Enhancing occupational therapy education: Evaluating the impact of a STEAM-based assistive technology curriculum using Kirkpatrick’s four-level model

• Published in: The British journal of occupational therapy Vol. 87; no. 8; pp. 512 - 523
• Main Authors: Hung, Chia-Hui, Chen, Mei-Hsiang, Fan, Shih-Chen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.08.2024; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Adaptive technology; Curricula; Handicapped assistance devices; Lectures; Mathematics; Occupational therapy; Patient satisfaction; Professionalism; Science and technology; Simulation; Therapists; Undergraduate students; curriculum evaluation; Assistive technology; Kirkpatrick model; STEAM-based curriculum
• ISSN: 0308-0226; 1477-6006
• DOI: 10.1177/03080226241239563

Introduction: Integrating assistive technology (AT) into occupational therapy (OT) education is critical to educating students to utilize AT to enhance individual independence. This study aims to describe the development of a science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM)-based AT curriculum in OT and evaluate its effectiveness using the Kirkpatrick model. Methods: An 18-week STEAM-based AT curriculum was created with lectures, hands-on activities, and a simulation exam. A one-group pretest–posttest observational study was undertaken with 40 undergraduate students to gauge its effectiveness. Their professionalism was evaluated using a multidimensional checklist, whereas a satisfaction survey gathered their feedback on the curriculum experience. Results: Level 1: Participants reported high satisfaction (mean = 4.61, SD = 0.36), with a 97.5% agreement. Level 2: 95% (n = 38) passed the AT curriculum exam. Level 3: Therapists and patients expressed satisfaction with participants’ AT skills (therapists: t(39) = 12.22, p < 0.001; patients: t(39) = 8.84, p < 0.001). Level 4: Participants showed significant improvement in professionalism (t(39) = 16.45, p < 0.001). Lastly, using the Kirkpatrick model, the STEAM-based AT curriculum passed the evaluation. Conclusions: The STEAM-based AT curriculum in OT enhances professionalism and potentially boosts patient satisfaction with AT services provision.