Occupational Therapy 622

OCTH 622: Contexts of Service Delivery

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of OCTH 610, 612, 614 and 616 or permission of the Chair

Credit Hours: (3)

A survey of the environments in which occupational therapists practice, with particular attention to community-centered practice.  Investigation of the social, economic, political, geographic and demographic factors that affect service delivery in medical, school and community settings.  Students work with others to design a new occupation-based program for a rural community.

 

Detailed Description of Content of the Course

Topics will include:

  • The meaning of place
  • Social and health policies affecting individuals with disabilities and their families
  • Social/occupational justice
  • The role of the occupational therapist in health promotion and advocacy
  • Service delivery models/settings including medical, educational and community
  • Legislation and reimbursement systems influencing practice in each service-delivery model/setting
  • General systems theory as a way of thinking about community practice
  • Identifying trends and assessing the need for services in the community
  • Designing and planning a new occupation-based program
  • Evaluating the outcomes of a community-centered program
  • Examples of occupation-centered community programs

 

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Lecture and discussion may be supplemented by visits to community agencies which provide services for persons with special needs and their families.  Students will work in teams to design and plan an occupation-centered program for a community agency that does not currently provide occupational therapy services.

 

Goals and Objectives of the Course

At completion of this course, students will:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of global social issues and prevailing health and welfare needs;
  2. Demonstrate knowledge and appreciation of the role of sociocultural, socioeconomic and diversity factors affecting participation in occupation;
  3. Analyze and discuss the influence of sociopolitical climate on practice;
  4. Discuss current policy issues and the social, economic, political, geographic and demographic factors that influence the various contexts for occupational therapy practice;
  5. Differentiate among medical, educational, social and community contexts for the practice of occupational therapy;
  6. Explain how the various practice settings affect the delivery of occupational therapy services;
  7. Describe and discuss the impact of contextual factors on the management of occupational therapy services;
  8. Articulate trends in models of service delivery and their potential effect on occupational therapy practice;
  9. Describe the systems and structures that create federal and state legislation and regulation and their implications for practice;
  10. Demonstrate knowledge of various reimbursement systems (federal, state, third-party, private-payer);
  11. Explain the responsibility of the practitioner to address and effect changes in service delivery policies, and to identify opportunities in emerging practice areas;
  12. Discuss the role of occupation in improving the quality of life for individuals and groups in rural communities;
  13. Develop and promote the use of appropriate community programming to support participation in all contexts relevant to the client;
  14. Understand when and how to use the consultative process with groups, programs, organizations and communities.

  

Assessment Measures

Tests, participation in discussions and community visits, and a graded program development project may be used to evaluate the outcomes of the course.

 

Other Course Information

 

Review and Approval

February, 2009