Explore every episode of the podcast OT Potential Podcast | Occupational Therapy CEUs
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #118 AI Chat and Clinical Decision Support with Jen Weaver | 07 Nov 2025 | 00:55:08 | |
One year ago, we released an OT Potential Podcast episode exploring what AI could conceptually mean for clinical decision support. Fast forward to today—and AI chats have become a regular part of the decision-making process for many healthcare providers. In fact, OpenEvidence now reports that 40% of U.S. physicians use their platform daily. At OT Potential, we recently launched our own AI chat and learned a great deal in the process. The world of knowledge translation is changing at an incredible pace. It feels more important than ever to pause and ask: What critical questions should we be asking to harness this technology? What are the strengths of chat-based tools as they currently exist? What are their vulnerabilities? And how can we move forward strategically? We are incredibly lucky to be joined for this one-hour CEU webinar by Jen Weaver, PhD, OTR/L, a leading voice in knowledge translation within occupational therapy. Together, Jen and I will discuss what these rapid changes mean for you and your OT practice. | |||
| #117 OTA Hot Topics with Amy Mahle | 24 Oct 2025 | 00:58:34 | |
Occupational therapy assistants are the bedrock of treatment provision in many OT departments throughout the country. In fact, In large rural SNFs, around 58% of OT staffing minutes are by OTAs. And, in rural and underserved communities, about 48% of all Medicare outpatient therapy services are provided by OTAs. But, not enough continuing education has been geared towards the unique challenges and opportunities within this profession. That’s why I’m so thankful to begin a new annual series on Hot Topics for OTAs, with our first guest, Amy Mahle Ed.D., COTA/L, ROH. Amy and I will discuss the hot topics that are top of mind headed into 2026: from changing reimbursement to the OTA pipeline, to new technologies at the point of care. This course is perfect for both occupational therapy assistants, and occupational therapists who are curious to learn more about our closest colleagues. | |||
| #108 Legal Considerations for OT with Alyson Stover and Monika Lukasiewicz | 17 Jul 2025 | 01:04:14 | |
While many therapists dream of private practice, the risk of hitting a legal landmine holds many back. In this episode, we are going to zoom in on one OT who is looking to partner with a doctor who is providing concierge dementia services. We’ll use this as a case example to talk through what legal considerations OTs need to make when starting a practice: from choosing the right legal entity, to partnering with a specific provider, to navigating Medicare, to understanding anti-trust and anti-kick back laws. Yes. We are getting in the weeds. But, this is essential. We’ll welcome back two returning podcast guests, Monika Lukasiewicz, OTR/L (who is looking to start her practice) and Alyson Stover, MOT, JD, OTR/L, BCP (a pediatric occupational therapist/private practice owner, who also has a degree in health law.) You can find more details on this course here: | |||
| #18: OT for Adults with Cancer with Vanessa Monique Yanez (CE Course) | 11 Oct 2021 | 01:06:38 | |
The research is clear—adults living with cancer have significant unmet therapy needs. But how can we, as occupational therapy professionals, best serve this population? It’s a great question, and one we’ll explore in-depth on this one-hour episode of the OT Potential Podcast! First, we’ll dig into the research around disability in activities of daily living among adults with cancer. Next, we’ll be joined by Vanessa Monique Yanez, MSOT, OTR/L. Vanessa will lend her expertise to our discussion of what this information means for your real-world practice. Vanessa is a cancer survivor, herself. This personal experience fuels her dedication to improving the quality of life of other survivors. As private practice owner, Vanessa has valuable advice and insights to offer about the referral process, assessment and treatment of patients with cancer. We’re honored to have her with us and excited to hear her thoughts. | |||
| #17: Nature-based OT with Laura Park Figueroa (CE Course) | 26 Sep 2021 | 00:58:47 | |
Many of us feel the benefits of spending time in nature. But, these outdoor experiences often seem pretty far removed from our traditional occupational therapy work. There’s a good chance you’ve already heard of nature-based therapy, as it is a hot topic in the OT world. However, you might not be aware of the breadth of research available on this topic—and you might be pleasantly surprised by how well nature-based therapy aligns with your OT practice. In this episode, we’ll explore a paper looking at the effects of horticulture group therapy on adults with mental health diagnoses. We’ll use this research to springboard into a broader discussion on the types of nature-based therapy, the research supporting this type of therapy, and the potential impact it might have on your practice. To guide us through this topic, we’ll be joined by nature-based occupational therapist, Laura Park Figueroa, whose enthusiasm for the topic will certainly leave you eager to learn more! | |||
| #16: Disparities in Supports for Autism in Latino Families with Cristina Reyes Smith & Catherine Hoyt (CE Course) | 12 Sep 2021 | 01:07:43 | |
Racial and ethnic health disparities have been heavy on our hearts over the past few years—and they should be. We have much to reckon with, not only in terms of our own personal biases, but also regarding the structural inequities within healthcare. In this one-hour, podcast-based CE course, we’ll look at how the Latino community is impacted by disparities around the diagnosis and care of autistic children. We’ll start by exploring some of the latest research on the topic with Catherine R. Hoyt, PhD, OTD, OTR/L and Cristina Reyes Smith, OTD, OTR/L. Then, we’ll discuss practical implications for caring for our autistic clients, including how we can work step-by-step to dismantle the disparities in our healthcare systems. | |||
| #15: Brain Computer Interfaces and OT with Lauren Souders (CE Course) | 23 Aug 2021 | 01:02:21 | |
The ability to affordably track brainwave activity has opened up tremendous opportunities in occupational therapy. Regardless of where we work (or the patient populations we treat), our work has the potential to be significantly informed by this technology over the next few decades. In this one-hour course, we will look at a research study on brain-computer interface (BCI). The study will serve as a jumping-off point to explore the concepts and developments that OTs should follow in this space. We’ll talk with her about what is on the market for brain-computer interface, as well as what types of BCI we can expect to see coming to market in the future. And, most importantly, we’ll discuss how occupational therapy care may be improved over the next decade with the aid of these exciting new technologies. | |||
| #14: The Services Cliff and Autism with Debora Davidson (CE Course) | 02 Aug 2021 | 01:07:09 | |
As autistic individuals transition from adolescence to adulthood, they encounter a new and unique set of challenges. Yet, at this critical time, the support available to them drops dramatically. This is known as the “services cliff.” In this one-hour continuing education course, we’ll begin by looking at the journal article “Service Needs Across the Lifespan for Individuals with Autism.” Then, to discuss how your occupational therapy skills can help bridge this service gap, we’ll invite Debora Davidson, PhD, OTR/L to discuss the research and her own experience providing transitional services in her private practice. In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club. | |||
| #13: Beyond Occupational Injustice with Antonia Suszek (CE Course) | 25 Jun 2021 | 00:55:18 | |
Any occupational therapy practitioner knows that we often face tough questions surrounding ethics and justice. We work in imperfect systems, and each day we see how societal systems favor some, while placing others at a disadvantage. So, how do we process all of this? And, how do we see ourselves as contributing to the greater good? One framework that has been taught in many OT schools involves “occupational injustice.” But, the article we will review is a critique of this familiar framework. And, instead, it will introduce you to the concept of capabilities theory. To discuss how these big-picture questions impact how you show up as an OT—including how your work can help address unjust systems—we’ll be talking to Antonia Suszek. | |||
| #12: Relationship-based OT Care with Rafi Salazar (CE Course) | 13 Jun 2021 | 01:08:28 | |
You probably spent a lot of time learning about “therapeutic use of self” during OT school. As it turns out, this phrase is just one of many frameworks that describe the relationship between therapists and patients. Over the past decade, many other relationship models have been developed and studied. This course will orient you to various concepts for understanding your relationship with patients, as well as how the different therapeutic relationships may ultimately influence outcomes. After diving into a journal article reviewing the literature on relationship-based care, we’ll invite Rafi Salazar to join us in discussing the practical clinical implications of the findings. Rafi has boots-on-the-ground experience with building strong therapist-patient relationships, as well as a 1000-foot perspective on how you can systematize strong relationships in your practice. | |||
| #11: Rheumatoid Arthritis and OT with Cheryl Crow (CE Course) | 07 May 2021 | 01:01:22 | |
Over the past few decades, our understanding of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has evolved quite a bit. And, that means the prognosis of RA patients has improved in turn. Many of the “classic” deformities associated with RA are becoming less common. And, as we learn more and more about RA and its impacts on patients, your OT care should evolve accordingly. In this 1-hour podcast course, we’ll begin by discussing a research review that covers the diagnosis and treatment of RA. Then, we’ll bring on our expert guest, Cheryl Crow, MOT, OTR/L. Cheryl Crow is an occupational therapist who has lived with rheumatoid arthritis for eighteen years. In this episode, we’ll dive into RA therapy considerations that go beyond addressing joint pain. We’ll discuss approaching your therapy from a self-management lens, so you can empower those with RA to take more control over their daily lives and health. This is a vastly underserved population, and we hope to ignite your passion for providing improved care to the people in your community! | |||
| #10: Understanding Sensory Function in Autism with Bryden Giving (CE Course) | 18 Apr 2021 | 01:02:34 | |
In neuroscience, there is a rapidly growing and evolving understanding of sensory function that is important for all occupational therapists to be tracking—and particularly those who work with autistic clients. In this one hour continuing education course, we’ll dive into a research review, where the authors take three main assumptions that both neuroscientists and occupational therapists make regarding sensory function—and they discuss where the research stands with each one. You’ll leave this article feeling humbled by how much we still have to learn about sensory function and autism. Yet, also in awe of the advances we have made over the past few decades—one can only imagine what we will learn in future years! After we look at some specific research on this topic, we’ll be bringing in our expert guest, Bryden Giving, MAOT, OTR/L. Bryden will help us connect this complex topic to your works on the frontlines. | |||
| #9: Self-Advocacy in OT (Being Self-Assured in Uncertain Times) with Amy Lamb (CE Course) | 30 Mar 2021 | 00:56:54 | |
In many ways, the past year has changed how we practice occupational therapy. OTs and OTAs have worked in a variety of settings as we’ve seen new and different needs arise. We have been called to learn new safety protocols, new technologies, and new ways of approaching care. This hour-long episode will review opportunities for occupational therapy professionals to rise to the occasion in their workplaces, communities, schools, and professional organizations through a lens of self-advocacy. We’re honored to be having this discussion with Amy Lamb, OTD, OT/L, FAOTA. Amy is the immediate past-president of the American Occupational Therapy Association. In our discussion, she will share specific takeaways from self-advocacy literature, as well as best-practice examples of OT self-advocacy. This episode aims to inspire OTs to use principles of self-advocacy to take a stand for themselves, their clients, and the profession during these uncertain times. | |||
| #107 OT and Purpose with Alix Sleight | 26 Jun 2025 | 01:06:37 | |
Here’s a question I can’t stop thinking about: Is “sense of purpose” the true secret ingredient that makes occupational therapy unique and effective? I ran a survey of my OT peers earlier this year, and I was shocked that 17% of respondents selected “sense of purpose” as the main treatment area they address—second only to “daily activities,” which is what I traditionally think of as our bread and butter. This tells me that, on the ground, a surprising number of therapists see “addressing sense of purpose” as their most effective intervention. The article we are looking at today reveals why sense of purpose may be such a profound lever to pull. (Hint: It is associated with many health benefits!) After we review the article, we are excited to welcome to the podcast one of occupational therapy’s leading thinkers about our role in sense of purpose: Dr. Alix Sleight. Together, we’ll unpack the science behind sense of purpose—and the small and large ways you can address it in your OT sessions.
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-and-purpose Support this show by using the The OT Potential Medbridge promo code (code: OTPSummer) which gives you the BEST discount available. The code will be active June 23-July 9th, 2025. You’ll get the best savings possible of $126 off individual plans and 10% off group plans. Learn more here: | |||
| #8: Supporting Informal Caregivers of People with Dementia with Brandy Archie (CE Course) | 28 Feb 2021 | 00:59:13 | |
This podcast episode discusses the important topic of how to support those who care for people with dementia. Dementia tends to inform many conversations around caregiving, largely because it is such a pressing public health concern. Yet, this is a conversation that goes beyond a single diagnosis. After all, many of our occupational therapy clients receive some type of caregiving, whether formal or informal. And, the reality is that caregivers’ health (or lack thereof) is likely to impact our clients’ health. I believe all occupational therapists—regardless of practice setting or patient population—will benefit from understanding the takeaways from this research. After we look at some specific research on this topic, we’ll be bringing in our expert guest, Brandy Archie, OTD, the founder of AccessAble Living, to talk about the practical implications of supporting caregivers in your OT practice. | |||
| #7: POTS & COVID-19 Long Haulers with Emily Rich (CE Course) | 31 Jan 2021 | 01:02:04 | |
The struggles of COVID-19 long haulers have caught the attention of the medical community. In many cases, symptoms seem to correlate with a little-known condition called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). But, even before the pandemic called attention to POTS, research and advancements in treatment were taking place in the background. Unfortunately, while the research is out there, POTS is not always understood by health providers, and proper diagnosis can take years. Occupational therapy has a potentially significant role to play in the lives of both POTS patients and COVID-19 long haulers. In this month’s hour-long podcast episode, we are luckily enough to talk to POTS researcher and practicing clinician, Emily Rich. We discuss what we do and don’t know about POTS, as well as the strategies you can use to help these patients get the most out of life. | |||
| #6: OT Education During a Pandemic with Melissa Kimmerling (CE Course) | 03 Jan 2021 | 00:58:48 | |
Whether we’re students, educators, or clinicians working on the frontlines of care, we all have a stake in the world of occupational therapy (OT) education. The changes in clinical education this year are so large that even those working in academia have struggled to keep up. This 1-hour CE course will ask you to reflect on trends in higher education prior to 2020, and assess how COVID-19 has impacted higher education. It will also lead you to consider how OT education may forever be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our goal is to encourage educators and program directors to continue thinking outside the box, find ways to increase program flexibility, harness long-term use of technology, and creatively support occupational therapy students. The course will reference current research on trends in higher education both pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic with OT Program Director, Melissa Kimmerling, EdD, MOT, OTR/L. We look at what we’ve learned during the pandemic, what will stay after the pandemic abates, and how you can support students both in the classroom and in the field. | |||
| #5: Supporting Adults on the Spectrum with Meg Proctor (CE Course) | 13 Dec 2020 | 00:58:57 | |
The number of adults diagnosed with autism is rising. Yet, we currently have very few evidence-based interventions to offer this population. We seem to be falling short of truly supporting autistic adults. We need to do better, not just by addressing their challenges, but also by bolstering their unique strengths. This 1-hour episode is going to push you to think big-picture about the unmet needs of autistic adults—and, hopefully, it will help you address both the challenges and strengths that can be part of being neurodivergent in a world that is built for neurotypicals. Our goal is to support you as an OT, so you can help autistic adults live a life they love. The course will begin with a breakdown of some current research exploring the priorities of autistic adults. Then, Meg Proctor, an occupational therapist with expertise in working with patients on the spectrum, will join us to discuss practical takeaways. Support the show (https://otpotential.com/ot-potential-club) | |||
| #4: COVID-19 and OT with Torrie Niewohner (CE Course) | 28 Nov 2020 | 01:00:22 | |
So much about the COVID-19 era feels unpredictable and beyond our control. But, the research analysis covered in this course will open your eyes to some ways where we can be extremely helpful. Not only can you use your occupational therapy skills to help patients in acute care, but you can even help those who are home with mild symptoms. I know we say this at OT Potential a lot, but your skill set is desperately needed. The course will begin with a breakdown of some current research on COVID. Then, Torrie Niewoner, an occupational therapist who treats patients with COVID-19 in the inpatient setting, will join us to discuss practical takeaways. In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club. | |||
| #3: Postconcussion Syndrome and OT with Devon Cochrane (CE Course) | 25 Oct 2020 | 01:02:24 | |
In this 1-hour course, occupational therapy practitioners will gain an introductory understanding of a hot topic (and controversial diagnosis): postconcussion syndrome. On one hand, postconcussion syndrome has a well-described pattern of symptoms. But, on the other hand, we don’t know what causes it. Plus, because the symptoms are subjective, postconcussion syndrome has been very difficult to quantify and study. Whether you work with kids or adults, at some point you’ll probably work with patients who’ve suffered concussions. This course will help you feel informed and confident when working with these patients. The course will begin with a breakdown of some current research on postconcussion syndrome. Next, Devon Cochrane, an occupational therapist and concussion expert, will join us to discuss practical takeaways. | |||
| #2: OT, eHealth, and Participatory Medicine with Lauren Sheehan (CE Course) | 27 Sep 2020 | 00:58:59 | |
In this 1-hour course, occupational therapy practitioners will learn about the concepts of eHealth and participatory medicine—and, how they are shaping the future of our profession. Both eHealth and participatory medicine will give you a new lens to understand some of the seismic shifts that are happening in health care right now. And, the good news is that even amidst rapid change, the basic tenet of both concepts, of helping the patient to be more active in their care, has long been a tenant of OT and will leave you feeling affirmed of the value of the work we do. The course will begin with a breakdown of the research, and then Lauren Sheehan, OTD, OTR/L, an occupational therapist and rehab technology expert, will join us to discuss practical takeaways. We’re excited to explore this topic with you! | |||
| #1: Self-Management for Stroke with Lauren Sheehan (CE Course) | 28 Aug 2020 | 01:04:25 | |
In this 1-hour course, occupational therapy practitioners will learn about promising research regarding stroke rehab—specifically, interventions that are geared toward self-management. The good news is that much of the research backs what we are already doing. The authors build upon our existing foundations of OT, providing practical ideas for tweaking your care to leverage the principles of self-management. The course will begin with a breakdown of the research, and then Lauren Sheehan, OTD, OTR/L, an occupational therapist and stroke-care expert, will join us to discuss practical takeaways. | |||
| OT Reduces Hospital Readmissions! (And, in a Cost-Effective Way!) | 24 May 2020 | 00:14:40 | |
My first thought after I read this article was that I need to share it with our hospital’s CEO. This is exactly the kind of article that I want our administrators and leaders to be reading. My second thought was that every OT needs a copy of this article to display on their desk like an inspirational poster :-) It’s that huge. This is the largest (and most important, in my opinion) study we’ve examined so far in the Club. The authors analyzed data from 1,194,251 Medicare patients, and they found that OT was the only category of spending where higher investment led to lower readmission rates across three different diagnoses: heart failure, pneumonia, and acute myocardial infarction. | |||
| OT and Shifting Values | 19 Apr 2020 | 00:13:28 | |
We OTs are navigating an ever-changing maze of legislation, reimbursement, and care-delivery models. But, this week’s article calls us to focus on our profession’s most important relationship of all: our relationship with our clients. Get ready to really ponder the nature of our partnerships with clients...and to consider these relationships in terms like trust and vulnerability. The researchers held focus groups that examined how patient/provider relationships are changing due to both parties' reliance on the internet for answers. The results are fascinating. | |||
| #106 AI and Treatment Planning with Cody Lee | 12 Jun 2025 | 00:57:28 | |
You know that sinking feeling you get before walking into a patient room, when you suddenly think: “Wait.. what exactly am I going to do with this patient?” Creating a treatment plan entails a complex synthesis of the patient’s needs, the available evidence, and your expertise. It’s no wonder it can be hard to pull all this information together on the spot. So, it’s easy to see why therapists are starting to utilize AI tools as a brainstorming assist for treatment planning. But, this also raises SO MANY questions. Which tools should I trust? What are the limitations? What are the ethical considerations? In this webinar, we are talking with a practicing PT, Cody Lee, about the benefits he has found from using AI as a treatment planning companion. And, practical ways you can get started doing the same, so you can begin riding this wave that is going to transform healthcare. You can find more details on this course here: | |||
| OT, Sensory Differences, and Psychosis | 12 Apr 2020 | 00:11:56 | |
During this time of COVID-19, we OTs are doing what we do best: being adaptable. In this case, a global pandemic has us reimagining what our therapy can look like. It is our hope that the OT Potential Club can help you do that in a proactive way. Over the past few weeks, we’ve been looking at research that highlights new opportunities to reach our patients and improve outcomes. This week’s article fits well in that theme. It calls us back to a basic principle: part of our role is to intervene early in the disease process, ideally helping to prevent some of the most worrisome disease symptoms. This week, we are looking at an article about psychosis which, frankly, is one of the most challenging symptoms that can present with many mental illnesses. But, there’s good news: And, in this brand-new study, you’ll see how an assessment that many OTs are accustomed to administering—The Sensory Profile—may not only help guide early identification of at-risk youth, but also help inform subsequent treatment. | |||
| In-Clinic Versus Telehealth OT for Adults After Stroke | 05 Apr 2020 | 00:12:15 | |
Therapists across the globe are advocating that telehealth delivery be covered by our licenses (and reimbursed by insurers). Now, more than ever, I think it’s important to examine the research that backs up these efforts. The reality is that even before COVID-19, telehealth was showing significant promise to help reach more clients, and even improve outcomes. This week’s article is a randomized control trial (RCT) from one of the world’s most influential journals: The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). And, the results indicate that telehealth delivered to stroke patients to address UE motor deficits appeared to be just as effective as similar care care that was delivered in a clinic. | |||
| OT and Coaching via Telehealth | 30 Mar 2020 | 00:10:06 | |
One of the general trends we’ve been following on the podcast is the potential of using coaching strategies in occupational therapy. And, as therapists around the globe are dialing into teletherapy, this research trend merits some consideration. After all, it may be an effective strategy to consider as many of us are seeking to restructure how we offer our occupational therapy services. This week’s article on occupation-based coaching via telehealth really paints a picture of how coaching techniques may be an effective tool for OT professionals as our profession navigates this new frontier. Little, L. M., Pope, E., Wallisch, A., & Dunn, W. (2018). Occupation-Based Coaching by Means of Telehealth for Families of Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 72(2). doi: 10.5014/ajot.2018.024786 | |||
| OT and Telehealth Research | 23 Mar 2020 | 00:14:30 | |
The world has changed drastically in a week’s time—and we are being asked to change with it. I know this has meant long, exhausting days. And, that we have been left scrambling trying to figure out what a “new normal” will look like in the weeks ahead. For many of you, telehealth will be part of this new normal. This is why I wanted to spend this week discussing AOTA’s Position Paper on Telehealth with you. No matter how quickly the world changes, I believe that, together, we can stay grounded in our mission: to provide the best possible care to our patients. | |||
| OT and the Coronavirus | 15 Mar 2020 | 00:04:53 | |
Across the globe, our priority has shifted to quelling the spread of the novel coronavirus, which causes the illness dubbed COVID-19. The community in the OT Potential Club was created so OT professionals could collaborate on tough issues. This is exactly the time to share what is working in our healthcare settings—and what isn't. This week, we will be looking at care delivery guidelines released by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There is much to discuss this week, and I hope you will weigh in with your perspective as we all strive to keep our patients healthy and safe. | |||
| OT and Transgender Health | 08 Mar 2020 | 00:12:47 | |
In this podcast, we discuss an article on transgender health that makes a very specific recommendation for the role occupational therapy professionals can play in providing care to the transgender community We'll also discuss some general recommendations and considerations to keep in mind next time you find a transgender client on your caseload. Finally, we'll wrap up by talking about some trends that have repeatedly appeared in the research we've covered...and I am excited to discuss these with you! | |||
| OT and Functional Electrical Stimulation | 01 Mar 2020 | 00:09:02 | |
Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is one of those topics that we need to be keeping up with as OT practitioners, in part because there are some very compelling stories about its use that our patients may be encountering. This week's article gives us a helpful update on what we know (and don't know) about FES, and its use in a comprehensive stroke program. | |||
| The Evidence Behind Sensory Interventions | 23 Feb 2020 | 00:13:09 | |
This week, the podcast tackles a topic that can be confusing: sensory processing interventions for kids with autism. We look at a systematic review that tries to categorize different types of these interventions, then examine the evidence around each category. To join in the conversation, join the OT Potential Club! | |||
| OT and the Perfect Storm of Pain Management | 16 Feb 2020 | 00:13:34 | |
I’m sure most of us have experienced aspects of healthcare delivery that seem, shall we say, less than ideal. Maybe you’ve found yourself wondering just how, on earth, we managed to get where we are. How can our sophisticated healthcare systems, sometimes lead to such poor care? This week’s article is truly unique because it is a narrative review telling the story of one such healthcare failure: the opioid crisis. Even if you feel your work doesn't directly relate to the opioid crisis, I hope you consider spending some time with this article. It helps us understand the current state of healthcare, and perhaps you will find some ideas for how we can move forward. Tompkins, D. A., Hobelmann, J. G., & Compton, P. (2017). Providing chronic pain management in the “Fifth Vital Sign” Era: Historical and treatment perspectives on a modern-day medical dilemma. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 173. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.12.002 | |||
| Strengths-based OT for Ataxia Telangiectasia | 09 Feb 2020 | 00:10:39 | |
I was reaching the end of this week’s article when my eyes suddenly flooded with tears. That’s because I encountered something we had not yet seen in the OT Potential Podcast: strengths-based recommendations. And I don't mean strength training. I mean focusing on our patients' strengths (rather than their impairments) and leveraging them so patients get the absolute most out of their care. This concept is especially important when you consider the patient population we examine this week: those with ataxia telangiectasia (A-T). We could easily focus on the disabilities of patients with this rare disease. However, the authors of this week's article did a fantastic job of looking at the innate strengths of patients with A-T, and how we might consider them when creating care plans. I will be eager to hear from anyone who has worked with this population and/or has experience with strengths-based approaches. | |||
| #105 OT and Prevention with Alyson Stover | 15 May 2025 | 00:58:56 | |
Far too often, people are not referred to occupational therapy until their disease course has progressed to a level of high complexity. But, what if we could start seeing our clients sooner? Ideally, we receive the referral at the first sign of trouble. In some cases, we could prevent the full expression of a condition. In other cases, we could work with the client so their condition presents in a less severe way. These services are low cost and high impact. While it feels obvious that this is the direction we should be heading, there are policy, payment and mindset barriers to overcome. In this one hour live discussion Alyson Stover, MOT, JD, OTR/L, BCP and Sarah Lyon, OTR/L will discuss the practical steps we can be taking to shift our care towards prevention. Our goal is that you will leave inspired to take steps in your own context. You can find more details on this course here: | |||
| OT and MELAS Syndrome | 03 Feb 2020 | 00:10:26 | |
MELAS Syndrome is a rare and complex condition—but it is also statistically likely that someone in your community is living with it. This week's article provides a helpful overview of what we know (and don't know) about this syndrome, as well as considerations for our OT care. | |||
| OT, Pain, and The Biopsychosocial Model | 27 Jan 2020 | 00:11:50 | |
I'm sure we all have people in our lives (or, at least on our caseloads) who suffer from chronic pain. This week's article explores chronic low back pain (LBP) and the biopsychosocial approach. You might feel a bit of deja vu, as we're finding again that a multi-faceted approach seems to work best to get results in healthcare—and, in my opinion, a multidisciplinary approach for LBP should likely include occupational therapy. | |||
| OT and Neurological Soft Signs | 19 Jan 2020 | 00:14:10 | |
Soft neurological signs are a hot topic in the OT community right now. And I can see why: soft signs give us a window into all the happening at a biological level in many common conditions. And, they may be impacting more patients your caseload than you may realize. This week's article on a specific soft neurological sign in ADHD gives you a window into where the research is at with soft neurological signs—as well as their potential future clinical applications. | |||
| OT and Dementia | 11 Jan 2020 | 00:12:49 | |
Dementia is poised to present the most profound global health challenge of the 21st century. The incidence of dementia is skyrocketing, and I believe OTs have a vital role to play in caring for these patients. This week's article is an extremely comprehensive summary of dementia care—and it covers all sorts of evidence about prevention, screening, and intervention. This article is an important read for anyone who works with adults and/or has a loved one impacted by this disease. To discuss this article please join us at the OT Potential Club. | |||
| Translating Evidence into your OT Practice | 08 Dec 2019 | 00:12:53 | |
Have you ever stopped and asked yourself that million-dollar question: How do we incorporate all this cool new research into our OT practice? This week's discussion is all about knowledge translation, and it will present a somewhat sad reality: we're not exactly sure of the best ways to translate knowledge into practice. But, there are some great gems in here about active versus passive learning. This is a very important topic to explore if we want to keep our profession evidence-based and relevant. | |||
| OT vs. No Therapy— which is better? | 01 Dec 2019 | 00:12:29 | |
Anytime we compare the outcomes of patients receiving OT vs. no therapy, we have a vested interest—we clearly want to see that the OT group has better outcomes. But, the harsh reality is that this is not always the case. When we run into examples where OT doesn't seem to be effective, we all need to all step into a growth mindset and confront this failure head-on. There is a lot to learn from this article, which looks at OT vs no therapy for mild to moderate Parkinson's Disease, and I think it might be one of the most important articles for us to take in this year. | |||
| OT, Exergaming, and MS | 24 Nov 2019 | 00:12:37 | |
We have already seen our fair share of technology-related research on the podcast, but this week's article introduces a type of tech that we have not yet discussed: exergaming. This particular article looks at exergaming for patients with MS, but it also brought up larger questions about the role of OT in exercise and habit formation—and, ultimately, in identity transformation. | |||
| OT and the CO-OP Approach | 17 Nov 2019 | 00:10:10 | |
I believe that the future of occupational therapy will involve more intentional incorporation of learning strategies into our treatment sessions. That's why I think it is very important that we all pay attention to the evidence that is piling up behind the CO-OP Approach, which is a systematized learning strategy. I'm personally new to this specific approach, so I'm really excited for you all to weigh in on what you think of it. | |||
| Extending OT's Scope of Practice | 09 Nov 2019 | 00:09:02 | |
Here in the United States, OTs are facing some pretty disheartening reimbursement changes. But, this week's article seems to lay the groundwork for arguing that instead of restricting OT, we should be seeking to expand the role of occupational therapy practitioners. I found a lot of hope in this article, and I'll be very curious to hear what you think! | |||
| OT and Referral of Older Adults with Cancer | 03 Nov 2019 | 00:09:39 | |
Getting the right patients into therapy at the right time is the first step to great OT care. But, the research we've explored around this topic has suggested that we have a lot of potential for improvement in this area. This week's article looks at therapy referrals for older adults with cancer, and I hope it will serve as a conversation starter in the Club. We absolutely must look into the broader challenge of connecting with patients who could potentially benefit from our services. | |||
| #104 Chronic Stroke Rehab with Christopher Gaskins | 01 May 2025 | 00:56:26 | |
Stroke rehab is an area where we have some of the most abundant research to draw on as occupational therapists. But, this can also make it feel difficult to synthesize it all into the right actions steps for your clients. In this Ask Me Anything style episode, we will be answering your questions on chronic stroke assessment, goal-setting and treatment. We’ll have a full clinical decision support for you reference during the episode, and then plan to keep it up to date. Our guest Christopher Gaskins, PhD, OTR/L, CSRS is uniquely poised to tackle this topic. Not only has he worked at Walter Reed as a neuro OT, run his one neuro private practice, and consulted with US military as a health consultant. He has also has a particular interest in mental workload…both in understanding what our patients can take on…but also how to ease your mental workload as a therapist as you tackle this complex topic. You can find more details on this course here: | |||
| OT, Cognition, and Parkinson's | 28 Oct 2019 | 00:11:50 | |
This week, we are looking at promising research behind a cognitive rehabilitation program for Parkinson's. And, I'll just skip to the good news—the gains in cognitive rehab actually translated to increased functional abilities, which says to me that this is important research for us all to consider. | |||
| Early Mobilization in the ICU | 20 Oct 2019 | 00:11:30 | |
This article subverted my expectations, to say the least. The researchers looked at the effects of early mobilization in the ICU, and their findings might surprise you, too. At the same time, reading this article left me feeling more confident than ever about occupational therapy's unique role in helping ICU patients regain function. (Not to mention, our overall focus on function in all settings!) | |||
| OT and Food Selectivity | 13 Oct 2019 | 00:09:43 | |
This week on the OT Potential Podcast, we are looking at an article that explores the feasibility of a protocol designed to address food selectivity in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The intervention being studied incorporates a parent-coaching approach to addressing food selectivity. We've seen parent-coaching employed in a previous article, and this is definitely a trend you will want to follow. | |||