Date of Award

4-18-2026

Degree Type

Capstone Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Sean Duffy

Second Advisor

Holly Grieves, OTD, OTRL

Abstract

The topic of this capstone project is to define occupational therapy’s (OT) role at an adult outpatient physical therapy (PT) clinic. The project focuses on advocacy and education related to OT’s scope of practice and role on an outpatient interdisciplinary team. Literature suggests that healthcare professionals have limited understanding of OT’s specific roles on the rehabilitation team. This can impact referrals and involvement of OT in interprofessional collaboration. The best way to advocate and educate about OT’s role is by active collaboration with other healthcare professionals. This project takes place at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy (Ortonville), an outpatient PT clinic within a network of outpatient PT clinics that primarily staffs PT and offers limited adult OT services throughout their network. An addition of OT services to Ivy Rehab adult outpatient clinics, would directly advocate for OT throughout healthcare and communities. Objectives of this capstone project include creation of educational resources for PT, referring physicians, and clients to better advocate for OT’s place in outpatient rehabilitation. Another objective includes creating a program proposal for an addition of OT services to Ivy Rehab (Ortonville). All objectives aimed to advocate for outpatient OT services and educate on OT’s specific roles in outpatient rehabilitation.

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