Associate professor of clinical occupational therapy in the Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at University of Southern California’s Keck Hospital, Los Angeles

Jess Holguin, OTD, OT/L

“There's nothing that comes to mind in terms of [a] recent breakthrough in research or therapeutic, that's been developed in terms of how things are provided, and one reason for that is occupational therapy’s approach to assessing and treating in some sense is timeless, even in the presence of the most cutting-edge advancements in understanding. It boils back down to the way in which we participate in our daily routine—the things that we take for granted, the meaningful and the mundane—our nervous system and our bodies are organized to be able to participate in those. So, in a sense, ‘state of the art’ is and will always be: How do we go about performing that which we as a species are designed and required to do?”

 to share unique perspective on the care of patients with neuromuscular disease and movement disorders, discussing the role occupational therapists (OTs) can play in helping to assist those with these conditions, “removing barriers” by assessing patients’ capacities and evaluating how to best maximize their quality of life. 

According to Holguin, who is an associate professor of clinical occupational therapy in the Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at University of Southern California’s Keck Hospital, in Los Angeles, the role of the OT is not as heavily reliant on advances within the field, which are often therapeutically driven and therefore specific to a patient’s individual diagnosis. Whereas other advanced perspectives may have patients integrate computer games as part of treatment, Holguin said, OTs may be more inclined to design treatment that is able to recruit network function, tying therapy back to an activity of daily living. 

Holguin further discussed barriers to care and the difficulty of seeing a physician to receive a diagnosis for neuromuscular diseases and movement disorders, which he noted often have accompanying neurocognitive changes that are not always noticed. Improving equity and access to care is something he is actively involved with alongside colleagues at USC Keck, work that has set a goal to focus on these populations in need, ensuring that they can obtain the treatment they need at the onset, as well as following their diagnosis. 

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Commenting on recent advances and persistent challenges for these patients, the associate professor of clinical occupational therapy at USC Keck Hospital spoke on the need to increase equity and access to care. [WATCH TIME: 6 minutes]

Ongoing Challenges for Neuromuscular and Movement Occupational Therapy: Jess Holguin, OTD, OT/L

“What I do know is that there is a greater awareness of having occupational therapy weigh in throughout the continuum, from ICU all the way through outpatient surveillance monitoring of various diagnoses. Even knowing that, research has shown that early intervention of occupational therapy [is] cost effective in terms of its capacity to help with overall management of care and facilitating discharge, as well as maintaining quality of life.”

The care of patients with neuromuscular disease, as well as movement disorders, may involve a multitude of specialists, aimed at effectively developing a plan of care for these patient populations. According to Jess Holguin, OTD, OT/L, although the multidisciplinary care model is not always standard of care, it is well established at the University of Southern California’s Keck Hospital in Los Angeles, where he is an associate professor of clinical occupational therapy in the Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. 

 to discuss the involvements of occupational therapists throughout the continuum of care and the diagnosis-dependent, clinic-type setups that allow for the collaboration of different medical professionals. Holguin noted his involvement as a founding member of the USC ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) Clinic, which involves physicians, occupational therapists, physical therapists, dieticians, social workers, among others. The development of this clinic has also been modeled in other instances, particularly via USC’s Cerebrospinal Fluid Diversion Center, which includes a multidisciplinary program focused on medical and surgical management of CSF disorders. 

The associate professor of clinical occupational therapy at USC Keck Hospital discussed the role of occupational therapists and other medical professionals in the care of these patient populations. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

The Multidisciplinary Care Model in Neuromuscular Disease, Movement Disorders Care: Jess Holguin, OTD, OT/L

“I think it's accurate and useful to say that it is an area of significant growth, insofar as the growing awareness of all the different types of conditions and nuanced aspects within these different conditions, tied to autoimmune conditions, is just unlike any other area of practice that I've been associated with in my 25 years, as a neurorehab specialist.”

The field of neuromuscular and movement disorders is an expansive one, for which increased awareness and growth has provided more treatment routes and opportunity for patients. According to Jess Holguin, OTD, OT/L, associate professor of clinical occupational therapy, Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California’s Keck Hospital, while the state of care for these patient populations is a broad topic to address, he believes the recent subclassification of specific disease has provided opportunity for the integration of different therapies, particularly occupational therapy.

, Holguin commented on the ability to evaluate adaptations to patients’ care and occupational therapists’ ability to provide remedial care and “protect against all the capacities that are currently suffering from the diagnosis.” New disease classifications also allow for the incorporation of other allied health professionals, Holguin said, effectively strengthening the multidisciplinary care model. 

The associate professor of clinical occupational therapy at USC Keck Hospital discussed the growing awareness for the care of these patients, as well as the integration of occupational therapists. [WATCH TIME: 2 minutes]

Jess Holguin, OTD, OT/L

Articles

Ongoing Challenges for Neuromuscular and Movement Occupational Therapy: Jess Holguin, OTD, OT/L

The Multidisciplinary Care Model in Neuromuscular Disease, Movement Disorders Care: Jess Holguin, OTD, OT/L

State of Care for Neuromuscular Disease and Movement Disorders: Jess Holguin, OTD, OT/L

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