1.1 Appreciates the influence of socio-cultural, socioeconomic, political, diversity factors, and lifestyle choices on engagement in occupation throughout the lifespan.
Understanding the supports individuals have readily available to them in their communities is just as important as a therapy technique when long term rehabilitation is to be considered. Socioeconomic factors, lifestyle choices, and social norms for clients must be considered when establishing ways outside of therapy time in which they can progress toward their goals.
A problem which can occur in the work conditioning setting is that clients go back to a sedentary lifestyle as they await their doctor's appointment or an order for a Functional Capacity Evaluation. This causes a loss in strength and sometimes is detrimental to what the results would have been if they had continued to exercise. Realizing that some people may not have ways in which to do so and finding ways they can would ensure the individual kept the gains they had made. As an OT, finding ways for clients to engage in activities at home which aid them in keeping their hard-earned gains is important to the overall process.
Understanding the supports individuals have readily available to them in their communities is just as important as a therapy technique when long term rehabilitation is to be considered. Socioeconomic factors, lifestyle choices, and social norms for clients must be considered when establishing ways outside of therapy time in which they can progress toward their goals.
A problem which can occur in the work conditioning setting is that clients go back to a sedentary lifestyle as they await their doctor's appointment or an order for a Functional Capacity Evaluation. This causes a loss in strength and sometimes is detrimental to what the results would have been if they had continued to exercise. Realizing that some people may not have ways in which to do so and finding ways they can would ensure the individual kept the gains they had made. As an OT, finding ways for clients to engage in activities at home which aid them in keeping their hard-earned gains is important to the overall process.
1.2 Communicates effectively with a wide range of clients, peers, and professionals both verbally and non-verbally.
During my time at Ortho-South Occupational Rehab, I had the pleasure of working with the technician, Kelli, each day. Together, Kelli and I aided those under my care to better understand the various exercises in the plan of care (POC). Kelli proved very valuable as I learned the routine at Ortho South by showing me the ways in which they interacted with clients at different parts in their time with us. Together, Kelli and I provided patient care to a variety of clients under the supervision of my Field Work Educator with respect for each other and our roles.
The relationship between Kelli and I is needed in other settings as well as between other professions so that we can all collaborate to ensure that care is provided in a way which meets the needs of all individuals. I hope to earn respect as well as give it in my own clinical practice so that all clinicians can focus on maintaining a healthy work environment with the center being the client.
During my time at Ortho-South Occupational Rehab, I had the pleasure of working with the technician, Kelli, each day. Together, Kelli and I aided those under my care to better understand the various exercises in the plan of care (POC). Kelli proved very valuable as I learned the routine at Ortho South by showing me the ways in which they interacted with clients at different parts in their time with us. Together, Kelli and I provided patient care to a variety of clients under the supervision of my Field Work Educator with respect for each other and our roles.
The relationship between Kelli and I is needed in other settings as well as between other professions so that we can all collaborate to ensure that care is provided in a way which meets the needs of all individuals. I hope to earn respect as well as give it in my own clinical practice so that all clinicians can focus on maintaining a healthy work environment with the center being the client.
1.3 Collaborates with clients and caregivers in establishing and maintain a balance of pleasurable, productive, and restful occupations to promote health and prevent disease and disability.
During my second rotation in the acute/ICU setting at Huntsville Hospital, I was able to be much more intentional about the occupational aspect of therapy considering the setting almost certainly entails that clients will undergo a period of occupational deprivation stemming from their acute injuries. Because of this, I made it my goal to learn as much as possible about each individual beyond their body functions and body structures. Motivation is difficult to address within the realm of therapy and much more so in a setting where individuals are metabolically unstable. These immense acute functional deficits must be addressed if OT wants to be able to continue true to its roots in occupation.
One time in particular, there was a sweet elderly lady who was in the ICU due to some acute hypotensive issues which had been plaguing her. Her mind had no altered mental status and she was able to complete more therapy than other clients considering she did not have functional deficits with body structures. She had mentioned that she enjoyed knitting which led me to try and find anything within the OT room which could serve as a make-shift knitting experience. The small extra step in helping someone complete enjoyable and meaningful activities could have been a very small thing for her, or, it could have made a difference which I will never know. What I do know is that occupation is a universal experience and we must address the occupations which complete the lives of individuals if we want to optimally care for our clients.
During my second rotation in the acute/ICU setting at Huntsville Hospital, I was able to be much more intentional about the occupational aspect of therapy considering the setting almost certainly entails that clients will undergo a period of occupational deprivation stemming from their acute injuries. Because of this, I made it my goal to learn as much as possible about each individual beyond their body functions and body structures. Motivation is difficult to address within the realm of therapy and much more so in a setting where individuals are metabolically unstable. These immense acute functional deficits must be addressed if OT wants to be able to continue true to its roots in occupation.
One time in particular, there was a sweet elderly lady who was in the ICU due to some acute hypotensive issues which had been plaguing her. Her mind had no altered mental status and she was able to complete more therapy than other clients considering she did not have functional deficits with body structures. She had mentioned that she enjoyed knitting which led me to try and find anything within the OT room which could serve as a make-shift knitting experience. The small extra step in helping someone complete enjoyable and meaningful activities could have been a very small thing for her, or, it could have made a difference which I will never know. What I do know is that occupation is a universal experience and we must address the occupations which complete the lives of individuals if we want to optimally care for our clients.
1.4 Inspires confidence in clients and team members
Throughout my time in the acute setting at Huntsville Hospital, it was a goal for me to be able to increase patient participation. I especially wanted to increase participation due to the fact that this population is fragile at best and creating an environment where a client is able to engage is difficult based on multiple acute factors. One of the main ways I was able to help engage clients was with our true bread and butter...Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)! When a client was either extremely medically fragile, unmotivated, or very uncivil, I would first and foremost ask them if there was anything I could help them do at that moment with their ADLs in part because I have seen how a simple grooming activity can completely change a clients demeanor.
I asked clients to perform ADLs because it is one of the core areas of our field, which is also billable in the hospital. Yes, I can always walk a client but that is one major reason I believe many clients confuse occupational therapists for physical therapists. Many times I see that OTs in the field focus on Biomechanical aspects of care and not other aspects which are just as important. I, as a future Occupational Therapy (OT) practitioner, am devoted to using occupation as a means and an end whenever possible. Sadly, I see a recurring theme of OT's beginning to stray away from engagement in occupation during their treatments which makes us lose our distinct value upon which our field has been built.
It is also important to me that I not only am able to increase participation, engage a client in occupation, or help a client emotionally; I also very much care to adhere to the productivity standards placed upon me at each facility and will aim to achieve those standards by any ethical means possible. Sometimes in the acute setting, I would not bill for a simulation of an ADL activity because I do not see a screening of a client taking off one sock to be a true engagement in occupation. If I am going to bill for something, I as a practitioner want to truly use my knowledge and expertise to increase participation for a client. A screening I do not think justifies billing an entire unit when the time requirements have not been met. As a future practitioner, I want to be ethical while also meeting requirements set for me at each site and setting.
Throughout my time in the acute setting at Huntsville Hospital, it was a goal for me to be able to increase patient participation. I especially wanted to increase participation due to the fact that this population is fragile at best and creating an environment where a client is able to engage is difficult based on multiple acute factors. One of the main ways I was able to help engage clients was with our true bread and butter...Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)! When a client was either extremely medically fragile, unmotivated, or very uncivil, I would first and foremost ask them if there was anything I could help them do at that moment with their ADLs in part because I have seen how a simple grooming activity can completely change a clients demeanor.
I asked clients to perform ADLs because it is one of the core areas of our field, which is also billable in the hospital. Yes, I can always walk a client but that is one major reason I believe many clients confuse occupational therapists for physical therapists. Many times I see that OTs in the field focus on Biomechanical aspects of care and not other aspects which are just as important. I, as a future Occupational Therapy (OT) practitioner, am devoted to using occupation as a means and an end whenever possible. Sadly, I see a recurring theme of OT's beginning to stray away from engagement in occupation during their treatments which makes us lose our distinct value upon which our field has been built.
It is also important to me that I not only am able to increase participation, engage a client in occupation, or help a client emotionally; I also very much care to adhere to the productivity standards placed upon me at each facility and will aim to achieve those standards by any ethical means possible. Sometimes in the acute setting, I would not bill for a simulation of an ADL activity because I do not see a screening of a client taking off one sock to be a true engagement in occupation. If I am going to bill for something, I as a practitioner want to truly use my knowledge and expertise to increase participation for a client. A screening I do not think justifies billing an entire unit when the time requirements have not been met. As a future practitioner, I want to be ethical while also meeting requirements set for me at each site and setting.
1.5 Considers client motivation when using occupation based intervention to maximize functional independence.
When completing FW level 2A at Ortho-South Occupational Rehab, I had the opportunity to modify tasks to simulate occupations for clients so as to engage them more within the treatment session. Throughout my time there, I was able to simulate: cranking a gear for a Fedex worker, the regimen of a box handler on a conveyor belt line, the tasks involved in handling loads for a truck with a dolly, pill dispensing simulation, and much more. By changing the routine from simply biomechanical to occupational, I saw that clients were much more motivated to show up and put in the extensive work which the program entails. Someday I aim to motivate clients in this same way by finding activities and tasks that have meaning to each individual. |
1.6 Applies theory regarding the therapeutic use of occupation and adaptation to screen and evaluate, plan, and implement intervention, while establishing and maintaining a therapeutic relationship with the client.
When gathering information during evaluations so that an individual is adequately assessed for future therapy services, I apply theory which goes unseen by many. For example, to start off each evaluation, I create an occupational profile by asking individuals about their prior level of function, their employment status, questions of their environment, and questions of any adaptive equipment/devices which may be in current use at their baseline of function. All of these questions are linked to different theories such as Person-Environment-Occupation model (PEO) which are addressed by my questions regarding stairs, where their bedroom is located in their home, raising, and adaptive devices.
Furthermore, there is a certain flow to each evaluation that I try to check for in the back of my mind at different stages within the evaluation. When a client is able to transfer to the edge of bed, I almost always ask to see them simulate donning/doffing their socks. This helps me assess their center of gravity (COG), functional reach, pain levels, activity tolerance and their dynamic core strength (Biomechanical FoR).
When gathering information during evaluations so that an individual is adequately assessed for future therapy services, I apply theory which goes unseen by many. For example, to start off each evaluation, I create an occupational profile by asking individuals about their prior level of function, their employment status, questions of their environment, and questions of any adaptive equipment/devices which may be in current use at their baseline of function. All of these questions are linked to different theories such as Person-Environment-Occupation model (PEO) which are addressed by my questions regarding stairs, where their bedroom is located in their home, raising, and adaptive devices.
Furthermore, there is a certain flow to each evaluation that I try to check for in the back of my mind at different stages within the evaluation. When a client is able to transfer to the edge of bed, I almost always ask to see them simulate donning/doffing their socks. This helps me assess their center of gravity (COG), functional reach, pain levels, activity tolerance and their dynamic core strength (Biomechanical FoR).