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Occupational Therapy
Applied Learning

Applied Learning


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  • Occupational Therapy
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Contact Occupational Therapy
Ghosh Science & Technology Center
Suite ST-210
508-929-8624

Occupational Therapy Applied Learning Opportunities at Worcester State

Fieldwork is an integral component of our rigorous occupational therapy curriculum. In the field, you’ll gain hands-on experience in a variety of real-world settings and learn what it means to be a competent and caring occupational therapist.

As an undergraduate, your curriculum will include four Level I Fieldwork experiences that are linked to specific courses. As a graduate student in the Master of Occupational Therapy program, you will engage in two, 3-month Level II Fieldwork experiences—opportunities that often lead to permanent jobs. We have partnered with 250 diverse organizations to enable you to sharpen your skills and gain valuable experience and contacts. HIPAA training and certification for our students is provided by HIPAA EXAMS, Inc.

  • Sample Fieldwork Settings:
  • Rehabilitation hospitals
  • Skilled nursing facilities
  • Acute care providers
  • School systems
  • Community-based settings
Occupational Therapy Applied Learning Presentations
Walking as a Meaningful Leisure Occupation for Older Adults
Occupational therapists do not always consider leisure activities in their treatment. This study investigated walking as a meaningful leisure activity for adults over 50 and the benefits it has on life satisfaction, social health, and habits. The survey results showed that there are many common reasons for and barriers to leisurely walking, but the impact walking has on daily life for participants was not as closely related as the existing literature has concluded.
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The Public Knowledge, Awareness, and Understanding of Occupational Therapy
Although the field of occupational therapy has engaged in strong advocacy efforts, the profession is still not well-known to the public. The study aimed to determine the nature of public knowledge about and perception of occupational therapy as compared to other professions in the health care field. An online survey was posted on Facebook to gather quantitative data from 50 participants. The results suggested that the majority of the public is not well-educated on occupational therapy.
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The Psychological Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Undergraduate Students
The purpose of this study was to determine the psychological state of undergraduate students during the Covid-19 pandemic. Results from this study showed that half of the students had higher anxiety levels caused by disrupted routines, loneliness, perceptions of the virus, and changes in quality of education. Universities should provide effective services during crises to promote student success in their studies, occupations, and everyday life.
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Occupational Therapy Practitioners’ Attitudes Toward and Experiences with Telehealth
As the use of technology in health care continues to evolve, the incorporation of telehealth in all practice areas will expand. This study explored practitioners’ perceptions and experiences using telehealth through an electronic survey, in an attempt to understand the application of telehealth to the occupational therapy field. While face-to-face was the preferred method of service delivery, telehealth was considered a viable alternative by the majority of practitioners.
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Changes in Roles and Routines of Military Families During Reintegration
Military families have been found to experience challenges with changes in roles and routines during the reintegration phase of the deployment cycle. This study interviewed military spouses to better understand military families' experiences during reintegration. Results showed that changes in roles and routines may lead to decreased family participation in occupations and well-being in the reintegration phase.
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Prevalence of Burnout in Pediatric Occupational Therapy Practitioners
Burnout is an issue that can affect many health care professionals — including occupational therapists — mentally, physically, and emotionally. This study examined the correlation between burnout levels and years of experience, job settings, and job title. It was found that although participants are affected by low to moderate burnout levels, there was no significant correlation between burnout and any of the aforementioned factors.
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The Impact of Chronic Pain on Occupational Performance in Individuals with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Individuals with chronic pain from rheumatoid arthritis experience several limitations that contribute to overall functional disability. In this study, interviews of adults with rheumatoid arthritis were conducted and several themes emerged regarding the areas most affected in their daily lives. Themes of occupational withdrawal, role incompetence, and occupational dependency were identified.
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Portrait of Occupational Therapy student, Jessica Potenza
I ended up at Worcester State because of the OT department. The accelerated graduate program is awesome, and the professors really do care about you and want you to succeed.
— Jessica Potenza, Occupation Therapy
Portrait of Occupational Therapy student, Sara Toomey
I'm so excited about my future as an OT because I will advocate for the necessity of our profession, for the rights of my clients, and for more awareness of and accessibility to mental health services.
— Sara Toomey, Occupational Therapy Graduate Student (MOT)

Occupational Therapy Applied Learning at Worcester State

The Factors that Lead to the Decision to Place a Loved One into a Long-Term Care Facility

The purpose of this study was to understand the caregiving experience of individuals who provide informal care for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia (ADRD).
Faculty Advisor: Joanne Gallagher-Worthley, Ed.D., OTR/L, CAPS

Adult Day Health Centers: Caregivers’ Perceptions

The purpose of this study was to further identify caregivers’ perceptions and the positive aspects of adult day health centers. The findings are intended to allow ADHC to realize how well the services and programs benefit and match the needs of both the client and the caregiver.
Faculty Advisor: Joanne Gallagher-Worthley, Ed.D., OTR/L, CAPS

The Student Athlete Perspective on the Implementation of Performance Patterns

The purpose of this study was to determine how collegiate student-athletes maintain effective performance patterns and their effect on satisfaction with the college experience.
Faculty Advisor: Joanne Gallagher-Worthley, Ed.D., OTR/L, CAPS

The Influence of Popular Computer Activities on Musculoskeletal Pain and Computer Ergonomics

The purpose of this study was to determine how participation in different computer activities impacts proper ergonomics and resulting musculoskeletal pain. The findings of this study were intended to further advance professional knowledge about the need to make recommendations that are computer activity-specific.
Faculty Advisor: Joanne Gallagher-Worthley, Ed.D., OTR/L, CAPS

Outdoor Physical Activity and Life Satisfaction of College Students

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between outdoor physical activity and life satisfaction, and to determine if there was a positive connection between the two factors.
Faculty Advisor: Joanne Gallagher-Worthley, Ed.D., OTR/L, CAPS

Factors that Influence Elementary Educators’ Use of Sensory Strategies in the Classroom

The purpose of this study was to identify the factors influencing elementary educators’ use of sensory strategies in the classroom and to investigate how teachers perceive the strategies’ effectiveness.
Faculty Advisor: Joanne Gallagher-Worthley, Ed.D., OTR/L, CAPS

Parental Knowledge of Sports-Related Concussions

The purpose of this study was to determine the current knowledge base of parents of student athletes in regards to concussive injuries, including symptom recognition, management, and return-to-play guidelines.
Faculty Advisor: Joanne Gallagher-Worthley, Ed.D., OTR/L, CAPS

Lifestyle Changes after Retirement: Effect on Self-Perceived Health and Life Satisfaction

The retired population continues to grow as life expectancies rise and the Baby Boomer population enters this stage of life. It is important to determine ways in which health care professionals and the community can assist this population to lead the most satisfying and healthy lifestyles possible in order to decrease health care burdens and increase the overall quality of life for this growing population.
Faculty Advisor: Joanne Gallagher-Worthley, Ed.D., OTR/L, CAPS

Occupational Therapy News

Occupational Therapy Students Continue Keeping Nursing Home Patients Happy

Occupational Therapy Students Continue Keeping Nursing Home Patients Happy

When Emma Caneira ‘20 started her job as a part-time activities assistant at Christopher House Skilled Nursing Center in the fall, she never expected to be working in the middle of a global health crisis come spring. The senior occupational therapy major assists in developing and leading group activities with residents at Christopher House, including bowling, trivia games, Bingo (their favorite), and arts and crafts.

Read Story
OT Students Earn Top Scores in Simulation Assessment

OT Students Earn Top Scores in Simulation Assessment

Occupational therapy graduate students in Clinical Reasoning II, taught by Assistant Professor Lisa Shooman, Ph.D., recently received national recognition for the results of a simulated assessment case study. Of the 200 universities around the country using the simulation video company Simucase, Worcester State earned the top score for the week of Sept. 29 for the Frank Assessment.

Read Story

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Ghosh Science & Technology Center
Suite ST-210
508-929-8624
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508-929-8000
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