Teleconsultation with a Developing Country: Student Reported Outcomes of Learning

Authors

  • Megan K. Foti The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
  • Crystal Eleazar
  • Kimberly A. Furphy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2014.6140

Abstract

This qualitative study explored the benefits of implementing (international) teleconsultation in a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) curriculum. Twenty-one students provided supervised teleconsultative services to individuals with disabilities in Guatemala and were responsible for completing assessments, setting goals, and providing resources to address goals and improve quality of life.  Data were collected through student presentations and coded for relevant themes. Analysis revealed new learning in the areas of the occupational therapy process, cultural awareness, and technology. Three themes emerged:  Increased Understanding of Awareness of and Challenges to Working with People of Different Culture; Need for Adaptability and Flexibility as Practicing Clinicians; Emerging Role of Technology in Occupational Therapy. Based on results from this study, occupational therapy academicians should consider implementing similar programs into curricula and conduct related research in order to promote not only student learning, but also to advance the use of technology in occupational therapy practice.        

 

  

Author Biography

Megan K. Foti, The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey

Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy

References

American Occupational Therapy Association. (2006). AOTA’s Centennial Vision. Retrieved from http://www.aota.org/News/Centennial/Background/36516.aspx.

American Occupational Therapy Association. (2013). Telehealth [Position paper]. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 67, S69-S90. doi:10.5014/ajot.2013.67S69

American Occupational Therapy Association. (2013). 2011 Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®) Standards and Interpretive Guide: December 2013 Interpretative Guide Version. Retrieved from http://www.aota.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/EducationCareers/Accredit/Draft-Standards/2011-Standards-and-Interpretive-Guide-August-2013.pdf

Barlow, I.G, Liu, L, & Sekulic, A. (2009). Wheelchair seating assessment and intervention: A comparison between telerehabilitation and face-to-face service. International

Journal of Telerehabilitation, 1(1), 17-28. doi: 10.5195/ijt.2009.868. Retrieved from http://telerehab.pitt.edu/ojs/index.php/Telerehab/article/view/868

Bulik, R. & Shokar, G.S. (2010). Integrating telemedicine instruction into the curriculum: Expanding student perspectives of the scope of clinical practice. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 16, 355-358. doi: 10.1258/jtt.2010.090910

Cason, J. (2009). A pilot telerehabilitation program: Delivering early intervention services to rural families. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 1, 29–38. http:// dx.doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2009.6007

Cason, J. (2011). Telerehabilitation: An adjunct service delivery model for early intervention services. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 3(1), 19–28. http://dx.doi. org/10.5195/ijt.2011.6071

Eleazar, C., Campisi, M., & Foti, M. (2013, October 27). Facilitators and barriers to living with a disability in Guatemala. Poster session presented at the New Jersey Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Burlington, New Jersey.

Fries, K.S., Bowers, D.M., Gross, M., & Frost, L. (2013). Service learning in Guatemala: Using qualitative content analysis to explore an interdisciplinary learning experience among students in health care professional programs. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 6, 45-52. doi: 10.2147/JMDH.S35867

Hoffmann, T., & Russell, T. (2008). Pre-admission orthopaedic occupational therapy home visits conducted using the internet. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 14, 83-87.

Hoffmann, T., Russell, T., Thompson, L., Vincent, A., & Nelson, M. (2008). Using the internet to assess activities of daily living and hand function in people with Parkinson’s disease. NeuroRehabilitation, 23, 253-261.

Jacobs, K., Blanchard, B., & Baker, N. (2012). Telehealth and ergonomics: A pilot study. Technology and Health Care, 20, 445-458.

Lee, A., Parmanto, B., Saptono, A., Pulantara, W., Sargent, B., & Arroyo, J.L.F. (2012). The VISYTER telerehabilitation system for globalizing physical therapy consultation:

Issues and challenges for telehealth implementation. Journal of Physical Therapy Education, 26(1), 90-96.

Lee, A., & Norton E. (2009). Use of telerehabilitation to address sustainability of international service learning in Mexico: Pilot case study and lessons learned. HPA Resource, 9, 1- 4.

Liu, L. & Miyazaki, M. (2000). Telerehabilitation at the University of Alberta. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 6(2), 47-49. doi: 10.1037/0735-7028.36.2.173

Miller, T.W., Miller, J.M., Burton, D., Sprang, R., & Adams, J. (2003). Telehealth: A model for clinical supervision in allied health. Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice, 1(2), 1-8. Retrieved from http://ijahsp.nova.edu/articles/1vol2/miller.pdf

Schein, R.M., Schmeler, M.R., Holm, M.B., Pramuka, M., Saptono, A., & Brienza, D.M. (2011). Telerehabilitation assessment using the Functioning Everyday with a Wheelchair-Capacity instrument. Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development, 48, 115-124.18.

Sanford, J., Hoenig, H., Griffiths, P., Butterfield, T., Richardson, P., & Hargraves, K. (2007). A comparison of televideo and traditional in-home rehabilitation in mobility

impaired older adults. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics, 25(3), 1–18.

Published

2014-09-03

How to Cite

Foti, M. K., Eleazar, C., & Furphy, K. A. (2014). Teleconsultation with a Developing Country: Student Reported Outcomes of Learning. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 6(1), 41–50. https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2014.6140

Issue

Section

Telehealth Pedagogy