MSOT 6571 - Occupational Therapy in Acute Care & Neurorehabilitation

2 credit hours

This intensive elective course prepares students to develop advanced clinical reasoning and rehabilitation skills for practice in both acute care and neurorehabilitation settings. The course covers essential knowledge and practical skills needed for treating neurological conditions in the hospital and inpatient settings. Students will integrate evidence-based practice literature, relevant frames of reference, and clinical guidelines into the evaluation and intervention process, with a focus on motor control theories, motor learning, and the recovery of function. Key topics include the application of neurorehabilitation approaches, use of emerging technologies such as robotics and virtual reality, and understanding critical lab values, vitals, and infection control. The course also addresses interdisciplinary communication, discharge planning, indications and contraindications for occupational therapy intervention, and frequently utilized hospital and adaptive equipment. Through a combination of didactic learning and bedside skills practice, students will be prepared for fieldwork experiences or clinical practice in acute care and neurorehabilitation environments, equipped with the necessary skills of an entry-level clinician. Prerequisites/co-requisites as appropriate: OCTH 5120, OCTH 5125, OCTH 5140, OCTH 5220, OCTH 5320, OCTH 6530, OCTH 6540