Apprenticeships
Occupational therapy apprentice Belinda Clayton reflects on what she has learned about the value of collaborative working whilst in an emerging role on placement .
Apprenticeships
Feature
Why occupational therapy ?
Occupational therapy apprentice Belinda Clayton reflects on what she has learned about the value of collaborative working whilst in an emerging role on placement .
M
y penultimate placement as an occupational therapy apprentice found me working in an emerging role in supported living for adults with complex mental health conditions , such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder .
As a third-year learner in this setting , I was permitted considerable autonomy and given the opportunity to examine what really works in practice . It was a rapid period of trial and error . Towards the end of this challenging , yet rewarding , placement I came to learn the true value of collaborative working with people who use the service .
We had informal chats and carried out preliminary interest checklists and person-centred individual interventions ; and I quickly developed some invaluable therapeutic relationships with specific service users after gaining their trust and confidence . This enabled us all to begin journeys of self-discovery and to truly examine the value and scope for healing through occupation and collaborative working .
During the placement , I found that service users were frequently desperate to be heard ; some needed little encouragement to share their views , suggestions and perspectives .
Completing a collaborative report with a service user was a new and innovative way of working for me . I saw that asking them to assist in a report formulation was a way of empowering them . The process took place over about a week ; together , we kept revisiting the document to tweak , amend and to render it as succinct and user friendly as possible .
This collaboratively written report allowed us to really focus on essential aspects . It may also enable other staff to immediately see what is required for a service user to attain and sustain better mental and physical health , through occupation , so leading to a better quality of life .
Working in this way enabled service users and me to feel a real sense of working in partnership , rather than a scenario of ‘ therapist versus client ’.
We know that service user involvement in goal planning and intervention leads to greater chances of recovery . Research examines the significance of using professional skills and expertise in a collaborative partnership with the person and how this recovery-oriented view addresses the complexities and individuality of a persons ’ own change process ( Ness et al 2014 ).
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24 OTnews February 2024