Principal Investigators:
Megan Albright, Clinical Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences.
Kristin Hull, Clinical Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences.
Project Title:
Functional Client Factors: Developing an Anatomy Course for Occupational Therapists
Funding Level:
$5,000
Abstract:
This grant proposal aims to fund the development and implementation of a new course for first year Indiana University Indianapolis Occupational Therapy (IUI OT) students titled “Functional Client Factors for Occupational Therapy”. Current anatomy education for the OT program is focused on the use of cadaver dissection. While this teaching strategy is considered the ‘gold standard’ in anatomy education, it is a teaching strategy with a medical model emphasis. However, anatomy across OT curricula is shifting towards a functional-based application that is better aligned with clinical practice across a variety of medical and non-medical settings. By providing students in the proposed course with multiple methods of engagement, representation, and action, students will be able to locate, identify, and apply how body systems and structures impact client function on a day-to-day basis across a variety of settings. To achieve multiple methods of learning engagement through living anatomy concepts, grant funding will support equipment for faculty pedagogy through action-based, problem-solving learning with the integration of intentional reflective questioning. This proposed course will systematically integrate competence building alongside confidence building to enhance well-being and professional identity. Professional competence and confidence are inextricably linked to professional identity that will allow OT students to trust their role as future practitioners.
