Balancing Acts: Exploring Chronic Illness' Impact on Achievement in Graduate Health Education
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| Title: | Balancing Acts: Exploring Chronic Illness' Impact on Achievement in Graduate Health Education |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Olivia J. Fulton, Lizeth S. Iboy, Bonnie Decker |
| Source: | Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. 2026 10(1). |
| Availability: | Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475. e-mail: jote@eku.edu; Web site: https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 22 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research Tests/Questionnaires |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Chronic Illness, Graduate Students, Barriers, Academic Achievement, Severity (of Disability), Student Participation, Student Attitudes, Correlation, Allied Health Occupations Education, Depression (Psychology), Anxiety |
| Assessment and Survey Identifiers: | Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales |
| ISSN: | 2573-1378 |
| Abstract: | Graduate students with chronic illness encounter barriers as they navigate graduate programs to achieve their personal goals. Chronic illnesses are often invisible, which makes it more challenging to navigate the educational system. This study aimed to understand participants' ability to engage in their academic environment and how the severity of their symptoms related to their diagnosis impacted participation in lectures, laboratory activities, exams, and competencies. Nineteen participants completed the online survey with questions regarding demographics and perception of how their condition impacted their academic performance on their best days versus worst days. Three assessment tools were incorporated into the survey: the Self-Care of Chronic Illness Inventory (SC-CII), the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale--21 items (DASS-21). Findings showed there was a correlation between a diagnosed chronic illness and academic performance among entry-level graduate healthcare students. Overall, school participation was the most significantly impacted area, with an average rating of 4.06. Approximately 70% reported that their diagnosis had at least a considerable effect on their academic performance and participation. On their worst symptom days, all participants reported their academic performance was severely impacted across lectures, labs, exams, and competencies. These findings indicate that healthcare programs need to be sensitive towards meeting the perceived needs of students with a diagnosed chronic illness, particularly on their worst symptom days. Occupational therapy clinicians and faculty can assist students with adapting tasks during the physical class component to facilitate participation when symptoms are exacerbated. Student and faculty advocacy may be required at the institutional level to obtain appropriate accommodations. Further research with a larger sample size and including clinical experiences to yield more comprehensive results and foster more academic support for healthcare graduate students to be successful. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1502593 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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