Maternal mental health describes women’s mental health during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Up to 20% of pregnant or postpartum women experience perinatal mood disorders, including postpartum depression (PPD), perinatal post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and postpartum anxiety, which negatively affect daily function during pregnancy and the post-birth year. Many women struggle with the “baby
When it was time for USAHS Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) student Nadim Batshon to explore a topic for his capstone project, he started thinking outside the box. He was interested in where occupational therapists (OTs) work in settings beyond schools and clinics—and the different populations they work with. Batshon had volunteered at a community
Solving puzzles, reviewing charts, communicating with patients, practicing clinical skills. At USAHS, our physical therapy and occupational therapy students work together in our simulation labs right away. Interprofessional simulations are part of Patient/Client Care Management 1 (PCCM-1), a first-trimester core course for the Residential DPT, OTD, and MOT programs on all campuses. “From Day
Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, Master of Occupational Therapy and Doctor of Occupational Therapy students at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences St. Augustine campus were completing their level II fieldwork rotations. “These fieldwork experiences provide a bridge between academics and clinical practice,” Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and OT instructor Dr. Patricia Palomar, OTD,
April is Occupational Therapy Month. As we celebrate the OT profession and its vital role in health care, Occupational Therapists are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic with valuable tips and advice to people and families, with an emphasis on self-care in times of stress. They are using telehealth to continue to provide their services in
USAHS now has a Double 3 telepresence robot from Double Robotics on each of our five campuses. Faculty across programs can begin using this cutting-edge technology in their simulation classes in our Centers for Innovative Clinical Learning (CICPs), as well as other learning contexts. The Double 3 telepresence robot is a recent advancement in
USAHS faculty and staff led a robust schedule of presentations at the International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH) 2020. Sixteen of our faculty and staff members participated in eight presentations at this renowned annual simulation conference in San Diego, which took place January 18–22. Faculty presented about the variety of ways they are using
Brings OT expertise to the International Surfing Organization Our very own Maureen “Mo” Johnson, PhD, MS, OT/L, assistant professor of OT on USAHS’ San Marcos campus, is a leader in the world of adaptive surfing. As Head of Classification for the International Surfing Association (ISA), she sets standards for how adaptive surfers with varying
According to the U.S. Department of State, 27 million people are trafficked each year worldwide. Approximately 18,000 of those victims are in the U.S. The University of San Diego and Point Loma Nazarene University released a study in 2016 showing that there are at least 3,000 trafficking victims per year in San Diego County. Today,
As an occupational therapist (OT), you will have the opportunity to specialize in one or more areas over the course of your career. Adding a specialty demonstrates your knowledge of an area you’re passionate about, enhances your credentials, and opens doors to grant funding and new job possibilities. Typically, OTs add a specialty after they
Occupational therapy students often say they are drawn to the career because OTs make such a tremendous impact in the lives of their patients. That’s the case for Sarah Brooks. “I’m very passionate about recognizing the dignity in every person, and I really saw that when I observed an OT working with a client during
When Cheryl Sheffield, an occupational therapist with 26 years of experience in the field, moved from her native Canada to the United States, she needed to update her credentials. She earned her Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PPOTD) from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) in 2018, which opened the door to