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Description
The purpose of this Capstone project and Applied Leadership Experience (ALE) was to explore the perspectives of family members and caregivers of individuals who received hospice or palliative care and to advocate for increased occupational therapy (OT) involvement in these settings. Conducted entirely online under the supervision of Dr. Allen Keener, the project focused on the ACOTE areas of research and advocacy. A thorough literature review revealed that while OT is known to be beneficial in end-of-life care, it is often underutilized. Most existing research reflects the views of healthcare providers, with minimal representation of caregiver perspectives. To address this gap, IRB-approved, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight family caregivers to gather insight into their caregiving experiences, the services received, unmet needs, and the overall quality of care. Interview transcripts were analyzed using qualitative methods, including open and axial coding. A codebook was developed to support the organization of data, and Microsoft Excel was used to structure and manage the analysis process. Key project deliverables included the structured interview guide, codebook, reflexive journaling template, and a final research poster presenting findings and implications for OT practice. This project highlights the critical role of OT in addressing the physical, emotional, and occupational needs of families during end-of-life care. It also contributed to my personal and professional development through strengthened skills in leadership, research, communication, and evidence-based advocacy.
Graduation Date
2025
Keywords
research, advocacy, hospice, palliative care, occupational therapy, interviews
Disciplines
Occupational Therapy
Degree Type
Open Access Capstone
Document Type
Poster
Degree Name
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Department
Occupational Therapy
Site Mentor
Allen Keener, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, ATP
IRB Number (If applicable)
6365
Comments
Link to presentation: https://youtu.be/UffMEfAEEHg