OT7002 - Occupation-Centred Practice

A blended approach of online and on campus learning with directed learning will be utilised to introduce you to key module concepts. Seminars will also be utilised to explore how a range of professional knowledge (such as research evidence, professional guidelines and legislation) informs reasoning and decision-making in practice. Experiential sessions and debates will be utilised for you to learn, practice and reflect. Sessions facilitated by course lecturers and where appropriate, alongside learning from the experiences, and considering the perspective, of service users.

Cases and close-to-life scenarios will be utilised within this module to encourage critical thinking, discussion and engagement with the complexity of professional responsibilities and reasoning. Shared peer learning on elements such as contemporary public health issues and the influence of socio-economic and political factors on society and practice.

The identified module tutor, alongside the module teaching team, will structure learning opportunities to support your learning within the module and to assist you to work towards the module assessment. The module handbook, the electronic reading list, and information communicated throughout the module within sessions and on the e-learning portal will all signpost you to resources to support your academic development.

A formative assessment opportunity with staff and/or peer feedback will assist you to evaluate your own progress within the module and identify areas for development. Assessment preparation with the module teaching team will also be an integral part of the module.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Critically analyse the meaning and complexity of occupation-centred practice
2. Critically evaluate the challenges to ethical t considering a range of policy, legislation, evidence and professional guidelines.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Demonstrate critical reflective skills and apply to own professional development

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4. Demonstrate professional approach to consideration of complex challenges and opportunities to occupation-centred practice

Formative assessment:
Opportunities for formative assessment will be integrated throughout the module, through feedback on student-led activities and reflections on own professional development such as journal clubs, debates and on-line discussion forums.
Produce a group poster or other visual format illustrating the concept of occupation-centred practice (MLOs 1,2,3,4)

Summative assessment:
Poster with 500 word reflective account

Poster illustrating the challenges to occupation-centred practice in a specific area of practice and the opportunities to promote occupational choice and engagement supported by 500 word further rationale, expanding on poster information (MLO 1, 2, 4

Individual written feedback will be provided in relation to the summative assessment highlighting strengths and areas for development.

Introduction to occupation (with Pl A)
Developing occupational therapy reasoning and skills (with Pl B)

None

This module will put your understanding of occupation at the centre of your thinking through the consideration of the complexities of contemporary practice. This will involve debating the realities of practice with the rhetoric of public and professional discourse using applied examples of ethical and moral dilemmas in professional decision-making. You will consider how your critical thinking and reflective skills can be applied when considering the occupational risks relevant to a range of individuals, groups and communities and the role of occupational in the public health agenda.

As occupational therapists work with individuals and groups to promote health through occupational engagement, you will critically consider how the concepts within Occupational Science might inform your professional role in risk assessment and opportunities for positive risk taking, whilst maintaining safe and effective practice. You will also consider the role of the socio-economic, cultural and political environments in promoting or disrupting participation and engagement in valued occupations.