FocuS
Our medical system is innately designed to address and support acute illnesses. Chronic illnesses, however, do not get the same attention. Many adults with chronic illness share experiences of delayed diagnoses, insufficient care, and medical trauma.
Occupational therapy is uniquely qualified to support these patients. As occupation-based and trauma-informed practitioners, we can provide interventions that support individual wellbeing by addressing the complicated relationship between system, self, and health.
This year, I conducted a scoping review and literature review to understand occupational therapy best practices for adults with chronic illness. These reviews established a critical gap in available literature reflective of broader dysfunction in our medical system. The focus of my Capstone work is to understand exactly how occupational therapy services could improve health outcomes for this population through assessing capacity, crafting value-driven goals, and navigating shifting identities.
Development
Please check back for updates on the development of my Capstone project in the school year 2026-2027.
