The Occupational Therapy Student Guide to Understanding Identity: Bridging Differences and Creating Communities

by Dr Razan Hamed, Vikram Pagpatan, André Johnson

Overview

This innovative, hands-on guide explores the essential role of diversity and inclusion in occupational therapy education and practice. The book centres on the contrasting experiences and challenges faced by two occupational therapy students, Allie and Gemma, highlighting the systemic inequalities often faced by marginalised groups in healthcare education. Through their journeys, readers are able to learn about and integrate key concepts such as cultural humility, implicit bias, and allyship within wider occupational therapy education.

Through detailed case studies, reflective exercises, and theoretical frameworks, students, educators, and practitioners are equipped with the tools needed to apply the empathy and critical consciousness that is fundamental to ethical and effective healthcare practice.

The guide is also supplemented with reflective activities, which includes role-playing scenarios, debate exercises, and action-oriented tasks, transforming theoretical concepts into practical tools for professional growth.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781805019763
Publisher:	Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Publication date:	01/21/2026
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	176

About the Author

Dr Razan Hamed (Author)
Dr. Razan Hamed, PhD., OTR/L, FAOTA (she/her) is an Associate Professor and Associate Director of the Programs in Occupational Therapy (CUOT) at Columbia University. Dr. Hamed is an advocate for issues related to diverse experiences in occupational therapy education and clinical and professional practice. She is the founder of the Arab American Occupational Therapy Group (AAOTG) and lives in New Jersey.

Vikram Pagpatan (Author)
Dr. Vikram Pagpatan, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA (he/him) practices in academia and pediatrics within New York State. Dr. Pagpatan has previously served on the AOTA DEI Committee, is the immediate past President of the Association of Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders in Occupational Therapy (AAPIOT), is a Board Director for the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and has authored several textbooks for the profession. He lives in New York.

Andre Johnson (Author)
André Johnson MS, OTR/L, COTA/L, ROH (he/him) practices in pediatrics, orthopedics, and academia in Florida. Mr. Johnson has previously served as Chairperson of the AOTA Commission on Education, Vice President of the Black-male Registered Occupational Therapy Healthcare-professionals Assistants&Students (BROTHAS) organization, and is currently a Board Director for the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). He lives in Miami.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Chapter 1 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Other Aspects of Social Justice (DEI+): You, They & Us - Razan Hamed
Introduction
Why learn about DEI+
DEI+ and Cultural Humility
Student DEI+ Advocacy in Education
DEI+ in Clinical and Fieldwork Learning
Chapter 2 Allyship, Accompliceship & Advocacy: How Can I Help? - André Johnson
Allyship, Accompliceship, and Advocacy: Why are they important
Allyship
Accompliceship
Advocacy
Allyship, Accompliceship, and Advocacy on Fieldwork
Chapter 3 Bias and Microaggressions - Razan Hamed
Introduction
All Things Bias
Bias and difficult conversations in the classroom
Bias and intersectionality
The Macro-Micro Model of Diversity (MMMD)
Chapter 4 Privilege and Critical Consciousness - Vikram Pagpatan
Introduction
Critical Consciousness: What is it and what does it mean for students and practitioners?
Recognizing Factors Related to Privilege: Are Accountability and Ethics Included?
Chapter 5 Cultural Humility - Razan Hamed
Introduction
Cultural Humility and Community Engagement
Cultural Humility, Privilege, and Intersectionality
Chapter 6 Empathy and Professionalism - Vikram Pagpatan
Introduction
Empathy, Sympathy, and Clinical Empathy
Empathy, Professionalsm, and E-Professionalism
Chapter 7 Fieldwork & Capstone: Stay Quiet, It's Fieldwork - André Johnson
Fieldwork: The Journey, Experience, and Entry into the Profession
Academic Fieldwork Coordinators (AFWCs)
Fieldwork Educators (FWEs) and Capstone Educators
Doctoral Capstone Coordinator
DEI+ in Fieldwork
Navigating tough fieldwork situations and de-escalation on fieldwork
Fieldwork coordinators and educators
Fieldwork education and difficult conversations in the classroom
Chapter 8 Student to Clinician - Razan Hamed and Vikram Pagpatan
From the Classroom to the Clinic
Transition vs. Transformation
The larger picture
Professional development, engagement, and DEI+
The First Year as an OTP
DEI+, AAA, and culture change - how does the journey continue?
DEI+ and the next generation of OTs
About the Authors
Appendices
1 Characters across the book chapters
2 Character Matrix
3 DEI+ Workbook: Structured Exercises and Discussion Prompts