Revised 08/25

OCT 207 - Therapeutic Skills (3 CR.)

Course Description

Presents techniques used in the treatment of a variety of conditions frequently seen across the life span. Emphasizes the activities of self-care, work, and leisure as they relate to the development/resumption of normal social role functioning. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 5 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to various conditions frequently seen across the lifespan and the impact of these conditions on occupational performance. The laboratory portion of the course is designed to teach and allow students to safely apply general therapeutic skills, concepts of kinesiology, and biomechanical principles needed to be an effective OTA.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Prerequisite: Completion of OTA program semester 1 coursework.

Course Objectives

Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:

  • Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the structure and function of the human body to include biological and physical sciences, biomechanical principles and kinesiology concepts as related to occupational performance. (aligns with 2023 ACOTE standard B.1.1)
  • Explain the effects of heritable diseases, genetic conditions, disability, trauma, and injury to the physical and/or mental health and occupational performance of the individuals across the lifespan. (aligns with 2023 ACOTE standard B.2.6)
  • Articulate knowledge of the social determinants of health for persons, groups, and populations with or at risk for various disabilities and chronic health conditions. (aligns with 2023 ACOTE standard B.1.3)
  • Describe the epidemiological factors that impact public health and welfare of populations as related to occupational performance and concepts of health and wellness. (aligns with 2023 ACOTE standard B.1.3)
  • Explain the importance of the role of occupation in the promotion of health and wellness and the prevention of disease, illness and dysfunction for persons, groups and populations. (aligns with 2023 ACOTE standard B. 2.5)
  • Identify and articulate the need for and use of compensatory strategies when life tasks cannot be resumed. (aligns with 2023 ACOTE standard B. 3.2)
  • Use sound judgment to ensure the safety of oneself and others when working with individuals with various conditions across the lifespan throughout the occupational therapy process. (aligns with 2023 ACOTE standard B.2.8)
  • Demonstrate ability to assess and monitor vital signs to ensure client is stable for intervention. (aligns with 2023 ACOTE standard B.2.8)
  • Perform the following foundational therapeutic skills: apply proper body mechanics; perform basic transfer skills, wheelchair management, mobility devices to enhance functional mobility; review range of motion and manual muscle testing of the upper and lower extremities; palpate and locate important bony prominences; review basic sensory testing; apply joint application principles and energy conservation techniques; perform basic gait analysis; apply skin protection and basic positioning techniques related to edema and skin protection management. (aligns with 2023 ACOTE standard B.3.12)
  • Collect, organize, and report on data for evaluation of client outcomes under the direction of an occupational therapy practitioner. (aligns with 2023 standard B.3.5)
  • Collaborate with inter- and intraprofessional colleagues to participate and engage in the consultative process with persons, groups, programs, organizations, or communities. (aligns with 2023 ACOTE standard B.4.6)
  • Identify and develop effective communication with clients, care partners, communities and other members of the intraprofessional and interprofessional team in a professional and responsive manner that supports a team approach to promote client outcomes. (aligns with 2023ACOTE standard B.3.21)
  • Understand and demonstrate the importance of interprofessional team dynamics to perform effectively in different team roles to plan, deliver and evaluate client and population centered care as well as population health programs and policies that are safe, timely, efficient, effective and equitable. (aligns with 2023 ACOTE standard B.3.22)
  • Develop and apply professional reasoning skills to identify, monitor and reassess, in collaboration with the client and care partner, the effect of occupational therapy intervention and the need for continued or modified intervention in collaboration with the client, caregiver, family and to be able to communicate the identified needs to an OT practitioner. (aligns with 2023 ACOTE standard B.3.7)

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Human biomechanical principles and basic kinesiology as related to occupational performance.
  • Occupation as related to health promotion and disease/injury prevention.
  • Effects of different diseases and conditions as related to one’s physical and/or mental health and occupational performance.
  • Safe, effective, and appropriate application of foundational therapeutic skills.
  • Incorporation of compensatory strategies when applying therapeutic skills when necessary.