Contextual Factors and Clinical Reasoning

For this summative assignment you have a choice between submitting a 2000 word written report, or an e-poster. When making your decision, bear in mind that whichever you choose, you need to demonstrate meeting the learning outcomes. Both types of assignment will be marked against the same criteria (see rubric).

Occupations in Context: Case Study Report

Choose a patient from a practice placement to use as a case study. Discuss the contextual factors affecting the client’s occupational performance. Explore how these contextual factors would influence your clinical reasoning as an occupational therapist working with this client.

Introduction:

• The purpose of the assignment, and a very brief overview of the report.
• Provide a brief description of the client, the practice setting, and the client’s reason for referral to occupational therapy.
• State which model you will use to structure the case study.

Main body:

• Introduce the model of practice you have chosen to use and include some brief balanced critique justifying your choice.
• Use your chosen model to structure your narrative about the client. You should identify their presenting problem / difficulties, and describe the contextual factors that are relevant for the occupational therapist to consider. This will include a history of the presenting complaint, cultural considerations, and information about their physical environment and social situation. Any other relevant contextual considerations should also be included.
• Explain why the contextual factors you have identified are relevant, and how they would influence your clinical reasoning as an occupational therapist working with the client.
• Remember to refer to relevant evidence throughout the report.

Summary:

• Summarise the report, emphasising key points.
• Reflective component (this can be written as a separate section at the end of the assignment but is included in the word count):
• Reflect on what you have learnt from this module, and how you will take this forward in your work as an occupational therapist / on practice placement.

Note:

• You must use evidence and key texts in your assignment
• You must not exceed the overall word count; guidance is given for sections of your assignment.
• You must use the university approved system for references. Use these links http://www.citethemrightonline.com/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. or https://kingston.box.com/v/HarvardReferencingGuideFHSCE (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
• You must adhere to the university policy on academic misconduct, e.g. plagiarism and collusion. See: https://portal.sgul.ac.uk/org/lis/reg/student-centre/student-affairs-and-compliance-pages/consideration-of-allegations-of-assessment-irregularity/?searchterm=plagiarism

Occupations in Context: Case Study Poster

If you choose to submit a poster instead of a report, you have full creative freedom about how you present the required information.

• Make sure you use a model, and provide some information about it as well as some critique
• Using the model, provide relevant contextual information about that client, demonstrating your learning from the module. Show how these factors would influence your clinical reasoning as an occupational therapist working with the patient.
• There is no word limit for a poster, but you will be assessed on how well you have presented the information, so pay attention to the visual impact and readability.
• The poster should be produced on powerpoint, saved as a PDF and submitted via Canvas.
• You may provide your reflection in a supplementary file if desired.

Whether you choose to submit a poster or a written report, remember that you need to demonstrate you have met the module learning outcomes:

1. Relate social, cultural, political, and economic contexts to clients’ occupations and occupational performance (individuals and groups).
2. Analyse how the physical environment influences a person’s ability to engage in meaningful occupation.
3. Discuss how environmental modifications and technology can facilitate occupational performance and participation.
4. Evaluate virtual environments and assess the extent to which online communities and social media can enable occupational participation for people with disabilities.
5. Discuss and reflect on factors that impact upon services and occupational therapy practice.

Introduction to the Module

This is a 15 Credit module. This module will address the different contexts in which clients and occupational therapists live and work. The importance of context for occupational engagement and occupational performance will be examined. Contexts will include the family, social, cultural, political, economic and physical and virtual environments. The module will also assist students to recognise and understand the practice contexts in which OTs work and how this influences service provision.

Aims

This module will facilitate an understanding of the social, economic, cultural, political and environmental contexts and drivers that influence Occupational Therapists and their clients.

Learning Outcomes

1. Relate social, cultural, political, and economic contexts to clients’ occupations and occupational performance (individuals and groups).
2. Analyse how the physical environment influences a person’s ability to engage in meaningful occupation.
3. Discuss how environmental modifications and technology can facilitate occupational performance and participation.
4. Evaluate virtual environments and assess the extent to which online communities and social media can enable occupational participation for people with disabilities.
5. Discuss and reflect on factors that impact upon services and Occupational Therapy practice.

Indicative Expectations

• Students are expected to engage in all lectures, tutorials, practical sessions and directed and self-directed study. If there are any specific circumstances that affect your ability to attend classes/engage with directed study, it is your responsibility to let the module leader know at the earliest possible time.
• You are also encouraged to interact with each other and the module team so that you might gain ongoing feedback to support your learning. Feedback comes in many forms which may include a direct answer to a question in class; a discussion around an answer given by a student in class; or any other form of interaction which supports learning.
• Written feedback will be provided on your formative assignment within 2 weeks of submission, and you are encouraged to meet with your personal tutor or member of the module team to discuss this in order to help you prepare for the summative assignment.
• Written feedback will be provided on your summative assignment within 20 days of submission.