http://www.fixhands.com/how-to-refer/splintorthotics/

This provides a quick reference to commonly used splints in an outpatient clinic, explaining purpose, benefits, and indicated diagnoses.

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Carolyn_Unsworth/publication/246488508_The_Clinical_Reasoning_of_Novice_and_Expert_Occupational_Therapists/links/56d3d11108aeb52500d18e2f/The-Clinical-Reasoning-of-Novice-and-Expert-Occupational-Therapists.pdf

Research has indicated that differences in novice and expert occupational therapy practitioners are predominantly due to clinical reasoning abilities. This study examined the clinical reasoning skills used by experienced and novice practitioners and encouraged novice therapists to spend more time reflecting on the therapy process and discussing this with experienced practitioners.

http://sites.surgery.northwestern.edu/reading/Documents/curriculum/kinkos/11000166.pdf

This article provides extensive details of a sensory reeducation program used in patients who have experienced a peripheral nerve injury.

https://www.lymphnet.org/pdfDocs/NLN_LL_July_2013_sm.pdf

This is a great resource for anyone considering lymphedema as an area of practice. It provides multiple resources and studies detailing complete decongestive therapy (CDT) in treatment of lymphedema.

http://www.healthsouthbraintree.com/~/media/Hospital-Sites/Hospitals/Braintree-03020500/events/37-annual/handouts/B2_Gillen_Managing%20Movement%20Disorders%20and%20Ataxia.pdf?la=en

This provides an overview of various movement disorders and how they affect everyday activities. Key interventions used by OT practitioners are also discussed.

https://www.aota.org/Education-Careers/Students/Pulse/Archive/job-search/interview.aspx

This provides common interview questions (and appropriate answers) that may be asked of us while interviewing for our first jobs.

https://ajot.aota.org/article.aspx?articleid=1853006

This systematic review examines effective occupational therapy interventions in the rehabilitation of individuals with work-related forearm, wrist, and hand injuries. Treatment categories examined in the review included the following: Silicone gel sheeting, massage, splinting, early mobilization, low-level laser therapy, thermal modalities, exercise, gloves, ultrasound, pain control techniques, workplace interventions, and miscellaneous.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0363502307007022

This study compared the efficacy of therapeutic activities that mimic ADLs with that of therapeutic exercises in young adults who had experienced a hand injury. A total of 36 patients were enrolled in the study. Grip strength, pinch strength, finger pulp-distal palmar crease distance, ROM, Jebsen hand function test, and Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores were obtained before treatment, after treatment, and 2 months after treatment. Results indicated that therapeutic activities improved hand function more effectively than therapeutic exercises.

https://www.asht.org/sites/default/files/downloads/2014/3rded_cht_testprep_web31_ch32final6-11-14.pdf

This provides a great outline and overview of the physical agent modalities, including indications, contraindications, advantages, disadvantages, and general parameters.

https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/b690/61592be14dba8231a150c4c12062b329fd44.pdf

This article discusses the various clinical reasoning skills required of occupational therapy practitioners. It specifically examines scientific reasoning, narrative reasoning, and pragmatic reasoning in relation to occupational therapy.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19688778

This study examines cognitive interventions used by occupational therapists working with older adults with Alzheimer's disease. Of the 65 therapists included in the study, 52.3% were performing cognitive interventions with patients who have AD. Cognitive rehabilitation, cognitive stimulation, and cognitive training were all reportedly used with various interventions that depended upon setting and severity of AD.

https://www.aota.org/Practice/Productive-Aging/Falls/Toolkit.aspx

AOTA provides several presentations on fall preventions that can be used by occupational therapy practitioners to educate the public on strategies and resources to reduce the risk of falls.

https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/fdfb/c8f4e5099671e93569445cd354b138c5a465.pdf

This study examined adherence to occupational therapy recommendations regarding home modifications and fall prevention in the home environment. A total of 178 homes were visited and at least one modification was recommended in 150 of the homes. The most common recommendations included removal of rugs/mats, a change in footwear, and the use of a non-slip bathmat. A total of 121 homes were revisited one year later to assess for compliance with recommendations. Of the 419 home modifications recommended, only 216 were met with partial or complete adherence. The only significant predictor of adherence was a belief that home modifications can prevent falls and having help at home from relatives.

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Victoria_Haunton/publication/228325047_The_Face_Arm_Speech_Test_does_it_encourage_rapid_recognition_of_important_stroke_warning_symptoms/links/56f1541508aec63f4c9b5730.pdf

During my acute care rotation, I saw a great deal of stroke patients. Providing stroke education to these patients was included in our evaluation. This included education regarding warning signs of stroke (BE FAST) and why it was important for patients to be cognizant of these signs. This study examined public knowledge and awareness of FAST in recognizing signs and symptoms of a stroke. The study included 1300 members of a mixed rural/urban multiethnic population. Results indicated that 70% of the surveyed population were aware of the FAST campaign, but many were not aware of all warning signs. This provides implications for therapists in the importance of providing stroke education.

https://ajot.aota.org/Article.aspx?articleid=1853002

This article discusses the lack of tummy time observed by therapists in recent years. Since the 1922 American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that all infants be placed supine on their backs to sleep to reduce the risk of SIDS, it has been noted that family members and caregivers have also been reducing the amount of tummy time for their infants for fear of SIDS. Many caregivers are not informed of the importance of prone play tummy time in infancy and the potential complications that can arise due to limited tummy time. The results from this study provide implications in the role of therapy to serve as educators for family members/caregivers of infants in the importance of tummy time.

https://www.unitypoint.org/cedarrapids/filesimages/Services/Physical%20Medicine/Witwer%20OT%20Developmental%20Milestones.pdf

This is a useful checklist of pediatric developmental milestones spanning from 2 months to 6 years of age.

https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/90493/jpm-2E2010-2E0125.pdf?sequence=1

This article discusses the roles and benefits of therapy in hospice and palliative care. It also includes a list of functional assessment tools that may be utilized for hospice and palliative care patients. Specific interventions discussed in relation to occupational therapy include home assessment, equipment recommendations, coaching in personal and domestic tasks, education, relaxation, stress management, facilitation of social and leisure activities, and informational support for caregivers.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4562755/

The purpose of this study was to verify whether mortality in patients with advanced COPD could be reduced by a personalized pulmonary rehab program in the hospital which includes OT to prevent desaturation and sympathetic nerve activation during daily activities. Personalized patient-specific PR programs were designed and included an OT to reduce the oxygen consumption during daily activities. The study concluded that PPR-OT reduced mortality rates in patients at 5 years and 7 years (18.8% and 28.2%) compared to the control group (34% and 44.7%).

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anne_De_Paepe/publication/41434492_Musculoskeletal_complaints_physical_activity_and_health-related_quality_of_life_among_patients_with_the_Ehlers-Danlos_syndrome_hypermobility_type/links/557aa6d208ae7536375724a7.pdf

During my fieldwork experience, I came across two patients (mother and daughter) who were both diagnosed with Ehler-Danlos syndrome. This article provides further information on the diagnosis of Ehler-Danlos as well as complications often accompanied with the syndrome, including joint dislocations, joint pain, muscle cramps, headaches, fatigue, and tendinitis.

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Julie_Silver/publication/251415496_Cancer_rehabilitation_with_a_focus_on_evidence-based_outpatient_physical_and_occupational_therapy_interventions/links/55e3177308ae6abe6e8e2f29.pdf

This article examines the need oncology patients have for physical and occupational therapy in an outpatient treatment setting. Occupational therapy can be useful in treating pain, musculoskeletal issues, deconditioning and endurance effects, balance and falls, and lymphedema and psychosocial problems. There is a need for therapists to receive specialized training in oncology rehabilitation to better serve the needs of their patients.