Occupational Therapy in Acute Oncology

Explore a deep dive into occupational therapy in acute oncology with insights from a real-world capstone experience at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. This presentation unpacks a critical project focused on improving outcomes for acutely ill oncology patients.

You'll learn to:

• Identify key artifacts related to advanced clinical practice and research in oncology.
• Understand the importance of occupational therapy in supporting oncology patients throughout their treatment journey.
• Discover the rationale behind a specific frame of reference used in oncology occupational therapy.

This project addressed a significant gap in research: the need for more investigation into the role of occupational therapy in acute oncology settings. The central clinical question explored is: How does engagement in meaningful occupation impact the outcomes of acutely ill oncology patients?

Oncology Occupational Therapy: An Emerging Field

This course highlights the growing importance of occupational therapy in oncology. Occupational therapists are uniquely positioned to empower patients to live as fully as possible at every stage of their treatment and recovery.

Key Aspects Covered:

• Clinical Trauma Certification: Learn about the importance of trauma-informed care in oncology.
• Patient Motivation: Discover strategies for motivating patients, addressing the challenge of high patient/caregiver refusal rates (approximately 25% of missed visits in 2024).
• SOCS-OTS (Screen of Cancer Survivorship – Occupational Therapy Services): An overview of this valuable tool for assessing the needs of cancer survivors.

This content is valuable for occupational therapists seeking to expand their knowledge and skills in this specialized and rapidly evolving area of practice.