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The Reflective OT: Looking Within to Improve Clinical Practice

The Reflective OT: Looking Within to Improve Clinical Practice
Nicole Quint, Dr.OT, OTR/L
June 2, 2016
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Why Reflect as an OT?

Reflective practice involves the practitioner in a continuous internal dialogue in which the relationship between the professional self and the personal self is kept alive and thought about.

Le Riche (1998, p.34)

Le Riche talks about taking a little bit of time to stop thinking only about your clients and everything that you have to do within your role, and think about yourself. Sometimes as OTs we are not so good about that. We can be servants to our profession. We serve others. We take care of other people. We tend to put others before ourselves. Some of this might be a little challenging to you, but I am going to ask you to stop and think about yourselves, and put yourselves first. Why would we do this? What's the point? 

Epstein, et al.

Epstein, et al. has done some research on this. According to him, the key to reflection and why we want to do it, is because it invites doubt and ambiguity, which creates an open mind. As a therapist, we want to make sure that we do not get stuck in some of our linear thinking. We want to expand our horizons and stay fresh. He also found that critical self-reflection is at the heart of effective clinical work. I know that everyone here, and every OT that I meet, has the goal to always be effective in our clinical practice. This is a really important piece of that puzzle.

Knight

Knight also found that it is important to respect the emotional toll and prevent burnout. I am going to ask a little personal question here. How many of you have ever felt, I am not going to say "burned out", but felt that you were starting to get a little exhausted emotionally. It looks like almost everybody in the audience raised their hand. Sometimes we cannot effect change with some of the emotional issues at work regarding what kind of clients you get, what kind of administrators you work for, or what kind of paperwork you have to do. But this can serve as an inoculation towards that. If you use reflective practice it can help prevent some of that burnout that you do not have any control over.

Dawson

Dawson also found that reflective questions do not need to have one correct answer. They just simply disrupt common ways of thinking. Reflective thinking facilitates your perspective to be fresh. You can look at the situation with a fresh sense, and I think you can see how that would decrease some of that frustration that we can experience as a healthcare provider.


nicole quint

Nicole Quint, Dr.OT, OTR/L

Nicole Quint, Dr.OT, OTR/L has been practicing occupational therapy for over 14 years in both adult and pediatric practice.  She currently serves as Assistant Professor at Nova Southeastern University, teaching in both the Masters and Doctoral programs.  She also provides pediatric therapy services in both the Nova Southeastern University Outpatient Pediatric Clinic and at the University School, a private school on campus within their resource program.  Dr. Quint worked at Healthsouth Rehabilitation Hospital for over six years in the adult and pediatric Day Rehabilitation program, aquatics, and outpatient pediatrics.  Her interests are in sensory processing disorder, learning disabilities, and other “invisible” diagnoses that influence behavior, learning, and socialization, resilience in children and adults, executive function skills and occupation, and leadership within occupational therapy and healthcare.  Dr.Quint is currently a PhD candidate in the Conflict Analysis and Resolution program at Nova Southeastern University. 

 



Related Courses

Continued Conversations, The CE Podcast: Reflective Practice, Taking your Practice Next Level
Presented by Nicole Quint, Dr.OT, OTR/L
Audio
Course: #5149Level: Introductory1 Hour
This podcast provides professionals with an introduction to reflective practice, looking at models that encourage the transition to becoming a reflective practitioner as a professional. Concepts and practical methods to integrate into practice are discussed.

Evidence-Based Approaches: A Pediatric Perspective Of The Occupation Of Sleep
Presented by Nicole Quint, PhD, Dr.OT, OTR/L
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Course: #6204Level: Intermediate2 Hours
Public health research has shown that many children experience sleep disorders; however, many pediatric therapists feel uncomfortable providing sleep interventions for children. Using the "Hit the SAAQ" approach (created with Dr. Jason Browning), participants will learn how to evaluate and intervene to promote Sleep duration, sleep Architecture, and Address sleep disorders using evidence-based approaches to promote overall sleep Quality for preschool and school-aged children.

Motor Skill Acquisition for Optimal Occupational Performance
Presented by Nicole Quint, Dr.OT, OTR/L
Video
Course: #3747Level: Introductory1 Hour
This course focuses on how the motor learning model can promote motor skill acquisition throughout the lifespan. Utilizing dynamic systems theory, participants will learn how to provide feedback, adapt the environment and the task and how to assess motor learning effectively to optimize occupational performance.

Pediatric Case Study: Child with Oculomotor and Perceptual Challenges
Presented by Nicole Quint, Dr.OT, OTR/L
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Course: #4536Level: Intermediate1 Hour
This course focuses on a case study for a 7-year-old male child experiencing difficulties with reading, homework, and following instructions during second-grade class. Utilizing developmental approaches and the Skeffington model, participants will learn both remediative and adaptive strategies to promote occupational performance.

From Meltdowns To An Occupation-Centered Approach For Self-Regulation And Management
Presented by Nicole Quint, Dr.OT, OTR/L
Video
Course: #6106Level: Intermediate2 Hours
How to incorporate sensory strategies for emotional management and self-regulation in pediatric practice is emphasized in this course. Emphasis will also be on preventing behaviors and meltdowns related to sensory processing, collaborating with teachers and parents to implement them into daily routines, and monitoring outcomes for documentation and program evaluation. You will have the opportunity to create a plan for a child on your caseload for generalization to practice.

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