Regina Parnell to lead OT service learning project in Detroit

Assistant Clinical Professor of Occupational Therapy Regina Parnell was awarded a $2,900 grant to launch and manage a Detroit-based service learning project for first-year OT students.

Assistant Clinical Professor of Occupational Therapy Regina ParnellParnell received the Educational Development Grant from Wayne State's Office for Teaching and Learning. Hers was one of only four proposals selected university-wide from a robust pool of applications.

Through the service learning project, occupational therapy students will plan, implement and direct small activity groups with minority populations ranging from pediatric to geriatric, beginning in January 2021 in conjunction with the program's Therapeutic Media course. Activities at the nonprofit Urban Link Village will focus on therapeutic materials and concepts addressed in the classroom.

"For instance, students may teach participants how to sew a simple pattern, create leather trinkets or build wooden crafts," said Parnell, who earned her PhD in medical sociology from WSU in 2007. "Students will be responsible for incorporating occupational therapy theory and practice techniques - group dynamic, teaching-learning, therapeutic use of self, activity analysis, safety, professionalism - in the sessions."

The use of media in treatment allows students to develop skills needed to select appropriate activities for clients. "Patients with vision deficits improve their visual skills by engaging in crafts that require them to scan their workspace for supplies," said Parnell. "Clients with hand weaknesses can improve their dexterity by manipulating media to create a craft. Individuals with poor social skills can learn to work cooperatively on group projects."

Following the service learning experience, students will complete evaluations focused on professionalism, leadership skills and use of therapeutic media concepts. Community leaders will also provide feedback on how effective the service learning projects proved to be for their patrons, with the hope that both groups benefit and grow from the experience.

"In the Occupational Therapy program, it is paramount that students develop and refine their hard and soft clinical skills," Parnell said. "This experience is designed to prepare them for more clinically based experiences occurring later in the curriculum and, ultimately, for their roles as entry-level occupational therapists upon graduation."

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