Date of Award

4-1992

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Dr. Doris A. Smith

Second Advisor

Dr. Cindee Peterson

Third Advisor

Dr. Claire R. Callan

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

Eighty-three Western Michigan University occupational therapy fieldwork sites were surveyed to determine: (a) extent of computer use, (b) diagnostic categories with which computers are used, (c) extent of computer knowledge of registered occupational therapists (OTRs), and (d) adequacy of computer knowledge of fieldwork students. Forty-seven (56.6%) of the 83 surveys were returned. OTRs at 36 (76.6%) of the 47 sites currently use computers. Word processing is the most common way in which these OTRs use computers. The most common clinical use of computers is perceptual/motor assessment and treatment, while the most common research use of computers is for report writing. Head injury, CVA, and motor disorders are the diagnostic categories with which computers are most commonly used. Twenty-six (55,3%) of the 47 sites employ at least one OTR with three or more years of computer experience. Fifteen (31.9%) of the sites employ at least one OTR who has never used a computer.

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