Clinical Reasoning

gathering information, processing it, and thinking in action to plan and implement interventions

What is clinical reasoning?

the medical information (impersonal), making a hypothesis based on the concrete evidence you have

scientific reasoning

taking the science/medical evidence and applying it to the person

• taking in how the client, specifically, is impacted by their deficits

diagnostic reasoning

scientific

What type of reasoning would this be?

• Client has COPD and shortness of breath. We can give teach them energy conservation techniques or give them adaptic equipment to assist with dressing and bathing.

diagnostic

What type of reasoning would this be?

• Client has difficulty with attention and concentration, headaches and impaired STM, which is affecting her productivity and task completion.

• This is limiting her ability to perform her daily routines. (cog rehab and compensatory strategies)

addressing interpersonal interaction between the client and therapist

• using TUS, using who the client is to form the relationship

interactive reasoning

interactive

What kind of reasoning would this be?

• validating the client’s emotions, exploring clients interests to guide interventions, adjusting communication style to be supportive and empowering

processing the story and what their future story could be (most important in life-altering cases)

narrative reasoning

narrative

What kind of reasoning would this be?

• We use the client’s values and goals to create interventions for her and help her build a new occupational identity.

using common sense, determining what is practical

pragmatic reasoning

pragmatic

What type of reasoning would this be?

• determining reasonable number of session, appropriate goals, seeing what is achievable for the setting of practice and considering insurance limitations

following the code of ethics (best and right thing to do)

ethical reasoning

ethical

What type of reasoning would this be?

• balancing the right things to do with safety

integration of all types of reasoning (promotes the therapist being a few steps ahead)

conditional reasoning