This dissertation focuses on the structures and impacts of digital skills in the rapidly transforming labor market. It is rooted in the premise that understanding the value of digital skills requires a relational perspective, acknowledging that these competencies are not isolated, but form complex structures across different occupations. The…

Data science, as a discipline can be used in any area. However, in order to utilize data science techniques, data scientist must be taught domain knowledge, referred to as a partner discipline, in the area with which the techniques are to be utilized. Using a quantitative analysis of publicly available information and survey methodology, this…

The purpose of this study was to examine how placing students in youth apprenticeships can be used to impact the local skills trades gap. Placing students in youth apprenticeships impacts the local skills trades gap, and provides businesses with more skilled workers while providing a pipeline for local students. This study helps to align students'…

This qualitative study aimed to conceptualize how Oregon Community College Career and Technical Education program administrators perceive Professional Skills attainment in their students. The overarching themes that emerged from analyzing interviews with administrators at several community colleges were administrators' belief that Professional…

This action research study aimed to integrate simulation-enhanced interprofessional education (Sim-IPE) into the undergraduate clinical laboratory science (CLS) program curriculum. The undergraduate CLS curriculum was comprised of didactic coursework and hands-on learning experiences in the student laboratory. This traditional CLS curriculum model…

Clinical Reasoning (CR) integrates thinking and decision-making in clinical practice (Huhn et al., 2019). CR is an established area of research in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) education (Musolino & Jensen, 2019; Jensen & Mostrom, 2012) and has been acknowledged as a core competency of physical therapist residency education (APTA…

Occupational Therapists (OTs) are tasked with making effective clinical decisions to maximize client outcomes. There is, however, a dearth of evidence regarding if, how, and when changes in clinical decision-making occur during the OT education process. This research report presents the outcomes of a quantitative study examining changes in…

The growing complexity of the healthcare environment and the need to equitably address the health and well-being of a diverse patient population has increased the requirement for practical instruction and assessment of clinical reasoning in the training of health professionals. Formative assessment, in the form of feedback, is recognized as an…

According to health care reports, more than 250,000 deaths annually are attributed to medical error, prompting interprofessional education (IPE) initiatives as one way to improve healthcare delivery. The problem is that little is known about the effect of simulation learning with standardized patients on occupational therapy (OT) and physical…

Introduction: Uncertainty exists about the best method for teaching thrust joint manipulation (TJM) to student physical therapists. This dissertation study compared the effects of Peyton's 4-Step (P4) Approach with the "see one, do one" (S1D1) approach on students': (1) Lumbar spine TJM task performance; (2) Attitudes and beliefs towards…

Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) between health professionals of various disciplines aims to improve patient care by optimizing patient outcomes and employee enthusiasm for their jobs. Interprofessional education (IPE) is the pedagogical approach to teaching IPC. There is an expectation that physical therapy (PT) instructors will adopt and…

Background: Soft-skill competencies are essential for successful careers. However, recent graduates lack in soft skill development. The reason may be because there is no set list of soft skills. Soft skills are subjective and poorly defined in Health Administration and competency models are not defined in terms of attitudes, behaviors, or…

Direct support professionals work with developmentally disabled individuals and are responsible for implementing behavior intervention support plans (BISPs). Little is known about the efficacy of supplemental BISP training in these professionals. The purpose of this quantitative experimental study was to investigate the efficacy of BISP training…

This research study examined the implementation of an extended reality (XR) lab on a community college campus to facilitate student and faculty access to immersive learning resources. The study, conducted during one skills day, involved 46 students and was designed to understand if integrating immersive VR into emergency medical technician (EMT)…

Athletic training students require strong critical thinking skills in order to make decisions for the health and safety of their athletes. Research has shown that these skills are difficult to develop. Simulation learning is often used in healthcare education as a way to build these critical thinking skills. This action research study sought to…