The American Occupational Therapy Foundation

Planning Grant Collective 2021: Fatigue: An Understudied Barrier to Participating Fully in Daily Life
2022-01-18 00:00 - 2022-01-20 23:59 (America/Detroit)
The 2021 AOTF Planning Grant Collective, “Fatigue: An Understudied Barrier to Participating Fully in Daily Life” was held virtually again this year. Considering many conditions have fatigue as a major characteristic, all of the issues related to the ongoing pandemic and what appears to be a major comorbidity in COVID “long haulers”, the topic chosen was very timely. A wide range of disciplines was represented at the workshop, as well as several funding agencies including the Arthritis Foundation, the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) and the following NIH Institutes/Centers: National Cancer Institute (NCI); National Institute on Aging (NIA); and National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).

New priority areas of research were identified and included: the need for identification of fatigue subgroups/deep phenotypes; novel trial designs and comparative effectiveness research; implementation science research to improve delivery and effectiveness of fatigue interventions; and the need for consistent and comparable treatment taxonomy.

The Foundation plans to convene one Collective a year and plans are underway for 2022. We believe this interdisciplinary approach to identifying important research topics will result in critical new research in questions of great interest and opportunity for the OT profession.

View OTJR article for summary of the key concepts and recommendations: Fatigue as an Understudied Barrier to Participation in Life Roles. OTJR: Occupational Therapy Journal of Research. 2023;0(0). doi:10.1177/15394492231180833, Poole JL, Murphy SL, Foster ER, et al.

Planning Grant CommitteeCo-Chairs: Janet Poole, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, University of New Mexico and Susan Murphy, ScD OTR/L, University of MichiganErin Foster, PhD, OTD, MSCI, OTR/L, Washington UniversityVirgil Mathiowetz, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, University of MinnesotaMJ Mulcahey, PhD, OTR/L, CPPC, CLCP, FASIA, Thomas Jefferson UniversityAlix Sleight Warner, PhD, OTD, MPH, OTR/L, Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterScott Campbell, PhD, Chief Executive Officer, American Occupational Therapy FoundationDunsin Akinyemi, BS, Grants Administrator, American Occupational Therapy Foundation

ParticipantsKristine Carandang, PhD, OTR/L, University of Wisconsin – River FallsPatricia Katz, PhD, University of California San FranciscoMarcia Finlayson, PhD, OT Reg (Ont), OTR, Queens UniversityLinda Ehrlich Jones, PhD, RN, Shirley Ryan AbilityLabDon Fogelberg, PhD, OTR/L, University of WashingtonLauren Krupp, MD, New York University Langone HealthJason Bouffard, PhD, Laval UniversityDaniel Whibley, PhD, PT, University of MichiganKathy Lyons, ScD, OTR/L, Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions Darthomouth CollegeTanya Packer, PhD, OT Reg(NS), Dalhousie UniversityMatthew Plow, PhD, OT, Case Western Reserve UniversityKathy Preissner, PhD, OTR/L, University of Illinois-ChicagoToni Vandenend, PhD, OTR/L, University of Illinois-ChicagoSherry Hite, MOT, OTR/L, City of Hope Medical CenterHeather Jim, PhD, Moffit Cancer CenterKetki Raina, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, University of PittsburghArash Asher, MD, Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterAileen Ledingham, PT, MS, PhD, Boston University School of Public HealthYen Chen, PhD, University of Michigan

Partners Nick Turkas, Arthritis Foundation Pimjai Sudsawad, ScD, NIDILRRInna Belfer, MD, PhD, NCCIHLyndon Joseph, PhD, Institute of Aging, (NIA)Janet de Moor, PhD, MPH, National Cancer Institute (NCI)Sarah Ruiz, PCORI

Planning Grant Collective 2020: Stimulating Research to Advance Evidence-Based Applications of Telehealth in Occupational Therapy
2020-10-05 08:00 - 2020-10-07 17:00
On October 5-7, 2020, the American Occupational Therapy Foundation held its annual Planning Grant Collective, a workshop that brought together over 35 stakeholders from many disciplines to plan future studies in the field of occupational therapy. This year’s collaboration was a three-day virtual event on the timely topic Stimulating Research to Advance Evidence-Based Applications of Telehealth in Occupational Therapy. The workshop benefited greatly with the diversity of specialties including not only OT research and telehealth, but nursing, veteran healthcare affairs, mechanical/bioengineering, physical therapy, speech therapy, ophthalmology, geriatrics, neurology, acute care, rehabilitation, kinesiology, diversity and coding & billing. AOTA leadership was also represented since the clinician-researcher collaboration is key to moving the profession forward.

After a brief history on telehealth and COVID-19, practice and policy, and access and technology, the group generated and prioritized novel research areas of need: Re-envisioning Assessment and Intervention in the Natural Context with Technology, Uniform Data Collection, Involvement of Caregivers, and Improving Telehealth Delivery. The participants then broke out into four initial workgroups to address each topic area and began to strategize a plan towards competitive grant submissions. The workgroups will reconvene with the planning committee to finalize short- and long-term plans for working with community partners in securing extramural funding to build the evidence base to advance the applications of telehealth in occupational therapy.

As telehealth is at the forefront of healthcare now more than ever, the planning grant committee will fast-track the process of releasing a white paper and a call-to-action for researchers, practitioners, students, consumers, and funding agencies. Reach out and share your experience and ideas for moving the field of OT and telehealth forward. What are the innovative technologies and approaches you have seen? How have you used telehealth personally or professionally? Email research@aotf.org.

This is such a timely meeting with heavy implications for policy, practice and research. Thank you for bringing all of these voices together! – Katie Jordan, OTD, OTR/L, USC

View OTJR article for summary of the key concepts and recommendations: Stimulating Research to Advance Evidence-Based Applications of Telehealth in Occupational TherapyInternational Journal of Telerehabilitation Keeping PACE With 21st Century Healthcare: A Framework for Telehealth Research, Practice, and Program Evaluation in Occupational TherapyPace Framework Advancing telehealth outcome and process measurement for occupational therapy

Planning Grant CommitteeChair: Rachel Proffitt, OTD, OTR/L, Assistant Professor Department of Occupational Therapy University of MissouriScott Campbell, PhD, Chief Executive Officer American Occupational Therapy FoundationJana Cason, DHSc, OTR/L, FAOTA, Professor, Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy, Spalding UniversityMary Lawlor, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA, AOTF Board of Trustees Chair, Assoc. Chair of Research, Joint Appointment with the Keck School of Medicine of USC, Dept. of Pediatrics, Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern CaliforniaLauren Little, PhD, OTR/L, Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health Sciences, Rush University Kristen Pickett, PhD, Occupational Therapy Program, Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin – Madison School of Education.

ParticipantsPeter Adamczyk, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison Ava Bittner, OD, PhD, University of California, Los Angeles Susan Cahill, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (AOTA) Felicia Chew, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, Genesis Rehab Services Evan Dean, PH.D., OTR/L, University of Kansas Karen Duddy, OTD, OT, OTR, Boston University Winnie Dunn, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, University of Missouri Kimberly Erler, PhD, OTR/L, MGH Institute of Health Professionals Megan Gately, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, Tufts University Andrea Gilmore Bykovskyi, PhD, RN, University of Wisconsin-Madison Debi Hinerfeld, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Adjunct Clinical Professor Dwight Irvin, PhD, Juniper Gardens Children’s Project Douglene Jackson, PhD, OTR/L, LMT, ATP, BCTS, Global Interventions for Therapy Services/GIFTS Institute, LLC Karen Jacobs, EdD, OT, OTR, CPE, FAOTA, Boston University Katie Jordan, OTD, OTR/L, USC Teresa J. Kimberley, PhD, PT, MGH Institute of Health Professionals Andrew Persch, PhD, OTR/L, Colorado State University Tammy Richmond, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, Go2Care Jan Rowe, Dr. OT, OTR/L, FAOTA, Park Place of Children’s Roger Smith, PhD, OT, FAOTA, RESNA fellow, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Steven J. Taylor, OTD, OTR/L, Rush University Medical CenterEvelyn Terrell, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Anna Wallisch, PhD, OTR/L, Post Doc Juniper Gardens Children’s Project Grace Wilske, OT, VA Health System Monica Wright, MHA, CPC, CPMA, CPCO, American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (AOTA)

Partners and Special GuestsAndrew Murtishaw, PhD, Alzheimer’s Association Ellie Daniels, MD, MPH, American Cancer Society, Inc.Mary Rooney, PhD, ABPP, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)Theresa Cruz, PhD, National Center for Medical Rehabilitation (NCMRR)David Banks, PhD, MPH, RN, National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR),Lyndon Joseph, PhD, Institute of Aging, (NIA)Roxanne Jensen, PhD, National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Stimulating Research to Enhance Aging in Place: A Continuum of Home and Community-based Services
2019-07-21 00:00 - 2019-07-23 23:59
The goal of the AOTF workshop will be to establish several collaborative teams that will develop new research grant proposals designed to advance the evidence base for home and community-based services that support aging in place. Workshop participants will generate and prioritize novel research questions during the workshop and form research teams to subsequently write grant proposals to answer their chosen question. Each team will be asked to generate a plan that puts them on the path towards competitive grant submissions. For example, one team could decide to use existing pilot data and could establish an analytic plan for a manuscript that both justifies the need for further study and establishes a documented collaboration between researchers that would be needed in a grant application. Another team might identify a focused research question and establish plans to pursue institutional/internal pilot funding that would be needed for a larger grant. Ultimately, the goal is to use this networking opportunity to create new research teams that secure extramural funding to build the evidence base for aging in place, allowing older adults to fully engage in daily life roles and maintain or improve their quality of life.

View related OTJR articles:

Stimulating Research to Enhance Aging in Place to see priority areas.

Out-of-Home Activities and Health in Older Adults: A Scoping Review

Participants (*Committee Member)

Sajay Arthanat, PhD, OTR/L, ATP, Telehealth Practice Center. University of New Hampshire

Tracy Chippendale, PhD, OTR/L, New York University

Carrie Ciro*, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, University of Oklahoma

Malcolm P. Cutchin, PhD, Wayne State University

Chanee Fabius, PhD, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University

Beth Fields, PhD, OTR/L, University of Wisconsin – Madison

Heather Fritz, PhD, OTR/L, Wayne State University

Vanessa Jewell, PhD, OTR/L, Creighton University

Mary C. Lawlor*, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA, University of Southern California

Danbi Lee, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, University of Washington

Catherine Lysack*, PhD, Wayne State University

Margaret McDonald, MSW, Visiting Nurse Services of New York

Tracy M. Mroz*, PhD, OTR/L, University of Washington

Elsa M. Orellano-Colon, PhD, MSc, OTR/L, ATP, University of Puerto Rico

Melissa Park, PhD, OT/L, McGill University

Catherine Piersol, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Jefferson Elder Care, Jefferson College of Rehabilitation Sciences (JCRS)

Barbara Resnick, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, University of Maryland

Juleen Rodakowski*, OTD, MD, OTR/L, University of Pittsburgh

Shlomit Rotenberg, OT, PhD, Rotman Research Institute Baycrest

Stacey Schepens Niemiec, PhD, OTR/L, University of Southern California

Emily Somerville, OTD, OTR/L, Washington University in St. Louis

Pamela Toto, PhD, OTR/L, BCG, FAOTA, University of Pittsburgh

Jennifer Womack, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Organization Partners and Special Guests

Heather M. Snyder, PhD, Alzheimer’s Association

Ellie Daniels, MD, MPH, American Cancer Society, Inc.

James Gibaldi, The Michael J. Fox Foundation

C. Jean Hsieh, PhD, OT, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Sarah Ruiz, PhD, National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research

Catalyzing Research to Optimize Participation in Work & Life Roles of Cancer Survivors: Moving Beyond Symptom Management
2018-03-02 00:00 - 2018-03-04 23:59
The goal of the second Planning Grant Collective was to establish research teams that will develop grant proposals for studies that move the evidence base for cancer rehabilitation beyond impairment reduction to target improving cancer survivors’ productivity and participation in meaningful activity. Researchers from the disciplines of occupational therapy, nursing, oncology, physiatry, physical therapy, psychology, and exercise science attended the event.

The event led to the formation of research teams that created action plans regarding publications and collection of pilot data to advance three lines of inquiry ultimately focused on reducing participation restrictions experienced by cancer survivors. One research team is analyzing existing data to inform the development an intervention designed to address employment concerns of people diagnosed with early-stage cancer. Another team is re-analyzing existing qualitative data to identify ways to use a community-based self-management approach to foster optimal participation in life roles and meaningful activities. The third team has designed a pilot study to collect descriptive data regarding participation restrictions, in order to inform intervention development within clinic settings.

View OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health article: Newman, R. M., Alfano, C. M., Radomski, M. V., Pergolotti, M., Wolf , T. J., Sleight, A. G., … Lyons, K. D. (2019). Catalyzing Research to Optimize Cancer Survivors’ Participation in Work and Life Roles. . https://doi.org/10.1177/1539449219844749

Participants (*Committee Member)

Timothy J. Wolf, OTD, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Associate Professor & Chair, Dept. of Occupational Therapy, University of Missouri

Catherine Alfano*, PhD, Vice President, Survivorship, American Cancer Society

Arash Asher, MD, Director, Cancer Rehabilitation and Survivorship, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Brent Braveman, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Director, Dept. of Rehabilitation Services, MD Anderson Cancer Center

Ashley Leak Brant, PhD, RN-BC, OCN, Asst. Professor, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Andrea L. Cheville, MD, Chair of Research, Dept. of Physical Medicine, Mayo Clinic

Elvan Daniels, MD, MPH, Program Director, American Cancer Society

Janet S. de Moor, PhD, MPH, Behavioral Scientist and Program Director, Office of Cancer Survivorship, National Cancer Institute

Allison King, MD, MPH, PhD, Medical Director, Survivoship Program for Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St. Louis

Mary C. Lawlor*, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA, AOTF Chair, Professor & Associate Chair of Research, Mrs. T.H. Chan Div. of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California

Kathleen Lyons*, ScD, OTR/L, Scientist, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

Kirsten K. Ness, PT, PhD, FAPTA, Epidemiology & Cancer Control, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Robin Newman*, OTD, OTR/L, CLT, Clincial Assistant Professor, Dept. of Occupational Therapy, Boston University

Ralph Nitkin, PhD, Deputy Director, National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR)

Mackenzi Pergolotti*, PhD, OTR/L, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Occupational Therapy, Colorado State University

Mary Radomski*, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Senior Scientific Advisor, Courage Kenny Research Center, Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute

Alexandra (Alix) Sleight, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, Cancer Prevention Fellow, National Cancer Institute

Piyush Srivastava, MD, Medical Oncology, Walnut Creek Medical Center, The Permanente Medical Group

Gerald T. Voelbel, PhD, Director of Rehab. Sciences PhD Program, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, New York University

Rachel K. Walker, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, Nursing, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Grant Williams, MD, Assistant Professor, Division of Hematology/Oncology & Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, Institute for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship, University of Alabama at Birmingham,

Kerri M. Winters-Stone, PhD, FACSM, Enora E. Thompson Distinguished Professor, Oregon Health & Science University

Understanding and Enhancing Community Function in Serious Mental Illness
2017-06-19 00:00 - 2017-06-21 23:59
Supported by a generious donation from Bonita Kraft and Florence Stattel, the first Planning Grant Collective focused on promoting research relevant to occupational therapy’s role in mental health care.

A select group of twenty-six occupational therapy researchers, psychologists, social workers, health policy specialist and others, representing mental health professionals from the U.S. and Canada gathered to establish several research teams in order to generate and worked on specific research projects together. Several funding agencies (NIMH, NCMRR, NIDILRR) were invited, both as a way to identify potential funding opportunities and as a way to educate the agencies about the focus of occupational therapy.

Three groups were formed and agreed to pursue the following projects:

Group 1: Action over Inertia; OT Consultation on ACT Teams; and Active Living.Group 2: Improvement of community living outcomes for persons with serious mental illness wit the inclusion of OT assessment/intervention.Group 3: College students with serious mental illness (SMI).

View OTJR article for summary and recommendations: Promoting Occupational Therapy Mental Health Research: Proceedings From the 2017 AOTF Mental Health Planning Grant Collective

Participants (*Committee Members)

Margaret Swarbrick, PhD, OTR, CPRP, Director of Practice Innovation and Wellness, Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey (CSPNJ) & Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care

Antoine Luc Bailliard, PhD, OTR/L, Assitant Professor, Div. of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Skye Pamela Barbic, PhD, OT, Assistant Professor, Occupational Science and Occupatoinal Therapy, University of British Columbia

M. Carolyn Baum, PhD, OTR/L FAOTA, Elias Michael Executive Director, Dept. of Occupational Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine

Bette Bonder*, PhD, FAOTA, Fermer Dean, College of Sciences & Health Professions, Professor Emerita, Cleveland State University

Catana Brown*, PhD, OTR, Professor, Occupational Therapy Program, Midwestern University – Glendale

Katherine A. Burson, MS, OTR/L, CPRP, Independent Consultant

Leslie J. Caplan, PhD, Rehabilitation Program Specialist, National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research

Wendy J. Coster*, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Professor & Chair, Dept. of Occupational Therapy, Director, Behavior & Health Program, Director, Patient/Clinician Reported Outcomes Care, Boston Rehab Outcomes Center, Boston University

Theresa Cruz, PhD, Program Director, National Center for Medical Rehabilitation

Elizabeth Francis-Connolly, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, Dean, Westbrook College of Health Professions, University of New England

Judith A. Cook, PhD, Professor & Director, Center on Mental Health Services, Research, & Policy, Dept. of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago

Lisa Dixon, MD, MPH, Professor & Director, Division of Behavioral Health Services and Policy Research, Columbia University Medical Center, New York State Psychiatric Insittute (NYSPI)

Adam J. Haim, PhD, Chief, Treatment and Prevention Interventions Research Branch, National Institute of Mental Health

Sharon A. Gutman*, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, Professor of Rehabilitation & Regenerative Medicine, Programs in Occupational Therapy, Columbia University Medical Center

Bonita Kraft*, OTR/L, Benefactor

Jeffrey Krolick, MA, Director of Special Projexts, Oregon Center for Excellence for Assertive Community Treatment, Options for Southern Oregon

Terry Krupa, PhD, MEd, BSC(OT), Professor & Associate Director, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queens University

Nadine Lariviere, erg, OT(C), PhD, Director & Associate PRofessor, OT Program, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Sherbrooke

Mary Lawlor, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Profesor, Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California

Susan McGurk*, PhD, Senior Researcher, Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Professor, Occupational Therapy, Boston University

Penelope A. Moyers, EdD, OT/L, FAOTA, Dean of the Henrietta Schmoll School of Health and Graduate College, St. Catherine University

Kim. T. Mueser, PhD, Professor, Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Sargent College, Boston University

Susan Noyes, PhD, OTR/L, Chair, AOTA Mental Health Special Interest Section, Assistant Professor, Master of Occupational Therapy Program, University of Southern Maine

Heather Parson, MSOT, Director of Federal Affairs, AOTA

Nadine Rebheim, PhD, OTR/L, Program Director – Psychologist, St. Joseph’s Medical Center

Mark Salzer, PhD, Professor & Chair, Dept. of Rehabilitation Sciences, Temple University

Virginia (Ginny)Stoffel, PhD, OT, BCMH, FAOTA, Associate Professor, Dept. of Occupational Therapy, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
