Graduation Year

2015

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Type

Open Access Capstone

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

Abstract

The Capstone Project is focused on communicating, influencing and educating other health care professionals regarding the role of occupational therapy in the future model of primary care delivery initiated by the adoption of the Affordable Care Act and the Triple Aim Initiative. Currently, primary care, the largest health care platform in United States, is not inclusive of occupational therapy services. Occupational therapists have the scope, knowledge and understanding to be part of the redesigned team model of primary care. Educating those currently working in primary care about adding occupational therapy services can have a significant impact on the profession of occupational therapy by opening a new area of health care delivery for the profession.

The Triple Aim Initiative is the guiding theoretical framework for the Capstone Project.

The Triple Aim Initiative plans to redesign the primary care service structure to have a team of professionals deliver at least 70% of the necessary health related care, to simultaneously improve the individual experience of care, to improve the health of populations, and to reduce the per capita cost of care.

The Capstone Project provided an educational in-service to current primary care providers to increase the awareness of the educational background, scope of practice, and the benefits that occupational therapy can bring to a primary care team model. A PowerPoint enhanced presentation was designed to educate the health care professionals and to facilitate interactive discussion with examples of occupational therapy in primary care. It included a brief review of the Affordable Care Act, the Triple Aim Initiative and the changing model of primary care delivery. A pretest/posttest survey format was used for outcome measures.

The Capstone Project promoted the emerging role of occupational therapy in primary care. It was able to increase the understanding of occupational therapy in current primary care providers so that the concept of integrating occupational therapy in future primary care team models could be developed. The Capstone Project was able to demonstrate the presence of a significant opportunity for occupational therapists to enhance future delivery of primary care services in the United States.

Faculty Mentor

Dana M. Howell

Department Affiliation

Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

Committee Member

Amy Marshall

Department Affiliation

Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

Committee Member

Cindy Hayden

Department Affiliation

Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

IRB Approval Number (if applicable)

Protocol Number: 15-106, IRB00002836, DHHS FWA00003332

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