OT Potential Podcast | Occupational Therapy EBP

You know that sinking feeling you get before walking into a patient room, when you suddenly think: “Wait.. what exactly am I going to do with this patient?” Creating a treatment plan entails a complex synthesis of the patient's needs, the available evidence, and your expertise. It's no wonder it can be hard to pull all this information together on the spot. So, it's easy to see why therapists are starting to utilize AI tools as a brainstorming assist for treatment planning. But, this also raises SO MANY questions. Which tools should I trust? What are the limitations? What are the ethical considerations? In this webinar, we are talking with a practicing PT, Cody Lee,  about the benefits he has found from using AI as a treatment planning companion. And, practical ways you can get started doing the same, so you can begin riding this wave that is going to transform healthcare. You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ai-and-treatment-planningSupport the show

Far too often, people are not referred to occupational therapy until their disease course has progressed to a level of high complexity.But, what if we could start seeing our clients sooner? Ideally, we receive the referral at the first sign of trouble. In some cases, we could prevent the full expression of a condition. In other cases, we could work with the client so their condition presents in a less severe way. These services are low cost and high impact. While it feels obvious that this is the direction we should be heading, there are policy, payment and mindset barriers to overcome. In this one hour live discussion Alyson Stover, MOT, JD, OTR/L, BCP and Sarah Lyon, OTR/L will discuss the practical steps we can be taking to shift our care towards prevention. Our goal is that you will leave inspired to take steps in your own context. You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/occupational-therapy-and-prevention Support the show

Stroke rehab is an area where we have some of the most abundant research to draw on as occupational therapists. But, this can also make it feel difficult to synthesize it all into the right actions steps for your clients. In this Ask Me Anything style episode, we will be answering your questions on chronic stroke assessment, goal-setting and treatment. We'll have a full clinical decision support for you reference during the episode, and then plan to keep it up to date. Our guest Christopher Gaskins, PhD, OTR/L, CSRS is uniquely poised to tackle this topic. Not only has he worked at Walter Reed as a neuro OT, run his one neuro private practice, and consulted with US military as a health consultant. He has also has a particular interest in mental workload…both in understanding what our patients can take on…but also how to ease your mental workload as a therapist as you tackle this complex topic. You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/pediatric-sleep-and-otSupport the show

Between 20-30% of typically developing children experience sleep difficulty in childhood. The percentage of neurodiverse children  with considerable sleep problems is even more staggering at 40-80%.  On one hand, it is sobering to consider the impacts of sleep difficulties on children and adolescents. As you'll hear in this week's article review: Sleep difficulties are linked with everything from poorer health, education outcomes and social outcomes. They can also exacerbate common conditions like ADHD.But on the other hand, this means that improving sleep is one of the most powerful levers that occupational therapy professionals can address with our clients. I know many of you are already at least touching on this foundational ADL with your clients—but I'm hoping today we will upskill you even further, through my conversation with Dr. Amy Gore Hartman. Amy is an occupational therapist and sleep scientist specializing in supporting families with sleep and emotion regulation.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/pediatric-sleep-and-otSupport the show Support the show

While many OTs work in a fee for service model, the reality is that we are undergoing a seismic shift towards value based care. In fact it's estimated that 238.8 million Americans receive healthcare in a value-based care model. These already large numbers are expected to grow significantly in the coming years.OTs has tremendous potential in value-based care models. But, the reality is we are missing the boat.  That's because becoming involved in a value based care model involves a contracting process that can feel complicated. There has been MUCH written to support doctors and other medical providers in the value-based care process, and they are outpacing us.  But, in today's episode we break this information down for OTs. Our favorite value-base care expert, Dana Stauss, PT, DPT  is going to walk private practice owner Carlin Reaume through: identify value-based care opportunities locally, crafting a proposal, and ultimately drafting a contract. Let's be honest. This feels dense. But, this is exactly what we need to be learning, and we are here to set you up for success!You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/value-based-care-contracts Support the show Support the show

Nearly one third of people experience sleep disturbances. And, about 23% of adults experience mental health illness. These high percentages mean that both sleep and mental health are global, public health challenges in their own right. However, emerging research suggests we should not think of these challenges separately. They are more intertwined than we realize. Sleep difficulties aren't just a sign of mental health challenges, sleep problems can contribute to mental health problems. But, then the inverse is also true: when we improve a person's sleep, we can improve their mental health.  What this means for OT is profound:This means sleep interventions are one of the most powerful tools we have to impact mental health. Today, we will zoom in on one diagnosis: anxiety. We'll get deep into the biology of how sleep and anxiety are intertwined. And, the interventions (that are in your OT-wheel house) to improve both. To help us make sense of how profound the impact of sleep is on health—and, how potentially profound it would be for OT to tackle this essential ADL— we will welcome to the podcast, Dr. Amanda Carroll, an OT sleep researcher, who also runs a sleep private practice in Montana. You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/sleep-mental-health-and-otSupport the show Support the show

Starting a side hustle private practice is one of the best ways to safeguard your career, pursue a niche interest, and meet some of the many unmet needs in your community. But, let's be honest: the process of getting going can be daunting. In this Ask Me Anything (AMA), we are welcoming Carline Reaume, OTD, OTR/L, DipACLM, PMH-C, PCES back to the podcast. Carlin has steadily grown her private practice over the course of several years, and has experienced the ups and downs of private practice management. Also on our panel is Sarah Lyon, a business owner in her own right, Sarah has carefully watched the trends in private private practice for almost a decade now. And, is author of the ever-popular post “Start and Grow Your Therapy Practice.” You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/starting-an-ot-private-practiceSupport the show Support the show

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome affects quality of life in 1-5% of people. The first step in treatment of carpal tunnel should be non-surgical treatment, which includes education, often a steroid injection, and therapy. But what should that therapy look like? In this live webinar, we will discuss carpal tunnel education, assessment and treatment with Rachel Egan, OTR/L, MS, CHT, COMT-UE.  Rachel is a Certified Hand Therapist, a Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist, and currently manages operations for 13 NovaCare clinics across Minnesota.Participants in this course will have access to our full clinical decision support page for carpal tunnel treatment that will be updated on an ongoing basis. You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/carpal-tunnel-and-ot Support the show Support the show

Childhood feeding problems are one of the most common complaints raised during primary care visits. Which is not surprising, given that the prevalence of pediatric feeding disorder is around 1 in 37 children under age 5. Feeding disorders overall  are common in the pediatric population, with a prevalence of 25% of children in the general population and of up to 80% of children with developmental disabilities. Unfortunately, many feeding problems are too often normalized, and parents are told to “wait and see” when in reality, feeding problems may be associated with poor sleep quality, toileting problems, increased likelihood of medical conditions or illness—ultimately leading to greater levels of caregiver stress and healthcare costs. The article we are looking at today is a broad scoping review of research on pediatric feeding disorder, which really highlights the broad multidisciplinary interest in this disorder. After we review the article, we will welcome to the podcast Suzie Driscoll, MOT, OTR/L, an occupational therapist who started her own pediatric feeding therapy business, Tiny and Mighty. Suzie and I will discuss this research and its implications of OT professionals.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/pediatric-feeding-therapyHere's the primary research we are discussing:Mapping the gaps: A scoping review of research on pediatric feeding disorder.Support the showSupport the show

However you think about group strength it probably is not broadly enough. Grip strength is NOT just about hand strength. It is NOT just an indicator of upper body strength. It is NOT just about overall strength. Grip strength is associated with: mortalitypsychological healthfunctional disabilitieshospitalizationmorbidityThe article we are reviewing today, is seeking to convince you that grip strength should be considered as a vital sign, as it is an overall indicator of well-being. And, I believe it is a metric that each therapist should be paying attention to basically with every patient. After we review this article, we will welcome to the podcast, Gabriella Francis OTR/L, ATC, CEO. Gabby is the CEO at Squegg, a grip strength pet health tech company. Through this role she has been immersed in the science of grip strength and today we are excited to discuss the practical implications of this new science for occupational therapy professionals and for our healthcare system.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/grip-strength-as-a-vital-signHere's the primary research we are discussing:Hand grip strength as a proposed new vital sign of health: A narrative review of evidencesSupport the show

We've all known for a while that the current fee-for-service models that most occupational therapists operate under are bad for patients and bad for healthcare. Why? Because it incentives volume of services over quality of services. If you're like me, you may feel like you've been waiting for years for value based care to really take hold in the United States. But, this new future has felt like a distant reality. Our guest today, Dana Strauss, PT, DPT, sees things from a different vantage point. As she'll share in this episode, the future is actually here, it is just not evenly distributed. Value-based programs have been piloted and they are on the cusp of rapid expansion in the United States. In our episode today, Dana will walk us through the value-based models that are currently out there, what ones are coming, and what you as an OT professional can do to prepare for this much-needed new reality. You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-and-value-based-careHere's the primary research we are discussing:Value-based outcome evaluation methods used by occupational therapists in primary care: A scoping reviewSupport the show

Through OT Potential, we've released over 94 episodes all exploring new influential OT research. As we enter 2025, it's time to reflect on the research and ask: What trends are we seeing in OT? How is new research enriching how we think about our practice? In this 1 hour-episode, we'll talk about new trends, with a particular focus on what commonalities we see leaders in our field doing in their occupational therapy process. We'll culminate our discussion by exploring how people describe OT. This will be informed by our OT practice framework, but with a special focus on how we communicate about OT to the public. For this exploration, we'll welcome back to the podcast a past guest, who is now working in new frontiers for OT: Sarah Brzeszkiewicz, OTR/L. Together we'll unpack what all of these trends mean for your OT practice. You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/what-is-ot-in-2025Here's the primary research we are discussing:Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process—Fourth editionSupport the show

Artificial intelligence is ushering a new era of healthcare tools. These range from ambient listening to streamlined practice management. But, the AI-supported that I believe will truly transform occupational therapy is: Clinical Decision Support. To be honest, it often feels like we have more clinical decision barriers than we have support. Our EMRs currently give us a set number of checkboxes, which massively pigeonhole our services, and often DO NOT reflect the kinds of best practice we teach here at OT Potential. But, on the near horizon is dynamic point-of-service support that will help you choose the right assessments, set the right goals, and pursue the right treatment path for the patient in front of you. Oh, and it will also be watching for red flags. This is a lot to wrap our minds around. But, if we do it well, I think we will future proof our profession for changes to payment models and regulations, because it will so drastically increase our value. In this course, we'll review a new journal that outlines clinical decision support across 6 domains. Then, to walk us through what's here now and what's coming soon, I'm so thankful to welcome Brad Willingham, PhD, a clinical research scientist at Shepherd Center who has been focused on how AI is going to support clinical decision support. You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ai-and-clinical-decision-supportHere's the primary research we are discussing:Advancing clinical decision support: The role of artificial intelligence across six domains.Support the show

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Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common cause of non-traumatic disability in people aged 18-65 years. As rehab professionals, we know that exercise is one of the mainstays of treatment for these clients. Though not definitively established, exercise has the most potential promise to be disease modifying if started early in the course of disease. But, alongside exercise there are other important interventions to consider like fatigue management and education. In today's article review, we will look at a massive overview of reviews (72 articles were included!). The article outlines the strength of the evidence being multiple types of rehab interventions. Then, next week we are excited to welcome to the podcast Sarah Adam, OTD, an occupational therapist with MS who has taken her pursuit of adaptive sports to an elite level—and recently earned Silver in wheelchair rugby at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. Sarah was the first woman to ever play on Team USA's wheelchair rugby team, also made history as the first woman to score a point during an Olympic wheelchair rugby game. We clearly have so much to learn from Sarah that I know will inspire your OT practice. You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-and-multiple-sclerosisHere's the primary research we are discussing:Effective rehabilitation interventions and participation among people with multiple sclerosis: An overview of reviewsSupport the show

As occupational therapists, many of us have witnessed the wonder of motor learning in neuro rehab. Yet despite years of research attempting to identify the most effective post-stroke interventions, the reality is that our understanding of how to improve recovery of function remains incomplete. The article we are reviewing today serves as an update on the state of the science in how new theories of motor control and learning can be incorporated into practice. The authors put particular emphasis on how new technologies may be needed to truly meet the many principles of neuroplasticity, and in particular they point to virtual, augment, and mixed reality technologies. After we review the research, we are excited to welcome to the podcast an OT who works for one such virtual rehab solution as their Manager of Clinical Services, Katie Riccio, MS, OTR/L. Katie will share what she has learned about neurorehab in her role. And orient us to the stroke rehab tech tools on the market, how they can intersect with you in-person practice—and what to expect on the horizon.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/motor-learning-in-neuro-rehabHere's the primary research we are discussing:Motor Learning in Neurological RehabilitationSupport the show

Unfortunately, research on the lived-experience for those with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome shows us that we as a profession need to be doing a better job.People with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome report:A lack of reliable information for themselvesSocial stigma from peers.Lack of awareness of EDS in the healthcare communityAs occupational therapy professionals, there is much we can contribute to supporting this population. And, today we'll look at a self-management program that is grounded in behavior change theory and we co-designed with people with lived experience of EDS.Next week we will welcome to the podcast, an occupational therapist who has EDS and also treats EDS clients in her clinical practice, Emily Rich, PhD, OTR/L. Emily and I will discuss self-management, along with assessment and treatment of EDS.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-and-ehlers-danlos-syndromeHere's the primary research we are discussing:Developing a self-management intervention to manage hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS): an analysis informed by behaviour change theory.Support the show

In 50 years, you will look back on your occupational therapy practice and see a clear line in the sand between pre-AI augmented documentation and today. Ambient AI augmented documentation is going to: ✅Make documenting QUICKER✅Make your notes HIGHER QUALITY✅And, transform how you interact with clients And, if we harness this technology correctly, it will improve

The population of the United States is older than it has ever been. And, by 2050 the older adult population (>65 years) is projected to increase another 47% (from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million by 2050). This will transform many aspects of our society—and one change we need to prepare for is:The safety of older drivers. Because by 2050 the older adult population (>65 years) will make up 25% of all drivers.You may be aware that our youngest, newly licensed drivers are the most likely to be in a crash— but it is older drivers who are more likely to be in a fatal crash. In our featured article from JAMA gives a high-level overview of the complex driving needs of an older population—and tucked inside you'll see OT's role in helping to address these needs. After we review the article, we'll welcome one of the article's authors Ganesh M. Babulal, PhD, OTD, MSCI, MOT, who leads the DRIVES Project at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Through this project he is working to understand how preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) impacts driving behavior.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-and-drivingHere's the primary research we are discussing:Addressing the complex driving needs of an aging population. Support the show

In our OT work with individuals, there can be a feeling of futility. As there is a growing collective consciousness around what we, as OT professionals, experience day in and day out: The communities in which we live have such a profound impact on our health. And, we can fail individuals by focusing only on their individual choices—and not the larger driving forces of their lives. I think this expanding view of health is why we see so much interest in community practice from students, new grads, and tired clinicians. Community practice does have a long history in occupational therapy, but currently very few clinicians find full-time work in this practice area. The authors of this course's featured article, believe this may be in part to a lack of frameworks for community-based OT. So, today we'll explore the framework they put forth and their call to “reimagine occupational therapy clients as communities.”Next week on the podcast, we will welcome Ryan Lavalley, PhD, OTR/L. Dr. Lavalley is the founder and primary lead of the Community Practice Lab at UNC School of Medicine.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/community-based-otHere's the primary research we are discussing:Re-imagining occupational therapy clients as communities: Presenting the community-centred practice framework.Support the Show.

Children with emotional disability (also known as emotional disturbance) are significantly more likely than children with other disabilities to:NOT be integrated into regular classroomsExperience a disciplinary removalDrop out of schoolOver the years, multiple social-emotional learning (SEL) interventions have been developed to support children with emotional disabilities. But, New York City Public Schools found that one-size-fits all programs were not sufficient for their student population.So, the district created—and began studying—an educational pilot called the Path Program. At the heart of this program are OT professionals and occupational therapy concepts.The journal article we are reviewing in this 1-hour CE course describes the research-practice partnership that supported this program's development—and the role of trauma-informed care in social-emotional learning interventions.After we review the article, we will welcome Michelle Flemen-Tung, MSEd, the program director for the Path Program. She will share concrete ways we can all improve the support we provide to kids with emotional disabilities.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/emotional-disability-and-otHere's the primary research we are discussing:Adapting SEL interventions to meet student needs: A research-practice partnership supporting students with emotional disabilities.Support the Show.

Interoception is having a moment. The popularity of the 8th sense is likely due to the fact that it gives words to sensations that we all experience, like: hunger, fatigue, heart rate, and pain.But, even though these sensations seem universal the reality is that there are vast differences in how and to what degree we experience the components of interoception. We are beginning to be able to correlate brain-level differences with different experiences of interoception. And, what's really interesting is how these differences impact emotional regulation. And, what's really, really interesting is that research is showing that interoception can be improved. And, there seems to be a correlation improvement with emotional regulation….(without ever working explicitly on emotional regulation.)In this 1 hour CEU course, we'll look at a school based program that does just that: improves interoception and emotional regulation. After we review the article, we'll welcome to the podcast Kelly Mahler, the lead author of the paper and one of the pioneers of researching the practical implication of interoception for OTs and other health professionals.Learn more about our guest:https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/kelly-mahlerYou can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-and-interoceptionHere's the primary research we are discussing:An interoception- based intervention for improving emotional regulation in children in a special education classroom: Feasibility study.Support the Show.

If you have not been paying attention to recent statistics on drowning, you need to be. After decades of decline, deaths by drowning are on the rise. Groups already at higher risk have seen the greatest increases in drowning deaths. This includes adults ages 65 years and older of all races and ethnicities, as well as Black people of all ages. But today, we'll focus on an especially high-risk group: children (and particularly, children with autism). Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4, and children with autism spectrum disorder are 160 times more likely to experience nonfatal and fatal drowning than their typically developing peers. Whatever setting you work in, I hope these sobering numbers convince you to pay close attention to water safety. Here, we'll look at an aquatic OT swim safety program that you could consider implementing in your community. Next week on the OT Potential Podcast, we will welcome the article's lead author, Erika Kemp, for a discussion on the logistics of launching a swim safety program. We'll also tackle big picture questions—like how to go about mobilizing the entire OT community to prevent drownings in our communities. Learn more about our guest:https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/erika-kempYou can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/swim-safety-in-autistic-childrenHere's the primary research we are discussing:Addressing swim safety in autistic children: A pilot feasibility study using aquatic occupational therapy.Support the Show.

Functional neurological disorder (FND) has been called a “silent epidemic,” a “crisis” in neurology, and psychiatry's “blind spot.”And, I have to admit it has been a huge personal blind spot for me. Luckily, others in the OT community have been hard at work standardizing care for these patients. Multidisciplinary treatment, including referral to OT is a best practice for these patients. And, today we will look at expert recommendations for OT assessment and treatment. After we review the OT recommendations for FND, we will welcome Naoya Ogura, OTD, OTR/L, he is the West Los Angeles Clinic Director at re-active and specializes in neurological conditions like POTS, EDS, MCAS, and FND. Learn more about our guest: https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/naoya-oguraYou can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-and-functional-neurological-disorderHere's the primary research we are discussing:Occupational therapy consensus recommendations for functional neurological disorder.Support the Show.

The world desperately needs OT leaders.It needs leaders that can think holistically. It needs leaders that understand both individual level change and systems level change. It needs storytellers, collaborators, and compassionate thinkers. And, these are the qualities of an occupational therapy professional. Today, we'll explore a paper on best practices in OT leadership curriculum development. This will help us understand the practical steps involved in leadership development. Both as an individual, and for preparing our profession to be one of leaders. After we review the article, we are thrilled to welcome to the podcast, Dr. Victoria Wilburn, State Representative for Indiana House District 32. Her and I will discuss the hard-won lessons she has learned about leadership. And, the advice she has for OTs to step into leadership, in whatever role they occupy.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-and-leadershipHere's the primary research we are discussing:Best practices in leadership curriculum development: A case study of a curriculum designed to foster authentic leadership skills in graduate students.Support the Show.

In a massive 53 page treatment guideline on Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), the authors state:“Occupational therapists are the ideal therapeutic leaders in the functional restoration process…”And, go on to devote 2 pages to what this OT care can entail. In this one hour course, we'll pull out important implications for OT practice from the entire guideline. As you'll see, when it comes to treating chronic pain, like CRPS there are a lot of best practices to draw on—but also a lot of unknowns that necessitates close attention to the individual in front of you. To help us flesh out what this means for OT practice, we'll welcome to the podcast Megan Doyle, a program manager at an outpatient pain program and a leading voice on OT's role in pain management.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-complex-regional-pain-syndromeLearn more about our guest:Megan Doyle MS, OTR/L, TPS, FPS, CERT-APHPTHere's the primary research we are discussing:Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Practical Diagnostic and Treatment Guidelines, 5th Edition.Support the Show.

In a rapidly changing world,  we as OT professionals need collective mobilization like never before. But, it feels like our systems of advocacy are all underfunded and difficult to navigate. Against this backdrop, which can feel discouraging, I think it is critical to shine the light on what I consider one of the greatest OT triumphs of the past decade: The breakthrough of OTs into pelvic health.This is a story of grassroots organization, individual thought-leadership, Facebook groups, podcasts, phone calls, and ultimately collaboration on the individual, state and national level. We are thrilled to have 3 leaders from this movement, Alyson Stover, Carlin Reaume and Lindsey Vestal. Each has played a unique role in this movement and are here to share what they've learned from the wins and fails along the way. Ultimately, we hope this story and conversation helps you reflect on your role in advocacy in this new era. You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-advocacy-in-pelvic-healthFind a pelvic floor OT near you: https://otpotential.com/blog/pelvic-health-occupational-therapyLearn more about our guests:Carlin Reaume OTD, OTR/L, DipACLM, PMH-C, PCESLindsey Vestal OTR/LAlyson Stover MOT, JD, OTR/L, BCPHere's the primary research we are discussing:Pelvic floor dysfunction after childbirth: Occupational impact and awareness of available treatment.Support the Show.

The idea of AI transforming occupational therapy stirs both hopes and fears. Will it help us revolutionize our broken systems? Will it augment the best of our care? Or will it bolster inequality and threaten our jobs? This is a story we are actively writing—and have the power to shape.In this one hour course, we'll talk to two leading voices on the adoption of AI and OT, Alyson Stover MOT, JD, OTR/L, BCP and Karen Jacobs OT, EdD, OTR, CPE, FAOTA. We'll discuss how they are currently using AI, what they are learning—and the opportunities for OT in what is shaping up to be the revolution of our lifetime.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-hopes-and-fears-aiLearn more about our guests:Alyson Stover MOT, JD, OTR/L, BCPKaren Jacobs, OT, EdD, OTR, CPE, FAOTALearn more about Korro AI:https://korro.ai/Support the Show.

There is a growing public consciousness around the power (and difficulty) of habit change, especially as the impact of chronic conditions soars.  And, as we'll see in the featured scoping review on OT and habit change/health promotion, we've been addressing habits since 1912, it is a core part of our 2020 practice framework, and is increasingly embedded in OT research. On this OT Potential Podcast episode, we'll welcome Dr. Zipporah Brown, and her and I will discuss ways you can embed best practices around habit change in your practice.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-and-habitsLearn more about our guest:https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/zipporah-brownHere's the primary research we are discussing:Habits and health promotion in occupational therapy: A scoping review.Support the show

The number of OT entry-level doctoral (OTD) programs has been expanding rapidly. In 2017 there were 7 programs. As of 2023, there are 95, with an additional 76 in development. The article we'll cover in this course presents early stage research on the doctoral capstone experience and employment opportunities. It backs up what I have now personally observed through mentoring a student: that doctoral students are uniquely prepared for more diverse job opportunities, and sometimes jobs are even created due to the clear value of the capstone experience. There seems to be a benefit for the profession as a whole, in terms of increased awareness. (Our Achilles heel!)After reviewing the article, I'll welcome our own student, Alana Woolley, and her capstone coordinator, Daniel Rortvedt. Our goal will be to help you decide if you should be a capstone mentor, and shed light on the experience from 3 perspectives.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/making-the-otd-capstone-matterLearn more about our guests:https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/daniel-rortvedthttps://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/alanawoolleySee our Capstone Catalog: https://otpotential.com/blog/otd-capstone-catalogHere's the primary research we are discussing:An exploration of the occupational therapy doctoral capstone: Perspectives from capstone coordinators, graduates, and Site Mentors.Support the show

I've been surprised as my own kids enter elementary school to anecdotally find that constipation is a common reason to miss activities. But, this aligns perfectly with the research we look at today, and the growing concern that constipation has become a public health concern. As many as 32% of kids (0-18) experience constipation. And, a growing number of occupational therapy professionals are seeing these kids on their caseload. Today we'll look at an article that examines what an interdisciplinary approach to pediatric constipation can look like. Then, we are excited to welcome to the podcast, Quiara Smith, an OT who owns a pediatric pelvic health practice. Her and I will discuss the practical implications from this article for your OT practice. You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-pediatric-constipationLearn more about our guest:https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/quiara-smithHere's the primary research we are discussing:Interdisciplinary occupational and physical therapy approach to treating constipation and fecal incontinence in children.Support the show

It takes an average of 17 years for evidence to make its way into practice. The fields of knowledge translation and implementation science are seeking to change this. And, today we are looking at a scoping review of knowledge translation research in rehab. To be frank, I think the article is pretty convoluted. (Which is funny since it comes from researchers interested in knowledge translation.

The art and science of digital prosthetics is rapidly advancing. Yet, many people with amputated fingers do not wear a prosthetic. Part of the problem may be our own fault as health providers. We may be stuck in old stereotypes of poor outcomes and limited options related to digital prosthetics. In this one-hour podcast-base course, we'll look at a research article that explores the experiences of people who wear digital prosthetics. Our goal is to develop your skills in listening closely to your own clients and their needs in this area. Next week on the podcast, we'll welcome Haley Van Escobar. Haley has her own hand therapy private practice and works for a digital prosthetic company. You'll learn how she landed this job, and what the average OT needs to know about this rapidly advancing space.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/finger-prosthetics-and-otLearn more about our guest:https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/haley-van-escobarLearn more about OT and hand therapy: https://otpotential.com/blog/hand-therapyHere's the primary research we are discussing:User experiences of digital prostheses in daily functioning in people with an amputation of thumb or fingerSupport the show

In previous courses, we've discussed that one of the primary ways we can improve our care, as OT professionals, is to increase the diversity of our workforce—with the ultimate goal of having our workforce's diversity mirror the diversity of the populations we are seeing.  This goal will ensure we have the multiple perspectives needed to respond to the needs of our clients. But, until now, we've mostly talked about this theoretically. So, what do the actual numbers have to say about the current diversity of our workforce? It's a mixed bag. In today's 1 hour CEU course, we'll look at a report from JAMA that estimates racial/ethnic representation in 10 U.S. healthcare professions.To give you a taste of the positive news: the percentage of Black OTs is better than in PT and SLP. But startlingly, the authors specifically call out OT for having a smaller percentage of Black OTs students than is in our workforce. In other words this measure of diversity showed shrinkage. There is so much to unpack from this data, and we are excited to welcome back to the podcast a guest from one of our most popular episodes: Arameh Anvarizadeh OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/diversity-in-otLearn more about our guest:https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/arameh-anvarizadehHere's the primary research we are discussing:Estimation and Comparison of Current and Future Racial/Ethnic Representation in the US Health Care Workforce.Support the show

Through OT Potential, we've released over 70 episodes all exploring new influential OT research. As we enter 2024, it's time to reflect on the research and ask: What trends are we seeing in OT? How is new research enriching how we think about our practice? In this 1 hour-episode, we'll talk about new trends, with a particular focus on what commonalities we see leaders in our field doing in their occupational therapy process. We'll culminate our discussion by exploring how people describe OT. This will be informed by our OT practice framework, but with a special focus on how we communicate about OT to the public. For this exploration, we'll welcome back to the podcast two of our podcast hosts from 2024, Carlin Reaume OTD, OTR/L, DipACLM, PMH-C, PCES and Ryan Lavalley PhD, OTR/L. Together we'll unpack what all of these trends mean for your OT practice. You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-in-2024Read OT Potential's guide to What is OT? https://otpotential.com/what-is-otLearn more about our guests:https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/ryan-lavalleyhttps://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/carlin-reaumeHere's the primary research we are discussing:Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process—Fourth editionSupport the show

Since this keynote address from the World Federation of Occupational Therapy Congress was published in 2019, it has been cited so many times that it made our list of the 100 most-cited OT journal articles. It's easy to see why this has become such a popular read. The article stitches occupational therapy together with global trends, in particular growing inequality. The author challenges us to see this problem clearly. And, calls us upon us to build globally relevant occupational therapy from the strength of our diversity. In this one hour CE course, we'll review this article, then to talk about practical implications of creating change in occupational therapy we are excited to welcome Vikram Pagpatan EdD, OTR/L, ATP, CLA, BCP, FAOTA to the podcast.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/building-a-global-ot-professionLearn more about our guest:https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/vikram-pagpatanHere's the primary research we are discussing:Building globally relevant occupational therapy from the strength of our diversitySupport the show

Dyslexia is the most common form of neurodivergence. It affects around 20% of the population, meaning that people with dyslexia are on almost every occupational therapy professional's caseload. And yet, not enough OT-specific research and resources have been devoted to how we can help this population. Today, we look at a leading theory of dyslexia that basically reads like a call to action for OT's to re-examine how needed our skills are. As you'll see it pushes us to take a strengths-based approach to treating dyslexia, and to regard the condition as rooted in a sensory processing difference (hello, OT!) To help us unpack what this means for your practice, next week we will welcome to the podcast Penny Stack, OTD, OTR/L. She is the founder of DyslexiaRx. In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-dyslexiaSee all of our pediatric OT courses here: https://otpotential.com/ot-pediatric-coursesLearn more about our guest:https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/penny-stackHere's the primary research we are discussing:Theories about Developmental DyslexiaSupport the show

For OT professionals working with adults with intellectual disabilities it can feel like there is a  lack of resources around best practices for working with this population. Today's article flips that long-held narrative on its head. The authors set out to find evidence to inform OT for adults with intellectual disability—and to their own surprise they found so much it has become 3 papers. We'll review the evidence they found to support intervention. Then we'll welcome to the podcast two of the article authors, Meghan Blaskowitz and Wanda Mahoney. Together, we'll unpack the practical implications related to intervention and assessments. In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-adults-intellectual-disabilityLearn more about our guests:https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/meghan-blaskowitzhttps://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/wanda-mahoneyHere's the primary research we are discussing:Evidence to Inform Occupational Therapy Intervention With Adults With Intellectual Disability: A Scoping ReviewSupport the show

Maternal deaths are on the rise, here in the United States. And, we have a postpartum mental health crisis. In OT 90% of us are women, and many of us have personally experienced the inadequate support given to birthing individuals. But, not enough of us have stepped back to ask: why aren't we (with our training in mental health & daily participation) helping women in the hospital after birth?Luckily, there is a growing number of OTs asking this question and doing something about it. And, my favorite part of this movement is that it is multidisciplinary—our PT colleagues are advocating for our services. At the center of this movement are physical therapists, Drs. Jenna and Rebeca Segraves. They both worked on the commentary we are exploring today, and then will join us on the podcast to discuss the practical implications for your OT practice.In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/acute-care-ot-after-birthhttps://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-coursesLearn more about our guest:https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/jenna-segraveshttps://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/rebeca-segravesSee our acute care OT guide: https://otpotential.com/blog/acute-care-occupational-therapyHere's the primary research we are discussing:Initiating Occupational and Physical Therapy in the Hospital After Birth: Access, Reimbursement, and OutcomesSupport the show

I once heard a neuroscientist say: Many of our frameworks end up being wrong—because the body is more complicated than we ever imagined. Pain science perfectly illustrates this. We are living in an era where new frameworks are being written—because classical understandings of pain have not only been inadequate, they have led to ineffective and even harmful treatment. Today, we look at a new framework for understanding pain. And, there's good news for OT in it. The authors argue that such a complex condition needs holistic treatment like OT and PT can provide. To help us unpack what this all can mean for your daily OT practice, we are excited to welcome to the podcast Irvin Eisenberg, who owns Resilience Occupational Therapy, where he helps members of his community manage their pain.In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/pain-and-occupational-therapyLearn more about our guest:https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/irvin-eisenbergFind more outpatient OTs on our Outpatient OT Guide: https://otpotential.com/blog/your-outpatient-ot-guideHere's the primary research we are discussing:The Distributed Nociceptive System: A Framework for Understanding PainSupport the show

The main finding of this important research from JAMA is extremely promising for early intervention OT professionals.In the study, greater early intervention service intensity was associated with better functional gains. But, there's a problem. Federal spending per child on early intervention services has declined over the past decade. And, in this climate of tightening budgets: Most children in the study had delayed care. And, low service intensity. After we review this article, we are so thankful to welcome to the podcast pediatric private practice owner, Sarah Putt, OTR/L. Her and I will unpack what this all means for the OT community—and your OT practice.In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-early-interventionLearn more about our guest:https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/sarah-puttLearn more about early intervention OT: https://otpotential.com/blog/early-intervention-occupational-therapyhttps://otpotential.com/ot-early-intervention-coursesHere's the primary research we are discussing:Timing and intensity of early intervention service use and outcomes among a safety-net population of childrenSupport the show

The number of OT's providing perinatal care is on the rise. Which is exciting…and necessary. There remain so many gaps in the care of new and expecting moms, among which is treating incontinence.  As we'll see in our featured journal article,  a staggering percentage of women experience incontinence postnatally, despite the known effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training as a treatment. The article specifically explores the cost effectiveness of different models of pelvic floor therapy. The main takeaway?It is more efficient to offer services to prevent incontinence during pregnancy than to provide treatment services to manage incontinence postnatally—and that group-based treatment can be a cost-effective way to do it. After we break down the article, we're excited to explore all of this further with pelvic floor occupational therapist, Kyrsten Spurrier, owner of the Perinatal Pelvis. This episode will be hosted by Carlin Reaume of Supported Mama.In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/perinatal-pelvic-floor-therapyLearn more about our guests:https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/kyrsten-spurrierhttps://www.theperinatalpelvis.com/https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/carlin-reaumehttps://www.supportedmama.com/Additional mentions in this episode:https://otpotential.com/blog/pelvic-health-occupational-therapyhttps://www.lifted-lotus.com/Here's the primary research we are discussing:Group-based pelvic floor muscle training for all women during pregnancy is more cost-effective than postnatal training for women with urinary incontinence: Cost-effectiveness analysis of a systematic reviewSupport the show

The OT treatment approaches that are gaining support from evidence, seem to have one common thread between them:The clients set their own goals. Today, we look at a pioneer of this client-centered process, The CO-OP Approach™. We'll dive into a new research article where, yet again, we see CO-OP outperforming conventional therapy—this time for children with cerebral palsy and spina bifida.After we review the article, we're honored to welcome to the podcast the founder of this approach, Helene J. Polatajko, PhD, OT Reg(Ont). Her and I will discuss the implications of her work for all OTs, when it comes to goal setting and focusing on performance in our treatments. In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-coop-celebral-palsyLearn more about our guest:https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/helene-polatajkoHere's the primary research we are discussing:The cognitive orientation to Daily Occupational Performance (co-op) approach is superior to ordinary treatment for achievement of goals and transfer effects in children with Cerebral Palsy and spina bifida – a randomized controlled trialSupport the show

The number of children diagnosed with ADHD has been steadily increasing. Now it is estimated that 1/10 children will be diagnosed with ADHD at some point.Even though about half of these children receive some type of behavioral treatment, there has been a lack of studies around OT-specific support for ADHDer children. In this one hour OT CEU course, we will look at a study of an OT program for ADHD that features: Children setting their own goalsA focus on daily time managementTime-assisted devices  This program led to significant improvement in performance and satisfaction! After we review the article, we're excited to discuss this research with ADHDer and pediatric OT, Bryden Carlson-Giving, OTD, OTR/L. He and I will discuss the practical implications of this research for OTs. In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/occupational-therapy-adhdLearn more about our guest:https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/bryden-givingHere's the primary research we are discussing:Occupational performance goals and outcomes of time-related interventions for children with ADHDSupport the show

Self-determination interventions are linked to positive academic and functional attainment results—and, most compellingly, can improve post-secondary outcomes. But what does it look like for OT professionals to foster self-determination in the school setting? In this one hour course, we'll breakdown a scoping review that examines the Independence Curriculum, which is designed to enhance middle-school-aged autistic students' self-determination. The results are improvement in: Self-determinationGoal attainment in:Executive functioningSelf-regulationAfter we break down the article, we're delighted to welcome the article's lead author, Dora Onwumere. She and I will discuss the practical implications of this research for OTs. In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/self-determination-autistic-studentsLearn more about our guest:https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/dora-onwumereHere's the primary research we are discussing:Onwumere, D. D., Cruz, Y. M., Harris, L. I., Malfucci, K. A., Seidman, S., Boone, C., &; Patten, K. (2020). The impact of an independence curriculum on self-determination and function in middle school autistic students. Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, &; Early Intervention, 14(1), 103–117.Support the show

If you are an occupational therapy professional working with autistic people, you've likely heard of strengths-based practice (SBP). But, does this approach work? And, what are the benefits of it? In this one hour OT CEU course we will discuss a scoping review that explores these questions. As we'll see, strengths-based interventions were related to:Positive social engagementLearningSelf-advocacyAnxiety reductionAfter reviewing the article, we're delighted to welcome to the podcast the article's lead author, Kavitha Murthi, MS (OT), OTR, FHEA (UK). Her and I will discuss the practical implications of this research for your OT practice.In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/strengths-based-ot-autismLearn more about our guest:https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/kavitha-murthiHere's the primary research we are discussing:Murthi, K., Chen, Y.-L., Shore, S., &; Patten, K. (2023). Strengths-based practice to enhance mental health for autistic people: A scoping review. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 77(2). Support the showSupport the show

Where does OT fit in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) care? In this one hour course we'll dive into a comprehensive guideline for psoriatic arthritis treatment, which recommends patients utilize a mix of non-pharmacological tools, like occupational therapy. This article will help you brush up on psoriatic arthritis, see OT within a holistic approach to care, and appreciate the importance of individualized care (which we are so skilled in providing). After we review the article, we'll be joined by  Duana Russell-Thomas, OTD, OTR/L, to discuss her innovative approach to arthritis care through a self-management program—and the funding that makes this possible. Her story—and this guideline—will leave you with practical takeaways for improving your care of PsA. In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-and-psoriatic-arthritisLearn more about our guest:https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/duana-Here's the primary research we are discussing:Singh, J. A., Guyatt, G., Ogdie, A., Gladman, D. D., Deal, C., Deodhar, A., Dubreuil, M., Dunham, J., Husni, M. E., Kenny, S., Kwan-Morley, J., Lin, J., Marchetta, P., Mease, P. J., Merola, J. F., Miner, J., Ritchlin, C. T., Siaton, B., Smith, B. J., … Reston, J. (2018). 2018 American College of Rheumatology/National Psoriasis Foundation guideline for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis. Journal of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis, 4(1), 31–58.Support the show

What does planetary health have to do with occupational therapy? The author's of this week's article argue that engagement with environmental sustainability is foundational for our profession. The authors aim to help OT students and professionals translate environmental awareness to practical action. They theorize 3 skills to do so: Clinical reasoningBi-directional questioning Interprofessional education. To help us unpack this, we are excited to welcome to the podcast Moses Ikiugu, PhD, OTR/L, FAOT.  Dr. Ikiugu has been a pioneer in connecting OT practice to global health. He'll share how his own query into the area has influenced his own work as an OT educator—and the practical implications for your own OT practice. In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-education-for-planetary-healthLearn more about our guest:https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/moses-ikiuguHere's the primary research we are discussing:Hess, K. Y., & Rihtman, T. (2023). Moving from theory to practice in occupational therapy education for planetary health: A theoretical view. Australian occupational therapy journal, 10.1111/1440-1630.12868. Advance online publication. Support the show

Is AI going to replace occupational therapy?There's no doubt that this technology will transform healthcare. It will surely accelerate the existing move toward healthcare taking place at home. To help us wrap our minds around this transformation, we review an article that explores three technologies:Artificial intelligenceBlockchainWearablesThe article explores how the above technologies are being used in chronic disease management. The authors also introduce a patient-centered management framework based on AI. They close out the article by discussing the potential shortcomings of this new paradigm. After we review the article, we'll host a guest whose career demonstrates OTs' involvement in this transformation of healthcare. Sarah Brzeszkiewicz, OTR/L is the clinical advisor at Sensi.ai, where she's helping to pioneer AI's role in home care. She and I will discuss the implications of this research, including how AI is best seen as a tool and an opportunity…rather than a threat.In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ai-otLearn more about our guest: https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/sarah-brzeszkiewiczResources: Sensi.ai (https://sensi.ai/)Here's the primary research we are discussing:Xie, Y., Lu, L., Gao, F., He, S., Zhao, H., Fang, Y., Yang, J., An, Y., Ye, Z., &; Dong, Z. (2021). Integration of artificial intelligence, Blockchain, and wearable technology for Chronic Disease Management: A new paradigm in smart healthcare. Current Medical Science, 41(6), 1123–1133. Support the show

Spasticity can be present in many of the conditions we treat as occupational therapy professionals. And, it can add significant cost and burden for our patients. The article we are discussing in this 1-hour course gives you a big picture overview of the science behind what we know (and don't know!) about spasticity. You'll find certain approaches (that I've personally used!) that have NOT been supported by the research—but also which modalities have a growing body of evidence behind them. After reviewing the research, we'll be joined on the podcast by neuro OT, Scott Thompson, OTD, MOT, OTR/L, CRSR, LSVT-BIG to discuss implications for your practice! In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-spasticity-adultsHere's the primary research we are discussing:Khan, F., Amatya, B., Bensmail, D., & Yelnik, A. (2019). Non-pharmacological interventions for spasticity in adults: An overview of systematic reviews. Annals of physical and rehabilitation medicine, 62(4), 265–273. Support the show

The research we are discussing on this 1-hour episode really drives home the complex connection between depression and 3 neurodegenerative diseases: Alzehimer's DiseaseParkinson's DiseaseHuntington DiseaseEven though depression has a high comorbidity with all of these diseases, you'll learn why it should not be an assumed part of the disease process. Instead, depression should be recognized as distinct and treated. But, here' where it gets super complex:In some cases the medications traditionally used to help treat depression do not work for this population—and can be actively harmful. So, OT approaches like environmental enrichment and physical exercise could actually be the front line defense for helping these patients manage their depression. To unpack all of this, I am so thankful to be joined on the podcast next week with dementia care expert, Rachel Wiley, MS, OTR/L, CDP. In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/depression-dementia-otHere's the primary research we are discussing:Galts, C. P. C., Bettio, L. E. B., Jewett, D. C., Yang, C. C., Brocardo, P. S., Rodrigues, A. L. S., Thacker, J. S., & Gil-Mohapel, J. (2019). Depression in neurodegenerative diseases: Common mechanisms and current treatment options. Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews, 102, 56–84. Support the show