Mapping Occupational Therapy Practice with Postsecondary Students: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background: Legislation supports a role for occupational therapy in postsecondary settings, but this area is not a common practice area and the practice area is not well understood. This scoping review maps current literature of occupational therapists working with students in postsecondary settings in order to inform future research and practice.Method: After identifying included articles, a narrative description of the quantitative studies along with a concept map were completed. A qualitative thematic analysis of the articles was also conducted.Results: Twenty-five articles met the inclusion criteria. Quantitative results describe occupational therapy services as both a direct and indirect service provided through offices of disability services, assistive technology, and supported education programs, among others. The primary population with whom occupational therapists engage with are students with mental illness. Three qualitative themes emerged from the scoping review, including the focus on occupation and skills needed for success, using the campus environment, and campus collaboration.Conclusion: The structure of occupational therapy services varies from location to location and occupational therapists work with various populations of students. Future research needs to support the distinct value of occupational therapy in this practice area, including the scope and outcomes of occupational therapy services with different populations of students. CommentsThe authors report that they have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Strategies, Facilitators, and Barriers in Managing Academic Occupational Disruptions: Implications for Occupational Therapy Education

“…Occupational therapists can be providers of mental health and psychosocial support services in universities based on a scoping review. 7 However, there were no such practices documented in the Philippines despite the indication in this study’s survey results that it can be a strategy to managing academic occupational disruptions. It can be inferred that there is a need to formalize programs involving occupational therapists in student support services.…”

“…A review of relevant literature was conducted as the basis for creating the items in the questionnaire. The contents of the questionnaire were based on the concepts of occupational disruption in the scoping review by Nizzero et al 3 , concepts of academic occupation by Keptner and McCarthy 5 , and the role of occupational therapists in universities 6 , 7 . The questionnaire has 11 items divided into four sections that correspond to the following: 1) Demographic and Academic Characteristics, 2) Strategies for Managing Academic Occupational Disruptions, 3) Facilitators of Managing Academic Occupational Disruptions, and 4) Barriers to Managing Academic Occupational Disruptions.…”

“…However, there is limited information about what strategies are utilized, what facilitators are encountered, nor what barriers are encountered in managing academic occupational disruptions. 5 , 7 At present, the importance of determining the strategies, facilitators, and barriers are of great importance as it aids in enhancing occupational therapy competence and informing occupational therapy educators to support students in the university setting in the post-pandemic period and even during challenging times.…”

A Qualitative Exploration on the Role of Occupational Therapy in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for Students in the University Setting in the Philippines

“…18 This scenario puts forth a need to address these mental health issues of students with the help of occupational therapy (OT). 19 OT has been an emerging support service for students' mental health in Western literature. 8 However, there has been no record of this practice in the Philippine context.…”

Disruption of academic occupations during COVID-19: impact on mental health and the role of occupational therapy in tertiary education

“…Occupational therapy has been an emerging support service for students experiencing mental health concerns on campus (Keptner & McCarthy, 2020;McCarthy et al, 2019) with mental health concerns onhigher education campuses prior to COVID-19 (Gruttadaro & Crudo, 2012). Since the pandemic started, students are worrying about an uncertain future and feeling isolated from their school routines which can lead to loneliness and depression (Quan et al, 2014).…”