Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 30, 2026
07:36
Studying Cavitation Enhanced Therapy
Published on: April 9, 2021
5.8K
Inclusion and perception of hand therapy content in occupational therapy programs: A mixed-method study
Nathan Short1, Jennifer Bain1, Courtney Barker1
1Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) Program, Huntington University, Fort Wayne, IN, USA.
Summary
Occupational therapy educators generally view hand therapy content positively but have diverse opinions on its integration into curricula. Recommendations include emphasizing occupation for a more holistic approach to hand therapy education.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Therapy Education
- Hand Therapy Specialization
- Curriculum Development
Background:
- Hand therapy is a specialized practice for occupational (OT) and physical therapists (PT), requiring advanced training.
- Entry-level OT programs and faculty hold varying perspectives on hand therapy content and its inclusion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the perception and inclusion of hand therapy content in occupational therapy programs.
- To understand academic trends in integrating hand therapy content into OT curricula.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-methods approach was employed, utilizing cross-sectional surveys and interviews.
- Surveys were distributed to all accredited entry-level master's and doctorate OT programs, with a 23% response rate.
- Two participants (5%) also engaged in interviews.
Main Results:
- 65% of OT programs report including over 41 hours of hand therapy content.
- 54% integrate hand therapy into 2-3 courses.
- Qualitative data revealed perceptions of hand therapy as both necessary and too specialized for generalist curricula.
Conclusions:
- Educators generally hold positive views on hand therapy content inclusion and its applicability.
- There is varied content inclusion across OT programs, suggesting a potential lack of professional consensus.
- Increased emphasis on occupation in didactic instruction is recommended for a more holistic, occupation-based practice.
Related Concept Videos
00:59Gene Therapy
27.6K
Gene therapy is a technique where a gene is inserted into a person’s cells to prevent or treat a serious disease. The added gene may be a healthy version of the gene that is mutated in the patient, or it could be a different gene that inactivates or compensates for the patient’s disease-causing gene. For example, in patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) due to a mutation in the gene for the enzyme adenosine deaminase, a functioning version of the gene can be...
27.6K
01:26Group Therapy
429
Group therapy is a sociocultural approach to psychological treatment, where individuals with shared psychological challenges come together under the guidance of a mental health professional. This therapeutic modality offers unique opportunities for individuals to connect, share, and grow within the context of a supportive group. By fostering mutual understanding and collaboration, group therapy can address a range of psychological concerns effectively, often complementing or surpassing the...
429
02:49Cancer Therapies
10.2K
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
10.2K
01:22Behavior Therapy
694
Behavior therapy incorporates diverse techniques rooted in classical conditioning principles to address maladaptive behaviors and anxiety disorders. These methods aim to reduce avoidance behaviors, foster adaptive coping mechanisms, and alter associations between stimuli and responses, making them effective in a wide range of therapeutic contexts.
Exposure therapy is a cornerstone of behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders. It involves systematic exposure to feared stimuli, either in real...
Exposure therapy is a cornerstone of behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders. It involves systematic exposure to feared stimuli, either in real...
694
01:28Drug Therapy
287
The advent of drug therapy has profoundly shaped modern mental health care, providing targeted treatments for a range of psychological disorders. Psychotherapeutic drugs, classified into antianxiety, antidepressant, and antipsychotic medications, address symptoms across anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and schizophrenia. While these medications have transformed patient outcomes, they require careful management due to their potential side effects and limitations.
Antianxiety Medications
Antianxiety Medications
287
01:25Cognitive Therapy
1.0K
Cognitive therapy, pioneered by Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s, is a structured approach to addressing psychological distress by focusing on the influence of thoughts on emotions and behaviors. All cognitive therapies involve the basic assumption that human beings have control over their feelings, and that how individuals feel about something depends on how they think about it. Unlike psychoanalytic methods that delve into unconscious processes or humanistic approaches emphasizing...
1.0K