Date of Award

2017

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Julie Grabanski

Keywords

Cancer Survivors -- education; Needs Assessment; Neoplasms -- rehabilitation

Abstract

Purpose: Cancer survivorship is growing as time progresses. The National Cancer Institute (2016) found the rate of survivorship after a cancer diagnosis was almost 14.5 million in 2014 and projected it to increase further by 2024 to nearly 19 million. This rise in cancer survivors indicates increased needs for rehabilitation services to cope with the multi-dimensional side effects of cancer and cancer treatment. Occupational therapy will be a key member of the oncology care team to improve physical, psychosocial, cognitive, and quality of life outcomes of this population. There are few resources currently available for practitioners to assist with referrals and designing holistic interventions.

Methodology: An extensive review of literature was completed on physical, psychosocial, and cognitive needs of individuals who are receiving/have received cancer treatment, changes to quality of life as a result of cancer and cancer treatment, and the role of occupational therapy in addressing these needs.

Product: A multidisciplinary screening tool and occupational therapist education guide were created based on the Person-Environment-Occupation Model of Occupational Performance. The Oncology Occupational Performance Screening Tool (OOPST) addresses the limited utilization of occupational therapy services and was developed to increase the number of referrals made for individuals at various stages in their cancer treatment. The Occupational Therapy & Cancer Education Guide was created for occupational therapists working with individuals diagnosed with cancer to integrate the screening tool produced into developing a holistic treatment plan for referred individuals.

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