifer Borio

Description: The purpose of the presentation is to prevent the findings from a recent research study about how school-based occupational therapy practitioners are currently approaching their interventions with students on their caseloads who are grieving. The study also explored what barriers OT practitioners encounter in the schools related to addressing grief, and what supports they feel they need to overcome these barriers and expand their current practice. In addition to sharing findings from the study, resources will be shared with viewers that may expand their knowledge about best-practice as it relates to working with a grieving child on their caseload.

Occupational Therapy and Transition Planning: How Services are Perceived & Used in a Therapeutic Day School Settings

Presenter: Samantha Lee

Description: This presentation explores the role of occupational therapy in transition planning in therapeutic day schools. Research findings are presented on therapist and teacher perspectives on 1) the role of students’ self-determination in transition readiness, and 2) occupational therapy role in transition planning. Opportunities for interprofessional collaboration and future areas for research are discussed.

School-Based Practices: Perceptions of Illinois Occupational Therapy Practitioners

Presenter: Janet Brancato, OTR/L & Steven J. Taylor, OTD, OTR/L

Description: Description: Evidence-based practices for occupational therapy practitioners (OTP) within the school setting are critical for meeting the needs of children. However, numerous barriers limit the translation of evidence into practice. The objectives of this presentation are to quantify barriers as perceived by Illinois school-based OTP and describe resources to overcome these barriers as identified by this population.