Graduation Year

2023

Degree Type

Open Access Capstone

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

Abstract

Background: Social conditions from the pandemic forced changes to outpatient rehabilitation programs, necessitating pre-driving assessment be administered via telehealth, an alternative model of OT service-delivery. As a result, Shepherd Pathways adapted the clinical pre-driving program for telehealth service delivery. Program outcomes had not been formally assessed.

Purpose:

The purpose of this Capstone project was to conduct a formal program evaluation to collect, analyze, and use data to evaluate effectiveness and efficiency of a clinical return to drive program delivered via telehealth (CDC, n.d.; The university of Kansas toolbox, n.d.). The program evaluation examined the OT process and scope of services for driver off-road assessment at Shepherd Pathways, in Atlanta, Georgia, and addressed the following objectives.

  1. Does Shepherd Pathways clinical pre-driving program meet the needs of acquired brain injury (ABI) clients in a traditional, hybrid, or telehealth model?
  2. What are the current practices (assessments and interventions) used within an OT led clinical pre-driving program delivered via telehealth?
  3. Does an OT clinical pre-driving program delivered via telehealth result in an on-road driving evaluation (ORDE) outcome of unrestricted driving for ABI clients?

Theoretical Framework. A pragmatic research approach (Creswell & Creswell, 2018) and Canadian model of occupational performance-engagement (CMOP-E) and the Ecology of Human Performance (EHP) (Dunn, 1984) influenced the approach.

Methods. Program evaluation identified outcomes of a telehealth approach for return to driving. A logic model was used to identify main components of the program and showed relationships among the telehealth pre-driving program goals, objectives, activities, and outcome measurements (Adu, 2017).

Results. Research questions were answered-the needs of individuals with ABI were met in the program. OT telehealth clinical standards of practice for the pre-driving program were identified and successful ORDE outcomes indicated a positive relationship between use of telehealth and return to drive after ABI.

Conclusions: A logic model illustrated the processes developed for OT driver-off road assessment during the COVID-19 pandemic from March 2020 - December 2020 at Shepherd Pathways. Results indicated a high percentage of program effectiveness, ORDE referrals, and ORDE passing rates for participants with ABI.

Faculty Mentor

Casey Humphrey OTD, MHA, OTR/L, CBIS, CDRS

Department Affiliation

Occupational Therapy

Committee Member

Allen Keener OTD, MS, OTR/L, ATP

Department Affiliation

Occupational Therapy

Department Affiliation

Occupational Therapy

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