This course focuses on an analysis of societal and public health principles of illness and wellness. Content includes a review of current evidence for assessing physiological, psychosocial, cognitive, and behavioral concepts, healthcare trends, and the implications on occupational engagement and occupational therapy practice. The importance of health, access to care, and the impact of disease and illness are investigated, and healthcare trends and public health needs are evaluated.
Meeting Times, Location, & Course Delivery Details
Contact Information
Upon Successful completion of this course...
OT 634 OT Practice in Health & Wellness
B.2.5 Apply and analyze scientific evidence to explain the importance of: • Balancing areas of occupation. • The role of occupation in the promotion of health and wellness. • The prevention of disease, illness, and dysfunction for persons, groups, and populations.
B.3.20 Evaluate access to community resources, and design community or primary care programs to support occupational performance for persons, groups, or populations.
B.3.21 Demonstrate effective communication with clients, care partners, communities, and members of the intraprofessional and interprofessional teams in a responsive and responsible manner that supports a team approach to promote client outcomes.
B.4.6 Demonstrate knowledge of: • Care coordination, case management, and transition services in traditional and emerging practice environments. • The consultative process with persons, groups, programs, organizations, or communities in collaboration with inter- and intraprofessional colleagues.
Recommended References
Scaffa, M. & Reitz, S. (2020). Occupational Therapy in Community and Population Health Practice, 3rd ed.. F. A. Davis ISBN # 978-0-8036-7562-9
Occupational Therapy Program Mission:
The mission of the Occupational Therapy program at Wilmington College is to prepare exceptional occupational therapy professionals that recognize and respond to the unique needs of rural communities with a fous on evidence and occupational-based practices that are client-centered.
1. Use critical reasoning to recognize health care needs, especially those in rural contexts, and provide evidence-based occupational therapy services to a variety of populations employing a variety of service delivery models, in different health care settings, and within community-based systems.
2. Provide services within a client-centered, occupational-based theoretical foundation with consideration of the underlying factors including, but not limited to,the culture and contexts that influence the individual’s ability to engage in meaningful occupational tasks and roles.
3. Clearly articulate, document, and apply professional principles and ethics, in advocacy of the client’s and family’s needs, as well as the needs of the OT
profession.
4. Provide direct and indirect services to promote and sustain health, facilitate typical growth and development, prevent deficits, and maintain, restore, or enhance function through compensation, adaptation, and participation in appropriate therapeutic methods, environmental modifications, use of adaptive equipment, and assistive technologies to enhance meaningful occupational engagement.
5. Demonstrate the ability to manage and evaluate the efficacy of occupational therapy services including client care outcomes, departmental operations,
documentation and reimbursement, and the supervision of appropriate personnel, including fieldwork students, within the guidelines of professional practice.
6. Initiate and participate in collaborative and cooperative interactions with intradisciplinary and interdisciplinary professionals, clients, families, significant others, and caregivers to achieve the desired occupational therapy outcomes.
Relationship to Curriculum Design and Themes
The Wilmington College Occupational Therapy Program has a rural focus with three themes woven throughout the curriculum. The three themes reflect aspects of current occupational therapy practice and care and are as follows:
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Occupation-Based Practice
- Client-Centered Care
Week 1 | Topics | Assignments |
| August 24-28 | Syllabi and Assignments Review Lecture – Basic Principles and Relevant Issues | Readings: Assignments: |
Week 2 | Topics | Assignments |
| August 31- September 4 | Population Analysis Work on Part 1 | Readings: Assignments: Promoting Health Part 1 Assign Due 9/22/2026 at 12:00PM |
Week 3 | Topics | Assignments |
| September 7- September 11 | Lecture – Community-Based and Population Health Program Development Program Planning Work on Part 1 | |
Week 4 | Topics | Assignments |
September 14- September 18 | Lecture – Program Evaluation Work on Part 1 | Readings: Assignments: Project Part 2: Needs Assessment Assign Due 10/21/2026 at 11:59 PM |
Week 5 | Topics | Assignments |
| September 21 – September 25 | Lecture – Data Collection Project part 2 with groups | Readings: Assignments: |
Week 6 | Topics | Assignments |
| September 28 – October 2 | Lecture – Data Collection Project part 2 with group | Assignments: |
Week 7 | Topics | Assignments |
October 5 – October 9
| Lecture – Children and Youth | Readings: Assignments:
|
Week 8 | Topics | Assignments |
| October 12 – October 16 | Midterm | |
Week 9 | Topics | Assignments |
| October 19-October 23 | Lecture – Productive Living | Project Part2: Needs Assessment Due 10/21/2026 at 11:59 PM |
Week 10 | Topics | Assignments |
October 26 – October 30
| Lecture – Work and Industry Discuss project part 3 and work in groups | Readings: Assignments: Project Part 3: Program Proposal Assign Due 11/18/2026 at 11:59 PM |
Week 11 | Topics | Assignments |
November 2- November 6
| Lecture – Mental Health Project in groups | Readings: Assignments: |
| Week 12 | Topics | Assignments |
| November 9- November 13 | Lecture – Rehabilitation and Participation Project in groups | Readings: Assignments: |
| Week 13 | Topics | Assignments |
November 16- November 20
| Lecture – Health Promotion and Wellness Project in groups | Readings: Assignments:
Project Part 3: Program Proposal Due 11/18/2026 at 11:59 PM Project Part 4 Assign Due 12/2/2026, 3:30 pm |
Week 14 | Topics | Assignments |
November 30 – December 4
| Lecture – Health Promotion and Wellness Project in groups | Readings: Assignments: Project Part 4 Due December 2nd, 3:30 pm
|
| November 25 Happy Thanksgiving | ||
| Week 15 | Topics | Assignments |
December 7- December 11 | Lecture – Presentations Complete program proposal presentations | Readings: Assignments:
|
| Week 16 | Topics | Assignment |
December 14-December 18 |
FINALS WEEK |
|
1.) Assignment Title: Role of Promotion of Health and Prevention (B.2.5)
Assignment Description:
Students will apply and analyze scientific evidence to identify persons, groups, and populations that occupational therapy can target for community health and wellness programming. Students will search for current evidence related to the chosen 1. person, 2. group, and 3. population, appraise the literature, and apply the findings to occupational therapy practice in order to promote health and assist in the prevention of disease, illness, and occupational dysfunction. Evidence is disseminated through visual and auditory presentation.
2.) Assignment Title: Health and Wellness Project: (ACOTE: B.3.20, B.3.21)
Assignment Description:
Needs Assessment
Students will conduct a needs assessment to determine the discrepancy between existing services and the need for services in order to promote health and wellness in the local community. Students will identify a target group (person, group, or population), and will prioritize concerns related to health and wellness for that group by using a systematic manner to communicate and gather data (eg. interview, survey, checklists, etc.) from patients, families, communities, and members of the interprofessional team.
Students will evaluate access to community resources and design a community or primary care program to support occupational performance for persons, groups, or populations.
Students will complete a needs assessment template to identify additional data sources in order to clearly define the need. APA formatting required throughout writing and visual presentations. Based on the collected data will create a Program Proposal.
Program Proposal:
Using the results of a needs assessment to inform the design of a community or primary care program, students will develop a program proposal for a service that does not currently exist in the area in order to support occupational performance for persons, groups, and populations. Based on their research, students will create a program proposal with the following components:
1.) Students will identify the unmet need for services in the community based on a summary of a
previously completed needs assessment.
2.) Students will identify a specific recommendation for a community or primary care service that
supports occupational performance based on results of a previously completed needs
assessment.
3.) Students will develop general and specific objectives, written in SMART format,
related to the desired outcome(s) of their proposed program.
4.) Students will create action steps to achieve set objectives.
5.) Students will develop general and specific program participant goals.
5.) Students will define how the program will be evaluated for effectiveness and create a program outcome measure.
3.) Assignment Title: Consultative Plan: (ACOTE: B.4.6)
Assignment Description:
Students develop an occupational therapy consultative plan that includes referral services to other providers and/or community support services in traditional and emerging practice environments that will demonstrate knowledge of the consultative process and role of OT with persons, groups, programs, organizations or communities in collaboration with inter- and intraprofessional colleagues.
4.) Participation
Assignment Description:
Students will participate in class activities in an energetic, positive and motivated manner. Contributions to class reflect exceptional preparation including being on time for class, handing in assignments and papers when due, and following through with commitments and responsibilities. Student will make obvious and significant contributions on projects, working effectively with others, showing consideration for the needs of the group, and developing group cohesiveness by assisting in the development of the knowledge and awareness of others. Students will consistently demonstrate Quaker values: integrity, service, stewardship, equality, peace, social justice, and respect for all persons
The grading scale will be as follows:
| Course Grading: | Letter Grade Equivalents: |
Project Pt. 1 10% Project Pt. 2 25% Project Pt. 3 50% Project Pt. 4 5% Participation 10% | A = 90-100 B = 80-89 F = 0-79 |
| Total 100 |
| Case Study | Presentation | X | |
| Exams | Demonstration | ||
| Group Projects | X | Individual Project | |
| Assignments/Papers | X | Essay Test | |
| EBP Literature Analysis | X | Objective Test/Quiz | |
| Lab Performance/Competency | Lab Practical | ||
| Journaling | Participation/In-Class Activities | X | |
| Fieldwork Performance Evaluation | Other |
| Case Analysis | X | Role Play | X |
| Roundtable Discussion | X | Clinical Simulations | |
| Discussion Questioning/Interviewing | X | Community Integration Experience | |
| Experiential Learning | Multimedia Activities | ||
| Fieldwork Experience | Other | ||
| Group Presentation | |||
| Lecture | X | ||
| Lab Activities |
Instructor Course Policies
Daily Participation is a key part of this course and students are expected to attend all programmed portions of the course. Students are encouraged to communicate with the instructor before class time if any issue arises that may interfere with their ability to participate or require them to step out of the class during unscheduled breaks. Active participation in all daily discussions, community outings, and class/laboratory experiences in this course will be noted by instructors during each session. Students deemed to be disinterested, unengaged, or otherwise occupied, will not receive participation points at the discretion of the instructor with no recourse on the part of the student. Students should arrive prepared for class to discuss, answer questions, and participate in all class lectures, meeting times and activities. Students should make every effort to use the bathroom during scheduled breaks offered approximately once per hour during instruction. If a student leaves the class at other times, it is their responsibility to communicate to the instructor ahead of time of an issue that my prevent them from sitting in class for approximately 60 minutes. Any student who is not engaged in the class, completing other activities not related to the course or the assigned activity, or completing assignments such as studying for another course will be asked to leave the class. Absence, tardiness, and participation points can all be affected by each incident.
Absences
Instructors reserve the right to determine whether an absence is excused or unexcused. Absences result in 1% off the overall final grade each day the student is absent (e.g., If a student is absent 4 days over the semester, 4% of the overall final grade is deducted resulting in an overall course grade of 96% vs. 100%. Reasonable exceptions may be made at the instructor’s discretion.
Excused Absences
An excused absence is defined as a student’s unexpected illness/health with a medical note, bereavement for immediate family (e.g., spouse, children, grandparents, grandchildren, parents, siblings), or an unexpected life event (e.g. Emergencies, hospitalizations, and legal obligations). An excused absence will result in the student’s ability to make-up assigned work/assignments and submit within two days for full credit. Reasonable exceptions may be made at the instructor’s discretion.
Unexcused Absences
An unexcused absence is defined as 1.) birthdays, 2.) holidays that are not approved on the Wilmington College graduate calendar, 3.) weddings, 4.) vacations/trips, 5.) absence due to illness without a medical note, or 6.) work.
Academic Misconduct & Scholastic Dishonesty
Academic misconduct may result in a failing grade, and a letter regarding the incident may be placed in the student’s permanent file in the Office of Academic Affairs. Academic misconduct includes all types of scholastic dishonesty and includes, but is not limited to, cheating on examinations or assignments, interfering with another student’s work, representing work done by another as your own, and plagiarizing.
Scholastic Dishonesty
Any student who commits an act of scholastic dishonesty is subject to discipline. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable to another person. Examples of scholastic dishonesty include:
Cheating
- Copying from the test paper of another student
- Communicating with another student during a test
- Giving or seeking aid from another student during a test
- Possession and/or use of unauthorized materials during tests (i.e., notes, books, apps, etc.)
- Substituting for another person to take a test
- Falsifying research data, reports, academic work offered for credit
Plagiarism
- Using someone’s work in your assignments without the proper citations
- Submitting the same paper or assignment from a different course, without direct permission of instructors
Collusion
- Unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing academic assignments.
Artificial Intelligence
You are not permitted to use generative AI tools for any work in courses. This includes the use of popular tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, GitHub Co-Pilot, as well as all other tools built on generative AI technologies. Due to the nature of this program, work can only be fairly and accurately evaluated if student writing has NOT been assisted by generative AI. Use of generative AI for assignments in this course will be considered a violation of the College’s academic integrity policies. Assigned reading and corresponding written assignments in this program are designed to develop independent skills and thoughtful perspective through reflective technical writing. Use of AI undermines that work, its purpose, and ultimately any benefit that it could provide towards students’ learning experience. Therefore, the use of any generative AI to help with any assignments will be considered cheating/plagiarism and will be graded and handled accordingly.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is not tolerated and can result in dismissal from the program. Resources are available to help students understand how to avoid plagiarism. Faculty may require students to submit their written assignments through plagiarism software prior to submission. It is the student’s responsibility to ask for help if needed. See the college catalogue and website for further information.
Professional Behaviors
Students are also expected to be professional in all interactions associated with the school and program. Professional behavior is expected to be maintained in all classrooms and campus buildings, and when in the community for assigned class activities. Unprofessional behavior will be addressed immediately, and the student will be held accountable for immediate resolution of the issue.
A process for development and monitoring of professional behaviors has been incorporated into the program. Students will meet (at minimum) each semester with their faculty advisor to review progress towards goals. Students will develop skills in self-reflection and self-evaluation that will support life-long professional development.
Behaviors which detract from students learning will not be tolerated. These behaviors include but are not limited to talking during class when an instructor or other student has the floor, attire that distracts from students learning, entering, and exiting during instruction, and incoming messages on electronic devices.
Additional Course Policies
ADA Statement
Legal Responsibility
It is the policy of Wilmington College to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state regulations that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability.
Person with disabilities – any person who has a physical or mental condition which substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such a condition, or is regarded as having such a condition. (ADA, 1990)
Major life activities include caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working. Basically, any function that is performed routinely by individuals is considered a major life activity.
If you have a documented disability that requires accommodations, contact the Director of Accessibility and Disability Services, located in 111 Robinson Communication Center, at 937-481-2444 or accessibility@wilmington.edu,. For more information, visit https://www.wilmington.edu/current-students/disability-services/
Cell Phones
All phones will be turned off/silenced and put away during class and only accessed during break times. If an emergency occurs and the professor is informed appropriately, an exception may be made. Faculty approval is required for any exceptions to cell phone and electronic device use and is at the discretion of the individual instructor.
Dress Code
Students are expected to be always clean and neat. Students are expected to wear polo shirts/collared shirts and khaki, black or casual pants in dark colors during class. No jeans, leggings, or sweatpants are allowed. All clothing must be loose enough to allow free movement through all ranges, especially during lab activities. When participating in anatomy and kinesiology labs students may be asked to change into appropriate lab clothing as designated by instructors. Rubber-soled, close-toed shoes are required. No clogs, flipflops, or sandals are allowed.
Jewelry, perfumes, and after shave scents must be kept to a minimum. When guest speakers or other visitors are present, students must wear their Wilmington College OT Student name tags. Pajamas or tank tops will not be permitted during class, including courses delivered in an online format.
Electronic Devices
The use of electronic devices (including headphones) during class or any instructional activity or session for personal communication, private exploration, or any other purpose outside of the activities prescribed by the Professor for that session is not permitted.
Exams and Quizzes
Official time allotted for exams and quizzes is at the discretion of the individual instructor. In general, students are allowed one hour for multiple choice exams, 30 minutes for quizzes, and two hours for exams containing case studies, short answer items, or essay questions. Time frames for practical exams given individually or in pairs are determined by the amount of content involved and the expectation of the demonstration, at the discretion of the instructor. All students must submit an Early/Late Exam Request Form in order to change the time of their exam for any excused absence.
Food & Drink
Any food must only be consumed in breaks, outside or in the student lounge. Students are allowed lidded drinking cups in the classroom. All students are responsible for their own clean up. All kitchen items must be washed and replaced immediately after use. Refrigerators must be emptied of all student items each Thursday before students can leave the building. The program is not responsible for items left in the department over weekends, holidays, or breaks.
Inclusive Learning
Wilmington College is committed to actively pursuing justice and equity for all and in providing an inclusive learning environment that is healthy, safe, and designed to support the success of all participants in their educational pursuits.
Minimal Technical Standards
A student is expected to meet these standards as outlined on the MSOT program’s Minimum Technical Standards document (Appendix B in Student Handbook).
Online Netiquette
Online communication can be challenging. It’s possible to miscommunicate what we mean or to misunderstand what our classmates mean given the lack of body language and immediate feedback. Therefore, please keep these netiquette (network etiquette) guidelines in mind. Failure to observe them may result in disciplinary action.
· Always consider audience. All communication should reflect polite consideration of other’s ideas.
· Respect and courtesy must be always provided to classmates and instructors. No harassment or inappropriate postings will be tolerated.
· When reacting to someone else’s message, address the ideas, not the person. Post only what anyone would comfortably state in a face-to-face situation.
Physical Contact:
Disclaimer: Due to the nature of occupational therapy practice, there may be physical contact with other classmates and instructors in order to fully comprehend and correctly perform specific evaluation and intervention techniques. By reading this statement and signing the syllabus attestation, you agree to fully participate and accept the necessity for physical contact by instructors, guest speakers, and other classmates for professional and educational purposes.
Instructional Delivery:
Face to Face Courses
Wilmington College defines a Face-to-Face course as one which meets in a physical space on a regular weekly schedule. All students enrolled in a Face-to-Face course are expected to physically attend and participate in all class sessions.
Hybrid Flex Courses
In a Hybrid Flex course, you will have a scheduled day(s) each week where you will be required to meet in your scheduled classroom. You will also have assignments and other participation activities that must be completed and submitted electronically each week through the prescribed manner in Blackboard. Participation in the scheduled live class sessions and all weekly course requirements must be completed and submitted electronically in the prescribed manner to the course instructor within the instructors assigned deadlines for assignments and participation that week.
Hybrid Traditional Courses
In a Hybrid Traditional course, you will have scheduled day(s) where you will be required to meet in your scheduled classroom and other day(s) you will participate at the scheduled class time by attending the class live online via the platform specified in your course syllabus. You will have assignments that must be completed each week. Participation in the scheduled live classroom and corresponding synchronous sessions is required. Weekly course requirements must be completed and submitted electronically in the prescribed manner to the course instructor within the instructor's assigned deadlines for assignments and participation that week.
Online Asynchronous Courses
An Online Asynchronous course does not have a set meeting time. Each class week will have participation and engagement requirements that must be completed during that week as determined by your instructor. Wilmington College defines an online course week as one which commences at 12:00 A.M. each Monday and ends at 11:59 P.M. the following Sunday. All weekly course requirements must be completed and submitted electronically in the prescribed manner to the course instructor within the instructors assigned deadlines for assignments and participation that week.
Online Synchronous Courses
An Online Synchronous course will require that you attend the live online synchronous sessions during the scheduled meeting times indicated in your course schedule and in the course syllabus. Each class week will have participation and engagement requirements that must be completed during that week as determined by your instructor. Wilmington College defines an online course week as one which commences at 12:00 A.M. each Monday and ends at 11:59 P.M. the following Sunday. All weekly course requirements must be completed and submitted electronically in the prescribed manner to the course instructor within the instructors assigned deadlines for assignments and participation that week.
Institutional and Program-Level Policies
All exams will follow the Final Exam Schedule. Students scheduled to take three or more final examinations on one day may request to arrange their examination schedule, so no more than two exams occur on one day.
Requests for early or late exams are considered only under extreme circumstances. Prior to the exam period, the student must file a written request on the Early/Late Exam Form available in the Student One Stop Center, Academic Records, and on the WC portal. The form must be signed by the Instructor and the Academic Dean, approving the alternate exam time. This process must be completed prior to the scheduled exam period.
Undergraduate: FA26 Final Exam Schedule
Out-of-class Work Expectation A minimum of 2 hours of out-of-class student work is expected for each hour of in-class time for traditional face-to-face courses. For online and hybrid courses, the combination of face-to-face time and out-of-class work should be equal to 3 hours per credit hour per week. |
Instructional Course Delivery Definition of Courses |
Academic Integrity Policy The use of generative AI is prohibited except where expressly allowed in assignment instructions. Academic Integrity Policy |
Class Attendance Policy Institutional Class Attendance Policy |