A Reflection On The Value Of Occupational Therapists Working In Wheelchair Services

A presentation by Pam Wooding1st year occupational therapy studentAt Canterbury Christ Church University

Origin of Presentation

1st placement allocation in Wheelchair services.

Negative feedback from peers and others prior to placement.

Decision to reflect on relevance of module content during placement.

Development of learning as a 1st year OT student at Canterbury Christ Church University

Science & Context of Occupation

The importance of occupation to health.

Introduction to activity analysis.

The effects of occupational deprivation.

The concept of occupational justice.

The Interaction of Body Systems & Human Being Changing Through the LifespanAn overview of human anatomy and

physiology.

The interaction between physical and psychological health and wellbeing.

An introduction to health conditions and their effect on participation.

Fundamentals of Professional Collaboration

Understanding the relevance of multidisciplinary practice.

The concept and practice of person centeredness in health care provision.

Participation in Occupation Through the Lifespan

Understanding the complexity of barriers and enablers to participation.

Critical analysis of contextual factors which limit or promote engagement in meaningful occupations.

Professional Development

Reflection on our own learning experiences in relation to professional practice.

So how does this relate to Wheelchair Services?

The Person accessing the Wheelchair Service

Practice Placement

Discovery that all these ideas and concepts are embedded within a proactive and successful Wheelchair Service.

Focus of Wheelchair Service Team

Function within a complex and demanding health care provision.

Understand the diverse needs of clients of any age who are experiencing the effects of a wide variety of health conditions.

Ensure that recommended equipment will maximise the benefit for each individual.

Multidisciplinary Working

Occupational therapists, physiotherapists and rehabilitation engineers working collaboratively.

Knowledge and skills of both disciplines can be synthesised for the benefit of the service users.

Person-Environment-Occupation Model (Law et al, 1996)

OTs receive unique training in considering the wider context of a person’s life.

Embracing the meaning of participation while considering the individual’s environment.

Delivery of Service

High levels of verbal communication with clients, carers, family members, suppliers and other professionals.

Extensive effort expended to ensure equipment is appropriate.

Personal, occupational, social and environmental contexts were considered throughout.

Explanations for chasm between negative attitudes of others and personal experience on placement Others may have underestimated the complexity of

the service?

Others may have experience of other wheelchair services which do not fully embrace OT skills?

I might have been placed with the only wheelchair service in the country to value OT specific skills?

I might be enlightened throughout the next two years study that our training is not as conducive to working in wheelchair services as I first thought?

Conclusion

Confidence that there is great value in OT skills being utilised in wheelchair services.

It is crucial that we do not limit the possibilities of our profession.

Embrace the exciting diversity of work settings where the unique skills of occupational therapists can be used.

References Law, M., Cooper, B.A., Strong, S., Stewart, D., Rigby, P. & Letts, L.

(1996) ‘The Person-Environment-Occupational Model: A Transactive Approach to Occupational Performance’. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 63 (1) pp.9-23