Episoder
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Through OT Potential, we’ve released over 94 episodes all exploring new influential OT research. As we enter 2025, it’s time to reflect on the research and ask:
What trends are we seeing in OT? How is new research enriching how we think about our practice?
In this 1 hour-episode, we’ll talk about new trends, with a particular focus on what commonalities we see leaders in our field doing in their occupational therapy process. We’ll culminate our discussion by exploring how people describe OT. This will be informed by our OT practice framework, but with a special focus on how we communicate about OT to the public.
For this exploration, we’ll welcome back to the podcast a past guest, who is now working in new frontiers for OT: Sarah Brzeszkiewicz, OTR/L. Together we’ll unpack what all of these trends mean for your OT practice.
You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/what-is-ot-in-2025
Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process—Fourth editionSupport the show
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Artificial intelligence is ushering a new era of healthcare tools. These range from ambient listening to streamlined practice management. But, the AI-supported that I believe will truly transform occupational therapy is:
Clinical Decision Support.
To be honest, it often feels like we have more clinical decision barriers than we have support. Our EMRs currently give us a set number of checkboxes, which massively pigeonhole our services, and often DO NOT reflect the kinds of best practice we teach here at OT Potential.
But, on the near horizon is dynamic point-of-service support that will help you choose the right assessments, set the right goals, and pursue the right treatment path for the patient in front of you.
Oh, and it will also be watching for red flags.
This is a lot to wrap our minds around. But, if we do it well, I think we will future proof our profession for changes to payment models and regulations, because it will so drastically increase our value.
In this course, we’ll review a new journal that outlines clinical decision support across 6 domains. Then, to walk us through what’s here now and what’s coming soon, I’m so thankful to welcome Brad Willingham, PhD, a clinical research scientist at Shepherd Center who has been focused on how AI is going to support clinical decision support.
You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ai-and-clinical-decision-support
Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Advancing clinical decision support: The role of artificial intelligence across six domains.Support the show
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Manglende episoder?
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The Epley maneuver is a 💎 rare gem 💎 in the OT toolkit.
A patient can walk into our treatment room, and they can walk out cured.
They can walk out with instant relief.(Yes, there is nuance to this. Sometimes the maneuver needs to be repeated. Sometimes it simply doesn’t work. There are important contraindications.) But, the other thing that makes this a GEM is that more so than any other condition we treat there are clear clinical guidelines for treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).
But, despite the amazing power of this treatment, and the swath of research behind it. Many people fail to have their BPPV identified and treated in a timely manner.
In today’s article, we get to learn about a trauma center that trained their therapists in managing BPPV after TBI, and were able to reduce their referrals to neurology.
You are going to have so many questions after reading this article, and that’s why I am so thankful to welcome to the podcast, Jeff Walter, a PT who has devoted much of his career to treating and teaching on this condition.
You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-and-bppv
Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Does training therapists to manage benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in patients with acute traumatic brain injury reduce vestibular neurology referrals?Support the show
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Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common cause of non-traumatic disability in people aged 18-65 years.
As rehab professionals, we know that exercise is one of the mainstays of treatment for these clients.
Though not definitively established, exercise has the most potential promise to be disease modifying if started early in the course of disease. But, alongside exercise there are other important interventions to consider like fatigue management and education.
In today’s article review, we will look at a massive overview of reviews (72 articles were included!). The article outlines the strength of the evidence being multiple types of rehab interventions.
Then, next week we are excited to welcome to the podcast Sarah Adam, OTD, an occupational therapist with MS who has taken her pursuit of adaptive sports to an elite level—and recently earned Silver in wheelchair rugby at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. Sarah was the first woman to ever play on Team USA’s wheelchair rugby team, also made history as the first woman to score a point during an Olympic wheelchair rugby game. We clearly have so much to learn from Sarah that I know will inspire your OT practice.
You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-and-multiple-sclerosis
Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Effective rehabilitation interventions and participation among people with multiple sclerosis: An overview of reviewsSupport the show
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As occupational therapists, many of us have witnessed the wonder of motor learning in neuro rehab.
Yet despite years of research attempting to identify the most effective post-stroke interventions, the reality is that our understanding of how to improve recovery of function remains incomplete.
The article we are reviewing today serves as an update on the state of the science in how new theories of motor control and learning can be incorporated into practice.
The authors put particular emphasis on how new technologies may be needed to truly meet the many principles of neuroplasticity, and in particular they point to virtual, augment, and mixed reality technologies.
After we review the research, we are excited to welcome to the podcast an OT who works for one such virtual rehab solution as their Manager of Clinical Services, Katie Riccio, MS, OTR/L. Katie will share what she has learned about neurorehab in her role. And orient us to the stroke rehab tech tools on the market, how they can intersect with you in-person practice—and what to expect on the horizon.
You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/motor-learning-in-neuro-rehab
Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Motor Learning in Neurological RehabilitationSupport the show
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Unfortunately, research on the lived-experience for those with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome shows us that we as a profession need to be doing a better job.
People with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome report:
A lack of reliable information for themselvesSocial stigma from peers.Lack of awareness of EDS in the healthcare communityAs occupational therapy professionals, there is much we can contribute to supporting this population. And, today we’ll look at a self-management program that is grounded in behavior change theory and we co-designed with people with lived experience of EDS.
Next week we will welcome to the podcast, an occupational therapist who has EDS and also treats EDS clients in her clinical practice, Emily Rich, PhD, OTR/L. Emily and I will discuss self-management, along with assessment and treatment of EDS.
You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-and-ehlers-danlos-syndrome
Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Developing a self-management intervention to manage hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS): an analysis informed by behaviour change theory.Support the show
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In 50 years, you will look back on your occupational therapy practice and see a clear line in the sand between pre-AI augmented documentation and today.
Ambient AI augmented documentation is going to:
✅Make documenting QUICKER
✅Make your notes HIGHER QUALITY
✅And, transform how you interact with clientsAnd, if we harness this technology correctly, it will improve👏 client 👏outcomes. 👏
Today, we’ll look at an example of the research that is already being published about how an ambient artificial intelligence tool can improve clinical documentation.
Then next week we will welcome to the podcast, Dennis Morrison, PhD, a clinician who has specialized in consulting with AI documentation startups. Together we’ll walk through the state of AI-augmented documentation and the questions of the MANY tools that are coming to the market for OT.
You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ai-in-documentation
Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Use of an ambient artificial intelligence tool to improve quality of clinical documentation.Support the show
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The population of the United States is older than it has ever been.
And, by 2050 the older adult population (>65 years) is projected to increase another 47% (from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million by 2050). This will transform many aspects of our society—and one change we need to prepare for is:
The safety of older drivers.
Because by 2050 the older adult population (>65 years) will make up 25% of all drivers.
You may be aware that our youngest, newly licensed drivers are the most likely to be in a crash— but it is older drivers who are more likely to be in a fatal crash.
In our featured article from JAMA gives a high-level overview of the complex driving needs of an older population—and tucked inside you’ll see OT’s role in helping to address these needs.
After we review the article, we’ll welcome one of the article’s authors Ganesh M. Babulal, PhD, OTD, MSCI, MOT, who leads the DRIVES Project at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Through this project he is working to understand how preclinical Alzheimer’s disease (AD) impacts driving behavior.
You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-and-driving
Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Addressing the complex driving needs of an aging population.Support the show
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In our OT work with individuals, there can be a feeling of futility.
As there is a growing collective consciousness around what we, as OT professionals, experience day in and day out:
The communities in which we live have such a profound impact on our health.
And, we can fail individuals by focusing only on their individual choices—and not the larger driving forces of their lives.
I think this expanding view of health is why we see so much interest in community practice from students, new grads, and tired clinicians. Community practice does have a long history in occupational therapy, but currently very few clinicians find full-time work in this practice area. The authors of this course’s featured article, believe this may be in part to a lack of frameworks for community-based OT. So, today we’ll explore the framework they put forth and their call to “reimagine occupational therapy clients as communities.”
Next week on the podcast, we will welcome Ryan Lavalley, PhD, OTR/L. Dr. Lavalley is the founder and primary lead of the Community Practice Lab at UNC School of Medicine.
You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/community-based-ot
Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Re-imagining occupational therapy clients as communities: Presenting the community-centred practice framework.Support the show
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Children with emotional disability (also known as emotional disturbance) are significantly more likely than children with other disabilities to:
NOT be integrated into regular classroomsExperience a disciplinary removalDrop out of schoolOver the years, multiple social-emotional learning (SEL) interventions have been developed to support children with emotional disabilities. But, New York City Public Schools found that one-size-fits all programs were not sufficient for their student population.
So, the district created—and began studying—an educational pilot called the Path Program. At the heart of this program are OT professionals and occupational therapy concepts.
The journal article we are reviewing in this 1-hour CE course describes the research-practice partnership that supported this program’s development—and the role of trauma-informed care in social-emotional learning interventions.
After we review the article, we will welcome Michelle Flemen-Tung, MSEd, the program director for the Path Program. She will share concrete ways we can all improve the support we provide to kids with emotional disabilities.
You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/emotional-disability-and-ot
Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Adapting SEL interventions to meet student needs: A research-practice partnership supporting students with emotional disabilities.Support the show
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Interoception is having a moment.
The popularity of the 8th sense is likely due to the fact that it gives words to sensations that we all experience, like: hunger, fatigue, heart rate, and pain.
But, even though these sensations seem universal the reality is that there are vast differences in how and to what degree we experience the components of interoception. We are beginning to be able to correlate brain-level differences with different experiences of interoception.
And, what’s really interesting is how these differences impact emotional regulation.
And, what’s really, really interesting is that research is showing that interoception can be improved. And, there seems to be a correlation improvement with emotional regulation….(without ever working explicitly on emotional regulation.)
In this 1 hour CEU course, we’ll look at a school based program that does just that: improves interoception and emotional regulation.
After we review the article, we’ll welcome to the podcast Kelly Mahler, the lead author of the paper and one of the pioneers of researching the practical implication of interoception for OTs and other health professionals.
Learn more about our guest:
https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/kelly-mahler
You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-and-interoception
Here's the primary research we are discussing:
An interoception- based intervention for improving emotional regulation in children in a special education classroom: Feasibility study.Support the show
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If you have not been paying attention to recent statistics on drowning, you need to be.
After decades of decline, deaths by drowning are on the rise.
Groups already at higher risk have seen the greatest increases in drowning deaths. This includes adults ages 65 years and older of all races and ethnicities, as well as Black people of all ages.
But today, we’ll focus on an especially high-risk group: children (and particularly, children with autism). Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4, and children with autism spectrum disorder are 160 times more likely to experience nonfatal and fatal drowning than their typically developing peers.
Whatever setting you work in, I hope these sobering numbers convince you to pay close attention to water safety. Here, we’ll look at an aquatic OT swim safety program that you could consider implementing in your community.
Next week on the OT Potential Podcast, we will welcome the article’s lead author, Erika Kemp, for a discussion on the logistics of launching a swim safety program. We’ll also tackle big picture questions—like how to go about mobilizing the entire OT community to prevent drownings in our communities.
Learn more about our guest:
https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/erika-kemp
You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/swim-safety-in-autistic-children
Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Addressing swim safety in autistic children: A pilot feasibility study using aquatic occupational therapy.Support the show
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Functional neurological disorder (FND) has been called a “silent epidemic,” a “crisis” in neurology, and psychiatry’s “blind spot.”
And, I have to admit it has been a huge personal blind spot for me.
Luckily, others in the OT community have been hard at work standardizing care for these patients. Multidisciplinary treatment, including referral to OT is a best practice for these patients. And, today we will look at expert recommendations for OT assessment and treatment.
After we review the OT recommendations for FND, we will welcome Naoya Ogura, OTD, OTR/L, he is the West Los Angeles Clinic Director at re-active and specializes in neurological conditions like POTS, EDS, MCAS, and FND.
Learn more about our guest:
https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/naoya-ogura
You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-and-functional-neurological-disorder
Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Occupational therapy consensus recommendations for functional neurological disorder.Support the show
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The world desperately needs OT leaders.
It needs leaders that can think holistically. It needs leaders that understand both individual level change and systems level change. It needs storytellers, collaborators, and compassionate thinkers.
And, these are the qualities of an occupational therapy professional.
Today, we’ll explore a paper on best practices in OT leadership curriculum development. This will help us understand the practical steps involved in leadership development. Both as an individual, and for preparing our profession to be one of leaders.
After we review the article, we are thrilled to welcome to the podcast, Dr. Victoria Wilburn, State Representative for Indiana House District 32. Her and I will discuss the hard-won lessons she has learned about leadership. And, the advice she has for OTs to step into leadership, in whatever role they occupy.
You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-and-leadership
Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Best practices in leadership curriculum development: A case study of a curriculum designed to foster authentic leadership skills in graduate students.Support the show
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In a massive 53 page treatment guideline on Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), the authors state:
“Occupational therapists are the ideal therapeutic leaders in the functional restoration process…”
And, go on to devote 2 pages to what this OT care can entail.
In this one hour course, we’ll pull out important implications for OT practice from the entire guideline. As you’ll see, when it comes to treating chronic pain, like CRPS there are a lot of best practices to draw on—but also a lot of unknowns that necessitates close attention to the individual in front of you.
To help us flesh out what this means for OT practice, we’ll welcome to the podcast Megan Doyle, a program manager at an outpatient pain program and a leading voice on OT’s role in pain management.
You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-complex-regional-pain-syndrome
Learn more about our guest:
Megan Doyle MS, OTR/L, TPS, FPS, CERT-APHPT
Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Practical Diagnostic and Treatment Guidelines, 5th Edition.Support the show
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In a rapidly changing world, we as OT professionals need collective mobilization like never before.
But, it feels like our systems of advocacy are all underfunded and difficult to navigate.
Against this backdrop, which can feel discouraging, I think it is critical to shine the light on what I consider one of the greatest OT triumphs of the past decade:
The breakthrough of OTs into pelvic health.
This is a story of grassroots organization, individual thought-leadership, Facebook groups, podcasts, phone calls, and ultimately collaboration on the individual, state and national level.
We are thrilled to have 3 leaders from this movement, Alyson Stover, Carlin Reaume and Lindsey Vestal. Each has played a unique role in this movement and are here to share what they’ve learned from the wins and fails along the way. Ultimately, we hope this story and conversation helps you reflect on your role in advocacy in this new era.
You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-advocacy-in-pelvic-health
Find a pelvic floor OT near you:
https://otpotential.com/blog/pelvic-health-occupational-therapy
Learn more about our guests:
Carlin Reaume OTD, OTR/L, DipACLM, PMH-C, PCES
Lindsey Vestal OTR/L
Alyson Stover MOT, JD, OTR/L, BCP
Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Pelvic floor dysfunction after childbirth: Occupational impact and awareness of available treatment.Support the show
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The idea of AI transforming occupational therapy stirs both hopes and fears.
Will it help us revolutionize our broken systems? Will it augment the best of our care?
Or will it bolster inequality and threaten our jobs?
This is a story we are actively writing—and have the power to shape.
In this one hour course, we’ll talk to two leading voices on the adoption of AI and OT, Alyson Stover MOT, JD, OTR/L, BCP and Karen Jacobs OT, EdD, OTR, CPE, FAOTA. We’ll discuss how they are currently using AI, what they are learning—and the opportunities for OT in what is shaping up to be the revolution of our lifetime.
You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-hopes-and-fears-ai
Learn more about our guests:
Alyson Stover MOT, JD, OTR/L, BCP
Karen Jacobs, OT, EdD, OTR, CPE, FAOTA
Learn more about Korro AI:
https://korro.ai/Support the show
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There is a growing public consciousness around the power (and difficulty) of habit change, especially as the impact of chronic conditions soars.
And, as we’ll see in the featured scoping review on OT and habit change/health promotion, we’ve been addressing habits since 1912, it is a core part of our 2020 practice framework, and is increasingly embedded in OT research.
On this OT Potential Podcast episode, we’ll welcome Dr. Zipporah Brown, and her and I will discuss ways you can embed best practices around habit change in your practice.
You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-and-habits
Learn more about our guest:
https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/zipporah-brown
Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Habits and health promotion in occupational therapy: A scoping review.Support the show
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The number of OT entry-level doctoral (OTD) programs has been expanding rapidly. In 2017 there were 7 programs. As of 2023, there are 95, with an additional 76 in development.
The article we'll cover in this course presents early stage research on the doctoral capstone experience and employment opportunities. It backs up what I have now personally observed through mentoring a student: that doctoral students are uniquely prepared for more diverse job opportunities, and sometimes jobs are even created due to the clear value of the capstone experience.
There seems to be a benefit for the profession as a whole, in terms of increased awareness. (Our Achilles heel!)
After reviewing the article, I’ll welcome our own student, Alana Woolley, and her capstone coordinator, Daniel Rortvedt. Our goal will be to help you decide if you should be a capstone mentor, and shed light on the experience from 3 perspectives.
You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/making-the-otd-capstone-matter
Learn more about our guests:
https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/daniel-rortvedt
https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/alanawoolley
See our Capstone Catalog:
https://otpotential.com/blog/otd-capstone-catalog
Here's the primary research we are discussing:
An exploration of the occupational therapy doctoral capstone: Perspectives from capstone coordinators, graduates, and Site Mentors.Support the show
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I’ve been surprised as my own kids enter elementary school to anecdotally find that constipation is a common reason to miss activities.
But, this aligns perfectly with the research we look at today, and the growing concern that constipation has become a public health concern.
As many as 32% of kids (0-18) experience constipation. And, a growing number of occupational therapy professionals are seeing these kids on their caseload. Today we’ll look at an article that examines what an interdisciplinary approach to pediatric constipation can look like.
Then, we are excited to welcome to the podcast, Quiara Smith, an OT who owns a pediatric pelvic health practice. Her and I will discuss the practical implications from this article for your OT practice.
You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-pediatric-constipation
Learn more about our guest:
https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/quiara-smith
Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Interdisciplinary occupational and physical therapy approach to treating constipation and fecal incontinence in children.Support the show
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