Achieving curricular themes through learner-centered teaching.

This paper focuses on the use of the four specific learner-centered teaching approaches: service-learning, learning through discussion, team-based learning, and a structured research course sequence in an occupational therapy curriculum. These methods are used to develop the four curriculum themes of engagement, critical thinking, innovations in practice, and clinical reasoning. The outcome of these approaches has been that students have taken more responsibility for their learning and shown increased maturity while promoting faculty creativity. Additionally, students have developed skills and interests in social and community engagement, and have sought jobs in community-based practice areas.

Client-centered occupational therapy for individuals with spinal cord injury.

A randomized controlled trial investigated the effect of client-centered Occupational Therapy on individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI). Twenty-one subjects, 4 to 6 months post acute rehabilitation, received eight in-home, client-centered Occupational Therapy sessions or eight visits from social visitors. The Functional Independence Measure (FIM), the Craig Handicap Reporting and Assessment Technique (CHART), the Role Checklist and the Life Satisfaction Inventory-A (LSIA) were administered pre and post interventions. Analyses showed no differences between groups on the CHART and the FIM; the Role Checklist showed the Occupational Therapy group took on a limited number of new life roles; however, a statistically significant difference was found between groups post intervention for LSIA (p < 0.05).