Sensory perceptions of survivors of cancer and their caregivers upon blinded evaluation of produce from two different sources.

PURPOSE: Evidence documents the role of modifiable lifestyle behaviors in optimizing physical and mental health outcomes for survivors of cancer. Fruit and vegetable consumption is one such behavior, and understanding survivor sensory perceptions of produce can inform interventions aimed at improving dietary patterns. The objective of this study was to assess the sensory perceptions of survivors of cancer and their caregivers when asked to evaluate garden-harvested and grocery-purchased produce. METHODS: Participants enrolled in a garden-based biobehavioral intervention and their caregivers (n=32) were invited to participate in a sensory evaluation of four produce types: tangerine cherry tomatoes, green cabbage, green beans, and green bell peppers. Samples were coded and distributed in a random fashion, and participants completed validated sensory surveys (preference, liking/acceptability, and discrimination) for each type of produce. RESULTS: Upon initial blinded evaluation, a significant preference for grocery-purchased produce was noted for green cabbage, green beans, and green bell peppers but not tomatoes (all p<0.05). After self-labeling, however, participants reported a preference for perceived garden-harvested produce (all p≤0.001) even when incorrectly labeled. Liking/acceptability scores were significantly higher among self-labeled garden-harvested versus self-labeled grocery-purchased for all types of produce (all p≤0.001). These data reveal survivors of cancer and their caregivers perceive garden-harvested produce as superior to grocery-purchased, though were unable to accurately identify the two sources based upon sensory factors such as taste, smell, and texture alone when blinded for three of the four types of produce. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate future interventions should address perceptions of produce to facilitate improvements in consumption in these vulnerable individuals.

Characteristics of Students Receiving Occupational Therapy Services in Transition and Factors Related to Postsecondary Success.

OBJECTIVE: This study had a twofold purpose: (1) identify the characteristics of people with disabilities who received occupational therapy services during their transition to adulthood and (2) determine factors associated with their successful postsecondary transition. METHOD: This study was a secondary analysis of National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 data. Data analyses include descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression, and simple linear regression. RESULTS: Autism, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disability were the most commonly reported disability classifications. Participation in postsecondary education was significantly associated with functional use of arms and hands. Postsecondary employment was significantly associated with verbal comprehension. Participation in community activities was significantly related to students' health status, and participation in community service was significantly related to students' functional use of arms and hands. CONCLUSION: Providing transition services to students with disabilities remains an emerging area of practice. Occupational therapy practitioners may contribute to transition teams by intervening to improve functional abilities and health status.

Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the Vocational Fit Assessment (VFA).

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of the Vocational Fit Assessment (VFA) by examining its factor structure and subscale reliability. METHOD: This prospective cross-sectional study used two surveys (one for worker abilities and one for job demands) to collect the data needed for the psychometric evaluation of the VFA. Latent parallel analysis and ordinal exploratory factor analysis were used to iteratively refine VFA subscales. RESULTS: Ten unidimensional subscales emerged from factor analysis of VFA items: (1) Cognitive Abilities, (2) Communication Skills, (3) Computer Skills, (4) Higher Task-Related Abilities, (5) Interpersonal Skills, (6) Lower Task-Related Abilities, (7) Physical Abilities, (8) Safety, (9) Self-Determination, and (10) Work Structure. Subscale internal consistency (ordinal α) was ≥.86 for VFA for worker abilities and ≥.77 for VFA for job demands. CONCLUSION: The unidimensional structure of VFA subscales and estimates of internal consistency lend initial evidence in support of their reliability and validity.

Validation of an Instrument for Measuring Professional Behaviors Across Students Enrolled in Allied Health Professional Programs.

Students enrolled in professional education programs preparing for a career in a healthcare need to learn knowledge, skills, and a wide range of professional attributes. However, the nature of clinical and didactic curricula germane to allied health professional programs makes it difficult to find accurate and useful means of measuring knowledge of and the skills associated with professional behaviors. As allied health educators, it is critically important to identify a reliable and effective instrument that can assess professional attributes of students in terms of their knowledge and skill. In the current study, 180 of 189 students (response rate 95.2%) from five allied health pro¬grams completed the online Professionalism Assessment Tool (PAT) to assess their professional attributes. The PAT was analyzed by each domain for internal consistency and by each item for floor and ceiling effects. Each domain met the a priori Cronbach alpha (range 0.90-0.94) and item floor effects were acceptable (range 1.17%-18.75%). Fourteen items in three domains exceeded a priori ceiling effects. Based upon the results of the current study, the PAT, originally created and validated for pharmacy students, appears to address common weaknesses identified in other instruments measuring professional behaviors within other health professional students.

The professional occupational therapy doctoral degree: why do it?

This article presents a rationale for the development of professional occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) programs. As more universities transition to the entry-level OTD degree, opportunities are becoming available to advance the profession and increase benefits to clients. We analyzed the current health care environment and developed the following proposed outcomes for doctoral-trained practitioners: (1) Demonstrate advanced clinical skills; (2) attain proficiency in outcomes measurement and analysis and synthesis of outcomes data; (3) routinely use standardized evidence-based practice clinical guidelines that translate research into practice; (4) develop, implement, and lead health promotion services; and (5) excel as partners in interprofessional teams.