Scholarship of Knowledge Discovery in Occupational Therapy Practice Model (SPOT-M)

Document Type (Journals)

Educational Innovations

Abstract

The Scholarship of Knowledge Discovery in Occupational Therapy Practice model guides occupational therapists, especially those with professional doctorates, in conducting practice scholarship and informing capstone projects. This model shifts the capstone from an academic experience to meaningful practice scholarship, like the dissertation’s role in scientific inquiry. The model highlights collaboration across research, practice, and education, while describing the practice scholars’ unique contributions. As evidence-based practice, implementation science, and healthcare complexity evolve, the importance of practice scholars has grown. The expertise of occupational therapists as practice scholars is pivotal for translating research findings into real-world, often unpredictable contexts; and practice scholarship serves as a vehicle to display occupational therapy’s distinct value. Most research occurs in controlled environments, so practice scholars must assess suitability and feasibility for transfer of research to practice settings through combining the external research with internal evidence, practice experience, client preferences, and demands of the organizational context. The process follows seven key steps embedded within three components: the preparation process, the project process, and the reflection and growth process. This systematic approach ensures that occupational therapy practice scholarship leads to meaningful, lasting changes in practice. By equipping practitioners to generate and apply knowledge within real-world settings, the model strengthens the profession's future by reinforcing its relevance, leadership, and impact in complex and evolving healthcare environments.

Biography

Nicole R. Quint, PhD, DrOT, OTR/L is Professor and Program Director for the Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (DrOT) and the Dual Degree Dr.OT/PhD programs at Nova Southeastern University. She graduated from Nova Southeastern University with her MOT, DrOT and PhD in conflict analysis and resolution. She specializes in practice scholarship, leadership development, and the integration of capstone experiences for real-world clinical impact, combining the unique lens of conflict analysis with occupational therapy. Her work focuses on advancing occupational therapy education, practice and professional identity through evidence-based and contextually grounded scholarship.

Penelope Moyers Cleveland, EdD, OT, FAOTA is an adjunct professor at Nova Southeastern in the post-professional DrOT, Dual Degree DrOT/PhD, and the PhD programs. She retired from full-time teaching at the University of Indianapolis, where she founded the entry-level and post-professional master’s degree programs. She has held multiple leadership positions including Program Chair at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Dean of the School of Health at St. Catherine University, and Provost at Resurrection University. She was the President of AOTA in 2007-2010.

Declaration of Interest

The authors, Nicole R. Quint and Penelope Moyers Cleveland, report no declarations of interest.

Recommended Citation

Quint, N. R., & Cleveland, P. (2026). Scholarship of Knowledge Discovery in Occupational Therapy Practice Model (SPOT-M). Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, 10 (2). Retrieved from https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/vol10/iss2/20