Browsing by Author "Hess, Pamela"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    Advocating for the Role of Occupational Therapy in the Transplant Continuum of Care
    (2024-05) Koppen, Arianna; Hess, Pamela; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; DiPerna, Christy; Bernard, Drew
    The thoracic transplant continuum of care includes lung transplant, heart transplant, and ventricular assistive devices (VAD) candidates and recipients. This patient population often faces unique physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and mental health deficits that impair physical and occupational performance hindering activities of daily living (ADLs). Survey and observational data (n=24) was collected from clinicians and patients participating in a transplant-specific rehabilitation program in Indianapolis, IN to identify occupational performance deficits and define the need for occupational therapy in this setting. Recommendations for integrating occupational therapy into the clinic were developed and included in the report.
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    Development of a trauma-informed care framework for a local student outreach clinic: A doctoral capstone experience and project
    (2024-05-24) Ballinger, Valerie; DeRolf, Annie; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Hess, Pamela
    Majority of the world’s population has experienced a traumatic event in their lifetime. Trauma-informed care (TIC) framework was created for people to recognize trauma and the impact it has on the way the show up in the world. TIC framework uses safe principles and practices for those that have experienced a traumatic event in order not to retraumatized them. The doctoral capstone site is a student-run clinic which most volunteers have not had experience with TIC framework. TIC framework is an evidence-based approach that helps rapport and safety for everyone. The purpose of this capstone project was to educate student volunteers on TIC framework to bridge the gap of using a TIC approach at the clinic and prevent retraumatization. For the education materials, ten modules were created and implemented in the clinic. Data was collected and analyzed before and after the educational materials. Participants showed increased understanding and confidence with using TIC approach. Participants expressed interest in wanting to implement TIC framework into their practice after the project. These project results indicated a further investigation into becoming a trauma-informed organization.
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    Development of Resources to Improve Sensory Regulation in the Classroom
    (2024-04-26) Rizzo, Hannah; Hess, Pamela; Hess, Pamela; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; N/A, N/A
    The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to develop and provide sensory based resources to teachers, occupational therapists, and families throughout a large Florida school district to improve student regulation. Through the needs assessment, it was discovered that the school system had a goal to decrease maladaptive behavior and suspensions. To support this goal, four resources were created; a teacher’s handbook to sensory processing and regulation, a sensory pathway that students can utilize for regulation, newsletters for families on sensory processing and activities to support development, and a list of equipment to purchase to support the creation of a sensory library. Trainings were provided to teachers on how to utilize the handbook created.
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    Improving Perinatal Health Care: Increasing the Utilization of Mental Health Screening Tools Among Pelvic Health Therapists
    (2023-05-01) Caes, Sydney; Van Antwerp, Leah; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Hess, Pamela; Hernandez, Kaylene
    Perinatal mental health disorders affect approximately 1 in 5 birthing parents and can have serious negative implications if left undiagnosed and untreated. For example, birthing parents with such diagnoses are less likely to engage with their infant which can result in impaired bonding and caregiving. This capstone project sought to improve knowledge and confidence regarding perinatal mental health screening and referral among pelvic health therapists at an outpatient rehabilitation clinic. The project included an evidence-based presentation highlighting the importance of perinatal mental health screening, as well as newly created standardized screening and referral protocols that were presented to the therapists and implemented at the clinic. These protocols were created to ensure that patients receive appropriate screening and referrals for perinatal mental health disorders. Quasi-experimental research was conducted to gauge the therapist’s knowledge and confidence regarding perinatal mental health and determine the effectiveness of the presentation in educating staff. The results indicated statistically significant improvements in both knowledge and confidence among the therapists. This project had a meaningful impact on both the occupational and physical therapy professions, as it emphasized the importance of therapists’ involvement in perinatal mental health screening. This project adds to the growing body of research to support occupational therapy’s role in perinatal mental health.
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    Women's Pelvic Health Program
    (2024-04-25) Milligan, Elise; Hess, Pamela; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Grissom, Katie
    Over 70.3% of noninstitutionalized older adults over the age of 65 experience symptoms related to urinary incontinence (Goriana et al., 2014). Urinary incontinence is not a normal consequence of aging and can be reduced with education and pelvic floor therapy. The capstone student collaborated with a retirement community in Zionsville, Indiana where they identified a gap in their services related to pelvic health education and programming. The capstone student designed and implemented a six-week women’s pelvic health program to fill this gap and decrease urinary incontinence in the women living in the retirement community. Overall, the project improved the lives of the residents and results showed increased confidence in ability to retain their urine in difficult situations through utilization of the Geriatric Self-Efficacy Scale – Urinary Incontinence (GSE-UI) (Tannenbaum et al., 2008) as a pre and posttest.