OT Potential Podcast | Occupational Therapy CEUs

Racial and ethnic health disparities have been heavy on our hearts over the past few years—and they should be.

We have much to reckon with, not only in terms of our own personal biases, but also regarding the structural inequities within healthcare.

In this one-hour, podcast-based CE course, we’ll look at how the Latino community is impacted by disparities around the diagnosis and care of autistic children. We’ll start by exploring some of the latest research on the topic with Catherine R. Hoyt, PhD, OTD, OTR/L and Cristina Reyes Smith, OTD, OTR/L. Then, we’ll discuss practical implications for caring for our autistic clients, including how we can work step-by-step to dismantle the disparities in our healthcare systems.

In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.

You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/disparities-autism-supports-ot

Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Zuckerman, K. E., Lindly, O. J., Reyes, N. M., Chavez, A. E., Macias, K., Smith, K. N., &; Reynolds, A. (2017). Disparities in diagnosis and treatment of autism in latino and non-latino white families. Pediatrics, 139(5). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-3010

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The ability to affordably track brainwave activity has opened up tremendous opportunities in occupational therapy. Regardless of where we work (or the patient populations we treat), our work has the potential to be significantly informed by this technology over the next few decades. 

In this one-hour course, we will look at a research study on brain-computer interface (BCI). The study will serve as a jumping-off point to explore the concepts and developments that OTs should follow in this space.

After our article review, we’ll be joined by Lauren Souders, MOT, OTR/L, CBIS, CSRS. Lauren works as Director of Clinical Operations for a BCI startup. 

We’ll talk with her about what is on the market for brain-computer interface, as well as what types of BCI we can expect to see coming to market in the future. And, most importantly, we’ll discuss how occupational therapy care may be improved over the next decade with the aid of these exciting new technologies.

In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.

You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/bci-ot

Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Kim T, Kim S, Lee B. Effects of Action Observational Training Plus Brain-Computer Interface-Based Functional Electrical Stimulation on Paretic Arm Motor Recovery in Patient with Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Occup Ther Int. 2016 Mar;23(1):39-47. doi: 10.1002/oti.1403. Epub 2015 Aug 24. PMID: 26301519.

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As autistic individuals transition from adolescence to adulthood, they encounter a new and unique set of challenges. Yet, at this critical time, the support available to them drops dramatically. This is known as the “services cliff.”

In this one-hour continuing education course, we’ll begin by looking at the journal article “Service Needs Across the Lifespan for Individuals with Autism.”

Then, to discuss how your occupational therapy skills can help bridge this service gap, we’ll invite Debora Davidson, PhD, OTR/L to discuss the research and her own experience providing transitional services in her private practice.

In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.

You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/service-cliff-and-autism

Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Turcotte P, Mathew M, Shea LL, Brusilovskiy E, Nonnemacher SL. Service Needs Across the Lifespan for Individuals with Autism. J Autism Dev Disord. 2016 Jul;46(7):2480-9. doi: 10.1007/s10803-016-2787-4. PMID: 27084080.

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Any occupational therapy practitioner knows that we often face tough questions surrounding ethics and justice.

We work in imperfect systems, and each day we see how societal systems favor some, while placing others at a disadvantage.

So, how do we process all of this? And, how do we see ourselves as contributing to the greater good?

One framework that has been taught in many OT schools involves “occupational injustice.” But, the article we will review is a critique of this familiar framework. And, instead, it will introduce you to the concept of capabilities theory. 

To discuss how these big-picture questions impact how you show up as an OT—including how your work can help address unjust systems—we’ll be talking to Antonia Suszek.

In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.

You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/occupational-injustice

Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Hammell, K. R. W., & Beagan, B. (2017). Occupational injustice: A critique: L’injustice occupationnelle : une critique. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 84(1), 58–68. https://doi.org/10.1177/0008417416638858

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You probably spent a lot of time learning about “therapeutic use of self” during OT school. As it turns out, this phrase is just one of many frameworks that describe the relationship between therapists and patients. Over the past decade, many other relationship models have been developed and studied. This course will orient you to various concepts for understanding your relationship with patients, as well as how the different therapeutic relationships may ultimately influence outcomes.

After diving into a journal article reviewing the literature on relationship-based care, we’ll invite Rafi Salazar to join us in discussing the practical clinical implications of the findings.

Rafi has boots-on-the-ground experience with building strong therapist-patient relationships, as well as a 1000-foot perspective on how you can systematize strong relationships in your practice.

In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.

You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/relationship-based-ot

Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Babatunde F, MacDermid J, MacIntyre N. Characteristics of therapeutic alliance in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and occupational therapy practice: a scoping review of the literature. BMC Health Serv Res. 2017 May 30;17(1):375. doi: 10.1186/s12913-017-2311-3. Erratum in: BMC Health Serv Res. 2017 Dec 12;17 (1):820. PMID: 28558746; PMCID: PMC5450083.

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Over the past few decades, our understanding of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has evolved quite a bit. And, that means the prognosis of RA patients has improved in turn. Many of the “classic” deformities associated with RA are becoming less common. And, as we learn more and more about RA and its impacts on patients, your OT care should evolve accordingly.

In this 1-hour podcast course, we’ll begin by discussing a research review that covers the diagnosis and treatment of RA. Then, we’ll bring on our expert guest, Cheryl Crow, MOT, OTR/L. Cheryl Crow is an occupational therapist who has lived with rheumatoid arthritis for eighteen years.

In this episode, we’ll dive into RA therapy considerations that go beyond addressing joint pain. We’ll discuss approaching your therapy from a self-management lens, so you can empower those with RA to take more control over their daily lives and health. 

This is a vastly underserved population, and we hope to ignite your passion for providing improved care to the people in your community!

In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.

You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/rheumatoid-arthritis

Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Sparks, J. A. (2019). Rheumatoid arthritis. Annals of Internal Medicine, 170(1). doi:10.7326/aitc201901010.

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In neuroscience, there is a rapidly growing and evolving understanding of sensory function that is important for all occupational therapists to be tracking—and particularly those who work with autistic clients. 

In this one hour continuing education course, we’ll dive into a research review, where the authors take three  main assumptions that both neuroscientists and occupational therapists make regarding sensory function—and they discuss where the research stands with each one. 

You’ll leave this article feeling humbled by how much we still have to learn about sensory function and autism. Yet, also in awe of the advances we have made over the past few decades—one can only imagine what we will learn in future years!

After we look at some specific research on this topic, we’ll be bringing in our expert guest, Bryden Giving, MAOT, OTR/L. Bryden will help us connect this complex topic to your works on the frontlines.

In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.

You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/autism-sensory-function

Here's the primary research we are discussing:

Cascio CJ, Woynaroski T, Baranek GT, Wallace MT. Toward an interdisciplinary approach to understanding sensory function in autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res. 2016 Sep;9(9):920-5. doi: 10.1002/aur.1612. Epub 2016 Apr 19. PMID: 27090878; PMCID: PMC5564205.  

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In many ways, the past year has changed how we practice occupational therapy. OTs and OTAs have worked in a variety of settings as we’ve seen new and different needs arise. We have been called to learn new safety protocols, new technologies, and new ways of approaching care.

At the same time, OT professionals have burned out at higher rates than ever, as facilities struggle with the downturn of resources and a shift in client needs.

This hour-long episode will review opportunities for occupational therapy professionals to rise to the occasion in their workplaces, communities, schools, and professional organizations through a lens of self-advocacy.  

We’re honored to be having this discussion with Amy Lamb, OTD, OT/L, FAOTA. Amy is the immediate past-president of the American Occupational Therapy Association. In our discussion, she will share specific takeaways from self-advocacy literature, as well as best-practice examples of OT self-advocacy. This episode aims to inspire OTs to use principles of self-advocacy to take a stand for themselves, their clients, and the profession during these uncertain times.

In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.

You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/advocacy-occupational-therapy

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This podcast episode discusses the important topic of how to support those who care for people with dementia. Dementia tends to inform many conversations around caregiving, largely because it is such a pressing public health concern.

Yet, this is a conversation that goes beyond a single diagnosis. After all, many of our occupational therapy clients receive some type of caregiving, whether formal or informal. And, the reality is that caregivers’ health (or lack thereof) is likely to impact our clients’ health.

I believe all occupational therapists—regardless of practice setting or patient population—will benefit from understanding the takeaways from this research.

After we look at some specific research on this topic, we’ll be bringing in our expert guest, Brandy Archie, OTD, the founder of AccessAble Living, to talk about the practical implications of supporting caregivers in your OT practice.

In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.

You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/supporting-informal-caregivers

Here's the primary research we are discussing:

Vandepitte S, Van Den Noortgate N, Putman K, Verhaeghe S, Faes K, Annemans L. Effectiveness of Supporting Informal Caregivers of People with Dementia: A Systematic Review of Randomized and Non-Randomized Controlled Trials. J Alzheimers Dis. 2016 Apr 8;52(3):929-65. doi: 10.3233/JAD-151011. PMID: 27079704.

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The struggles of COVID-19 long haulers have caught the attention of the medical community. In many cases, symptoms seem to correlate with a little-known condition called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). But, even before the pandemic called attention to POTS, research and advancements in treatment were taking place in the background. Unfortunately, while the research is out there, POTS is not always understood by health providers, and proper diagnosis can take years. 

Occupational therapy has a potentially significant role to play in the lives of both POTS patients and COVID-19 long haulers.

In this month’s hour-long podcast episode, we are luckily enough to talk to POTS researcher and practicing clinician, Emily Rich. We discuss what we do and don’t know about POTS, as well as the strategies you can use to help these patients get the most out of life.

In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.

You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/pots-covid-long-haulers-ot

Here's the primary research we are discussing:

Emily M. Rich, Asha Vas, Valerie Boyette & Carol Hollingsworth (2020) Daily Life Experiences: Challenges, Strategies, and Implications for Therapy in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Occupational Therapy In Health Care, DOI: 10.1080/07380577.2020.1824303

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