Level I fieldwork today: A study of contexts and perceptions.

The last comprehensive examination of the Level I fieldwork experience was performed 15 years ago (Shalik, 1990) and addressed the different types of settings in which fieldwork occurred; amounts and types of supervision; structure and scheduling of the Level I experiences; and the effects of supervising Level I students on productivity. Although every occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant student encounters a number of Level I fieldwork opportunities, little is available describing the process and contexts of the Level I fieldwork experience today. This study, which examines 1,002 student reports on Level I fieldwork experiences, finds that Level I fieldwork today occurs in a wide variety of physical disability, pediatric, mental health, and emerging practice settings.

Local ecological factors, ultrafine particulate concentrations, and asthma prevalence rates in Buffalo, New York, neighborhoods.

Previous to this study various healthcare utilization studies and house-to-house surveys had shown that Buffalo's west side had a high utilization rate for asthma and high asthma prevalence in comparison with neighboring communities. The relative contributions of traffic-related pollution and personal and local ecological factors to the high asthma rates were still unknown. To investigate the potential roles of personal home environmental factors and local ecological factors in variations of asthma prevalence in Buffalo neighborhoods, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of a systematic random sample of 2000 households in the city of Buffalo, New York, with a response rate of 80.

New doors: a community program development model.

SUMMARY The need to provide occupational therapy services across a continuum of care has stimulated interest in moving into community-based arenas of practice. Limited job opportunities and lack of awareness of the benefits of occupational therapy are common barriers to this movement. This case study illustrates the "New Doors Model" and describes how a partnership between the university, master clinicians, students, and community agencies can result in (1) expanding occupational therapy services to facilities that have not historically interacted with occupational therapy, (2) training occupational therapists and occupational therapy students, and (3) promoting employment of occupational therapists by community organizations, and (4) a scholarship of practice that studies and supports the development of occupation based practice in community settings.

Development and validation of a professional behavior assessment.

Allied health students must quickly socialize into a professional role as they transition from classroom to clinic. In addition to skill development, students must exhibit a host of professional behaviors that facilitate successful interaction with patients, families, and colleagues. There is a need for a valid, reliable assessment of professional behaviors that contribute to clinical competence.

Home environmental factors associated with asthma prevalence in two Buffalo inner-city neighborhoods.

To identify factors that may contribute to asthma morbidity, 214 households were surveyed in two Buffalo inner-city neighborhoods. Asthma was reported by 41 percent of households. Race, gender, and age of head of household were significantly associated with prevalence of asthma in a house.