Date of Award

4-14-2026

Degree Type

Capstone Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Anne Nhan, OTRL, CHT

Second Advisor

Holly Grieves, OTD, OTRL

Abstract

This doctoral capstone experience (DCE) was completed at Corewell Health Grand Rapids Hospitals Hand Therapy Clinic and focused on two ACOTE concentration areas including advanced clinical practice skills and education. The experience combined hands-on clinical practice in a specialized outpatient hand therapy setting with the development of high-quality client education materials and home exercise programs (HEPs). Objectives were created to address identified needs through the creation of client education handouts, development of diagnosis-specific Medbridge HEP templates, and creation of training resources to improve therapist efficiency with Medbridge use. Outcomes of the project included improved access to evidence-based educational materials, reduced time required for therapists to create HEPs, increased opportunity for direct patient education and engagement during treatment sessions and personal development of therapeutic skills. Overall, this experience supported both organizational needs and professional growth while demonstrating the value of combining advanced clinical practice with client-centered education to improve functional outcomes in hand therapy.

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