Occupational Therapy Student

I thoroughly enjoyed Friday’s lecture on aging and sexual health and felt like I learned information that is applicable for clients we might see in a variety of settings.   This topic is a sensitive one for many clients, so I appreciate the emphasis our speaker had on using the PLISSIT model to discuss sexual health with our future clients.   P stands for asking “permission” to talk about sexual health.   Since most clients will not discuss their sexual health with healthcare providers it might be important to ask, “Is there anything about your sexual health you would like to discuss?”   The occupational therapist can then give “limited information” (LI) if the client says he/ she would like to discuss sexual health such as “many clients have questions about sex after a joint replacement surgery,” and then giving limited information about their precautions and when it will be appropriate to resume sexual activities.   The OT can then proceed to...

I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the role of a certified driver rehabilitation specialist from our guest lecturer today and the process of assessing clients to determine whether they are safe to drive or not.   I knew occupational therapists contributed to driving screenings and helped clients make modifications to their cars to be able to drive after an injury such as a spinal cord injury or as a disease progresses such as muscular dystrophy, but I did not what the assessment process entailed or treatment sessions involved.   I understand now that driving specialists use a variety of screens such as vision screens, cognitive screens such as the MoCA and Trailmaking A and B, sensation screens, and strength screens to assess a client’s ability to perform tasks necessary to drive safely.   I learned many ways occupational therapists can incorporate driving interventions into their sessions from today’s lecture.   One intervention that could be used ...

I thoroughly enjoyed making glyphs and comparing the glyph I drew at the beginning of occupational therapy school with the one I drew towards the end of our didactic education.   Overall many characteristics of what I think defines a leader have not changed.   I still believe that leadership stems predominantly from nurture over nature.   I believe people can be equipped and trained to be leaders, and they are not necessarily born leaders.   I still believe that all OTs are leaders as well.   Occupational therapists lead their clients, occupational therapy assistants and technicians, and can be managers and hold leadership positions within their practice settings.   The only aspect of my glyph that has changed over the course of OT school is my most recent glyph has a hat indicating that my approach to leadership has changed since the start of OT school.   While the foundational aspects of what I believe defines a leader have not ...