Funding and productivity demands combined with curative approaches of medicine can make working with older adults less appealing to health professionals (Samra et al, 2013 George et al, 2013). It is essential to recognize and address such perceptions to promote the provision of quality, humanistic healthcare. Educators can impact perceptions by facilitating innovative opportunities for interaction with older adults, especially those in dementia care. Creative therapies, such as art, music, and storytelling provide opportunities for reminiscence and self-expression and have been proven to yield potential psychosocial benefits for people with dementia including enhanced well-being, lessened cognitive decline, decreased anxiety and depression, and improvements in memory, social interaction, orientation, and cognitive functioning. (Phillips et al, 2010; Subramanium, Trentham, n.d.; Woods, & Whitaker, 2013). Similarly, these interventions yield benefits for facilitators such as increased comfort and higher levels of humanistic care for clients with dementia (George et al, 2013, & 2014). The proposed presentation will provide evidence related to the benefits of creative therapies for people with dementia and highlight methods for integrating this into healthcare curricula in addition to supporting evidence and positive outcomes.

This qualitative study explored the benefits of implementing (international) teleconsultation in a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) curriculum. Twenty-one students provided supervised teleconsultative services to individuals with disabilities in Guatemala and were responsible for completing assessments, setting goals, and providing resources to address goals and improve quality of life. Data were collected through student presentations and coded for relevant themes. Analysis revealed new learning in the areas of the occupational therapy process, cultural awareness, and technology. Three themes emerged: Increased Understanding of Awareness of and Challenges to Working with People of a Different Culture; Need for Adaptability and Flexibility as Practicing Clinicians; Emerging Role of Technology in Occupational Therapy. Based on results from this study, occupational therapy academicians should consider implementing similar programs into curricula and conduct related research in order to promote not only student learning, but also to advance the use of telehealth technology in occupational therapy practice.

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