Being an Occupational Therapy practitioner and consuming evidence to inform practice is a commitment. It takes time, deliberate effort, and focus. Everyday Evidence was designed to present research straight from the source by featuring interviews with experts in the field of occupational therapy. Each episode is designed to summarize research, highlight why it is important to consider for practice, and emphasizes how to translate evidence to interventions. Publications and resources including AOTA systematic reviews, practice guidelines and official documents are discussed in a conversational way with a focus on real life examples and the experiences of featured guests.

In this episode, Bill Janes is joined by Dr. Timothy Wolf to discuss his research on the Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach in stroke rehabilitation and the 2016 American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT) article Combined Cognitive-Strategy and Task-Specific Training Affects Cognition and Upper Extremity Function in Subacute Stroke: An Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial.

In a study published in 2018, researchers explored the outcomes of the Comfortable Cafeteria Program, a 6-week occupational therapist–led program designed to create a positive mealtime environment. Host Bill Janes is joined by Dr. Sue Bazyk, to discuss this study, as well as her initiative, Every Moment Counts. Dr. Bazyk also shares tips on how occupational therapy practitioners can support their clients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Licensure portability is a challenge for the profession of occupational therapy. Currently, practitioners must apply for a new license each time they want to practice in another state which costs time, money, and often unnecessary hassle. In 2019, members from the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), and the Council of State Governments (CSG) announced that they would collaborate to support the development of an interstate licensure compact for occupational therapy. Similar to a driver’s license, this compact will allow practitioners to practice in multiple states without having to secure a new license in each state.

New policies, regulations, and laws championed by newly inaugurated President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris may impact the occupational therapy profession. In our latest podcast episode, AOTA Vice President of Federal Affairs Heather Parsons, MSOT; and AOTA Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Sharmila Sandhu, JD, outline their advocacy priorities and predictions under this new Administration.

As we age, we face changes in our mental, physical, and sensory abilities making everyday tasks more complex, such as driving. Registered occupational therapist Elin Schold-Davis, OTR/L, CDRS, FAOTA discusses AOTA’s Older Driver Safety Awareness Week and what some safe travel options may be for older drivers. She also shares how occupational therapy practitioners should identify individuals’ unique challenges.

As we age, we face changes in our mental, physical, and sensory abilities making everyday tasks more complex, such as driving. Registered occupational therapist Elin Schold-Davis, OTR/L, CDRS, FAOTA discusses AOTA’s Older Driver Safety Awareness Week and what some safe travel options may be for older drivers. She also shares how occupational therapy practitioners should identify individuals’ unique challenges.

A 2018 systematic review examined the evidence for the effectiveness of early intervention to improve or maintain occupational performance for adolescents and young adults with or at risk for serious mental illness. Bill Janes is joined by Halley Read, one of the systematic review authors, to discuss the evidence and application to occupational therapy practice.

Heather Parson, AOTA’s Associate Chief Officer for Federal Affairs is joined by Abe Saffer, a Congressional lobbyist for AOTA, to discuss AOTA’s efforts to pass legislation in Congress, aimed at diversifying the profession. The bill will provide OT programs, along with PT, speech, and audiology programs with funds to help recruit and retain students from underrepresented groups including racial and ethnic minorities.

In honor of SAMSHA’s  Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day this episode of the Pediartic Podcast includes a series of three 10-minute conversations with an OT, parent, and educator to highlight the importance of supporting children’s mental health through participation in everyday occupations, such as learning and play. The interviews are led by AOTA member and pediatric occupational therapist Colleen Cameron Whiting, MS, OTR/L. These interviews highlights children’s mental health as an important feature of strong communities and promotes occupational therapy as a key service provider.