Episode 89: The Role of Occupational Therapy in Supporting Sleep

One thing that many people don't realize is that, as one of the big things that occupies our time, sleep is an occupation. In fact, sleep is a vital part of wellness as research indicates that deficits in sleep are linked to accidents, chronic disease, early mortality, and reduced quality of life and productivity (CDC, 2015). On this episode of the podcast, occupational therapists Stacy Smallfield, DrOT, OTR/L, BCG, FAOTA, and Kathy Yang, OTD, discuss the role of occupational therapy in supporting sleep and sleep hygiene in OT students and others. 

Stacy is an Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy and Medicine and Assistant Director of Entry-Level Professional Programs in the Program in Occupational Therapy at Washington University School of Medicine. She  has been an occupational therapist for over 20 years, working in a variety of adult physical rehabilitation settings before transitioning to academic education. She has experience teaching a wide range of occupational therapy course content and has collaborated with AOTA’s Evidence Based Practice Project on a number of systematic reviews and practice guidelines related to older adults and aging. Along with her students, she also studies the health and well-being of occupational therapy students. She was named to AOTA’s Roster of Fellows in 2015.
 
Kathy is a recent graduate from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Her work in occupational therapy student wellness has included researching sleep health and developing a practice model for a student wellness program at WashU.



Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Insufficient sleep is a public health problem. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/features/dssleep/

Resources & recommendations:

• Exploring Sleep Hygiene in OT Students [recent publication by Stacy & Kathy]
• Why We Sleep, by Matthew Walker [book by a neuroscientist]
• Occupational Therapy's Role in Sleep [AOTA resource]

Connect with Stacy and Kathy:

• Stacy's email
• Kathy's email
• Website

Listen to "The Role of Occupational Therapy in Supporting Sleep (Episode 89)" on Spreaker.