Learnings in this block

“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change” (Brown, 2011).
I feel as though I have had to be vulnerable and have expressed many emotions throughout this block with the friends I’ve shared it with. I have had to expose my areas of weakness, lack of understanding and develop in vital areas, to create a more admirable therapist. This block was emotionally and physically draining, however my prac group were very supportive of each other and I am extremely grateful for them.

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure” (Powell, C). This block has taught me so much as a person and a developing therapist. As a person it has taught me to take every day as it comes and keep going, because the end is near. As a student OT, I have realized the great impact research, clinical reasoning and client context has on the treatment you provide and sessions you plan.

According to (Greenwood, Beth) these are the qualities which make a good OT. I will elaborate on how I have grown in these areas.

Communication and Listening

“Interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with your patients are vitally important. First, you must listen to your patients, who can explain how they feel or what their symptoms are”. I feel I have developed in my interpersonal skills, when communicating with my patients. I have learnt how to handle many new situations, when dealing with acute psychotic patient’s, such as using a therapeutic face when they dive into their world of delusions. I learnt how to express my concerns with empathy and how to ask my patients questions about their concerns, which are vital to gain context to formulate a problem list. I also learnt through midterms how important it is to receive collateral information, as Mr L’s sessions would have had a complete turnaround, had I gathered this information sooner. The client, blinded by the word ‘discharge’, barely answered any of my tests, or interview questions honestly.

Organization and Problem-Solving

“Much of OT work involves solving problems, according to OT Career Path. An OT needs organizational skills to manage her own daily activities and schedule as well”. As a student OT, I have come to terms with the fact that organization is the key to successful sessions. Even having a note written for reminders during the session, a notebook, pen and forms readily available allows created a more productive day. Organization in terms of researching and planning treatment also falls into this section. I have improved greatly in this area and will continue to grow through its value. Time management is also vital. I have definitely learnt to treat faster and use my time more wisely. Through this I have grown in my confidence and handling of patients during treatment sessions.

Compassionate Care

“Compassion, empathy and patience are necessary skills for an OT and are often driven by a desire to help others. A patient who is suffering from an illness may be grieving for her lost skills or the life activities she once enjoyed”. I do my best to develop therapeutic relationships with my clients so that they feel we have developed a safe, trustworthy relationship. I have learnt to show compassion for their struggles and develop aims alongside them. 

I learnt something valuable through my finals client, and I was mad with myself for doubting her strengths until the last second. Mrs J is a shizoaffective client and she explained in my first session with her that she had published a book. She mentioned the title and that it was on amazon. After having dealt with an extremely delusional client for midterms, I completed disregarded this achievement not believing it was true. After observing her writing strength through a poetry session, I decided to research the book she had mentioned. My client had a five star book published on Amazon. Not only would she possibly have felt saddened by me not ever mentioning that I had looked up the book, but it would have improved her mood and self-esteem too. This was an important learning experience.

My plan for my psychiatric block in fourth year is to not be as shy; to try more complicated activities, such as baking, cooking and extravagant art work. Psychiatry treatment, through occupational therapy, is abstract. I have always been frustrated by this, but I have realized this provides an opportunity for me to explore my strengths in psych and I should make the most of it! After fourth year, we will need to determine our OT path and I am undermining my strength in psych. I should therefore grab it by the hands and explore it on a deeper level, because I have finally discovered its great importance and worth. Dealing with Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder, Personality Disorders and Schizoaffective Disorders in third year will be an experience I will never forget. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity.

It is the first time I have effectively worked in an MDT, despite the difficulties a student faces with this important skill. When I called the client’s social worker for collateral and I was the first to inform her of  the client’s discharge, I began to experience the true feeling of being health professional.

In conclusion, this psychiatric block showed me the impact OT’s can have on psychiatric patient’s lives. The patient’s don’t realize how much they give to us as students, whilst we try our best to improve their quality of life and enrich their circumstances. This acute hospital taught me valuable life skills, taught me how to deal with discharge (haha) and forced me to understand patient’s context on a much deeper level, in order to do what is best for them. 

References:                                                                                

1. Greenwood, Beth. "Qualities of a Good Occupational Therapist." Work - Chron.com, http://work.chron.com/qualities-good-occupational-therapist-26306.html. Accessed 24 April 2019.

2.  Gibbs, M. 5 Powerful Quote’s from Brene Brown’s Ted Talk. http://empowerlounge.com/5-powerful-quotes-from-brene-browns-tedtalk-about-shame/

3.  Powell, C. Failure Quotes: Brainy Quotes. https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/failure

Research Day

On the 25^th of September, the OT department had their research day. This is the day in which the fourth years take to the stage and present 1.5 years’ worth of blood, sweat and tears, in just 10 minutes! The third-year students were responsible, along with Mr P, to ensure the day ran successfully and we got the opportunity to listen to the 5 fourth year research presentations.

It was really interesting to learn more about the different topics, which were each so unique and interesting.  The groups were so well co-ordinated, from the attire worn, to the quality of the PowerPoint presentations. It left me in awe of the hard work they had put into this, but also left me speechless for what the year ahead is going to look like. Am I equipped to produce such efficient work? I thought that this day was very important for us to gain insight into what is expected of us in fourth year and how the Research Day of presentations will berun.
The research presentations quality were exceptional and really set the bar for the UKZN, OT research standard. Some of the topics which interested me were “The Impact that Strike Action has on OT Students”, “Substance Abuse in OT” and “The Impact that Oculocutaneous Albinism has on Individual’s Occupational Participation”. Their presentations were all so well-rehearsed, it was immaculate.

At the end of the day the students gave us advice for Research and working in teams. Some advice was humorous and some was extremely useful. They told us to use our strengths and to be honest about our weaknesses.

Research has definitely hit my group with a bang. I have never exactly been the leader in my previous groups, as other personalities, who stress more than I do, have taken over in the past. However, when I realized my group was extremely passive and nothing was being said, and therefore, nothing was being done, Iknew I needed to take on this role. Wow... it has not been easy. To be honest, I am extremely jealous of the fourth years who are about to be finished with the Research module.  

Some people don’t do their work. Full stop. Other people do their work, but unfortunately struggle to perform sufficiently in certain sections, as a result of writing in their second language. It is my first time witnessing the struggles that my fellow friends face, trying to study in their second language.

This has lead to me having to redo people’s parts, or rather informing my supervisor that I will redo them, after this hectic week. Unfortunately, this puts a huge burden on the rest of the group to perform at the necessary standard.

As Gina informed us last week Monday to have our proposal in by Friday, we had to divide the work into 6 and each person chose their roles. This method did not work out, as students had chosen sections they were not competent at and within a very hectic week, students did not put in great effort.

In our meeting with Gina, we discussed our difficulties in communication. With advice from fourth years in the same room too, we have developed new strategies.

1)      The group will not split up the parts but will rather meet weekly, for two hours, with defined objectives to complete.

2)      Each person is required to respond with a yes or no to suggestions made on the group to show alignment and take responsibility.

3)      Within our group of 6, we will pair up, and each have objectives to complete within those two hours.

According to University of Waterloo. (2019), To function successfully in a small group, students need to be able to communicate clearly on intellectual and emotional levels. Effective communicators:

• can explain their own ideas


• express their feelings in an open but non-threatening way


• listen carefully to others


• ask questions to clarify others’ ideas and emotions


• can sense how others feel based on their nonverbal communication


• will initiate conversations about group climate or process if they sense tensions brewing


• reflect on the activities and interactions of their group and encourage other group members to do so as well.

According to University of Waterloo, 2019, the following is necessary when forming a new group: Individual responsibility and accountability, constructive feedback, problem solving, management and organization and knowledge of roles.

“Intra-professional team building in occupational therapy is critically important to the vitality and expansion of the profession. Teamwork must be a cognizant process; knowledge and multiple skills are required in order for therapists and assistants to work together successfully” (Blechert, Christianson & Kar, 1987). Our profession requires necessary team work skills and experience, which is why a task like this, provides us with important learning opportunities.

I am excited by my groups research topic and Research Day made me realize how the effort will all be worth it in the end. Here’s to learning to work in a team with many different personalities, growing my leadership skills and working together to produce an impactful report and presentation in 2020.

References:

University of Waterloo. (2019). Teamwork Skills: Being an Effective Group Member. Retrieved on the 6^th of October 2019, from https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/teaching-resources/teaching-tips/tips-students/being-part-team/teamwork-skills-being-effective-group-member

Blechert, T.F., Christiansen, M.F., & Kari, N. (1987). Intra-professional Team Building. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 41(9), 576-582.

FunnyAnd. (2019). Every Group Project at School. Retrieved on the 6 of October 2019, from http://funnyand.com/every-group-project-of-school-file/