Occupational Therapy & Self-management: Understanding OT’s Role in Treating Chronic Conditions

Speakers: Kimberly Breeden, MS, OTR/L and Niccole Rowe, BA, COTA/L

Niccole Rowe, BA, COTA/L found her way to occupational therapy through her first profession in television news producing. She is grateful one story lead to changing to such an amazing profession as occupational therapy. She is in her 8th year of clinical practice. She treated for 4.5 years at an outpatient occupational therapy pain program.

Niccole is currently an adjunct instructor for South College in Tennessee. She serves on the AOTA ad-hoc Leadership Development Committee and as a mentor in the Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association's Mentorship Program. Niccole was chosen for and completed AOTA’s Emerging Leader Development Program, and is the recipient of the AOTA 2020 Gary Kielhofner Emerging Leader Award.

Kimberly Breeden, MS, OTR/L has 28 years of experience working in occupational therapy in a variety of settings. She has an extensive background in clinical program development, leadership, administration and reimbursement. Kimberly served as clinical lead for an outpatient occupational therapy pain program for 5 years.

Outside of the clinic, Kimberly has served as the Vice-Chair for the Eastern District TNOTA, is a founding past member of the Tennessee Falls Prevention Coalition, participated in AOTA’s Leadership Development for Middle Managers cohort in 2017, and St. Mary’s Health System Leadership Program Cohort in 2006. Kimberly has earned a certificate as a Stepping On Leader, CarFit Certified Technician, and Physical Agent Modalities Certified. 2016 PainWeek Scholarship Recipient, and is a member of the Phi Beta Epsilon Honor Society. She received her life coach certificate from IAP Career College in 2021.

Niccole and Kimberly, together, developed a successful outpatient occupational therapy pain program. They have authored two continuing education articles on the subject of chronic pain and opioid guidelines. Kim and Niccole were honored to serve as co-authors for AOTA's official position statement "The Role of Occupational Therapy in Pain Management" published in 2021. They have also served as contributing authors to an occupational therapy textbook on the same subject of OT in the treatment of pain. They have traveled across the country serving as instructors for various courses on the subject of pain and non-pharmacological interventions for the treatment of pain.

Learning Objectives:

After the presentation, leaners will be able to:

• Define self-management as it relates to chronic conditions.
• Describe the elements of self-management as it relates to chronic conditions
• Discuss specific occupational therapy interventions for addressing self-management in chronic conditions..

Course Description:

According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion​ 6 in 10 adults in the US have a chronic disease.  Chronic disease increases the risk of hospitalization and chronic diseases account for 90% of the annual US healthcare expenditures. Often the implications of chronic conditions can limit an individual's ability to participate in meaningful occupations.  Self-management is an approach that works to educate individuals about their condition and helps them to become active participants in their treatment​.

This course will discuss self-management in treating chronic conditions and help occupational therapy practitioners  understand the distinct value they bring to addressing self-management of chronic conditions in a variety of settings such as acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing, home health, outpatient, school, work and the community.