2021 Student Summer Course

Our contemporary world’s first facet is a digital era. This fast transition, or better said, transformation, impacts our engagement with diverse occupations, the evolution of occupations, how we organize our lives and our occupational balance. We have adapted to virtual modalities in our studies, connecting with others, shopping, using services, play, work, and many other daily activities. Societies have developed new digital cultures, changing values, norms, aesthetics, and expression. This keynote lecture invites you to think together and reflect on how digitalisation forces us to have different professional competencies: perform occupational analysis, prevent and promote health, and incorporate technology in services.

Learning Outcomes

The students will analyse the evolution of occupations and digital cultures and see the benefits and pitfalls of incorporating technology in daily live and services to help health prevention and promotion.

Methodology, Resources, Activities

Keynote lecture, Interactive reflection exercises

Lecturer (name, affiliation)

Invited lecturer

Partner

School of Nursing and Occupational Therapy of Terrassa, Autonomous University of Barcelona

A presentation of current principles of motor learning & motor learning theories and how these are connected with Telerehabilitation mode of therapy

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module students should be able to be aware of the principles of Dynamic Systems Theory, Behavioural Learning techniques and Therapy adjustment for telerehabilitation mode

Methodology, Resources, Activities

Online Lecture Presentation

Lecturer (name, affiliation)

Dr. Pavlina Psychouli (EUC) Ms. Nefeli Papasalourou (EUC)

Partner

European University Cyprus School of Sciences Department of Health Sciences Occupational Therapy

A presentation of previous and current research issues and concerns regarding Telerehabilitation implementation in adults and children with neurological disorders

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module students should be able to be aware of the current research issues and concerns regarding Telerehabilitation and show a basic level of familiarity with the available technological equipment and platforms used in telerehabilitation delivery

Methodology, Resources, Activities

Online Lecture Presentation

Lecturer (name, affiliation)

Ms. Nefeli Papasalourou (EUC)

Partner

European University Cyprus School of Sciences Department of Health Sciences Occupational Therapy

A video presentation of OT assessment sessions in adults and children with neurological disorders in a telerehabilitation format. Videos have been recorded at the ‘Plasticity’ OT Lab of the EUC during students’ clinical fieldwork

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module students should be able to understand the preparation and the way of OT assessment provision in a telerehabilitation format as well as be aware of the use of assessment tools in a distance

Methodology, Resources, Activities

Online Video Presentation

Lecturer (name, affiliation)

Dr. Pavlina Psychouli (EUC) Ms. Nefeli Papasalourou (EUC)

Partner

European University Cyprus School of Sciences Department of Health Sciences Occupational Therapy

The incorporation of technology in the intervention process raises many different ethical dilemmas. In this session, we will discuss ethical issues in the virtual therapeutical environment, focusing on those derived from the evaluation and intervention process, collecting health data and accessing the home environment through technical devices. Moreover, we will reflect on aspects related to data management and how to advocate for information rights and support clients on this matter.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module students should be able to detect and analyse ethical dilemmas and apply ethical principles in the use of technology and data management for therapeutical purposes

Methodology, Resources, Activities

Keynote lecture

Lecturer (name, affiliation)

Invited lecturer

Partner

School of Nursing and Occupational Therapy of Terrassa, Autonomous University of Barcelona

The availability of specialized neurorehabilitation care in ambulatory settings for stroke survivors after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation program at Rehabilitation Centre Kladruby is limited in time or location. Patients usually have to wait for long time to get an ambulatory appointment or they are not able to reach it due to severe immobility. The main aim of this study was to find criteria for a distance therapy in home settings. The other aim was to prove that this form of therapy is feasible and acceptable for patients, and monitor potential overlapping with already existing ambulatory care. For Physiotherapy (PT) was used the low- cost telemedicine Homebalance System (HB) for postural and balance training. For Occupational therapy (OT) was used a non- contact Leap sensor and Smart Cube (REHAMZA software) for the upper limb for training gross and fine motor skills, coordination and dexterity. Speech pathologists and psychologists have chosen a webinar application for online form of distance therapy to communicate with patients in their home environment. This application meets the data security requirements for online therapy.

Learning Outcomes

Methodology, Resources, Activities

The lecture will include videos with a practical demonstration and will introduce platforms for telerehabilitation, which were developed in the Czech Republic. All therapies in telerehabilitation take place via our own secure eAmbulance platform, which is simple, user-friendly, GDPR-compliant and provides a data record of the evidence of therapy, for example for health insurance companies.

Lecturer (name, affiliation)

PhDr. Kristýna Hoidekrová works at the Kladruby Rehabilitation Institute, as a Head of a Scientific research team and moreover as an external lecturer at The First Medical faculty of Charles University in Prague and as a consultant at the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering at the Czech Technical University.

Mgr. Jakub Pětioký, MBA works as a Deputy for Science, Research and rehabilitation at the Kladruby Rehabilitation Institute and is the president of the Association of Robotics, Telerehabilitation and Cybernetics.

Partner

Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine (Occupational Therapy Programme)

A video presentation of OT intervention in adults and children with neurological disorders in a telerehabilitation format. Videos have been recorded at the ‘Plasticity’ OT Lab of the EUC during students’ clinical fieldwork.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module students should be able to understand the preparation and the way of administering OT sessions in a telerehabilitation format as well as be aware of the implementation of practice based on motor learning theories (goal-oriented, action observation, task-specific practice etc) in a distance

Methodology, Resources, Activities

Online Video Presentation

Lecturer (name, affiliation)

Dr. Pavlina Psychouli (EUC) Ms. Nefeli Papasalourou (EUC)

Partner

European University Cyprus School of Sciences Department of Health Sciences Occupational Therapy

A video presentation of patients’ and caregivers’ perspectives on the advantages and disadvantages of telerehabilitation. Videos have been recorded at the ‘Plasticity’ OT Lab of the EUC during students’ clinical fieldwork.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module students should be able to be aware of the perspectives and perceptions on telerehabilitation program of patients and caregivers from Cyprus and Greece

Methodology, Resources, Activities

Online Video Presentation

Lecturer (name, affiliation)

Dr. Pavlina Psychouli (EUC) Ms. Nefeli Papasalourou (EUC)

Partner

European University Cyprus School of Sciences Department of Health Sciences Occupational Therapy

The digital era turns us into getting more and more involved in diverse digital environments. Those environments can be either facilitating or serve as a barrier to participation in a meaningful life. The current session will draw the social determinants of health and consider occupational rights associated with digitalization and the 4th industrial revolution: the risk of isolation, the digital gap between different age groups, and digital poverty, among other themes. The session will conclude with the relevance of community support to prevent occupational imbalance and alienation.

Learning Outcomes

The students will analyse the social determinants of health and occupational rights associated with digitalisation and apply community support reasoning to prevent occupational imbalance and alienation.

Methodology, Resources, Activities

The lecture will include theoretical background, discussion in smaller groups on prepared cases and questions.

Lecturer (name, affiliation)

Maria Kapanadze, PhD (EUIT) Inda Zango, PhD

Partner

School of Nursing and Occupational Therapy of Terrassa, Autonomous University of Barcelona

As an occupational therapist, we base our work on personal connection and interaction with the people we work with. In current situation in the world the Covid-19 pandemic turned out many things in our life and mental health issues become as one of the priorities. Also, our profession had to adjust and transform to meet the needs and possibilities of the people and find out other solutions when personal meetings were not possible. Using digital media in mental health care already has some history, but now it becomes more relevant than ever. In this lecture we will explore, how occupational therapists may use digital media in their practice, especially those addressing mental health issues. We will show examples of apps, forms or exercises we may use in online counselling and discuss benefits and limits of such work.

Learning Outcomes

Students will gain awareness of importance of the mental health in the work with people with physical and mental health issues, get knowledge about possibilities of using digital media in occupational therapy addressing mental health problems, empower the students in creativity and adjusting the practice to the needs of the clients and experience several instruments on their own to gain deeper understanding what people may experience within occupational therapy interventions.

Methodology, Resources, Activities

The lecture will include theoretical background, discussion in smaller groups on prepared topics and questions. Other activities: using online tools directly in the presentation, experience of concrete apps and instruments (e.g. Nepanikař, Mental health plans, Itareps, making personal diary of emotions, thoughts, daily routine etc.), reflection of learning process.

Lecturer (name, affiliation)

Mgr. Jana Pluhaříková Pomajzlová is registered in OT Europe Register of Experts for Mental Health, she is a university teacher and supervisor and consultant at the Centre for Mental Health Care Development.

Partner

Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine (Occupational Therapy Programme)

Research in a digital world raises two different essential topics: how to incorporate technology in research and what is the evidence of technology-based interventions in Occupational Therapy. In recent decades, technologies have been progressively incorporated into research as a tool that facilitates the process. However, in the last year, due to the pandemic, researchers had to reconvert their habits and accelerate the use of new technologies and virtual environments when recruiting participants, collecting and managing data, and communicating their results, among others tasks. In parallel with the advance of e-Health, occupational therapists have developed and implemented interventions using technological devices. We will present the current scientific evidence on technology-based interventions, which will help in the decision-making process in a client-centred practice.

Learning Outcomes

Students will know how to incorporate different platforms and technological resources in the research process and which is the current evidence behind interventions using technology.

Methodology, Resources, Activities

The lecture will include exercises and group discussion about the use of technology in the research process.

Lecturer (name, affiliation)

PhD. Loreto González PhD. Jennifer Grau-Sánchez

Partner

School of Nursing and Occupational Therapy of Terrassa, Autonomous University of Barcelona

Music-supported Therapy aims to improve the upper limb function in individuals who have suffered a stroke through musical training. Previous research has shown that this intervention is as effective as conventional therapy in the recovery of paresis after stroke. Notably, individuals treated with Music-supported Therapy have better language abilities, less fatigue and negative emotions, and greater quality of life than those treated only with conventional therapy. Recently, researchers from the University of Barcelona and the Spanish National Research Council have developed an app to apply this therapy at home as telerehabilitation. The process for developing and validating the app will be presented in the session focusing on the technological steps to develop the product and the collaborative work between researchers, therapists and engineers.

Learning Outcomes

Students will learn about the process for developing and validating an app to deliver therapy sessions for upper limb rehabilitation in stroke.

Methodology, Resources, Activities

Lecture and app demonstration

Lecturer (name, affiliation)

PhD. Jennifer Grau-Sánchez

Partner

School of Nursing and Occupational Therapy of Terrassa, Autonomous University of Barcelona

The use of technologies in Occupational Therapy is a fact that is spreading throughout the planet. The goal is to respond, with innovative and effective solutions, to the occupational needs of the population, considering the health, social, economic, political, and cultural characteristics of each region. Sharing different experiences on the use of technological resources across the globe gives us an excellent opportunity to reflect on how occupational therapists can improve the population’s health and well-being in our context and in connection with the world.

Learning Outcomes

Students will gain knowledge about practical experiences using technologies and their accessibility in different regions and cultural contexts.

Methodology, Resources, Activities

Lecture and group discussion

Lecturer (name, affiliation)

Invited lecturer

Partner

School of Nursing and Occupational Therapy of Terrassa, Autonomous University of Barcelona

Enhance your course experience and maximise resources through group cooperation! You will have the opportunity to get feedback from the course lecturer and other course participants.

Learning Outcomes

Development of knowledge gained from the course: student will gain a deeper knowledge of the selected issue.

Methodology, Resources, Activities

Active participation in a group discussion and preparation of the final presentation of experience on the selected issue from the course.

Lecturer (name, affiliation)

Mgr. Jitka Sýkorová PhD.

Jennifer Grau-Sánchez

Partner

Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine (Occupational Therapy Programme)

School of Nursing and Occupational Therapy of Terrassa, Autonomous University of Barcelona