OTA 115 Human Disease and Occupation Syllabus

Course Description:  This course will explore diseases that are commonly seen in occupational therapy practice and the effect they have on participation in occupation. The information in this class will serve as a foundation for planning treatment OT.

Textbook Information:  

The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, latest edition, Merck Research Laboratories.

Reed, KL: Quick Reference to Occupational Therapy, 3^rd edition, Pro-ed, 2001

Expectations:

This is a college level course. Many students expect that an online course will be easier, or entail less time. This is not true. This online class will take just as much time as a traditional classroom course. College credits are based on the Carnegie Unit, the structure of the US Education system, for a system of “units”. One semester unit represents one lecture hour of required classroom time and two hours of student preparation time. Thus, our three unit course requires, 3 lecture hours and 6 hours of student preparation, or approximately 9 hours total, per week that you will need to spend on this course.

Course Learning Objectives:

Through lecture, class discussion, and observation opportunities the student will be able to:

1. Describe the rationale for understanding the study of disease in preparation for practice as an OTA.
2. Define and differentiate the following terms: etiology, prognosis, prevention, pathophysiology, medical management, precautions, and lifestyle redesign.
3. Utilize the above terms to develop a schema in the study of disease and its relationship to work as an OTA.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of nutrition in a healthy lifestyle.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of diseases related to nutrition.
6. Define and differentiate diseases of childhood that are commonly seen in OT practice.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of psychiatric disorders according to the developed schema.
8. Explain the difference between peripheral and central nervous systems.
9. Identify characteristics specific to the central nervous system.
10. Demonstrate an understanding of neurological disorders according to the developed schema.
11. Describe the role of skin and demonstrate an understanding of burn injuries according to the developed schema.
12. Demonstrate an understanding of musculoskeletal disorders according to the developed schema.
13. Describe normal cardiac and pulmonary function.
14. Use the developed schema to understand various cardio-pulmonary disorders.
15. Identify cancers that are commonly seen on OT practice.
16. Demonstrate an understanding of various infectious disease conditions that may be seen in OT practice.

Student Learning Objectives: 

With a minimum of 75% accuracy the students will be able to:

• Describe the role of nutrition in terms of a healthy lifestyle in various diseases commonly treated in OT.
• Apply the concepts of diagnosis, prognosis, medical treatment, and disease prevention of diseases commonly treated in OT to lifestyle redesign.
• Understand the connection of the above concepts in relation to occupational performance.
• Define the pathophysiology of diseases commonly treated in OT.

Course Requirements:

Students are responsible for all lecture content, assigned readings, weekly discussion board posts and objectives from course modules.

Grading Criteria:

There will be a total of four scheduled quizzes, discussion board activities, and one final exam. These are graded on a weighted basis as follows:

         Scheduled quizzes            60% of your grade (4 total)

         Discussion activities       20% of your grade

         Final exam                      20% of your grade

 

All Quizzes and Exams will take place in the testing center on campus. Any missed quiz without prior arrangement or due to illness or emergency will be graded as a “0”. There will be NO Make-up Quizzes. The final exam will be comprehensive and students will be responsible for all information from all reading assignments and lectures. Discussion board posts must be made by the deadline for that post. A deduction of 4% per day will be taken (5 day max) for a late submission. A “0” grade will be given for any submission after 6 days.   An average of 75% overall must be attained in order to pass this course. It is the student’s responsibility to know the testing center hours of operation and schedule accordingly. Please check hours at SAC Testing Center.

In the online format students take the quizzes on different days and at different times and therefore have the opportunity to discuss the quiz with classmates. Once a student takes the quiz s/he must not discuss the quiz with a student who has not taken it as this is academic dishonesty. Please refer to the college policy on academic dishonesty.

Grading Scale:    

A = 93–100%

B = 83-92

C = 75-82%

D = 70-74

F = below 70%

Meet Your Instructor: 

Hi and Welcome to the OTA program!  My name is Shellie and I will be your instructor.  I have been an OTR for 17 years.  I LOVE being an OT!  I am a life long learner and love to hear people's life stories.  I've always been active and earned my Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology from CSULB, where I met my husband.  I earned my Master's Degree in OT from USC and have enjoyed by career path since.  I have practiced in multiple settings including pediatrics, geriatrics, hospital based, private practice and currently, home health.  I love the flexibility of my career and find immense strength and peace when helping others.

I have been married to my best friend for 20 years.  We are raising two ever-growing teenage boys.  Our oldest is a sophomore in high school and just earned his driver's permit.  Our youngest is an 8th grader and an avid skateboarder.  We have a 4 year old puppy, Vito, that is 100 pounds of pure love. 

I love to travel, especially a good long road trip.  I've been to 33 states and 3 countries.  Most of my extended family lives out of state so we spend time traveling between Oregon, Idaho and Pennsylvania.  I have 3 beautiful nieces and 2 rowdy nephews (both red-heads) that I can't get enough time with.  We have taught our boys the joy of camping and love spending a weekend in nature.  On a rare day off you will find me in the kitchen baking (my favorite calming strategy) or outside at the beach or on the water.  I have a strong group of friends that helps me survive the ups/downs of parenting and keep me smiling through the messiness. 

I am excited to get to know you as you become professionals.  Best of luck on your path.  Don't forget to find a little joy, a little fun and a little adventure along the way.

Course Syllabus: OTA115 Syllabus .pdf

Course Schedule: OTA115 course schedule -1.pdf

Ice Learning Instructions: ice learning center instructions generic.pdf