Author ORCID Identifier
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
2026
Keywords
Athletic Identity, Role, Routine, Psychosocial, Recovery
Department
<--Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences-->
Abstract
Sport is an essential part of a student-athlete’s life. Many student-athletes gain a strong “athletic identity” in their sport. When a student-athlete is faced with an injury, specifically a season-ending injury, they are at risk of facing a significant sense of loss of identity and adverse psychological effects on their mental health. In the collegiate athletic setting, athletic trainers are often the first to notice signs of psychological distress of student-athletes; however, they frequently report limited education, training, and confidence in providing necessary psychosocial interventions. The purpose of this capstone project was to increase occupational therapy’s visibility in the collegiate sports medicine setting. The project was broken down into three phases: a needs assessment, creation of two educational modules, and the creation of an occupational therapy-based intervention manual. Key findings from the needs assessment revealed that Hartwick College's current and former student-athletes who have sustained a season-ending injury experience role disruption, routine imbalance, and identity loss. The needs assessment also revealed that current policies focused on physical recovery, with minimal attention to psychosocial and occupational disruptions. Additionally, outcomes from the educational module showed an increased understanding of occupational therapy and occupational therapy’s role in helping student-athletes with season-ending injuries recover after injury. Expert feedback suggested that the occupational therapy-based manual was feasible and aligned with occupational therapy principles. Overall, these findings highlight a need for a more holistic approach to student-athlete recovery, one that extends beyond the physical injury. Occupational therapists are uniquely qualified to provide support in role restoration and transition, routine rebuilding, identity reconstruction, and overall well-being.
Recommended Citation
Buzzy, Mickaela H. and Fischer-Camara, Bonnie, "Increasing Occupational Therapy’s Visibility in College Sports Medicine in Student-athletes with Season-ending Injuries" (2026). Post Professional Occupational Therapy Doctoral (PPOTD) Student Capstone Projects. 4.
https://orb.binghamton.edu/ppotd_capstone/4
Included in
Occupational Therapy Commons, Other Mental and Social Health Commons, Other Psychology Commons, Sports Sciences Commons, Sports Studies Commons
