Graduation Year

2024

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Type

Open Access Capstone

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

Abstract

Background: The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF) (4th ed.) states that toileting and toilet hygiene includes management of continence needs, including catheters and the necessary equipment to maintain bladder control (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2020b). However, the overall perspectives of occupational therapy’s role are poorly understood.

Purpose: The study's purpose was to collect data about occupational therapy (OT) practitioners' practice trends in client management of clean intermittent self-catheterization (CISC), including perceived competency, education and training, and frequency and extent of involvement in supporting clients with CISC needs.

Theoretical Framework: The study is also supported by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Mission 2025 (AOTA, 2020), the Critical Modernism Approach (Taylor, 2017), and the Canadian Model of Occupational Participation (CanMOP) (Egan & Restall, 2022).

Methods: The study utilized an original mixed methods survey to collect quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative data was examined using descriptive statistical analysis, and the qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Participants were recruited through convenience and network sampling. Inclusion criteria included being an occupational therapy practitioner with current experience living in the United States.

Results: The survey results indicate that OT practitioners take a collaborative, goal-directed role in improving occupational participation in CISC. Practitioners collaborate with the interdisciplinary team, which includes nurses, urology professionals, case management, catheter representatives, and product vendors. Practitioners seek to enhance occupational participation in CISC, including independence and self-advocacy. Practitioners indicate that on-the-job training was key to successfully learning treatment strategies and improving occupational participation in CISC. Practitioners report inadequate preparation in entry-level education to address the needs of clients who utilize CISC. In conclusion, OT practitioners provide vital services to enhance the occupational participation of clients who utilize CISC as a treatment strategy.

Conclusions: To ensure the ongoing competency of OT practitioners, entry-level education and knowledgeable colleagues should continue to disseminate knowledge about OT’s role in CISC. The results of this survey will drive knowledge and progress in occupational therapy practitioners' vital role in enhancing occupational participation in CISC.

Faculty Mentor

Cassandra Ginn, OTD, MS, OTR/L, CLA

Department Affiliation

Occupational Therapy

Committee Member

Amanda Balser, OTD, MS, OTR/L, BCPR, ATP/SMS

Department Affiliation

Occupational Therapy

Department Affiliation

Occupational Therapy

Comments

I want to thank Dr. Cassie Ginn for her unwavering support, expertise, encouragement, and push to create this mixed-methods survey. Dr. Amanda Balser, thank you for your expertise and input throughout the project. The faculty of the Eastern Kentucky post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program, especially Dr. Shirley O’Brien, Dr. Renee Causey-Upton, Dr. Dana Howell, and Dr. Camille Skubik-Peplaski, for your expertise, encouragement, and guidance through the beginning stages of this project. My fellow students in the ppOTD program, including Sue Waldron, Kasi Gannon, Katie Lynch, Inken Prochilo, and Vince Campbell, thank you for your support, encouragement, and ideas throughout the program to make this project successful. In addition, my colleagues, including Josselyn Mackey, Mattie Montague, and Lisa Schmelz, thank you for your encouragement and thoughts. My family and friends, thank you for your ongoing support and check-ins on my progress. Furthermore, my husband, thank you for your unwavering support, technical assistance, and encouragement to keep going even when I was 9 months pregnant, a new mom, and moving back to Kentucky

IRB Approval Number (if applicable)

6015

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