1. Invests in the acquisition of evidence through participation in workshops, continued education and pursuit of additional degrees. 1. Through attendance of the following workshops and continued education in pursuit of additional information, I have developed and expanded on my knowledge in order to provide the best care for future clients. Continued education courses I've completed include: Music Therapy Conference (10/21/17), Depression and Suicide in Older Adults (12/07/17), and Montessori Based Dementia Programming (10/25/17). While completing my rotation at the adult day center, I witnessed the significance of depression in older adults. When the opportunity to attend the Depression and Suicide in Older Adults workshop came about, I knew I needed to go. There were many interdisciplinary professions in the workshop, each providing a unique perspective. One major point that stuck out to me from this workshop was that older adults have the highest rate of completed suicide and the lowest rate of diagnosed depression. A reason for this can be identified by the term pseudo dementia which refers to symptoms that are similar to dementia, but individuals are actually suffering from depression. The role of occupational therapy in this area is to help with early detection through identification of signs/symptoms and screening tools. We also have a major role in treatment utilizing behavioral interventions, promoting meaningful engagements, improving quality of life, and productive aging.
2. Is a knowledgeable consumer of global research related to occupational therapy and utilizes an evidence based approach to practice. 2. During my didactic education and clinical rotations, I have often incorporated global research on advances in stroke rehabilitation. The last semester of my didactic education, I completed a research implementation project centered around effective practices for optimal functional return in upper extremities post stroke in the acute care setting. I pulled research from around the globe in order to expand on the knowledge and practice opportunities available. Furthermore, during clinical rotations I utilized global research for presentations on rare diagnosis and intervention approaches. Please refer below for an example.
3. Integrates individual clinical expertise and patient values with the best available external clinical evidence. 3. During my second Level II clinical rotation at an adult day center, I provided one on one tailored exercise programs with individuals based on knowledge and clinical expertise I had developed on a previous rotation. At the adult day center, the clients participated in group programs throughout the day, but I found that some individuals valued one on one time. Much of the professional staff members were scheduled to lead groups or program supervise with little time in between for one on one care. I took on the initiative to provide individuals the care they valued to the best of my ability. Most of the individuals I worked one on one with with post stroke survivors. I provided tailored care from PROM, AAROM, SROM, sit to stand, transfers, and functional mobility. As my rotation came to an end, I developed handouts and plans for the individuals to continue.
4. Applies the domain of occupational therapy in gathering, evaluating, setting goals, planning and implementing occupational therapy. 4. The domain of occupational therapy includes occupations, client factors, performance skills, performance factors, contexts and environments. Throughout my clinical rotations, I found myself always referring back to these core concepts of occupational therapy. In doing so, it has allowed me to gain confidence in the rationale, fluidity, guidance and direction to take through the occupational therapy process. For instance, when assisting a gentleman in the acute care setting we were working to allow him to return home with his spouse near his prior level of function. As he made progress, to be sure he was going to be able to safely go home we analyzed a typical daily schedule for the gentlemen with the collaboration of his spouse. In doing this, I discovered occupations, client factors, performance skills, performance patterns, context and environments to facilitate this gentlemen in returning home. One particular concept that stood out to me for this gentleman was that him and his spouse regularly made the bed together each morning. To them, making the bed together was the key to their lasting relationship. For the following treatment session, I broke down the performance skills, performance patterns and the social environment to assess for the occupation of making the bed.
Please refer below for comments from two fieldwork educators regarding this concept.
5. Contributes to the knowledge base of OT practice by mentoring students, performing research, publishing, presenting and/or teaching. 5. Contributing to the knowledge base of OT practice can be challenging; however, I find it to be beneficial for growth and development. To teach someone else the knowledge you have procured is the ultimate factor in attesting one’s comprehension on a topic. Listed below are ways in which I have contributed to the knowledge base of OT practice over the course of these last nine months of clinical rotations.
-Presentation on positioning for individuals with hemiplegia -Presentation on dementia to local OTA program -Presentation to CNA's covering communicating with individuals with dementia -Mentored undergraduate students from Virginia Commonwealth University in assisting with leading groups, stroke education, and professional advice -Mentored OTA student -Presentation on ADEM (acute disseminated encephalomyelitis)
6. Incorporates continued education as a lifelong practice with the commitment to remain up-to-date and well-informed. 6. As a part of committing to being a life-long learner, I will continue to stay up-to-date and well-informed with my practice. I value and aspire to always pursue new knowledge bit by bit, day by day for personal and professional reasons. As a lifelong learner, I will continue the path towards excellence and become wiser with each day. A growth mindset entails believing in the potential for skill development through great effort, hard work, and resilience, a mindset that I possess. Throughout my Level II rotations, whenever I came across a diagnosis or medical terminology that I was not familiar with, I took time to research the term and inform others of the information I had found. At the adult day center, I would add the information to a card as a part of diagnosis card box. I've also come in early and stayed late on many occasions during each of my three rotations in order to see and learn about other areas of practice that correlate and collaborate with occupational therapy. For example, I came in early to on two occasions to witness surgeries with clients that I would be evaluating the following day. I have attended courses such as a music therapy conference.