Course Descriptions

Semester I

Evaluation & Intervention: Behavioral Health 3 hrs
Evaluation & Intervention of Behavioral Health conditions emphasizes the advanced evaluation and treatment of behavioral health conditions. This is a foundational course that introduces the student to the behavioral health knowledge base and evidence based practice it prepares the students to integrate critical reasoning and evidence based practice. 40 hours of didactics including all diagnoses related to behavioral health; functional performance evaluations, behavioral health diagnoses, mental status exams, psychiatric medical boards, drug therapy; the application of group facilitation skills, interviewing skills; identification and application of occupational therapy intervention for suicidal/homicidal ideation, compassion fatigue, victims of violence, grief and loss, managing agitated patients. 40 hours of the didactics are delivered in a 5 day interdisciplinary behavioral science short course. This course includes 12 hours of patient evaluation and 4 hours of neuropsychiatric/neuropsychological evaluation; and team planning and treatment within an interdisciplinary model of intervention.

Behavioral Health Residency 1 hr
The Behavioral Health Residency focuses on advanced behavioral health diagnoses and the integration of the didactic learning from the Evaluation & Intervention course. This residency contains a total of 40 clinical/treatment contact hours within the Behavioral Health treatment setting including the application of advanced evaluation and treatment skills for all diagnoses related to behavioral health; the administration of functional performance evaluations, mental status examinations, and occupational performance assessments (scheduled throughout the semester). This residency also includes the advancement of skills in the delivery of behavioral health interviews, participation in psychiatric medical boards, participation in and leadership of behavioral health interdisciplinary treatment teams, patient group facilitation skills for populations that include concerns such as: issues of compassion fatigue, victims of violence, grief and loss, and managing agitated patients.

Evaluation & Intervention: Post Traumatic Stress 1 hr
The Evaluation and Intervention of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder course emphasizes the evaluation and intervention of individuals experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder based on evidence-based behavioral science knowledge as it relates to occupational therapy and occupational performance. In this course students will explore the current literature to evaluate and apply current evidence-based assessment tools and intervention methods that support occupational performance, role competence, adaptation, quality of life, and client satisfaction outcomes for patients experiencing PTSD. Course includes 8 hours of didactics and 16 hours of lab which includes patient evaluation.

Post Traumatic Stress Residency 1 hr
The Evaluation and Intervention of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Residency focuses on the evaluation and intervention of individuals experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder integrating behavioral science knowledge as it relates to occupational therapy and occupational performance in the clinical setting and is monitored by a DScOT faculty. Students will analyze evidenced-based assessments and intervention methods for their ability to address patient needs and guarantee positive outcomes in the PTSD patient's occupational performance, role competence, adaptation, quality of life, and/or client satisfaction in both the clinical, community, work settings. This residency includes 40 hours of clinical assessment and intervention in both a behavioral health and community environment.

Management of Combat and Operational Stress Control 3 hrs
The Management of Combat and Operational Stress Control course provides an in-depth study of combat and operational stress control and delineates the role of occupational therapist as members of the interdisciplinary combat and operational stress control team and unit. This course further integrates evidence based behavioral health knowledge into occupational therapy assessment and intervention as they relate to combat and operational stress. This course delivers over 32 hours of didactics and 32 hours of clinical and operational application in a 10 day short course. The student will analyze the full scope and application of FM 4-02.51 (Combat and Operational Stress Control) and its implication for occupational therapy assessment and intervention.

Management of Combat and Operational Stress Control Residency 1 hr
The Management of Combat and Operational Stress Control Residency focuses on integrating combat and operational stress control doctrine into the clinical and field environment. The student will implement occupational therapy assessment and intervention in both the operational or field environment using guidance provided by FM 4-02.51 (Combat and Operational Stress Control).

Qualitative Methods 3 hrs
This course is the second in the series of research courses that support the successful implementation of the student research project. This course is an introduction to qualitative research methods including participant-observation; ethnography; photography; ethnomethodology; unobtrusive measures; dramaturgy; interviewing; sociometry; natural experiment; case study; content analysis; historiography; qualitative analysis of quantitative data. Students will analyze published healthcare research employing qualitative research methodology and apply the content of this course to select an appropriate qualitative research method to collect and analyze data associated with the student's research project.

Occupational Therapy and Warrior Transition Units I 1 hr
This course is the first in a series of three warrior transition courses that focuses on the work of occupational therapy providers in the warrior transition unit. The Occupational Therapy and Warrior Transition I course provides an overview of the operations of Warrior Transition Unit personnel focusing on the Comprehensive Transition Plan and the specific focus of occupational therapy services for warriors with Behavioral Health and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders. 40 clinical/operational hours are employed in addressing the dynamics of occupational therapy in the provision of care for warriors facing Behavioral Health and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders within the Warrior Transition Unit.

Essentials of Evidence-based Practice and Clinical Research 3 hrs
This course is the first of the courses that provide the research base for the Doctor of Science Program in Occupational Therapy and insures that the student has identified a research project through the selection of an IRB approved research protocol. The course includes the integration of best evidence and best practice concepts as well as advanced concepts, techniques, and technologies used for the scientific inquiry of applied clinical research.

Semester II

Cultural Awareness 3 hrs
The Cultural Awareness course provides students with an overview of cultural: religious/spiritual, socioeconomic, communication, social, political, economics, women and gender, routines, customs, habits, food and nutrition issues, and views toward disabilities and includes issues related to care of detainees. This course links the courses that are central to warrior/poly-trauma rehabilitation and integrates knowledge that focus on the rehabilitative needs of the individual warrior or poly-trauma patient. This course also focuses on the culture of the military and the individual's transition from one culture to another within and outside of the military.

Differential Diagnosis in Occupational Therapy 3 hrs
This course poses discussion of the medical history and occupational therapy examination findings of somatic and visceral disorders with reference to their influence on occupational therapy evaluation and intervention. Emphasis is placed on systems review and screening for medical diseases to identify serious pathology presenting as musculoskeletal symptoms resulting in occupational performance deficits.

Evaluation & Intervention: Amputee Rehabilitation 3 hrs
This Evaluation & Intervention: Amputee Rehabilitation course focuses on the evaluation and intervention involved in amputee rehabilitation including the upper and lower extremities as they relate to occupational therapy. This course is one in the series of warrior rehabilitation courses that focus on the special rehabilitation needs of poly-trauma patients in all settings, who both enter the military and civilian health care environment. The graduate will integrate amputee rehabilitation, evaluation and intervention into occupational therapy care as it relates to the Warrior, retiree, and family member. 40 hours of didactics including all diagnoses related to amputee rehabilitation, post surgical limb care, prosthetic selection, assistive technology associated with prosthetics, prosthetic fitting, training, management, etc. Includes 16 hours of patient evaluations.

Amputee Rehabilitation Residency 1 hr
This residency applies didactic learning from the Evaluation & Intervention: Amputee Rehabilitation course to the clinic setting and is mentored by a DScOT faculty member. The graduate will integrate amputee rehabilitation, evaluation and intervention into occupational therapy care as it relates to the Warrior, retiree, and family member in the clinical setting. 40 hours of clinical interventions related to amputee rehabilitation, post surgical limb care, prosthetic selection, and assistive technology associated with prosthetics, prosthetic fitting, training, management, etc.

Evaluation & Intervention: Ergonomics 3 hrs
This course includes the development of advanced clinical skills in evaluating environments, tools, and equipment for ergonomic intervention. It presents the study of work and ergonomic principles to enhance occupational performance. Emphasis is on screening, evaluation, program design, development, implementation, and outcome measurement within the clinic, private practice, and industrial workplace. This course is another in the series of warrior rehabilitation courses that focus on the special rehabilitation needs of poly-trauma patients and their needs in all settings, who both enter the military and civilian health care environment. This course includes health promotion and wellness, environmental health engineering and health risk management as they relate to the work environment.

Occupational Therapy and Warrior Transition Units II 1 hr
This course is the second in a series of three warrior transition courses that focuses on the work of occupational therapy providers in the warrior transition unit. Occupational Therapy and Warrior Transition II emphasizes occupational therapy assessment and intervention of warriors with amputations and poly-trauma within the WTU. 40 clinical/operational hours are employed in addressing dynamics of occupational therapy in the provision of evidence-based assessment and intervention for successful transitional outcomes for warrior with amputations and poly-trauma.

Quantitative Methods 3 hrs
This course focuses on the clinician's ability to make use of quantitative research methods and analysis in the selection, design, implementation, data analysis, presentation and publication of a research project that will increase the evidence knowledge of occupational therapy practice. This course includes in-depth discussion and analysis of the research process including measurement theory, experimental design, hypothesis construction and testing, critical evaluation of research, rating scales, sampling, and indices of validity and reliability, statistical analysis, and the appropriate use and interpretation of statistical tests. This course is another in the series of research courses that provide the structure for the student to continue refinement of the research project.

Occupation-Centered Practice 2 hrs
This course includes exploration and examination of occupation-based evaluations and interventions across adulthood. The focus includes the ability to explore, apply, and integrate the concepts of occupation, occupation centered practice, reflection and critical reasoning; and their application in the areas of assessment, intervention and outcome measurement for occupational therapy.

Semester III

Evaluation & Intervention: Burn & Trauma Rehab 3 hrs
This course focuses on the evaluation and intervention involved in burn and trauma rehabilitation including upper and lower extremities related to occupational therapy. This course another in the series of warrior rehabilitation courses that focus on the special rehabilitation needs of poly-trauma patients in all settings, who both enter the military and civilian health care environments. Special emphasis is placed upon assessment and intervention to minimizing devastating and lifelong disability and maximizing patient functional outcome. Students will also compare and contrasts "in the field" vs. "fixed facility" treatment strategies for burn and trauma patients.

Burn and Trauma Residency 1 hr
This residency applies the didactic learning from Evaluation and Intervention: burn and trauma Rehabilitation to the clinic setting. Special emphasis is placed upon assessment and intervention to minimizing devastating and lifelong disability and maximizing patient functional outcome. Student will perform the full spectrum of occupational therapy assessment and intervention with burn/trauma patients during this 40 hour clinical rotation.

Evaluation & Intervention: Traumatic Brain Injury 3 hrs
The Evaluation and Intervention of Traumatic Brain Injury course focuses on evaluating the functional, cognitive, and social performance in TBI and includes intervention in ADLs/IADLs, cognitive retraining, and social, behavioral and emotional difficulties. This course is another in the series of warrior rehabilitation courses that focus on the special rehabilitation needs of poly-trauma patients in all settings, who both enter the military and civilian health care environment. This course includes a 40 hour embedded advanced short course providing both didactics and clinical experience. This course includes 40 hours of didactics including diagnoses related to all stages of TBI and 16 hours of lab. Emphasis will be placed on the differential diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of warriors with mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

Traumatic Brain Injury Residency 1 hr
The Traumatic Brain Injury Residency applies the didactic learning fro the Evaluation and Intervention: Traumatic Brain Injury course to the clinical setting. This residency allows the student to assess and design intervention for the occupational performance of TBI patients within the context of the military, transitional, and civilian environment. Areas or assessment and intervention include cognitive (executive functioning, ADL & IADL performance, and social/behavioral performance).

Occupational Therapy and Warrior Transition Units III 1 hr
This course is the final in a series of three warrior transition courses that focuses on the work of occupational therapy providers in the warrior transition unit. This course focuses on the work and administrative functions occupational therapy provides to warrior transition units. Occupational Therapy and Warrior Transition III emphasizes occupational therapy assessment and intervention of warriors with burns and trauma injuries within the WTU. 40 hours in the clinic/operational environment identifying and applying evidenced-based assessments and treatment intervention that support successful transitional outcomes for warrior with burns and trauma injuries seen by occupational therapy.

Aspects of Pharmacology and Nutrition in OT 3 hrs
This course focuses on the role and relationship of nutrition, pharmacology, and complementary/alternative medicine in the treatment of specific populations by occupational therapists. Specific emphasis is placed on medical indications and potential effects of drugs and alternative/complementary medicine on occupational therapy interventions and how nutritional principles relate to exercise and wellness. This course falls within the series of courses that focus on advance practice considering the special needs of occupational therapists practicing in military poly-trauma environments with advance credentials and responsibilities for warrior care.

Field Research for Occupational Therapy 3 hrs
This course is the final course within the research track of the DScOT curriculum. The student is given the opportunity to select a research topic, design the study, and submit the study for IRB approval to help establish a research project base for future DScOT students. This course builds upon the student's familiarity with the occupational therapy knowledge base, quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, and critical/clinical reasoning. This course includes the development of a clinical research question, initiation of a comprehensive literature review/systematic review, and writing a research protocol that includes an informed consent documents (Institutional Review Board standards). This course includes the development and application of skills for writing of clinical case studies.

Semester IV

Evaluation and Treatment of Upper Extremity Conditions 3 hrs
The Evaluation and Treatment of Upper Extremity Conditions is a course emphasizing the evaluation and treatment of the upper extremity injured or diseased patient presenting to occupational therapy. This course is the final course in the series of warrior rehabilitation courses that focus on the special rehabilitation needs of polytrauma patients in all settings, who both enter the military and civilian health care environment. This course is also integrated into the advance practice component of the curriculum as students acquire advance skills to take on credentialed responsibilities for all military health care beneficiaries. 40 hours of didactics and 16 hours of clinical application are delivered in a 10 day advance short course. 40 hours of didactics including all diagnoses related to upper extremity trauma and disease, orthopedic casting and splinting for the upper extremity, occupation in neuromusculoskeletal evaluation, complex regional pain syndrome, fracture diagnosis and treatment, upper member cadaver dissection, pathophysiology of wounds, arthritides, radiology, laboratory tests and pharmacology. Includes 8 hours of patient evaluations, 4 hours cadaver dissection and 4 hours operating room observation.

Upper Extremity Conditions Residency 3 hrs
The Upper Extremity Conditions Residency is a 4 month course emphasizing the clinical evaluation and treatment of the upper extremity injured or diseased patient presenting to occupational therapy. 120 hours of clinical assessment and intervention including all diagnoses related to upper extremity trauma and disease, orthopedic casting and splinting for the upper extremity, occupation in neuromusculoskeletal evaluation, complex regional pain syndrome, fracture diagnosis and treatment, upper member cadaver dissection, pathophysiology of wounds, arthritides, radiology, laboratory tests and pharmacology.

Advanced Hand Surgery Outcomes for Occupational Therapists 2 hrs
This overview of the hand surgeon's model of evaluation and treatment of musculoskeletal disease and trauma and review of outcomes in advanced surgical techniques consists of current topics in hand surgery, orthopedics and sports medicine including surgical procedures and rehabilitation guidelines. Post operative protocol development radial nerve palsy, fracture management, poly-trauma, and other diagnoses distinct to war trauma. This course is the final course in the series of advance practice courses that emphasize the advance credentials and responsibilities of clinicians providing advance rehabilitation for military health care beneficiaries. Includes 32 hours of didactics, 10 hours of patient evaluation, 6 hours of operating room observation and 16 hours protocol development and application.

Advanced Professional Paper Project 3 hrs
This course focus includes completion of the manuscript from the clinical research project with the goal of publication in a peer reviewed journal and presentation to the occupational therapy community. This course is the final course that focuses on the completion of the research project and is an integral part of the research tract of the DScOT. This course is designed to guide the students in conducting and completing original clinical research. The student will engage in an applied clinical research project under the advisement of a DScOT faculty. The focus of the project will be a clinical area of specialization chosen by the student in consultation with the faculty advisor. The project will result in a publishable paper.