Implementation of Universal Design for Learning in Occupational Therapy Education

Awareness of Universal Design for Learning among anatomy educators in higher level institutions in the Republic of Ireland and United Kingdom

There is an increasing need to facilitate enhanced student engagement in anatomy education. Higher education students differ in academic preferences and abilities and so, not all teaching strategies suit all students. Therefore, it is suggested that curricula design and delivery adapt to sustain learner engagement. Enhanced learner engagement is a fundamental feature of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). The aim of this study is to determine if anatomy educators in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) and United Kingdom (UK) are aware of UDL and to assess if, and to what extent, it has been implemented in the design and delivery of anatomy curricula for healthcare students. An anonymous online questionnaire was administered to anatomy educators in higher level institutions in the ROI and UK. Inductive content analysis was used to identify the impact of UDL on student learning, engagement, and motivation, as perceived by the participants. The response rate was 23% (n = 61). Nineteen participants stated they knew of UDL. Of these, 15 had utilized UDL in their teaching of anatomy. Analysis indicated that the perception of UDL was mixed. However, the majority of responses relating to UDL were positive. The majority of the respondents were unaware of UDL but identified the frameworks' checkpoints within their curriculum, suggesting they have unknowingly incorporated elements of UDL in their curriculum design and delivery. There is a lack of information on the benefits of explicit utilization of UDL for engagement and motivation to learn anatomy in healthcare programs in the ROI and UK.

Perspectives of International Experts on Collaborative Tiered School-Based Physiotherapy Service Delivery

AIMS

The purpose of this Phase II study is to identify the perceived strengths and weaknesses of a collaborative tiered school-based physiotherapy (PT) service delivery model, considering its core attributes and tiered interventions identified in the first phase of the study (Phase I), and explore the potential facilitators and barriers to implementing the model internationally.

METHODS

Three focus group discussions were conducted with international experts (n = 16) Discussions focused on the core attributes and tiered interventions of the model in Phase I. Data were analyzed using a framework approach and SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis.

RESULTS

Themes surrounding the perceived characteristics of the model included comprehensiveness, guiding document, collaborative approach, and inclusiveness. Additional themes were related to the implementation that included governance, professional roles, workload, implementation in different countries, advocacy, and available opportunities. A framework table was tabulated to present the strengths and weaknesses of the service delivery model and available opportunities, and potential barriers to implementation.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed international perspectives regarding a proposed collaborative tiered school-based PT service delivery model and presented a framework to guide clinicians, researchers, and policymakers for the implementation of tiered approaches.Relationships between health and education have been more pronounced in recent years, and interactions between healthcare and the education system have evolved (Zajacova & Lawrence, 2018). Recent recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNESCO suggest that "every school should be a health-promoting school", and provided intervention guidelines for the global standards for health-promoting schools (WHO., 2021a). In the meantime, education sectors in different countries have shifted inclusive education policy, with a focus not only on students with disabilities, but all students (Whitley & Hollweck, 2020). In conjunction with the changes in both education and school health services (WHO., 2021b), researchers in the field of speech-language therapy (SLT), occupational therapy (OT) (Camden et al., 2021), and physiotherapy (PT) (Cinar et al., 2021), have been exploring tiered approaches to delivering services in schools, and searching for collaborative strategies to encourage interaction between stakeholders in health and education sectors.