Breaking Down Barriers in the Community-Based System of Care A Call to Action

Dr. Jeffrey Sargent OTD, OTR/L

Volunteering As a Work-Related Occupation: A Case Study

Volunteering makes us feel good. However, what is the science behind it? A recent study has validated the benefits of volunteering, notably, reduced mortality, increased quality of life improved and social supports (Nichol et al., 2023). The benefits of volunteering are not predisposed to those who come into it with higher levels of happiness. On the contrary, research shows that those with lower reported happiness levels reap more benefits from volunteering (Binder & Freytag, 2013). 

As occupational therapists, how can we leverage the power of volunteering to support our clients on their journey? Volunteering creates a safe place for many to “try out” a work environment and safely address their deficits in a controlled environment (space, schedule, time, tasks, etc). This article includes a case study of Lisa and her recovery from a stroke, using volunteering as a steppingstone to support return to work skills. 

Pioneering the Future: The Intersection of AI and Occupational Therapy

Nelson Gonzalez, OTR/L, CHHC, CCT, CPMT, CORE, CLT

OT’s Role in Firefighter Mental Health

Alyssa M. Garcia, OTD, OTR/L

Trends in Occupational Therapy Research and Practical Applications for Providers

Research Special Interest Section

Transition from the IFSP to the IEP: The Changing Roles of the Occupational Therapy Practitioner in Part C vs Part B of IDEA

Pauline Kelly, OTD, OTR/L 

Occupational Therapy Gives a Smile for Life

FLOTEC submission

Establishing Fieldwork Site Objectives for Entry-Level Development 

The Impact of Vestibular Processing on Attention and School Performance: A case study

Dominique Blanche Kiefer, OTD, OTR/L, BCP

Improving Patient Safety in Occupational Therapy

Anna DeMarco

Elevating Fieldwork Experiences: The Role of Evidence-Based Practice in Occupational Therapy

Kristina Hartsook, DrOT, OTR/L, BCP

Empowering students in fieldwork: Building emotional intelligence skills through self-assessment 

Lucerito R. Gonzalez, COTA/L, MSOTS

Decreasing Lymph Volume With the Use of Deep Oscillation Therapy

Candice D. Young E.d.S., COTA/L, CLT

The Experiences of Siblings of Individuals with Special Needs   

Kim Dudzinski, EdD, OTR/L, Mary Stein, OT-S, Veronica Sarti, OT-S, Alexis Bellacera, OT-S, & Hannah Sbacchi, OT-S 

Home and community health therapy services post Public Health Emergency (PHE)

Amanda Kotolski, Ph.D., OTR/L

A critique of the meshing hypothesis:

Using Shulman’s knowledge domain theory to facilitate effective instruction 

Call to Action: Share Your Feedback with CMS

Integrating research into fieldwork experiences: Benefits for practitioners, students, and faculty

by: Annemarie Connor, PhD, OTR/L, Sarah Fabrizi PhD, OTR/L, and Adrienne Yaryan, OT-S, and Kevin Ortiz, OT-S

As new occupational therapy programs continue to develop, it has become more difficult to find fieldwork (FW) sites for students since practitioners are less willing to supervise students due to the lack of resources, limited time, and questions of student preparedness (Varland et al., 2017). Unfortunately, this predicament is now exacerbated in the era of COVID-19. Emerging practice fieldwork sites, largely focused on prevention and health promotion in community-based practice, have been one mechanism for creating meaningful and productive fieldwork sites during this increasingly challenging landscape (Clarke et al., 2015; Dancza et al., 2013).