RequiredCourseDescriptions

Occupational Therapy

Clinical Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (DOT)

Required Course Descriptions

OT 8514 Occupational Based Theories and Participation

The seminar will trace the historical foundations of occupation as the central paradigm of the profession. It will explore literature across professions which explicate the underlying principles including foundations laid by the Occupational Behavior paradigm and the Model of Human Occupation, the Models of Occupational Adaptation, Ecology of Human Performance, Person – Environment – Occupation Model in their usefulness in addressing the issues in the disabled and well populations. Principles of Occupational Science will be explored and applied as a foundation for these approaches. The concept of participation is discussed as a key component of health according to the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) (World Health Organization) and a major outcome of the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework. It includes the importance, performance and satisfaction with the involvement in life roles. The student will examine environmental factors that facilitate physical access, improve psychological awareness and empowerment, and utilize advocacy for positive social change across the life span.

OT 8509 Leadership in the Health Professions: The Art and Science of Influence

Health professionals, both clinical and academic, have the responsibility to exercise leadership in the advocacy for safe, effective and quality health services. The accountability for this leadership is shared by all health professionals at all organizational levels. The competitive health care market presents professionals with a variety of leadership challenges. Artful and evidence-based leadership is a critical element for all those who aspire to be thought leaders/entrepreneurs in health professions education, health related research, health policy and practices and the delivery of health care.

This on-line course is designed to introduce students to the process of leadership: a process by which influence is exercised. A variety of active learning techniques and case study analyses will be used to explore theoretical concepts of leadership and the practical application of these concepts into daily life. An important outcome of the course will be the development of a leadership portfolio that will contain items such as case studies, class presentations, and a personal leadership plan.

OT 8511 Clinical Education and Fieldwork Supervision

This course will allow occupational therapists who have been, or who would like to be involved with clinical education, to acquire foundational knowledge within the triad of domains comprising clinical fieldwork education: Teaching and learning, the mentoring/supervisory relationship and administration. Students will evaluate selected learning theories, learning style assessments, be introduced to models of supervision, and have an opportunity to apply them as part of a final course project. An administrative component will provide opportunities to design site-specific goals and to explore available resources for establishing and improving clinicians’ respective fieldwork programs.

OT 8512 Studies in Outcome Measures and Analysis

This course will explore outcome measurement theories and practices, and the development of competence in the application of these concepts to evidence-based clinical practice and program management. Analysis of outcome measures is the primary focus in the second half of the course including applied statistical procedures. Outcome measurement, analysis, and program evaluation is core to the practice of Occupational Therapy. Evaluation of the results of clinical interventions and overall client reaction has long been held as a core value of Occupational Therapy practice. Current international health care trends reflect the concepts of participation in meaningful life experiences within the environmental and socio-cultural context.

OT 8513 Evidence-Based Practice and Clinical Research

Students will explore the most appropriate research designs and methodologies for clinical research and apply these in their clinical practice area. They will implement the four main steps of evidence-based practice including developing a clear clinical question related to client problems, completing a search of the literature, critiquing the evidence, and applying findings to clinical practice. The implications for evidence-based practice in the profession of Occupational Therapy will be explored.

OT 9089 Field Study and Professional Portfolios

Students enrolled in this course complete a mentored field study experience. The Field Study requires the student to complete 4 weeks or 160 hours of mentored experience with experts in the area of exploration or development. The Field Study will be directed and informed by the student’s leadership objectives and will be reflected in a portfolio required for degree completion. Master’s clinicians, researchers, or educators will be identified by the student and the faculty advisor for the field study. The mentor does not have to be an occupational therapist although must specialize in an area related to the profession. The student along with the mentor or mentors and the faculty advisor will identify specific goals for the field study related to the student’s specialty practice area. The field study may focus on expanding specialty clinical skills, collecting data for the capstone project, or expanding skills related to clinical education. As part of this course, students participate in a professional portfolio seminar with a Temple faculty member where they learn the uses, types, and content of professional portfolios in order to best develop their own portfolio reflecting learning experiences within the doctoral program. Students learn to evaluate and organize the evidence of learning related to their experiences with the field study, course work, and the capstone project. The end product of the course is the completion of at least 4 weeks or 160 hours of mentored experience, along with an extensive portfolio and e-portfolio reflecting a professional development plan.

OT 8901 Capstone Project

Each student will complete a capstone project while enrolled in the course. The capstone project will reflect the goals of the program as well as the goals of the student as structured by the student’s learning objectives as directed and informed by the development of a professional portfolio. The advisor will recommend resources and provide guidance within a class forum. The project must be founded in evidence-based practice and either be supported by evidence in peer-reviewed literature or provide outcomes identifying the effectiveness of the project. Students start exploring the literature for their projects in the Evidence-based Practice and Clinical Research course and explore possible outcome measures for the project if appropriate in the Outcome Measures and Program Evaluation core course. The Field Study may provide opportunities for implementation of their project or clinical experiences in areas related to the project. The results of the capstone project will be disseminated to the appropriate audiences through presentations, demonstrations, publications and/or incorporation into a program.

Please see our Professional Enhancement Courses for choices of specialty courses at: http://www.temple.edu/chp/departments/ot/OT_post-pro.htm

Recommended Course Curriculum Guide

FALL SEMESTER, 1ST YEAR

OT 8509 Leadership in the Health Professions: The Art and Science of Influence

Specialty Clinical Course

SPRING SEMESTER, 1ST YEAR

OT 8513 Evidence Based Practice and Clinical Research

OT 8514 Occupational Based Theories and Participation

SUMMER SEMESTER, 1ST YEAR

OT 9089 Field Study and Professional Portfolios

Specialty Clinical Course

FALL SEMESTER, 2ND YEAR