Date of Award
2026
Document Type
Scholarly Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Department
Occupational Therapy
First Advisor
Dr. Julie Grabanski
Abstract
Background: Agriculture and mental health – two words not typically used in the same sentence; however, considering the rate of suicide among those working in the agriculture profession is significantly higher than the general population, the need for both awareness and action is critically important. Despite a lack of research specific to occupational therapy and the agricultural population, occupational therapists on an interprofessional healthcare team are uniquely positioned to serve this population. Interprofessional collaboration is essential when serving agricultural community members, whose needs involve a complexity of physical, mental, social, and environmental factors, each impacting the overall health and well-being of this population.
Purpose: The primary purpose of this project was to create educational resources for interprofessional healthcare teams on therapeutic relationships, screening, and intervention methods that are culturally relevant among agricultural community members.
Methods: An extensive needs assessment was conducted, including meetings with key players, a literature search and review, and an environmental analysis to identify preliminary information on this hard-to-reach, yet extremely vulnerable group. The Ecology of Human Performance [EHP] Model was utilized to guide the literature review, needs assessment, and scholarly product development. The emphasis on interprofessional collaboration in EHP was integrated into both products to increase usability and reduce the use of discipline-specific language. Occupation was kept at the center of this product by using the occupational therapy lens and occupational therapy process to provide a foundational framework.
Results & Outcomes: “Running on Empty” Simulation and Cultivating Connections: An Interprofessional Guide for North Dakota Healthcare Providers Serving Agricultural Community Members were created to meet the identified needs of agricultural community members. The intended use of these products is to provide education to current and future healthcare providers who deliver care to agricultural community members across North Dakota. Interprofessional collaboration ensures that the interventions across the continuum of care are culturally responsive, functionally relevant, and aligned with the realities of an agricultural lifestyle.
Recommended Citation
Nelsen, Kearyn E., "CULTIVATING CONNECTIONS: EMPOWERING AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGH COLLABORATIVE CARE" (2026). Occupational Therapy Capstones. 718.
https://commons.und.edu/ot-grad/718