have predominantly focused on the children ’ s bedtime routine .
We have played in the bath , cuddled in the bath , done maths homework in the bath , and most things in between . Bath time with the children has been something that has helped develop my role as Dad and created memories that I cherish .
If I asked my wife , the same question the answer might be very different . She might use bathing to unwind , relax and get away from the chaos of family life . For her , bathing might support her mental health , giving her time to reflect on the day . This reflection then challenges me to consider what questions I ask clients when conducting a bathing assessment , or any other assessment for that matter .
As I have already made clear , the question I used to ask predominantly focused on ‘ how ?’ If someone asked me ‘ how do you bathe ?’, they would get the physical elements of the routine , transfer , and task , but would entirely miss the meaningfulness of the activity ; the ‘ why ?’
So , I reflect , why do I assume that this is any different for my clients ? Not asking ‘ why is it important to you ?’ devalues the activity . Can I therefore , on reflection , consider it an occupational focused assessment ? Is it client centred ?
These are of course rhetorical questions , and the answer is undoubtedly ‘ no ’.
If we ask the right questions , there may not be anyone who cannot bathe if it is their goal or is meaningful to them .
When reflecting on the medical focus and the treatment of bathing as a transfer assessment I have asked myself some key questions related directly to occupational therapy values : Have I been paying ‘ lip service ’ to client centeredness ? Have I valued bathing as an occupation in its own right ? Have I explored the evidence base for my recommendations ?
These questions , I suggest , are not exclusive to bathing , but in my experience are certainly appropriate and common challenges within bathing assessments .
Through my own reflection I hope that others take time to ask themselves these questions and consider how their practice or service continues to advocate for client centred , holistic and occupational focused recommendations , regardless of diagnosis or regional budgetary variances .
R
Law M , Cooper BA , Strong S , Stewart D , Rigby P and Letts L ( 1996 ) The person-environment-occupation model : A transactive approach to occupational performance . Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy , 63 , 9-23
Have I been paying ‘ lip service ’ to client centeredness ? Have I valued bathing as an occupation in its own right ? Have I explored the evidence base for my recommendations ?”
Q
How are your reflections helping you to develop your clinical practice and new opportunities ?
A My reflections have of course ensured that my clinical practice has developed , but it takes constant critical reflection to ensure that our professional values are at the forefront of everything I do .
This can be challenging in a clinical world where pressures on our time rarely abate , but it is crucial , not only for our own development , but to demonstrate the true value of our profession .
Resources
Words ADAM FERRY , Occupational Therapist and Director of The OT Service
52 OTnews February 2022