Empowering Women's Health and Wellness: The Role of Holistic Occupational Therapy
Graduation Date
Spring 5-10-2025
Document Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Department
Occupational Therapy
First Advisor
McKenzie Behrendt, OTD, OTR/L
Abstract
Background: Nearly two-thirds of women were unaware that pelvic floor rehabilitation is an available treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction (Burkhart et. al., 2021). Students, clients, and practitioners need supplemental, easily accessible resources for this broad emerging practice area of women’s health (Jones et. al., 2020). This Pressbook is a free, open-access, interactive educational resource for students, patients, and practitioners to improve understanding of holistic occupational therapy (OT) in women's health. It highlights OT's unique role in addressing the physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs of women.
Method: Current OT students report a lack of resources and desire more support. A survey of 22 OT students at one doctoral-level university revealed a significant gap in women's health education, with 100% of students reporting minimal curriculum focus. Despite this, 96.5% of students expressed interest in further learning about this practice area. A survey of 5 holistic occupational therapists highlighted common health concerns among female clients in women’s health. The needs analysis suggested a freely available, online, interactive publication would meet student, client, and practitioner desires.
Before developing the publication, competence was established through continuing education courses, following media platforms by experts in the field, and a capstone focused in this practice area. Competence was gained for prenatal and postpartum care, pelvic dysfunction, and wellness. The evidenced-based publication was developed combining literature, continuing education, clinician feedback, and faculty review. The publication addresses areas of physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs of women’s health. Interactions and exercises in the publication reinforce content retention while additional resources, including videos and handouts, guide supplemental learning. Students explored the publication for 30-minutes in class. Student surveys and therapist questionnaires collected quantitative and qualitative feedback on the publication.
Results: Students (n = 26) completed the publication feedback survey. A student survey showed a 99.2% satisfaction rate for the publication's ease of use and organization. Insights into women's health through holistic occupational therapy received a 96.2% satisfaction rate. Additionally, 96.2% of students expressed they are likely to use the publication again. Students found the publication graphics, pictures, and key takeaways to be most engaging. Therapists (n = 8) valued the content and reported ease of implementation in clinics. They were motivated to share it with clients to enhance their understanding of their condition.
Conclusion: This freely available, online resource offers education on a variety of women’s health and wellness topics that are within the scope of OT practice. This supports OT programs, OT students, clients, and healthcare providers desiring to increase knowledge in this practice area. In a packed OT curriculum, OT programs may offer this resource for students who want to dive deeper in this practice area. Practitioners at clinical sites may also use this resource as onboarding or training materials for students going into a women’s health practice setting. This resource serves as a means to close the gap in women’s health services.
References:
Burkhart, R., Couchman, K., Crowell, K., Jeffries, S., Monvillers, S., & Vilensky, J. (2021). Pelvic floor dysfunction after childbirth: Occupational impact and awareness of available treatment. OTJR: Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, 41(2), 108-115. https://doi.org/10.1177/1539449220970881
Jones, J. Domanico, J., Peek, H., Lee, T. E., & Kern, L. A. (2020, July 23). Promoting women’s health and wellness. American Occupational Therapy Association. https://www.aota.org/publications/ot-practice/ot-practice-issues/2020/womens-health
Recommended Citation
Hubka, Madeleine C., "Empowering Women's Health and Wellness: The Role of Holistic Occupational Therapy" (2025). Capstones: Occupational Therapy. 1.
https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/cahp_ot_capstones/1
Comments
2025 Copyright, the authors