Hybrid Classroom Design in the Provision of Clinical Education within an Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program

Concurrent Session 4

Session Materials

Brief Abstract

Dr. Davin has developed a series of  doctoral-level clinical fieldwork courses in occupational therapy, comprised of innovative options to incorporate hybrid and blended learning, simulated patient activities, and the inclusion of an interprofessional healthcare team presence within the learning environment via the use of a telepresence robot. 

Presenters

Lead Presenter: Kirsten Davin, Baylor University

Education: B.S in Occupational Therapy, 2001 from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Occupational Therapy Doctorate, 2007 from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Provo, Utah (RMUoHP) Specialty Certifications: Hybrid Learning Certification via Evidence in Motion, 2018-Present Seating & Mobility Specialist via the Rehabilitation and Engineering Society of North America (RESNA), 2011-Present Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) via the Rehabilitation and Engineering Society of North America (RESNA), 2006-Present Certified Fire Fighter via the Illinois State Fire Marshall's Office, 2010-Present Emergency Medical Technician via Illinois Department of Public Health, 2002-Present Awards: 2016 VGM’s Woman of the Year Award in the Home Medical Equipment Industry, awarded at the national MedTrade Conference in Atlanta, GA. Nov, 2016 Springfield Business Journal's Forty Under 40 Award, July 2018. Publications: Davin, K. (2020). Beyond the Fit: Addressing the Plague of Technology Abandonment. Rehab Management. 33(2), 14-17. Davin, K. (2018). Anterior Trunk Supports: Achieving Greater Function Through Torso Control. Rehab Management Fall Product Directory. 31(6): 14-19. Davin, K. (2017). Getting the Right Fit: Core Assessment’s Correlation to Seating Success, Pressure Relief and Skin Breakdown Prevention. Rehab Management. 30(2): 16-20. Davin, K. (2016). Using Pressure Mapping for Seating & Positioning Success. Rehab Management. 29(3): 24-31. Davin, K. (2015). Creating a Bulletproof Letter of Medical Necessity: Essential Elements to Create Success in Justification. Rehab Management. 28(9): 16-20. Davin, K. (2013). Sports Wheelchairs: Achieving a Perfect Fit for the Sport of Choice. Rehab Management. 26(3):14-17. Davin, K. (2013). Pressure Mapping Reveals the Complete Picture for Seating and Positioning Solutions. Rehab Management. 26(9):8-15. Davin, K. (2012). Fun Meets Function for Mobility Users. Rehab Management. 25(8): 20-25. Davin, K (2012). Making Adjustments (Contributing Author). Rehab Management. 25(3): 30-33.

Extended Abstract

Baylor University’s entry-level, doctoral occupational therapy degree (OTD) program is a unique two-year program designed to integrate current technologies and deliver instruction using a novel hybrid learning format to create practice scholars, educational innovators, and professional leaders who rely on evidence-based practice skills to meet the changing demands of the occupational therapy (OT) profession. The program has recently been granted Candidacy for Accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), which is a pre-accreditation status that indicates the program is progressing toward accreditation and will matriculate students into the professional curriculum.

As a health care profession known for working closely with individuals to return them to productive living after illness or injury, face-to-face interactions with direct client contact has been the traditional method for delivery of occupational therapy services. Likewise, most healthcare education was still being delivered in brick and mortar environments with in-person instruction prior to this year. Because educators are now navigating a radically changed educational culture with the COVID-19 pandemic, it becomes increasingly necessary to find alternative methods to deliver instruction. This is especially important within a healthcare curriculum, where personal contact has recently been restricted.  With building and class capacity limits, social distancing, travel restrictions and quarantining, Dr. Davin has developed a series of  doctoral-level clinical fieldwork courses in occupational therapy, comprised of innovative options to incorporate hybrid and blended learning, simulated patient activities, and the inclusion of an interprofessional healthcare team presence within the learning environment via the use of a telepresence robot. 

The potential significance of the incorporation of hybrid and blended clinical instruction is immeasurable, and holds the potential to be utilized with clinically-based higher education programs throughout the country. Alternate methods of instruction are critically needed at this time to teach learners hands-on patient skills via a hybrid design. Within this educational session, Dr. Davin will introduce hybrid design strategies, clinical simulation methods, and explore cutting edge methods to fieldwork education innovation.