MOT MISSION, PHILOSOPHY & CURRICULUM

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Master of Occupational Therapy program at Lewiston-Auburn College is to graduate exemplary, entry-level occupational therapy practitioners. These graduates will effectively employ their critical thinking, clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities to positively impact their occupational therapy practice, their communities, and their own lives. Graduates of this program will be prepared to enter and succeed in an ever-changing community and health care arena as ethical, socially responsible, lifelong learners.

PHILOSOPHY

The philosophy of the Lewiston-Auburn College Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program was developed with an awareness of the changing needs of today's occupational therapy practitioners and consumers. This philosophy supports the development of reflective, skilled practitioners who can provide leadership and a model for change. Student leadership opportunities exist through collaboration with the local health care community for the mutual exchange of knowledge and services.

The MOT program is committed to the excellent and thorough academic preparation of entry-level occupational therapy practitioners. Learning is valued as a life-long process. Learners construct knowledge based on the integration of academic content, active and experiential learning opportunities both within and outside the classroom, life experiences within a socio-cultural context, and the reflective analysis of all the above. Learning/teaching is a collaborative process emphasizing respect for and value of critical thinking and clinical reasoning that is used to apply theory to practice.

Central to our curriculum is recognition that humans are occupational beings who engage in culturally meaningful activities (occupations) that are influenced by the context of their lives. Engagement in occupations is necessary for health. It is the aim of this program to help students examine the meaning of occupation in healthy lives, as well as to understand how stress, trauma, disease, dysfunction, and environmental constraints impact occupational performance.

The MOT program recognizes and supports occupation-based practice. This includes the importance of examining the interaction between the client, his or her environmental context, and the occupations in which he/she engages. It is the transaction between these three components that results in occupational performance. In the MOT program, the role of the occupational therapy practitioner in this process is examined within the context of cultural, social, and temporal influences.

Another valued concept of the MOT program is client-centered practice. Students are taught to respect the uniqueness, dignity and value of each individual, and to exemplify this by making the client and his/her needs central to the therapeutic process. In addition to working with individual clients, we recognize and support the stance of the American Occupational Therapy Association's Commission on Practice that clients include "groups, organizations, persons, caregivers, and communities."

The MOT faculty believes that there are parallels between student and client experiences, and have sought to interact with all students with the same respect that we afford to occupational therapy clients. Through mutual respect, a strong theoretical and practice base, and collaborative teaching/learning, the MOT Program at Lewiston-Auburn College graduates occupational therapy practitioners who are well prepared to enter the profession of the 21st century.

USM's MOT program faculty and students also manage to build in a bit of fun...

(Leisure activites are occupations too!)

CURRICULUM & COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

OTH 501 Occupational Therapy Foundations This course introduces students to the profession of occupational therapy by studying its history, philosophy, and standards. Students will examine the socioeconomic and political factors that influence the practice, professional behaviors, responsibilities of practitioners, and occupational choice. Additionally, students will learn about the role and functions of OT practitioners; local, national, and international associations; the OT process; activity and occupational analysis; OTR and OTA collaboration; and the culture of disability. Cr 2.

OTH 502 Occupation and Clinical Reasoning Introduces students to the theory of occupation and the relationship between occupation and occupational therapy practice. Students will develop an appreciation of the complexity of occupations across the life span by observing and analyzing a variety of occupations on and off campus. Clinical reasoning theory will be taught and practiced as part of the analysis. Cr 3.

OTH 503 Communication for Health Professionals Provides an understanding of human behavior; therapeutic use of self; and development of interpersonal communication both personally and professionally. The implications of cultural diversity on communication style will be addressed. Cr 3.

OTH 504 Applied Research I This course introduces the student to the spectrum of investigative strategies that can be used to answer questions of concern to occupational therapists. Students will learn to examine critically current research and to master basic research skills. Students will practice basic research skills through targeted assignments, and the development of research questions, a literature review, and a research project. Cr 3.

OTH 505 Mental Health and Occupational Performance Emphasis is on occupational therapy theory, evaluation, planning, and treatment techniques commonly used with individuals who have psychosocial impairment across the life span. The etiology, symptoms, and course of each condition are reviewed, as is the analysis of occupational performance as it relates to psychosocial dysfunction. Activity analysis and problem solving are used to assess the use of intervention strategies from multiple perspectives with a focus on understanding the importance of culture, gender, and developmental level on occupational choices. Prerequisites: OTH 502, OTH 507. Cr 7.

OTH 506 Leadership in Occupational Therapy This course will cover information and simulate skills needed for basic management and leadership in occupational therapy. Exposure to leadership styles, effective supervision, reimbursement mechanisms, accrediting agencies, and department operations will be provided in an interactive and collaborative format. Regulation, politics, and policy of health care are discussed with emphasis on the importance of being involved. The ethical considerations, program evaluation, and communications necessities of leading a department are subjects which will overlap with other more specific topics. Students should complete the course with a thorough appreciation for the finesse needed in strong leadership, as well as specific working knowledge which will assist them in navigating the fluctuating health care arena. Students should feel they are better informed to make choices to be advocates for change and involved in policy making. Cr 3.

OTH 507 Social Issues and Ethics in Occupational Therapy This course is designed to assist students to understand the larger social, ethical, professional, and systematic issues that impact health care and occupational therapy practice. It will focus on ethical issues, dilemmas, and decision making, as well as the OT code of ethics. Sociopolitical pressures and legal issues, and their impact on ethical practice, will also be explored. Cr 3.

OTH 509 Level I Fieldwork: Mental Health Students are placed in clinical settings where they can begin to develop professional behaviors, communication skills, and skilled observation in a psychosocial setting. The accompanying seminar allows students to share and process their experiences as a group. Corequisites: OTH 505, OTH 507, OTH 508. Cr 1.

OTH 510 Level I Fieldwork: Physical Dysfunction This course provides fieldwork experience as a participant/ observer in the practice area of adults with physical dysfunction. The format for the weekly seminars will be a mix of discussion of fieldwork experiences, further investigation into material presented in concurrent semester courses, an opportunity to meet with clinicians and clients/consumers, and a forum for discussing issues related to evidence- based practice. The combination of direct fieldwork experience plus an integrated seminar allows students to further integrate course material and provide a common link between the above mentioned classes. Prerequisites and corequisites: OTH 508, OTH 601, OTH 603. Cr 1.

OTH 511 Level I Fieldwork: Developmental Disabilities This course provides fieldwork experience as a participant/ observer in the practice area of developmental disabilities. The format for the weekly seminars will be a mix of discussion of fieldwork experiences, further investigation into material presented in concurrent semester courses, an opportunity to meet with clinicians and clients/consumers, and a forum for discussing issues related to evidence-based practice. The combination of direct fieldwork experience plus an integrated seminar allows the student to further integrate classroom and clinical knowledge. Corequisites: OTH 604, OTH 615. Cr 1.

OTH 513 Basic Kinesiology This course will cover the basic science needed to understand normal body movement. The student will gain an understanding of the functional anatomy of the musculoskeletal system and how it relates to the biomechanics, kinematics, and kinetics of human motion. In addition, the student will learn skills in assessment of musculoskeletal functioning from a biomechanical frame of reference. The course will include hands-on laboratory experiences that will facilitate the learning of concepts and skills. It will also include the examination of medical terminology. Corequisite: OTH 514. Cr 3.

OTH 514 Human Anatomy: Structure and Function This course provides an in-depth study of the structure and function of the systems of the human body. Emphasis will be placed on the neuro, skeletal, and muscular systems. Lab work will consist of independent study with models, CD-ROM, and online programs. Cr 4.

OTH 601 Neuroscience This course will provide foundation knowledge in neuroanatomy and neurophysiology as it relates to human occupation. Emphasis will be on understanding the concepts of neuroscience that are the underpinnings of theory and treatment applications of occupational therapy. Prerequisites or corequisites: OTH 510, OTH 514, OTH 603, OTH 614. Cr 3.

OTH 603 Occupational Performance Through Adulthood This course integrates occupational therapy theory and practice in the occupations of adults with physical impairments. This class meets three times a week for three hours each session. This format provides students with an opportunity to apply occupational therapy and new knowledge to clinical cases, develop clinical reasoning abilities, and learn hands-on skills needed for entry-level practice. Learning areas involve applying the OT practice framework to practice as well as integrating OT in a variety of practice settings with a variety of team members. Written and verbal skills are highlighted, and role playing/modeling of interdisciplinary teamwork is stressed. It is expected that students are able to do professional research by accessing information on the Internet via relevant databases. Prerequisites and corequisites: student is matriculated into the M.O.T. program, and has successfully completed OTH 510 and OTH 514, or is currently taking OTH 601 and OTH 614. Cr 7.

OTH 604 Occupational Performance in Infancy Through Adolescence Emphasis is placed on the developmental process to form a base of knowledge for enhancing occupational performance across the life-span. Occupational therapy theory and related developmental theory provide the framework for occupational therapy intervention with individuals with developmental disabilities. The format of the class includes weekly lectures and lab sessions and practical experience in the Androscoggin Head Start Programs. This will provide students with an opportunity to apply new knowledge to clinical cases, develop clinical reasoning skills, and learn hands-on skills needed for entry-level practice. Pre- or co-requisites: OTH 511, OTH 513, OTH 514, OTH 601, OTH 615. Cr 7.

OTH 605 Applied Research II This course provides the opportunity for students to expand their application of research concepts to the investigation of an occupational therapy question, need, or evaluation of occupational therapy practice. Students will conduct a research project, culminating in a public poster presentation. Course sessions 158 and assignments will be devoted to guiding students through the research process. Cr 3.

OTH 608 Occupational Performance and the Brain This course will provide analysis of brain function and its contribution to human occupation across the life span. Emphasis will be on learning, motivation, and other related perceptual and cognitive functions of the brain most pertinent to occupational performance and the effects of dysfunction. The psychosocial, physical, and developmental practice domains of OT will be introduced as they relate to brain functions. Assessment and intervention regarding perceptual and cognitive issues will be addressed within an occupation context. Cr 3.

OTH 614 Clinical Conditions for Physical Dysfunction Medical conditions and diagnoses for adults with physical dysfunction will be addressed. Emphasis will be on understanding medical conditions as they relate to occupational therapy practice. Prerequisites or corequisites: OTH 510, OTH 601, OTH 603. Cr 2.

OTH 615 Developmental Adaptation and Dysfunction Understanding developmental theory will be the focus of this course with particular emphasis on sensorimotor development. Medical conditions and developmental disabilities from birth, early childhood, and adolescence will be described and identified. The impact of these conditions on occupational performance will also be addressed. Prerequisites or corequisites: OTH 511, OTH 513, OTH 514, OTH 601, OTH 604. Cr 3.

OTH 616 Professional Presentations This course is the culmination of the previous two research semesters. It provides students with the opportunity to disseminate their research results in a professional forum. Students will work with a faculty advisor to prepare their research projects for professional presentation to the University community via a public poster presentation. Additionally, students will prepare to disseminate their research to the greater occupational therapy community, with the opportunity to either submit their papers for publication or present their research at a conference. Course sessions and assignments will be devoted to guiding students through the research dissemination process. Prerequisites: OTH 504 and OTH 605. Cr 2.

OTH 620 Level II Fieldwork /
OTH 621 Level II Fieldwork The second of two, three-month, full-time placements required at a variety of health care agencies and facilities affiliated with the University. Students practice the skills of an entry-level occupational therapist under the supervision of a registered occupational therapist. Prerequisite: completion of all program course requirements. Cr 6.