Graduation Year
2024
Document Type
Capstone Project
Project Type
Project
Degree Name
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
Program
Occupational Therapy
Program Chair
Gina Tucker-Roghi, OTD, OTR/L, BCG
Faculty Advisor
Karen McCarthy, PhD, OTR/L
Abstract
The Dominican Occupational Therapy (OT) Coaching project was led by a team of five master's level OT students in collaboration with the Integrative Coaching (IC) team at Dominican University of California. Aligned with the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework 4th edition (2020), the project supported various aspects of student wellness, such as academics, healthy lifestyles, stress management, sleep hygiene, and time management. In the fall of 2022, the team conducted a comprehensive literature review and needs assessment of Dominican's Student Success Center (SSC), actively engaged in SSC and IC meetings, and delivered an educational presentation on OT to SSC staff. The OT Coaching program officially launched in spring 2023, including implementation of a live scheduling website, OT Coaching intake forms, and an IC to OT student referral system.
Building on groundwork from the previous capstone group, this team continued to explore the occupational needs of college students at Dominican. Leveraging the expertise of graduate-level OT students, OT Coaching offered personalized support services to improve students’ overall well-being and participation in meaningful occupations. Acknowledging the importance of client feedback and partnership, Google Forms were incorporated to gather input on program services at the end of each semester. This approach allowed further refinement and tailoring of support services based on the evolving needs of the student community. This team also emphasized sustainability by actively facilitating the transfer of this program to the next capstone group. This collaborative initiative significantly contributed to fostering a supportive campus environment and promoting enduring student success.