Occupational therapy is a rewarding career with plenty of opportunities to help people from all walks of life. However, you will need many skills to succeed in this field.
These include active listening, good observation, and strong communication abilities. If you want to excel in your OT studies and future profession, it is vital to practice these skills now.
Active Listening
Active listening, sometimes called reflective listening, is the ability to put aside your emotions and listen attentively to someone else’s words. It was first developed for psychologists in the 1950s and has since been incorporated into many fields, including business and education.
Successful listener reflects on what they hear and retains that information so they can respond productively. They also show empathy, the foundation of effective communication in any setting.
Active listening is a skill that can come naturally to most people, but it requires practice. Practicing your listening skills will help you become a better listener and inspire those around you to improve theirs.
Good Observation
Good observation skills can be a lifesaver when identifying an elderly client’s needs and helping them achieve their daily goals. Observation can also be used to remember changes in their health status, which can help an occupational therapist recommend alterations and improvements.
Depending on the scope of your job, you may have to use both structured and naturalistic observation techniques. Naturalistic observation refers to observing clients in their environment without direct intervention or assistance.
Good Communication
Practical communication skills are critical for occupational therapists, like in occupational therapy Santa Barbara CA, to ensure they can provide patients with the best treatment possible. This involves ensuring patients can express their feelings and concerns and receive the information they need to make informed decisions.
Good communication also establishes trust and rapport between the patient and the therapist. This will allow the therapist to understand the patient’s needs and ensure that the patient can participate in therapeutic exercises effectively.
Effective communication is a skill that must be developed through reflection and practice. This will help the therapist gain an understanding of their strengths and weaknesses when it comes to communication. It will also enable them to improve their skills and work towards improving the communication process with their clients.
Organization
The organization is an essential skill for occupational therapists, as they must keep track of their clients’ schedules and treatments and the paperwork required to stay compliant. Some even keep track of insurance authorization expirations and reevaluation dates while managing their caseloads.
It is also a good idea to be creative in your treatment plans, as you must find ways to adapt to each patient’s unique challenges. For example, suppose you have a client who is blind. In that case, you might find that they have a heightened awareness of their surroundings and, thus, require a more imaginative approach to their treatment plan than someone who only has a visual disability. The best OTs can think of ways to incorporate their patients’ interests and activities into their daily routines, whether that be a game of tennis or simply being able to get out of bed without assistance.
Patience
OTs must be patient with patients, especially when they’re new and have questions or concerns. They must also listen carefully and explain things to patients in a way that’s easy for them to understand.
Therapists need to be able to communicate with their patients, both verbally and in writing. They need to convey progress, information about the treatment, and reevaluation schedules in a way that makes their patients feel involved.
This skill is essential for OTs who work closely with patients and their families. They need to convey the patient’s progress so that everyone can understand and ensure their patient and family have a chance to share their opinions and concerns.
