OTA 134 - Psychosocial Dysfunction Lab & Fieldwork Experience

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the social determinants of health for persons, groups, and populations with or at risk for disabilities and chronic health conditions.
   • This must include an understanding of the epidemiological factors that impact the public health and welfare of populations.
   • Describing the relationship between mental health illness and physical health illnesses and how social issues can impact both.
2. Articulate the ethical and practical considerations that affect the mental health and wellness needs of those who are experiencing or are at risk for social injustice, occupational deprivation, and disparity in the receipt of services through the continuum of time from ancient times to the present as well as by demonstrating knowledge of global social issues and prevailing health and welfare needs of populations with or at risk for disabilities and chronic health conditions by:

   • Outlining the history of mental illness from ancient times to the present and describe the methods used to treat mental illness throughout the continuum.

   • Describing a sample of the multiple settings in which mental health services may be provided and how parity impacts mental health care.

   • Describing legal considerations in respect to mental health care in Washington state and how they have changed over time based on both ethical and practical considerations.

3. Understand the occupational therapy practice framework: domain and process by:

   • Identifying common assessment tools used.

   • Demonstrating the ability to set goals and plan appropriate occupational therapy activities for clients.

4. Demonstrate task analysis in areas of occupation, performance skills, performance patterns, activity demands, context(s) and environments, and client factors to implement the intervention plan and identify means of adapting and grading activities appropriate for different client populations. 

5. Express support for the quality of life, well-being, and occupation of the individual, group, or population to promote physical and mental health and prevention of injury and disease considering the context in respect to the delivery of occupational therapy services to individuals with mental illness.

6. Describe basic features of the theories, models of practice, frames of reference, and occupational therapy history and occupational therapy theory, (and the sociopolitical climate) that underlie the practice of occupational therapy in order to: 

   • Understand the basic assumptions of theories used to explain mental illness.
   • Explain the concepts of current practice models used by occupational therapy practitioners in mental health.
7. Articulate to consumers, potential employers, colleagues, third-party payers, regulatory boards, policymakers, other audiences, and the general public both the unique nature of occupation as viewed by the profession of occupational therapy and the value of occupation support performance, participation, health, and well-being.
8. Demonstrate knowledge of the effects of disease processes including heritable diseases, genetic conditions, mental illness, disability, trauma, and injury on occupational performance. 
9. Gather and share data for the purpose of screening and evaluation using methods including, but not limited to, specified screening tools; assessments; skilled observations; occupational histories; consultations with other professionals; and interviews with the client, family and significant others in order to evaluate client(s)’ occupational performance in activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), education, work, play, rest, sleep, leisure, and social participation.
10. Report Data: Under the direction of an occupational therapist, collect, organize, and report on data for evaluation of client outcomes. 
11. Remediate and Compensate: Demonstrate an understanding of the intervention strategies that remediate and/or compensate for functional cognitive deficits, visual deficits, and psychosocial and behavioral health deficits that affect occupational performance.
12. At least one fieldwork experience (either Leve I or Level II) must address practice in behavioral health, or psychological and social factors influencing engagement in occupation.

1. Demonstrate mastery of the occupational therapy foundational content requirements.
2. Conduct and document a screening and evaluation process.
3. Intervene and implement occupational therapy processes.

• Critical Thinking - Critical thinking finds expression in all disciplines and everyday life. It is characterized by an ability to reflect upon thinking patterns, including the role of emotions on thoughts, and to rigorously assess the quality of thought through its work products. Critical thinkers routinely evaluate thinking processes and alter them, as necessary, to facilitate an improvement in their thinking and potentially foster certain dispositions or intellectual traits over time.
• Responsibility - Responsibility encompasses those behaviors and dispositions necessary for students to be effective members of a community. This outcome is designed to help students recognize the value of a commitment to those responsibilities which will enable them to work successfully individually and with others.
• Written Communication - Written Communication encompasses all the abilities necessary for effective expression of thoughts, feelings, and ideas in written form.