Utilizing Student Consultation to Promote Incorporation of Occupational Therapy in a Pediatric Behavioral Health Unit

Abstract

This advanced graduate elective was designed for second year Master of Occupational Therapy students to provide opportunities for students to act as consultants of the profession and collaborators within the community utilizing community engaged learning methods. This elective helped to detail components of evidence-based practice, primary needs of integration, and future opportunities within an urban pediatric behavioral health unit. The practice area of mental health was chosen specifically as the collaborating site due to the decline of occupational therapist recognition as qualified mental and behavioral health providers. This lack of recognition may limit reimbursement and funding, and decrease employment opportunities, both detriments to practice. However, within the last decade there has been a resurgence in establishing the profession’s roots within mental and behavioral health practice. Several key pieces of federal legislation have recognized occupational therapists' expertise and have cited the profession in several mental and behavioral health initiatives. Many states are seeking recognition of occupational therapists as qualified behavioral health providers (QBHP) or qualified mental health providers (QMHP) and this elective provided the opportunity for didactic instruction to intersect with advocacy and education while producing a rich learning experiences for all involved.