Culture in Patient Encounters/Transition to Fieldwork

no, it is not offensive

Is it considered offensive to have a translator on stand-by in case you think you will need it?

provides you with information about the client’s beliefs and practices

What does a cultural broker do?

• simplify what you are saying to make it clear

• should be a flowing conversation

• never tell a translator “tell them this”

important do’s and don’ts for using a translator

cultural broker

a resource that has more information about your client that you do

generally understood as a lack or resources (most typically money, goods, or means of support)

What is poverty?

occupational need

occurs when a person encounters difficulties engaging in occupations of daily living

occupational need

What can be a direct result of poverty, as poverty affects their choice of food and forced occupations?

be mindful of what you choose to use in therapy or what you tell them to do at home (may not have the resources to engage in certain occupations at home)

Since poverty impacts all aspects of the OT domain, what is important to do while treating?

• less access to transportation

• challenging schedules

• limited education

• limited resources to support their child through education

effects of poverty of parents

playful or gratifying leisure activities

What do people in poverty have fewer opportunities for?

• improve communication skills: use language that is understandable, comfortable, and meaningful

• understand the aspiration trap: cycle that leads people to become passive and accepting of unjust life circumstances

• promote occupational justice

• consider disability with poverty: people with disabilities are more likely to live in poverty

How can we address and recognize poverty in OT practice?

emotional intelligence

being aware of your own and others’ feelings and using the information to guide thinking and actions

• remaining calm when you have a gut feeling

• maintaining composure when you hear upsetting things

• noticing when a client is frustrated, sad, happy, angry, etc. and modifying the session if needed

How do we use emotional intelligence in practice?

1) accurately perceive emotion

2) access and generate emotions to assist thought

3) understand emotions (causes and consequences)

4) regulate and reflect on emotions to promote emotional and intellectual growth

Ability Model (4 branches)

1) Intrapersonal skills (ex. self-esteem)

2) Interpersonal skills (ex. empathy)

3) Adaptability (ex. flexibility) (may have to change intervention/activities on the fly - if they don’t want to participate in a group, for example)

4) Stress management (not cracking under pressure, don’t freeze, be aware of how you manage stress)

5) General Mood Components (ex. optimism) (don’t be pessimistic about anything in OT, don’t bring down the client, never tell a client that you understand how it feels, can show empathy and appreciation to that person, and ask them to help you better understand what you are going through)

Trait Model (5 dimensions)

Tripartite model

model that unifies the conflicting perspectives of the trait model and the ability model

• helps to assess and develop emotional intelligence

1) Identify a social or emotional challenge at the knowledge level (ex. Stressed out because bandages are being taken off)

2) Identify a strategy for addressing the challenge (ex. taking a break, lying down before they pass out)

3) Examine what an individual does on a regular basis when encountering a challenge or applying a strategy to address the challenge

3 stages of the Tripartite model

when clients are not responding or do not like a certain techniques or strategy

• reading social cues and responding to clients’ emotions

When can we use the Tripartite model?

• identify the emotions of self and others

• understand what the emotions mean

• use this knowledge to shape the therapeutic experience

What is EI defined as in OT literature?

TUS

What does EI impact?

emotional awareness of others, emotional reasoning, emotional management

What are some soft skills and EI factors that impact the prediction of success in FW? (we get evaluated on our soft skills in FW)

communication, courtesy, flexibility, professionalism, responsibility, positive attitude, integrity, teamwork abilities

examples of soft skills