Date of Award
Spring 5-2026
Document Type
Oral Presentation/Poster
Degree Name
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Department
Health Science
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Moses Ikiugu
Keywords
inpatient behavioral health, theory-to-practice, mental health occupational therapy
Subject Categories
Occupational Therapy
Abstract
This capstone project aimed to strengthen occupational therapy practice in inpatient behavioral health by creating theory‑aligned, trauma‑informed, and evidence‑supported resources. A needs assessment revealed gaps in resource organization, translation of theory to practice, engagement strategies, and access to behavioral‑health‑specific tools. Guided by MOHO, the CORE approach, the Recovery Model, and trauma‑informed care, a comprehensive OneNote system was developed to offer organized, accessible practice supports. Practitioners completed pre‑ and post‑implementation surveys, and summed domain scores were calculated for each participant. Results showed meaningful improvements in Adequacy & Organization, Knowledge & Theory, Effectiveness, and especially Quality & Usability, where all practitioners demonstrated substantial gains. Interdisciplinary staff also reported increased understanding of occupational therapy’s role after an educational session. Although some systemic challenges persisted, findings indicate that organized, theory‑driven resources can enhance practitioner confidence, clarity, and sustainability of occupation‑based, recovery‑oriented care in inpatient behavioral health.
Recommended Citation
Conrad, Haley J., "Optimizing Occupational Therapy in Inpatient Behavioral Health Settings" (2026). Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations. 182.
https://red.library.usd.edu/ot-capstone/182