OT 605 Lifespan (Observation & Interview)

what reasons do OTs observe?

complete OT process, conduct research

what specific types of roles can observers play?

1. complete participant

- engagement with client in a setting you are already a member of or fully entrenched in

-ex. connect 4, checkers, serve and return, obstacle course, story making)

2. participant as observer

- involved in central activities but not fully committed to groups values/goals

-ex. not doing it for them, teaching to tie shoe

3. observer as participant

- primarily observing participants for brief periods of time

-ex. tell them to tie their shoe and see how they do it, standardized assessment/evaluation

4. complete observer

-completely removed from the setting

-ex. watching someone when they are not aware

as you begin observing in practice...

1. introduce yourself

2. don't draw attention to yourself (perfume/dress)

3. take notes & tell them you are

4. arrange notes

5. expand upon notes later, not much later

6. use your own shorthand to make writing faster

while observing take note of...

-environment/setting (describe in words using ALL senses)

-participants (domain, strength, weaknesses ex. caregiver)

-non-verbal communication (behavior, gestures, facial expressions)

-the events (what are you doing with them)- see performance patterns during events

what are documents important for observation?

show progress, holistic approach, help plan interviews, provide us with information we would not have known

types of documentation

EMR, plan of care, IEP, referral, progress notes

what to consider when developing questions?

-establish some before, but others might come as you go along

-create useful questions

-use brainstorming to develop

-make sure they fit topic

things to remember for interview...

1. kindness/respect

2. show patience

3. act in culturally appropriate ways

4. be aware of your own feelings (remain unbiased)

name a probing technique to go with this: build rapport from initial greeting

compliment

name a probing technique to go with this: open with easier questions

"tell me about you accident" - NOT TOO VAGUE

name a probing technique to go with this: encourage elaborating on answers

pause when they stop talking

name a probing technique to go with this: express interest

ask follow up questions

name a probing technique to go with this: express ignorance

never heard of that "tell me more about that"

name a probing technique to go with this: avoid repitition

did I understand that correctly?

name a probing technique to go with this: take turns

don't speak over them

name a probing technique to go with this: put an end to conversation

know when to end --> ask if they have any questions

common mistakes in an interview

1. Asking questions about a controversial "hot" topic before developing positive rapport.

2. Asking vague questions. (Ex. What brings you here today?)

3. Leading the individual. (Ex. "Your shoulder is still giving you pain, isn't it?")

4. Interrupting the informant.

5. Letting the "nonstop talker get off track". Gently redirect.

6. Using closed-ended questions. (Ex. "So, you hurt your shoulder?" and "You've now had surgery on it?" and "Did the surgery go well?" and "Are you glad you had the surgery?"

7. Individual doesn't understand the question. Restate the question. (Ex. "What do you know about your sternal precautions since your CABG procedure?" Instead say, "Has anyone told you about the rules you are to follow that will keep your surgery site from breaking open until its healed?")

8. Allowing the informant to structure the interview.

9. Not getting the information you need.

10. NOT LISTENING.