Enhancing Interprofessional Collaboration through Occupational Therapy-Led Stress Reduction Intervention During Post Mass Casualty Simulation Debriefing Process

Authors

• Benjamin Gross, A.T. Still UniversityFollow
• Katherine Jones, Methodist UniversityFollow
• Jennifer Radziak, A.T. Still UniversityFollow
• Ralph C. Bay, AT Still UniversityFollow
• Sue Dahl-Popolizio, Independent Occupational Therapist Research AdvisorFollow

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to examine whether an occupational therapist (OT) led stress reduction intervention, implemented as part of an interprofessional education initiative, could be integrated into a mass casualty simulation and whether it was effective in reducing self-reported stress among healthcare students. Methods: A cross-sectional mixed methods design was used following an interdisciplinary mass casualty simulation involving first-year Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) and Physician Assistant (PA) students (N=190). After a standard educational debriefing, participants engaged in a 25-minute OT-led stress reduction session consisting of structured, activity-based strategies. A retrospective pretest survey administered via QualtricsXM assessed perceived stress levels before and after the intervention using a 0–10 scale, where 0 was no stress and 10 was maximum perceived stress, as well as perceived effectiveness of the intervention. Quantitative data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests, and qualitative responses were analyzed using a deductive coding approach. Results: A total of 158 students completed both surveys. There were no significant differences in stress scores between DO and PA students, so data were analyzed collectively. Results demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in self-reported stress following the OT intervention (pConclusions: An OT-led stress reduction intervention can be feasibly integrated into post-simulation debriefing and may significantly reduce self-reported stress among healthcare students. Recommendations: Future research should explore streamlined delivery models, including brief pre-simulation education. Effectiveness of participant self-selection of debriefing interventions should also be assessed to enhance efficiency and applicability across simulation-based training environments. Finally, efforts should also consider integrating occupational therapy faculty and students into interprofessional simulation design and debriefing processes to support structured stress management interventions within these training models.

Author Bio(s)

Benjamin Gross, CScD, OTR/L, is an assistant professor of the Occupational Therapy Department in the Arizona School of Health Sciences at A.T. Still University. He is a licensed occupational therapist in the state of Arizona. 

Katherine Jones, EdD, OTR/L, CLT-LANA, CWT, is an assistant professor, Program Director of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program, and Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy at Methodist University. She is a licensed occupational therapist.

Jennifer Radziak, OTD, OTR/L, CHT, is an assistant professor and Program Director of the Occupational Therapy Department in the Arizona School of Health Sciences at A.T. Still University in Mesa, Arizona. She is a licensed occupational therapist in Arizona. 

Ralph C. Bay, PhD, is an Adjunct Professor of Biostatistics within the Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, and Chair of the Institutional Review Board at A. T. Still University.

Sue Dahl-Popolizio, DBH, OTR/L is an Arizona based occupational therapist and researcher. She provides independent contracting support for research dissemination.

Recommended Citation

Gross B, Jones K, Radziak J, Bay RC, Dahl-Popolizio S. Enhancing Interprofessional Collaboration through Occupational Therapy-Led Stress Reduction Intervention During Post Mass Casualty Simulation Debriefing Process. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2026 Sep 01;24(3), Article 18.