AOTA Podcast

In this episode of AOTA's Everyday Evidence Podcast, we explore what happens when occupational therapy is included in comprehensive health assessments for children entering foster care and why that moment may be one of the most important opportunities for developmental support.   Joining us are Kristine Fortin, MD, MPH, Anne-Ashley Field, OTR/L, BCP, and Judith Dawson, RN, BSN, from the Children's...

In this episode of Everyday Evidence, we explore what happens to occupation when someone is fighting for their life in the intensive care unit.   Joining us are  Dr. Stephanie Tsai, OTD, OTR/L and Dr. Elyse Peterson, OTD, OTR/L, authors of  "Occupational Therapy Interventions and Early Engagement for Patients in Intensive Care:  A Systematic Review,"  recently published in the  American Journal of...

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Britt St. John (PhD, MPH, OTR/L), occupational therapist, Fulbright Scholar, and researcher at the University of Washington whose work bridges family health, autism research, and food science. Britt shares the remarkable story behind her "From Focus Group to Chicken Nugget" project, a participatory research collaboration that began with focus-group conversatio...

How does occupational therapy help people live meaningfully even as life nears its end ? In this deeply human episode of the AOTA Podcast, we sit down with Lindsey Buddelmeyer , OTD, MOT, OTR/L, Christian Jacobus, MD, FACEP, FAAHPM, David Benthall, MS, OTR/L, BCG, and Heather McKay, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, to explore how occupational therapy practitioners bring dignity, purpose, and connection to indiv...

What does it mean to think globally as an occupational therapy practitioner? On today's episode, we sit down with three internationally recognized leaders: Samantha Shann, MSc, PGCert, Dip COT (UK), FRCOT, President of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, Ginny Stoffel, PhD, OT, FAOTA, AOTA Delegate to  WFOT , and Douglene Jackson, PhD, OTR/L, LMT, ATP, CYT, FAOTA Alternate AOTA Delega...

How does occupational therapy fit into the primary care puzzle? In this episode, Dr. Sue Dahl-Popolizio shares her vision and experience on integrating occupational therapy into primary care teams. From managing chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension to improving outcomes for patients with musculoskeletal and mental health concerns, this conversation explores the expanding role of OT in...

In this powerful episode of the AOTA Podcast, we explore the  True Grit Spinal Cord Program,  a groundbreaking, community-based, post-acute rehabilitation experience designed for adolescents and young adults with spinal cord injuries (SCI).  Occupational therapists Keara McNair, MS, OTR/L, BCPR, ATP and Kassandra Boyd, OTD, OTR/L,   share how this program, built in partnership with Rutgers Univers...

In this episode of AOTA Podcasts, we explore the unique challenges and inspiring opportunities for occupational therapy practitioners serving rural and underserved communities. Our guests, Kalyn Briggs, PhD, OTR/L, CLA and Tim Dionne, PhD, OTR/L, share real-world experiences, highlight innovative models of care, and discuss how OTPs can bridge gaps in access to health services. Listeners will lear...

How can occupational therapy practitioners expand their role in assistive technology development, and what does 3D printing have to do with it?  In this episode of Everyday Evidence, we're joined by Bill Janes, OTD, MSCI, OTR/L, whose work as an occupational therapist, researcher, and assistive tech advocate explores the intersection of 3D printing, client-centered care, and the PEOP framework. To...

In this episode, we're joined by Jennifer Johnson and Amanda Fonner to explore the dynamic collaboration between occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs). Jennifer and Amanda share their insights into what makes OT/OTA partnerships successful, how understanding each other's roles enhances patient outcomes, and why teaching this collaboration is crucial for the next...

In honor of National Black History Month and Women's History Month, this special episode explores the invaluable contributions of Black women occupational therapy practitioners, scholars, and leaders who have shaped the profession and continue to drive health equity forward. We are joined by Arameh Anvarizadeh, Natalie Chang Wright, and co-host Varleisha Lyons to reflect on the legacy of trailblaz...

On today's episode, we delve into the pressing issue of concussions and their often-overlooked aftermath. Anna Boone and Whitney Henderson share their expertise and discuss the staggering number of individuals who sustain concussions each year in the U.S., many of whom remain undiagnosed or lack access to follow-up care and rehabilitation services. While much attention has been focused on chronic...

In today's episode, we speak with Emily Barr about patient safety and some of the research and advocacy efforts she has been involved in as the Nebraska Coalition for Patient Safety executive director. She describes OT's distinct role in addressing patient safety and provides recommendations for students, clinicians, educators, and advocates to improve patient safety standards, reduce healthcare c...

On Today's episode, we speak with Tasha Holmes and Lauren Wlazelek about how AOTA Fellowship Programs can enhance your OT practice. They highlight the benefits and opportunities that recognized fellowships can bring to individual practitioners and organizations. Additionally, they share personal and systematic examples of how fellowship participation benefits students, practitioners, patients, uni...

On Today's episode we speak with DeOnna Clark, Beth, Johnson and Melissa Tilton about how you can identify, address, and prevent compassion fatigue and burnout in your OT practice. They highlight the need to destigmatize burnout and compassion fatigue, introduce the emotional PPE project, and provide personal and systematic recommendations to decrease the barriers that healthcare workers face when...

On today's episode, we speak with Renee Causey-Upton. Renee is the Associate Chair/Graduate Program Coordinator and an Associate Professor at Eastern Kentucky University. She shares clinical recommendations for occupation-based treatment in orthopedic settings and describes the research she has conducted and mentored related to pre and post-operation interventions for total knee replacement surger...

On today's episode, we speak with Maggie Deforge, an OT practitioner and chair of the group Occupational Therapy for Native Americans. She shares lived experiences, insights, and recommendations to address Native issues and to encourage culturally safe practices across settings.  Additional Resources: ot4natives.org OT MDI Network  

Today we are joined by Dr. Denise Donica and Dr. Jana Cason to discuss occupational therapy and handwriting telehealth interventions. They draw on their own experience as school-based practitioners and OT educators to help OT professionals to understand and implement best practices for handwriting telehealth service delivery.  Contact Hour Survey Additional Resources: AOTA Western Psychological Se...

On today's episode, we speak with AOTA Director of Quality Jamar Haggans and AOTA Senior Legislative Representative Andy Bopp. We discuss the Medicare Home Health Accessibility Act (Bill H.R.7148) and occupational therapy's role and impact within Medicare home health. Jamar and Andy share insights into their efforts to support OT quality and advocacy and provide recommendations for how practitione...

Today we are joined by Susan Fasoli. In addition to being an active member of AOTA and the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, Susan is a Professor Emerita of occupational therapy at MGH institute of health professions where she has conducted, published, and disseminated research related to robot assisted therapy and cognitive skills training, the importance of interprofessional collabor...

On today's episode we speak with Apple Sepulveda. Apple is a co-founder of the nurture collective, occupational therapist and lactation consultant. We discuss the importance and process of addressing maternal and infant mental health within the scope of OT to facilitate improved developmental and wellness outcomes. She shares recommendations for occupational therapy practitioners across settings a...

On today's episode we speak with Alexandra Bruce. Alexandra serves as the medical advisory board chair and advocacy committee chair for the non-profit organization All Wheels Up. We discuss the barriers and risks that people with disabilities face when participating in air travel, and proposed solutions to improve air travel accessibility including designated wheelchair zones on planes and standar...

On today's episode we are joined by Sam Troia and Michael Tambone. We discuss their research and work in contributing to holistic approaches to care for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. They share evidence backed and innovative approaches to care for this population and give recommendations on how to improve health and well-being outcomes by enhancing individual's habits and...

On today's episode we speak with certified sexuality counselor and doctor of OT, Kathryn Ellis. We discuss the book Sexuality and Initmacy and she provides expert opinion and recommendations to help students, clinicians, and researches improve how they address sexuality and intimacy in practice.  The 2024 AOTA Podcast episodes are sponsored by NYU Steinhardt's top-ranked Department of Occupational...

On today's episode we are joined by Robin Newman and Katie Polo. We discuss their research and work in contributing to the Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Adults Living With, and Beyond Cancer.. They share evidence included in the guidelines and give recommendations on how to improve the OT process when working with adults living with and beyond cancer across the care continuum. Conta...