EVIDENCE-BASED/SCHOLARLY CLINICIAN
3.1 Invests in the acquisition of evidence through participation in workshops, continued education, and pursuit of additional degrees.
Upon my arrival at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), I prepared for this experience leading up to my first day. As part of my preparation, I joined the National Association of Neonatal Therapists (NANT) as a student member. (NANT) is a professional organization that serves neonatal occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists to improve the quality of life and neurodevelopmental outcomes for babies who begin their lives in the NICU through the unique contributions of neonatal therapy. With the membership, I had access to many different NICU resources, education, continuing education credits, and much more! Above I have attached my membership email notification and the two continuing education courses I attended and obtained a certificate of completion.
Upon my arrival at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), I prepared for this experience leading up to my first day. As part of my preparation, I joined the National Association of Neonatal Therapists (NANT) as a student member. (NANT) is a professional organization that serves neonatal occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists to improve the quality of life and neurodevelopmental outcomes for babies who begin their lives in the NICU through the unique contributions of neonatal therapy. With the membership, I had access to many different NICU resources, education, continuing education credits, and much more! Above I have attached my membership email notification and the two continuing education courses I attended and obtained a certificate of completion.
3.2 Is a knowledgeable consumer of global research related to occupational therapy and utilizes an evidence-based approach to practice.
To the left is a picture of me helping a NICU mom perform skin-to-skin therapy with her newborn, for the first time. This mother hadn't been able to touch or visit her baby in 3 weeks because of her medical status. I was extremely grateful to experience this with her and witness the magic of the mother-baby dyad right before my eyes. The NICU setting can be challenging, and saddening, but extremely rewarding. In this treatment session, I guided the mother through a safe and therapeutic diaper change by demonstrating and educating her, while also managing the lines. She was very hesitant and scared to touch her baby - which is very common with caregivers in the NICU. I used layman’s terms when educating her, remained empathetic, patient, supportive, and complimented her throughout. She did a great job with the diaper change and was thankful for my help! After the diaper change, I set up the chair, discussed and collaborated with the nurse, and guided the mother through a standing transfer of the baby to her chest and then to the reclined chair for Kangaroo Care. Kangaroo Care is an evidence-based approach that is beneficial for infants and caregivers in the NICU. I conducted extensive up-to-date research on Kangaroo Care and created a parent educational guide that highlights the benefits and more! I utilized all of the knowledge I gained through research, into practice with the infants and their caregivers.
To the left is a picture of me helping a NICU mom perform skin-to-skin therapy with her newborn, for the first time. This mother hadn't been able to touch or visit her baby in 3 weeks because of her medical status. I was extremely grateful to experience this with her and witness the magic of the mother-baby dyad right before my eyes. The NICU setting can be challenging, and saddening, but extremely rewarding. In this treatment session, I guided the mother through a safe and therapeutic diaper change by demonstrating and educating her, while also managing the lines. She was very hesitant and scared to touch her baby - which is very common with caregivers in the NICU. I used layman’s terms when educating her, remained empathetic, patient, supportive, and complimented her throughout. She did a great job with the diaper change and was thankful for my help! After the diaper change, I set up the chair, discussed and collaborated with the nurse, and guided the mother through a standing transfer of the baby to her chest and then to the reclined chair for Kangaroo Care. Kangaroo Care is an evidence-based approach that is beneficial for infants and caregivers in the NICU. I conducted extensive up-to-date research on Kangaroo Care and created a parent educational guide that highlights the benefits and more! I utilized all of the knowledge I gained through research, into practice with the infants and their caregivers.
Payton Johnston, MOT/S assisting mother with Kangaroo Care in the NICU (consent obtained from participant pictured above)
Kangaroo Care Research Presentation |
^ Discussion post written by Payton Johnston, MOT/S
3.3 Integrates individual clinical expertise and patient values with the best available external clinical evidence.
Above I have attached a screenshot of a discussion post I wrote during my experience at Baptist Women’s Memorial Hospital regarding evidence-based research in the NICU. Through the readings, I gained a better understanding of OT’s role within neonatal practice, common diagnoses/conditions, neonatal therapeutic interventions, evaluations, etc. Additionally, to the left I have attached a screenshot of the numerous research articles, journals, etc. I downloaded, read, reviewed, and studied these resources throughout my journey in the NICU. In the NICU, OT looks different compared to other settings due to the unique needs of premature or medically fragile infants. Occupational therapists in the NICU prioritize family-centered care. We involve parents and caregivers in the treatment process, providing support, education, and guidance to help families understand and support their infant’s needs. One specific example of integrating clinical knowledge and evidence with the values of the infants caregivers comes to mind when I provided coaching and education on positioning and handling techniques. These parents had three other children, but this was their first born in the NICU. Even a mother with several kids, can be hesitant to touch and hold their baby at first. During evaluation of the infant I educated them on their infant's development, demonstrated positioning and handling techniques for swaddling and therapeutic diaper changes. I also empowered the parents to participate in their baby's care and provided a sense of comfort and emotional support. Integrating my clinical and academic knowledge with patient values and external evidence, I provided evidence-based, client-centered, and holistic care to promote neuroprotective/neuropromotive, developmentally appropriate care for my premature infant clients.
Above I have attached a screenshot of a discussion post I wrote during my experience at Baptist Women’s Memorial Hospital regarding evidence-based research in the NICU. Through the readings, I gained a better understanding of OT’s role within neonatal practice, common diagnoses/conditions, neonatal therapeutic interventions, evaluations, etc. Additionally, to the left I have attached a screenshot of the numerous research articles, journals, etc. I downloaded, read, reviewed, and studied these resources throughout my journey in the NICU. In the NICU, OT looks different compared to other settings due to the unique needs of premature or medically fragile infants. Occupational therapists in the NICU prioritize family-centered care. We involve parents and caregivers in the treatment process, providing support, education, and guidance to help families understand and support their infant’s needs. One specific example of integrating clinical knowledge and evidence with the values of the infants caregivers comes to mind when I provided coaching and education on positioning and handling techniques. These parents had three other children, but this was their first born in the NICU. Even a mother with several kids, can be hesitant to touch and hold their baby at first. During evaluation of the infant I educated them on their infant's development, demonstrated positioning and handling techniques for swaddling and therapeutic diaper changes. I also empowered the parents to participate in their baby's care and provided a sense of comfort and emotional support. Integrating my clinical and academic knowledge with patient values and external evidence, I provided evidence-based, client-centered, and holistic care to promote neuroprotective/neuropromotive, developmentally appropriate care for my premature infant clients.
3.4 Applies the domain of occupational therapy in gathering, evaluating, setting goals, planning, and implementing occupational therapy.
In the inpatient rehabilitation setting, occupational therapy helps individuals engage in meaningful activities they once enjoyed or need to be able to do before going home from the hospital. I applied the domain of occupational therapy by gathering, evaluating, setting goals, planning, and implementing occupational therapy during both fieldwork experiences. To the left, I have attached a screenshot of comments written by my FWE at Encompass on my final evaluation. She touches on my ability to effectively gather information, evaluate, set goals, plan, and implement occupational therapy interventions with my patients at Encompass. At the end of the 12 weeks, I felt confident in evaluating and treating independently, while building rapport and establishing therapeutic relationships along the way!
In the inpatient rehabilitation setting, occupational therapy helps individuals engage in meaningful activities they once enjoyed or need to be able to do before going home from the hospital. I applied the domain of occupational therapy by gathering, evaluating, setting goals, planning, and implementing occupational therapy during both fieldwork experiences. To the left, I have attached a screenshot of comments written by my FWE at Encompass on my final evaluation. She touches on my ability to effectively gather information, evaluate, set goals, plan, and implement occupational therapy interventions with my patients at Encompass. At the end of the 12 weeks, I felt confident in evaluating and treating independently, while building rapport and establishing therapeutic relationships along the way!
^ Written by FWE Madison Campbell, MOTR/L - Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of North Memphis
3.5 Contributes to the knowledge base of OT practice by mentoring students, performing research, publishing, presenting and/or teaching.
The NICU is ever changing and there is always something new to learn! Kangaroo Care is an evidence-based practice approach to promote the health and well-being of preterm and full-term infants. It is important to review new and current studies, guidelines, and best practices related to Kangaroo Care to ensure that interventions are evidence-based and aligned with the most recent findings. I had the opportunity to conduct extensive research regarding evidence-based Kangaroo Care practice and the many benefits for infants and families in the NICU. I created an informational poster for the upcoming skills training for all NICU hospital staff. I incorporated bright colors, and pictures, and utilized scientific/medical terminology throughout the poster to gain attention from the audience. As therapists, we can educate and advocate for this holistic, cost-effective, and client-centered approach for medically stable infants and caregivers in the NICU.
The NICU is ever changing and there is always something new to learn! Kangaroo Care is an evidence-based practice approach to promote the health and well-being of preterm and full-term infants. It is important to review new and current studies, guidelines, and best practices related to Kangaroo Care to ensure that interventions are evidence-based and aligned with the most recent findings. I had the opportunity to conduct extensive research regarding evidence-based Kangaroo Care practice and the many benefits for infants and families in the NICU. I created an informational poster for the upcoming skills training for all NICU hospital staff. I incorporated bright colors, and pictures, and utilized scientific/medical terminology throughout the poster to gain attention from the audience. As therapists, we can educate and advocate for this holistic, cost-effective, and client-centered approach for medically stable infants and caregivers in the NICU.
|
Payton Johnston, MOT/S Kangaroo Care in the NICU poster presentation for skills training
|
Purchased textbooks/resources for reading up on all things OT in the NICU!
|
3.6 Incorporates continued education as a lifelong practice with the commitment to remain up-to-date and well-informed.
The NICU setting is research-based and continued education is essential in the neonatal practice. Being placed in a specialty setting like the NICU, I committed to broadening my knowledge and the skills necessary as a level II occupational therapy student within the NICU. Even with my extensive pediatric experience, I knew this experience would be unlike any other and I had a considerable amount of studying and reading to do. To the left is a picture of textbooks I purchased that focus on the many occupational therapy interventions, assessments, and clinical considerations in the NICU setting. Leading up to my first day to my last day there I was constantly learning, reading, and studying anything I could. I became dedicated to the neonates and families in the NICU by providing high-quality, evidence-informed care. Below is a list of resources I utilized frequently:
|