OT-Integrated Business Plan & Pelvic Health Research Project Notes

Assignment context and goals

  • Course objective: develop a business plan that integrates occupational therapy (OT) principles.
  • Example ideas discussed:
    • Coffee shop that employs people with disabilities.
    • Book shop or similar retail that employs people with disabilities.
  • Required components for the project:
    • Financial plan
    • Strategic plan
    • Evaluation of the business and the program
  • Scope options:
    • The project can be small and embedded within an existing operation, or it can be a standalone activity.

OT-focused project scope and timeline

  • If you’re unsure about viability, you’re encouraged to discuss ideas with instructors; most ideas are workable.
  • Plan timeframe: focus on lab work while developing your project idea over the next week to a week and a half.
  • Goal: come to module four with a concrete idea or at least a clue about what you’ll work on.
  • Questions about the assignment: you can email Doctor Davin or the course instructors.

Logistics, visibility of assignments, and communication

  • The instructor expressed pride in having assignments visible before class; noted a need to fix visibility issues.
  • If you have questions, you can reach out to Doctor Davin or the instructor; they will revisit module four.
  • The second sync session of the week is mandatory (not optional).
  • During the second sync, you have the option to mute or turn off your volume to avoid hearing other chatter; you should still attend.
  • The session is intended as focused work time where you can ask questions.

Specifics of the OT-integrated business plan concepts

  • The plan must relate to OT in some way.
  • Example ideas mentioned:
    • A coffee shop that employs people with disabilities.
    • A restaurant that caters to people with feeding disorders and includes accessible spaces.
    • An adaptive sports club.
  • Emphasis on integrating OT into the business or program to enhance participation, independence, and functioning.
  • Encouragement to keep brainstorming ideas in the chat and to expect answers from instructors.
  • The instructor is open to large variety of OT-integrated concepts and creativity.

Introduction to the guest speaker and research project (Hope Padgett, PT)

  • The instructor will introduce Hope Padgett, Doctor of Physical Therapy, to discuss a research project.
  • Hope’s background:
    • Doctor of Physical Therapy, Baylor graduate 2019
    • Current PhD candidate in Exercise and Nutrition Science
    • Women’s health specialist
  • Research focus: pelvic health; currently pursuing several projects related to pelvic health.

Pelvic health research projects—asymptomatic studies

  • Target population for asymptomatic studies: women aged 18–50 with no pelvic floor symptoms (no incontinence, no pelvic pain).
  • Locations: all asymptomatic studies based in Waco; DoD-funded study includes San Antonio site for symptomatic work.
  • Study A: Intravaginal support device for female athletes (asymptomatic)
    • Visit structure: one in-person visit about 1 hour where device is used and various measurements are taken.
  • Study B: Establishing normative pelvic floor data for the asymptomatic population
    • Objective: define what constitutes normal pelvic floor function in asymptomatic individuals.

Pelvic health research projects—symptomatic study (chronic pelvic pain, DoD-funded)

  • Population: active duty female military members with chronic pelvic pain; Civilians also eligible.
  • Location: primarily in Waco; additional DoD component in San Antonio.
  • Criteria for chronic pain study: pain in lumbopelvic region for more than 3 months (e.g., back pain, hip pain, pain with intercourse, pain with tampon/pelvic exams, bladder or bowel pain).
  • Intervention/funding: month-long treatment protocol provided at no cost; participants are paid to participate and for follow-up visits.
  • Sign-up notes: civilian participants and active duty include both genders? (Note: context states female; assume female participants as specified.)

How to participate and contact information

  • How to sign up:
    • Reach out to Hope Padgett or to the pelvic health email.
    • Provide your interest area: asymptomatic or symptomatic study.
    • Indicate location (Waco or San Antonio) and timing relative to the lab week.
  • Contact emails provided:
    • Hope Padgett: hope_pageant1@Baylor.edu
    • Pelvic health email: pelvichrr@Gmail
  • Additional guidance in outreach:
    • Mention whether you are local to Waco or San Antonio and whether you will be in town for the lab visit.
  • Locality notes for lab participation:
    • The asymptomatic studies can be scheduled if you are in town during the lab week.
    • The DoD symptomatic study involves a broader geographic pool (Waco and San Antonio) and has a lab-week schedule consideration.

Q&A, breakout opportunities, and next steps

  • Attendees can ask questions about the studies or about what research looks like in physical therapy.
  • If there are specific questions, Hope can join a breakout room for private questions or participants can use a private chat to ask.

Practical, ethical, and real-world considerations

  • Ethical considerations:
    • Informed consent, participant safety, confidentiality, and fair compensation.
  • Practical considerations:
    • Recruitment logistics, scheduling around lab weeks, travel considerations between Waco and San Antonio.
    • Ensuring participants are available for required visit durations.
  • Real-world impact:
    • Aims to fill gaps in pelvic health research, particularly in asymptomatic populations and among those with chronic pelvic pain.
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration:
    • Collaboration between OT (assignment focus) and PT (pelvic health research) to enhance patient care and program design.

Key numbers, definitions, and terms (quick reference)

  • Asymptomatic study population: women aged 18–50 with no pelvic floor symptoms.
  • Chronic pelvic pain study population: active duty female military members with chronic pelvic pain; Civilians may participate; pain duration > 3 months in lumbopelvic region.
  • Study locations: primarily Waco for lab activities; DoD component in San Antonio.
  • Visit duration for asymptomatic intravaginal device study: ~1 hour for one visit.
  • Compensation: DoD chronic pain study provides a month of treatment at no cost and compensation for participation and follow-up visits.
  • Contact details:
    • hope_pageant1@Baylor.edu
    • pelvichrr@Gmail

Exam-ready takeaways

  • The OT-integrated business plan must demonstrate how OT principles improve participation, independence, and function, and it should include a financial plan, strategic plan, and program evaluation with clear metrics.
  • Be prepared to justify your idea with real-world relevance, feasibility within lab timelines, and potential for scalability.
  • When drafting your plan, consider ethical implications for vulnerable populations (e.g., people with disabilities, pelvic health participants) and ensure inclusivity.
  • Understand how interdisciplinary collaboration (OT + PT) can enhance outcomes and opportunities for students and communities.
  • For the research project, know the inclusion criteria, study aims, locations, and contact points so you can explain opportunities for involvement and how to enroll.