Academic & Fieldwork

P3- 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.

P4-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.

P5-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.

P6-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.

P7-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.

P50-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.