Document Type
Report
College
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Department
Occupational Therapy
Degree
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Report Date
5-2025
Faculty Mentor
Adams, Brittany
Doctoral Experiential Coordinator
Latour, Debra
Abstract
As the field of occupational therapy (OT) continues to grow, its potential impact in emerging practice areas is often underrecognized, particularly in primary and urgent care settings. Traditionally rooted in hospital and rehabilitation environments, occupational therapy remains underutilized in outpatient and preventative care, despite its well-established benefits. This is especially evident in university health centers, where increasing health concerns among college students, faculty, and staff have created a growing need for holistic and accessible support services. Occupational therapy's unique role supports health promotion, rehabilitation, and injury prevention in ways that complement and enhance medical care. Integrating occupational therapy into primary and urgent care settings offers a novel approach that has been proven to enhance patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, support interprofessional collaboration, and improve provider burnout. This project further explores the integration of occupational therapy services within primary and urgent care, specifically in a university campus health center, aiming to meet the diverse needs of students, faculty, and staff while demonstrating the profession’s value in a nontraditional setting.
Recommended Citation
McKeon, Brooke L., "Bridging Health and Function: Integrating Occupational Therapy into an Urgent Care Campus Health Center" (2025). OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. 106.
https://digitalcommons.law.wne.edu/otd/106
