OT Potential Podcast | Occupational Therapy CEUs

• #117 OTA Hot Topics with Amy Mahle

  Occupational therapy assistants are the bedrock of treatment provision in many OT departments throughout the country.In fact, In large rural SNFs, around  58% of OT staffing minutes are by OTAs.And, in rural and underserved communities, about 48% of all Medicare outpatient therapy services are provided by OTAs.But, not enough continuing education has been geared towards the unique challenges and opportunities within this profession. That’s why I’m so thankful to begin a new annual series on Hot Topics for OTAs, with our first guest, Amy Mahle Ed.D., COTA/L, ROH. Amy and I will discuss the hot topics that are top of mind headed into 2026:  from changing reimbursement to the OTA pipeline, to new technologies at the point of care. This course is perfect for both occupational therapy assistants, and occupational therapists who are curious to learn more about our closest colleagues. Support the show

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• #116 OT and Heart Disease with Sabina Kahn

  Heart disease is the most common serious chronic condition among adults. In fact per the latest report staggering 1 in 3 US adults received care for a cardiovascular risk factor or condition in 2020. The same report projects that annual inflation-adjusted health care costs attributable to cardiovascular conditions will nearly quadruple from $393 billion in 2020 to $1,490 billion by 2050.Truly astounding numbers. Heart disease is an umbrella term that encompasses coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular disease, arrhythmias, congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathies, and other structural or functional heart disorders.But, despite this complexity, there is clear guidance from the American Heart Association about what to do to improve and maintain heart health, they call them them Life’s Essential 8: 1. Consume a healthy diet emphasizing vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, lean proteins (including fish), and minimizing trans fats, red and processed meats, refined carbohydrates, and sweetened beverages.2. Maintain a healthy body weight through caloric restriction and counseling for those with overweight or obesity.3. Engage in regular physical activity, specifically at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity exercise.4. Avoid tobacco products and exposure to secondhand smoke.5. Limit alcohol intake to moderate levels, if consumed at all.6. Manage blood pressure through lifestyle changes and, if needed, medication.7. Control blood cholesterol with diet, physical activity, and medication when indicated.8. Prevent and manage diabetes with lifestyle modifications and appropriate pharmacologic therapy when necessary.We know that behavioral counseling for these lifestyle changes can be effective. But, to date, occupational therapy has been underutilized in this critical public health initiative. In today’s course, we’ll talk to one occupational therapist, Sabina Kahn, who is using her OT skill-set to help tackle this large scale problem, through new technologies. We’ll discuss why OT has been under-utilized to date, what opportunities exist for OTs to play a larger role, and what new technologies might help us step into this critical role, with our unique expertise.Support the show

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• #115 Intro to SNF OT with Trent Brown

  Hot take: I loved working in a Skilled Nursing Facility. Skilled nursing facilities are one of the highest paid settings for occupational therapy professionals. And about one-fifth of us work in one. But, work in one can have a bad rap. In today’s intro to SNF OT course, we’ll walk through the common challenges, and immense opportunities of working in a SNF. We’ll cover the specific things you need to know, from payment models to common assessments. And, we’ll paint a picture of how you as an OT can really be a driver of culture and care in this unique and important setting.We’ll be joined by Trent Brown, MOT, OTR/L, ATP, CGCP, CFPS, BCG, a practicing occupational therapist, who is also a part of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) as an assistant office director with a focus on developing and operating quality improvement programs, particularly in SNFs.Support the show

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• #114 OT, Nitrates, and Cancer Prevention Post with Jesse E. Bell

  It’s no secret that I believe occupation therapy is entering its prevention era. We are starting to leverage our skillset not after a terrible health incident has occurred, but at the first sign of trouble. As I imagine this not-too-distant reality, there is one deeply personal area that I am so eager to see us shift our energy toward: Cancer prevention. Across the healthcare community, we are learning more and more about the specific lifestyle and environmental factors that put people at a higher risk for cancer. Case in point: My own county in rural Nebraska, where above-average pediatric cancer rates have been associated with high levels of nitrates in our water.On today’s podcast, we are lucky to be joined by Dr. Jesse E. Bell, one of the world’s leading experts on water and human health and the Claire M. Hubbard Professor of Water, Climate, and Health in the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Department of Environmental, Agricultural, and Occupational Health.Dr. Bell—who also is the author of the paper we will discuss during this episode—will help us understand where the science stands on the connection between nitrates and multiple health conditions. We’ll talk through ways the medical community can provide education on these risks—as well as the simple solutions OTs could potentially bring to high-risk families to help address this basic ADL safety concern. This episode is meant to highlight the cutting edge of what’s becoming possible—where new large datasets on environmental health risks converge with new opportunities in value-based care to create pathways for OTs to intervene earlier than we ever thought possible.Support the show

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• #113 AI’s Potential in Child Development with Mati Kochavi

  Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming healthcare—and pediatric occupational therapy is no exception.This course aims to spark your imagination about AI’s potential to strengthen how we support child development. From enhancing your assessments with rich data to making interventions more accessible, AI holds promise for both clinicians and families. This course offers insights into how these innovations are beginning to reshape early childhood developmental support.In this OT Potential Podcast episode, we welcome Mati Kochavi, founder of Korro AI, to explore the opportunities and challenges of applying AI to your therapy practice. You’ll learn how AI can complement clinical judgment and data tracking, improve the accuracy of milestone monitoring, and provide real-time support for families.By the end of the course, you’ll have a grounded understanding of AI’s potential in positively supporting child development—and the practical and ethical considerations that therapists must weigh as these tools move into practice. Whether you are cautiously curious or already excited about integrating AI into your pediatric work, this course will equip you with the knowledge you need to engage confidently with these innovations.Support the show

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