Occupational Therapy's Role in Pediatric Oncology

Name: Occupational Therapy's Role in Pediatric Oncology
Rating: 5.0 (3 reviews)

Role of OT in Supporting Occupational Engagement of Pediatric Oncology Patients in the Hospital

Created byMegan Menke

Last updated 4/2025

English

English [Auto],

What you'll learn

Identify the occupational therapist’s role on the multidisciplinary team in addressing a child’s occupational performance.
Describe the benefits of using play-based interventions in the hospital.
Identify important considerations when working with the pediatric oncology population.
Gain a deeper understanding of the goal of this occupational therapy doctoral capstone and the impact it has on practices of OT in this setting.

Course content

5 sections • 12 lectures • 32m total length

Introduction and Objectives2:07
Define the occupational therapist's role on a multidisciplinary team and address pediatric oncology patients' occupational performance. Describe benefits of play-based interventions in hospital care and key considerations for this population.

Needs Assessment3:41
The needs assessment explores how cancer affects a child’s ability to engage in valued occupations and how occupational therapy supports independence through play in the hospital.
Literature Review5:40
Explore the occupational therapist's role on multidisciplinary teams in pediatric oncology and how play-based interventions in hospital settings improve engagement in valued occupations and reduce anxiety.

Capstone Area of Focus6:03
Develop clinical practice skills in pediatric oncology through play-based interventions that support engagement in meaningful occupations. Apply trauma-informed care and the person-environment-occupation model with a developmental lens to promote independence.
Capstone Site Information0:58
Completed capstone experience at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, providing pediatric occupational therapy in the pediatric unit and ICU, developing advanced skills for oncology patients through cutting-edge care.

Learning Objective 14:51
Explore how occupational therapy supports pediatric oncology patients through evidence-based, occupation-based practice, designing home programs and activity plans to boost strengthening and activity tolerance during hospitalization.
Learning Objective 21:29
Demonstrate professionalism, ethical behavior, and advocacy to influence positive change for pediatric oncology clients through multidisciplinary teamwork and educational resources about the occupational therapy role in holistic care.
Learning Objective 32:32
Develops advanced knowledge of the occupational therapist’s role on a multidisciplinary team caring for pediatric oncology patients, focusing on engagement in meaningful occupations despite fatigue, nausea, and deconditioning.
Learning Objective 41:41
Complete advanced trauma informed care training to support hospitalized pediatric oncology patients. Develop MD Anderson staff in-service resources to implement trauma informed care in therapy sessions.

Knowledge Check2:10
Learn the occupational therapist's role in pediatric oncology and how play-based interventions enhance pediatric engagement, reducing pain and boosting emotions, sense of control, and normalcy.
References0:48
Explore the key references used to develop this presentation and capstone materials, detailing sources that inform occupational therapy practice in pediatric oncology.
Acknowledgements0:36
Explore the role of occupational therapy in pediatric oncology. Access resources for play-based interventions with children.

Requirements

There are no requirements of prerequisites for taking this course.

Description

Hello and welcome to my course on the Occupational Therapist's Role in Pediatric Oncology!

This course was created as a part of my occupational therapy doctoral capstone experience as a way to share the knowledge and skills that I learned through completing my capstone in the pediatric oncology setting. Participants of this course will learn more about the role of an occupational therapist working in the pediatric oncology setting, the skills necessary to provide quality care to this patient population, and the importance of incorporating play into occupational therapy sessions when working with children who have been hospitalized. Throughout the course there are resources that can be used to support occupational therapists working in acute care pediatric oncology incorporate play into therapy sessions and work to improve their patient’s overall engagement in their valued occupations. There are also resources provided defining the unique role of an occupational therapist working in this setting to continue to advocate for the importance of including occupational therapist on the healthcare team in this setting.

If you have any questions while completing this course, or would like to discuss this topic further, please feel free to message the instructor. Thank you for your interest in learning more about this topic!

Who this course is for:

Occupational therapy students
Occupational therapists looking to learn more about the role of OT in the pediatric oncology setting
Healthcare providers working in the pediatric oncology setting looking to learn more about the role of OT in this setting

Occupational Therapy's Role in Pediatric Oncology

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction1 lecture • 2min

Research on OT's Role in Pediatric Oncology2 lectures • 9min

Focus of Capstone Experience2 lectures • 7min

Learning Objectives and Activities4 lectures • 11min

Conclusion3 lectures • 4min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: