Professional Practice I: Encountering clients and introduction to an occupational therapist’s work (7cr)

Evaluation scale

Pass/Fail

Content scheduling

The course lasts for the whole semester. The course starts with a common introduction, followed by independent work in the form of online assignments and an introduction to volunteering and the work of an occupational therapist.

Objective

Aim of the course:
In this course, you will know how the profession of occupational therapy has developed from its history to the present and what opportunities occupational therapy expertise offers in society.
You will understand the role of the occupational therapist in a multi‑agency environment and the importance of professional therapeutic interaction.
You will apply your learning by developing your therapeutic communication skills and practicing in real or practice‑based situations. This work builds a strong foundation for your professional growth and future expertise.

Course competences:
Learning to learn
Therapeutic relationship and interprofessionality
Expertise in theoretical basis of rehabilitation and occupational therapy

Learning outcomes:
You recognize how the profession of occupational therapy has taken shape and evolved, and understand the significance of key occupational science concepts in the profession’s underlying thinking.
You demonstrate responsibility for both your own and your group’s interactive learning in various learning and group situations.
You recognize the principles of person‑centered practice and begin to develop the ability to establish a therapeutic interactive relationship based on a professional knowledge base.
You also recognize the importance of multi‑agency collaboration in the delivery of occupational therapy.

Content

The core content of the course includes the key concepts of occupational science and the history of occupational therapy. Through theoretical models of occupational therapy, students understand the person-centered/client-centric approach based on encountering the client respectfully, therapeutic use of the self as a key area of successful occupational therapy, and key elements of therapeutic interaction. Students explore their personal interaction and start developing their professional interaction by means of concrete exercises. A precondition for developing your professional competence is adopting and reflecting on the ethical thinking of the vocational field.

Location and time

The course includes a total of six scheduled learning sessions, and attendance is mandatory. These sessions take place either as webinars via Zoom or as on‑campus meetings at TAMK.
In addition, the course includes TOIVO groups, which meet in locations agreed upon jointly by the facilitators and the students.
Some learning activities are carried out in small groups. You will receive instructions for registering for these small groups during the orientation days.
Please remember to check Moodle for the schedules and learning sessions assigned to your own small group.

Materials

Hautala T., Hämäläinen T., Mäkelä L., Rusi-Pyykkönen M. 2019. Toiminnan voimaa. Toimintaterapia käytännössä. Edita: Helsinki.(any edition will do)

American Occupational Therapy Association. (2020). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process (4th ed.). American Journal of Occupational Therapy.

Egan, M. & Restall, G (ed) (2020)Promoting occupational participation: collaborative relationship-focused occupational therapy. 10th Canadian Occupational Therapy Guidelines. CAOT.

Teaching methods

You will study in a variety of learning environments throughout the course. Part of the work is done independently, and you will actively participate in webinars and in-person sessions following the flipped learning approach, meaning you prepare in advance.
Learning sessions include interactive and practical exercises, and attendance in these sessions is mandatory. You will also complete learning tasks both individually and in small groups.
The course also includes independent assignments in the learning environment, the option to take part in voluntary assisting work, an opportunity to observe the work of an occupational therapist, and participation in the TOIVO group. Group tasks and a learning diary will further support your learning.

Employer connections

During the course, you will work with occupational therapists that you and other students have contacted from the world of work. You will also volunteer and find a contact from your own networks to interview for a learning assignment.

Exam schedules

There is no separate exam for this course.

In the learning environment, there are set revision periods for the three different performance levels in accordance with the examination regulations. According to the Jamk examination regulations, students may, by separate agreement with the teacher (e.g. prolonged illness, difficult life circumstances), complete the course in the following semester without a break.

Student workload

Student workload 7op =189 h

Learning situations and preparation (44 h)
Online courses and independent work 1,2 ECTS (33 h)
TOIVO activities 27 h
IRM group work 27 h + 4 h group work component
Client encounter 27 h
Introduction to work 27 h
All sections include written assignments to be returned to the learning environment moodle

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

Pass
You recognise the evolution of the occupational therapist's profession and the manifestation of occupational science in it. You demonstrate an ability to take responsibility for your own and the group's interactive learning in learning and group situations. You recognise the principles of person-centered and client-centric work and the basics of establishing a therapeutic interactive relationship based on the theoretical knowledge base in practical exercises and learning assignments. You demonstrate that you recognise factors related to creating a multi-actor cooperation relationship in the occupational therapist’s profession.

Qualifications

Toimijuuden, osallisuuden, terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin välisten suhteiden ymmärtäminen.

Further information

Open university: 2 places (flexible pathway).