Document Type (Journals)
Educational Innovations
Abstract
Current evidence supports the use of technology with older adults and the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education standards for entry-level occupational therapy programs mandate instruction on the use of technology to support occupational performance. The literature does not clearly define specific strategies to teach entry-level occupational therapy students how to implement technology interventions with older adults. The purpose of this paper is to provide OT educators with recommendations for teaching entry-level students to use evidence-based technology with older adults. The authors reviewed current literature. The recent evidence helped the authors define practical curriculum recommendations for instructing entry-level occupational therapy students to integrate technology into older adults’ interventions. Recommendations include use of telehealth visits, teleconferencing, iPad applications, smart phone applications, texting, emails, and video applications. With technology continually changing, occupational therapy instructors must increase their awareness of new applications and computer programs that occupational therapists can utilize in older adult interventions to maximize knowledge translation to their students.
Biography
Michele L. Tilstra, OTD, OTR/L, CHT received her OTD degree from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. She is the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and Clinical Assistant Professor for the MOT program at Walsh University. She is a certified hand therapist with 23 years of clinical experience in various settings.
Michelle L. Webb, OTD, OTR/L, RAC-CT, CAPS serves as Director for the Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Provo, Utah. She is a certified resident assessment coordinator and a certified aging-in-place specialist with over 25 years of healthcare experience.
Sandra E. Groger, OTD, OTR/L is an adjunct professor for the Post-Professional OTD program at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions and for the transitional OTD Program at University of Medical Sciences Arizona. She owns her own pediatric occupational therapy practice and provides services to clients on the autism spectrum.
Declaration of Interest
The authors report no declarations of interest.
Recommended Citation
Tilstra, M. L., Webb, M. L., & Groger, S. E. (2019). Instructing Students How to Use Evidence-based Technology Interventions with Older Adults. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, 3 (4). https://doi.org/10.26681/jote.2019.030411
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