Reflections on Attending and Presenting at #uocOT 2016

Reflections on Attending and Presenting at #uocOT 2016

Thinking back to this time last year, at the very beginning of my research journey, I remember attending the 2nd year's dissertation research conference and feeling inspired, considerably apprehensive about the roller coaster of a journey that was to come, but excited to jump on board and get started. 

One year on, and I'm well on the way to finishing my research write up as part of my dissertation and it was our turn to present our findings within the MScOT Student Research Conference. There was some live tweeting throughout the conference which you can have a look at if you are interested by checking the hashtag #uocOT. You can also see a full transcript over on healthcare hashtags. 

I thought I would document some of my take home thoughts from the keynotes and some of the research presented within the sessions.

NB: Views and reflections are my own but will have been impacted by discussions and interactions throughout the day. I have used tweets to help illustrate thoughts and views and where possible I have referenced these at the end of the blog post.

Morning Keynote: Anna Clampin "Research and Evidence – tools for a Profession’s development?"


Anna Clampin gave a brilliant keynote within the morning session, highlighting the importance of us as clinicians being able to innovate and use the tools we have available to us. She also highlighted the importance of evidencing the difference we can make as the occupational therapy profession. She also challenged us to think are we to casual in our approach to shouting about what we do? Are we communicating what we do as occupational therapists or where we CAN go in our profession?

#uocOT twitter feed

She also highlighted the importance of networking and sharing, making those connections is key if we are to have influence on a local, national and global level. I took away from this session. Being able to influence the contexts we work within is so important as we strive to utilise occupational therapy to its full potential in benefiting the individuals and communities we can and will work with. We have a responsibility to develop, share and utilise the evidence base within our clinical work and as well as a profession as a whole if we are to communicate the value we can contribute within changing contexts and priorities. 

#uocOT twitter feed

It's always great to hear from occupational therapists that have a large array of experience in a mix of clinical practice, research, as part of the professional body and education as it allows me as a complete novice to see the potential and they huge possibilities there are for me within the profession I am part of.







Extra Thoughts: Professor Diane Cox


I say this quite a lot in my blog posts, but we really do have some amazing researchers on staff at the University of Cumbria who inspire and share their clinical experience with us. It was great to hear about all the different clinical areas and opportunities Diane has had within her career so far. 

We are encouraged to say yes to opportunities, even if it feels scary. Just what you need to hear 15 mins before you present your research findings to a group of your peers! But seriously a key take home message as I begin my career as an OT: There will be opportunities and if we are going to continue to increase the knowledge of occupational therapy within the wider contexts we work within and help impact on policy and best practice we need to be able to be brave and say YES! when we are given opportunities.


Presenting my research - Attitudes to Social Media use as a platform for CPD


As part of #uocOT, each of our cohort had to present our research findings, to a small group of our peers. This was a really exciting opportunity after we have spend so long reading the background preparing and carrying out our own

research. 

Apart from it being one of the most nerve-racking things I've done (see previous blog posts on the challenges I have with public speaking), On reflection, it was actually a really positive experience (and I never thought I would EVER be writing that).

As this was part of our dissertation module as a formative assessment, our peers and the tutor in the room gave feedback on our presentation and the content, which has been a great way of increasing my confidence that I do actually understand my research findings and can communicate them verbally.

It was a really positive to see on my feedback forms that others could see my passion for the topic, because I had been so worried about actually presenting the content, Im hadn't really thought past getting the words out my mouth, never mind sharing the passion I had on the utilisation of social media within CPD.

Lots on learning points on presenting too - such as speaking a little slower and louder, but considering how nervous I felt when i was speaking I think that was almost acceptable at this point.


Thankfully I was first to present in our group, so felt able to really listen and get to grips with everyone else's research, here are a couple (I'm being good and picking a couple as all of the presenters I heard had really interesting and relevant research) from my group that I found really interesting:


Catrin Williams: 'The benefits of crafts as a therapeutic tool in the rehabilitation of older adults'.


This was a really interesting presentation, in that as Catrin has been in my learning set this term, I have had a few discussions with her throughout her research process about how she was getting on with what she was doing. It has always struck me the passion she has for the use of craft within occupational therapy practice. 

#uocOT twitter feed

The use of craft within physical occupational therapy does appear to be happening and I think its key that we continue to recognise the therapeutic use to our service users. 


Take home thought: As long as we as OTs can justify the need to use crafts to benefit our service users, it is still a tool that should be utilised. 




Graeme Poulton: 'Investigating the reasons men study occupational therapy: Implications for recruitment' 


Graeme was sharing his research on the reasons males choose to study occupational therapy. I was interested in this, particularly as I have an interest in the education side of occupational therapy practice. Part of his findings highlighted the lack of knowledge of occupational therapy within male school leavers within his respondents. 

Graeme also highlighted that this may be an issue with the publicity and awareness of the profession more widely. I wonder what impact this has on the people we have both currently and will have in the future, training in our profession. Are we missing a whole host of individuals that have great transferrable and innovation skills, who are simply unaware of what occupational therapy is and what we do?


Take home thought: What can I do to improve this as a practitioner? Relating it back to this mornings keynote, who do I need to contact with to influence change, what opportunities do I need to say yes to make an impact on this?


Afternoon Keynote: Allan Brownrigg ‘Don’t cut me out’ young people, self-harm and recovery'


Our afternoon keynote was also really enlightening, as it was great to hear about Alan Brownrigg's research journey. It was also brilliant to hear from another messy literature searcher and that was not necessarily seem as a negative. I was really interesting in his PHD research into young people and self harm recovery and i'm looking forward to it being published so that the evidence based can benefit from it. 


Again we were challenged in how we will practice. We need continue to create the evidence base and not just go by 'business as usual'  



Closing Remarks: Dr Karen Morris 


The day was summed up well by Karen, as she again reiterated the importance of research within our practice and the importance of being aware of not just going along with the flow because 'it's always been done that way'. 



As nearly qualified OTs that can feel like a big challenge... but as evidence based practitioners striving to do the best for our service users, would we want it any other way? 

Massively proud of the rest of the cohort!
We have come so far in last few years. 

References: 


Brownrigg A (2016) ‘Don’t cut me out’ young people, self-harm and recovery'[Keynote Lecture to MScOT Student Conference] HRBO7027: Dissertation. . University of Cumbria. 6th April.

Clampin, A (2016) "Research and Evidence – tools for a Profession’s development?" [Keynote Lecture to MScOT Student Conference] HRBO7027: Dissertation. University of Cumbria. 6th April

Cox, D. (2016) 6 April. Available at: https://twitter.com/dianecox61 (Accessed 06 April 2016).

Cox, D (2016) [Post Keynote Remarks to MScOT Student Conference] HRBO7027: Dissertation. University of Cumbria. 6th April.

Healthcare Hashtags (2016) #uocOT Transcript (2016) Available at: http://embed.symplur.com/twitter/transcript?hashtag=uocOT&fdate=04%2F05%2F2016&shour=07&smin=25&tdate=04%2F07%2F2016&thour=00&tmin=00 (Accessed: 6 April 2016).

Jones, V.  (2016) 6 April. available at: https://twitter.com/Vicky_Jones_89 (Accessed 7 April 2016)

Morris, K (2016) 'MScOT Student Conference: Book of Abstracts and Conference Proceedings',  HRBO7027: Dissertation. University of Cumbria.

Morris, K. (2016) 6 April. Available at: https://twitter.com/morrisKOT (Accessed 6 April 2016)

Poulton, G.. (2016) [Presentation to MScOT Student Conference] HRBO7027: Dissertation. University of Cumbria. 6th April.

Wallcook, S. (2016) 6 April. Available at: https://twitter.com/sarah_wallcook (Accessed 6 April 2016)

Williams, C. (2016) [Presentation to MScOT Student Conference] HRBO7027: Dissertation. University of Cumbria. 6th April.

Year 2: Week 27 & 28 - Can you call it an Easter break?

Key Term: Carving Out Occupational Balance

So we have been on holiday from uni for the last two weeks, but it hasn't really felt like a break... With deadlines looming and lots to be getting on with it's been really hard to carve out time to rest and create some occupational balance. But hey no one said studying a masters would be easy. 

If I'm honest, this is something I have always struggled with when it comes to deadlines  I'm one of those works till i drop kind of people, a perfectionist that is never satisfied. As I have progressed through my masters I have begun to understand how detrimental that can be to my health and wellbeing and tried to adapt my approach. Drive is good! Burnout not so much...

This has meant I have made a point carving out time off over the Easter break, to spend with friends and family and just to relax, even if only a couple of days, as I am aware the next couple of months are going to be full on and I want to be at my best to tackle them with 100% of my effort and energy! 

So a quick recap on where I'm at with my modules:

Dissertation:

I'm at the write up stage of my article which is really exciting, if not still a little daunting... more on that in the coming weeks. We have our formative MScOT Research conference on Wednesday so I've been busy sorting out my slides and working out the best way to share my research with the rest of the cohort. 

You can follow the day on twitter with the hashtag #uocOT 

Creative Occupations during our
Group Intervention

Occupational Design:

I'm nearly finished my reflection which is 50% of my mark in the module, but as I said above, the perfectionist in me is holding me back from submitting it, but with 2 weeks to go until the deadline, I'll be busy working on that a bit more in the coming week or so. 

Developing OT Practice:

We have had a few weeks away from this module whilst finishing the group work in Occupational Design, but start back with this on Thursday. It's our last module which still feels a bit unreal. 

I'm still thinking about the type of area I might want to focus my viva around in August, but struggling to reign in my options in the ever possible scope of occupational therapy. 

Placement:

I have arranged a visit to my elective placement for this week, and I'm looking forward to finding out more about what the placement will look like and what I'll have the chance to learn whilst there. 

BAOTNW Study Day - Shout about Practice

BAOTNW Study Day - Shout about Practice 

Reflections on Attending the BAOTNW Study Day

As a final year OT student, my mind is never far away from the fast approaching task of job searching. Attending today's BAOTNW study day was another chance for me to encounter occupational therapists using their OT skills in a variety of settings. 

The study day was made up of a number of presentations by occupational therapists sharing about their role and experience which was really beneficial as a student beginning to properly think about entering the working world. So here are my take home thoughts:

NB: Views and reflections are my own but will have been impacted by discussions and interactions throughout the day. I have used tweets to help illustrate thoughts and views and where possible I have referenced these at the end of the blog post.

The Evolving Role of the Occupational Therapist in extensive Care

Leanne Moran and Mary Driver shared with the group about their role working with the top 3% of vulnerable adults within their locality within a Care Coordinator role. The service appears to be doing some great work at reducing hospital admissions and pressure on GPs locally by managing these clients within their MDT teams remit. They also shared the differences in their role that wouldn't be seen as 'traditional' such as taking bloods and Obs. I was really interested in their role in speeding up discharge for the individuals they work with when they do end up in hospital and how they additional skills enabled them to increase the productivity of the team and in turn increase the efficiency of client care. 

Take home: This role enabled holistic outlook and by empowering client it had a positive effect on their self management of their conditions. 

Putting the OT in pOsTure

Gail Russell shared her experience of posture management and how posture has a major impact on function. 

She highlighted the importance of assessment in aiding healthy posture of our clients, and figuring out what we can correct and what we need to accommodate for within our seating and posture provision. 

She also highlighted the importance of early assessment and intervention in individuals with posture issues, if we are to prevent further negative impact on occupational engagement due to their postural issues impacting on range of movement and their ability to partake in what they want and need to do.

I have had great learning experiences on both my paediatric placement and my placement with adult social services with regard to assessing both children and adults within posture management and listening to the presentation today, I realised how much I actually have learned about the impact on both individuals occupational performance and their own spinal structure. 

Also on the note of placements, it was great to bump into one of my educators from my PP1 and catch up on whats she's up to now. It's hard to believe how fast the last year has gone. 

Take home: No matter the setting I work in as an OT, I need to be proactive in making sure the early intervention of assessment is spotted and either referred on for or dealt with so that the client is able to have the best possible out come long term. 

Is case management the next step in your occupational therapy career?

Carol Collins, shared on the varied role of occupational therapists working as case managers within acquired brain injury. Firstly she shared an overview of the history of the role and where OTs could fit into the area. She also highlighted how our mixed training within physical and mental health make us ideal for this role. Occupational therapist make up the biggest group of professionals within the role in the region (Social workers, nurses, physics and speech and language therapists being the other professionals working within the role). 

Carol also highlighted the skills we would need to work in the role - knowing your own limits, expertise, use of supervision appropriately, self preservation, back up in our role from other professionals, availability as the role can be time consuming and range in the working hours and to be realistic about what we can do. It was also really interesting to hear about the progression from novice to advances practitioners within the British Association of Brian Injury Case Managers.

Carol highlighted that the role needed the professional to think of initiative ways to create independence which is very OT!! 

Take home: As OTs we inherently think outside the box when we are working with individuals, working in a role that isn't 'traditional NHS health' can allow us to flourish in this. Our duty of care is always to the client! 

Creative Occupations and mental well being

June Wilcock and Rachel Jones shared with the group about their role within Inspiring Minds Salford. The service uses creative group activities such as photography, creative writing, art and woodwork to build self esteem and confidence over a 6 to 18 month period an referred individual is with them.  

It was interesting to hear how they use standardised assessments such as PHQ9, GAD7 and WEMWS which their initial assessment and how OT influenced the rest of the initial assessment. 

Rachel shared about the use of the five ways to well being (give, keep learning, connect, be active and take notice - which I'm looking forward to reading more about when I get a moment. She also shared about her role in community integration for individuals that have gone through the service helping them on a 1 to 1 basis access opportunities, volunteering and education when leaving their service. This is also supported by the reviews post discharge which I thought was a really positive use for n OTs skills in helping individuals do was is meaningful to them. Rachel also shared about a group that works with individuals about to leave the service to increase peer support post service and also helps educate the individuals about the choices of occupations they chose and how this impacts on their well being. 

Take home: This service really interested me and I want to find out more! I also loved the importance of educating individuals on the impact our choices of occupations can have on our well being. 

The EPIC Model for Emergent Health Researchers

Lynne Goodacre's presentation focused on the storytelling of our research. Emphasising on how we can communicate our services impact to others. We need to take responsibility to seek out what is going on in our area/organisation research wise. We need to give our clients the opportunity to get involved in studies. It doesn't mean we are recruiting them, It is informing them of what is happening and giving them the chance to get involved if they want.  

Lynne also highlighted the research culture we want to create and work in as practitioners who are use evidence based practice with our clients. It is a long process to transfer research into practice, so we need to take courage and make the movement as best we can in this environment by seeking out the opportunities. 

Take home: Understand the environment we work in, Promote Research and Use the Evidence base.

Occupational Therapy & the biggest ever DIY SOS Project: Walking with the wounded

I was really looking forward to this session, and if I'm honest was one of the reasons I wanted to come to this study day. After watching the 2 part program, I was fully of question, It was clear an OT must have been involved but there seemed no mention on the actual show. This session answered my many questions....

Sarah Harris shared her experiences on working with the BBC on the program and the differences it had to a typical housing adaption. The cost being a major thing. Normally in housing adaptions there is a need to apply for a disabled facilities grant, to get funding to undertake adaptions to a property for example ramping or stairlifts, but in this process funding was fundraised to support the big build and equipment donated by providers to enable the build to be completed. Sarah shared the ins and outs of the process from start to finish with where her OT Ax took place and the challenges of being an OT on this project. 

I was struck whilst she spoke of the impact OTs have on fighting for the independence of of our clients, even when the matter seems so small to others involved. We advocate for independence! 

Take home: Advocate for independence because we know the importance for individuals, that being able to undertake their daily occupations on their own can have on their health and well being.

All in all, a really great day with loads to think and reflect on as a student OT starting out in practice pretty soon. It also gave me a chance to meet some fab OTs and catch up with 2/6 of the #OTalk team. 

Massive thanks must go to the speakers and the BAOTNW committee for putting on such a brilliant networking/CPD study day. 

References

Collins C. (2016) Is case management the next step in your occupational therapy career? [Presentation at BAOTNW Study Da ], University of Cumbria. 24 February. 

Goodacre L. (2016) The EPIC Model for Emergent Health Research [Presentation at BAOTNW Study Day], University of Cumbria. 24 February. 

Harris S. (2016) Occupational therapy & the biggest ever DIY SOS project: Walking with the wounded [Presentation at BAOTNW Study Day], University of Cumbria. 24 February. 

Helen_OTUK (2016) 24 February. available at:  https://twitter.com/Helen_OTUK (Accessed 24 February 2016).

Moran L, Driver M. (2016) The Evolving role of the occupational therapist in extensive care [Presentation at BAOTNW Study Day], University of Cumbria. 24 February. 

Russell G. (2016) Putting the OT in pOsTure [Presentation at BAOTNW Study Day], University of Cumbria. 24 February. 

Wilcock J, Jones R. (2016) Creative occupations and mental well being [Presentation at BAOTNW Study Day], University of Cumbria. 24 February. 

Year 2: Week 17 & 18 - Research Head is on!

I clearly should have stated at the start of this year I'd do fortnightly updates instead of weekly as I am finding it hard to make time every week, with deadlines looming...

The last few weeks have seen everyone start to focus on their dissertation as well as get stuck into our newest module.  I'll give you a brief update on both:

Dissertation:

So I finished collecting my data before Christmas, but it's still sitting waiting to be be analysed - that is the next few weeks plan. I have been spending the last few weeks working out what I can use in my research portfolio (which makes up half the dissertation module, but is just pass or fail). I am reassured that apparently we will have been doing the things we need to add to it, we just need to work out what they are. I have a supervision next week so hopefully I will feel more in control after that.

I also need to look at my lit review which will form part of my article (the other half of the module where are mark is determined). I have spend the last few days looking at my proposal feedback more closely to work out where I can improve it before cutting it down and rewording it (the joys of self plagiarism...)

In hindsight I wish I had focused on this before Christmas but with placement, its hard to find the time and energy to work on a lit review.

Occupational Design:

Its been a busy too weeks preparing for our formative assignment which took the form of a detailed session plan for the intervention we are hoping to undertake in the next month or so. It has been really interesting to look at the evidence behind our intervention and explore a more role emerging OT role within our chosen setting, It has really made me appreciate how varied our role as OTs can be, and just how diverse our skills are and how they can be used in different ways.

I'll share more about this after we have undertaken the intervention as our ideas are still forming and changing in line with the evidence base and risk assessment.


I think life is going to feel even busier when we start our last module next week - Developing OT Practice. It looks to be a really helpful as we start our transition from student to practitioner, so I'm looking forward to get going with it.

Year 2 Week 10 & 11: PP3.3+4

Yet another busy two weeks that have flown by... I'm really enjoying this placement and it's great to get a chance to use lots of the MOHO based assessment tools, the more I use them the more I like MOHO.

This last fortnight included MDT meetings, a day on the acute ward, my half way report and visit, a cooking group session and some community based assessments with clients.

After a long journey home due to weather, I am leaving this as a really short update as I am feeling in great need of some sleep.

For more insight into my journey to become an occupational therapist; follow me on twitter: @OTontheTracks

Year 2 Week 5: Distraction is Key

Key Term: Distraction is key...

... key to not panicking about a formative assignment for at least 30 mins anyways.

Let me explain; Now it is slightly long and descriptive but stay with me; if you can...

Last week when I was meeting my PAT, we discussed the impact of those distraction moments, when you are consumed with worry; you know the ones, that distract you for a wee bit and make you smile and forget for that time the worry and anxieties you might have. This week I had one of those moments; On Tuesday we had our formative assignment for Applied OT; which was a presentation of the specialist area we plan to cover in our viva which is in just over a weeks time. Normally I am consumed by worry before having to speak in front of people for at least the whole day until the point of having to speak (if not days before). But this week I had arranged to meet someone to discuss using twitter for half an hour at lunch time. Now normally I would have said no to such a request so close to an activity that I know increases my anxiety levels because I'm not very productive in those hours before as my worry increases. But since it was the only mutual time available I decided that on this occasion Id work around it and give it a bash. I'm so glad that I did, because although I was extremely worried on the journey down like normal; having this meeting actually did what we had discussed last week and distracted me and made me smile; for half an hour I wasn't panicking about what Id say or that everyone would be looking at me. I was discussing an occupation I enjoy engaging in and sharing knowledge and feeling normal. Don't get me wrong I was still super worried in the 10-15 mins before and had a mild freak out just as I started speaking; but for half an hour I didn't feel that way and that was a huge thing for me. 

It strikes me of the importance engaging in meaningful occupations and how it can impact on your physical and mental wellbeing. We talk a lot about activities and occupations as occupational therapists and we as a profession fight for the occupational rights of our service users and clients because we understand the impact occupations can have on a person; and although this example is quite simplistic I wanted to share that it times of stress; activities that distract can be positive for the individuals involved. I have seen this in many of the people I have worked with as well in physical settings; how engaging in a board game or a game of cards can give that person time away from thinking about their illness and improve their mood. 

Planning and prepping for the aforementioned viva is ongoing and is still feeling like a major challenge, but I guess they never said a masters would be easy. This time last year I was freaking out about submitting a 1000 word essay (how I wish we only had to do that amount now) and a year on; new assignment formats still in still same reaction. But this time I feel it is reasonable since I know my working memory isn't great; the challenge of remembering authors and dates feels like a mountain to climb...

This week also included leading the Welcome to OT #OTalk,  which I am going to blog separately about as it will probably be a longer post, and I have already written quite a lot in this one. But I think It was a successful chat and I'm glad I was able to be part of it. 

Towards the end of the week, we were looking about Political Competence within our class discussions; and I was struck afresh by the varying factors that can impact on a persons occupational engagement.  Hammell (2008) discusses  that it is the occupational right of every individuals to engage in meaningful occupations; No matter their race, sex, stage of life or whether the are ill or have a disability. But as a society does our culture and services make this possible? As an occupational therapy student; It strikes me that it will always be a fight we'll be fighting as graduates continually as we navigate funding cuts and local and national policy; When I cam to university to study OT, I don't think I ever really thought about the bigger picture you know past wanting to qualify as an occupational therapist and that's what being on the course allows. I have been in conversations over the summer about how keen I am to get going and work; but there is still so much to learn... and so little time!

Now back to the pile of books...

I'll leave you with this lovely video for #OTWeek15, that has been stuck in my head since I watched it on Thursday; it's by the BSc 2nd Year students at uni, Pretty awesome if you ask me.





References

Hammell, K. W. (2008). Reflections on... well-being and occupational rights. The Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75(1), 61.

Reflections on my First Chat Support for #OTalk

Reflections on my first chat support for #OTalk

As part of my #OTalk Student Digital Leader Intern position, I am aiming to undertake at least two chats where I support others to host an #OTalk Chat. I had the chance to support my first chat on 4th August which was hosted by @clairehannah3 on the topic of 'Exercise as an Occupation'. 

I felt a tad nervous about it to be honest, especially since i am friends with Claire, who was hosting, and I really wanted it to be a positive experience for her as her first time hosting an #OTalk. Thankfully the #OTalk team were really supportive (Not that I ever thought they wouldn't be), and were on hand for me to check points and help out when needed. 

I really loved being able to encourage and support someone to have a go at leading a chat and get involved in the #OTalk community. As most of you will know if you read my introduction to #OTalk, I'm really interested in helping more students get actively involved in the #OTalk community, so if you are reading this and have a topic in mind do get in touch with OTalk and we can support you to lead a chat.

It is similar to hosting a chat in the fact that I was constantly keeping one eye on the time to make sure to make sure the host posted the next question on time. Very thankful for a multiply alarm feature on my iphone to remind me when to check if the next question was posted. That was a feature i used when I co-hosted a chat earlier in the year as it can be so easy to get caught up in conversations/discussions and loss track of time - the hour really does fly by. 

I feel for next time I may need to use more devices if i want to contribute to discussion as well as doing the 'admin' role as at points i feel I lost time switching between accounts when I wanted to contribute as me and not from the OTalk account. 

All in all a good first attempt at it!

Week 41 & 42: Strive for Progress not Perfection

Key Term: Presentation Presentation Presentation + Last class of first year! 


Strive for Progress not Perfection

So the last two weeks have been focused on presentations... Many of you will know I have a massive fear of public speaking, you know not just the normal nerves before having to speak but proper feel like I'm going to die/panic attack fears when  it comes to speaking in front of more than one person.

If I'm honest I have been dreading this weeks assessed 30 min presentation since I accepted my place on the MSc back in early 2014, so you can properly imagine the state I had got myself into in the run up to this one. The more we did group presentations in class the more I stressed about this individual one because I felt that if I couldn't get through a couple of minutes in a group one in front of the class; how on earth was I EVER going to survive this one all on my own!

But you know what... on Thursday I survived, with no panic attack, projectile vomiting, fainting or bursting into tears and for me that was amazing progress! It was in no way enjoyable and thankfully only in front of 4 classmates, a tutor and an OT from practice; but I did it all the same.  I don't actually think I've done enough to pass because nerves did affect what I could remember and I muddled up what I was trying to say, and sort of left out a lot of the important theory; which you can imagine is really frustrating since this is probably the one assessment I really don't want to have to repeat, but I want to acknowledge the fact that I actually did it!! 

'Woah, we're half way there' (in terms of classes anyways)

This week also signalled the end of classes for first year! We still have one assignment due in mid August but it is the last time we were together as a group. Thursday was also a year on from when most of us met at the orientation day last year so felt only right to celebrate with food. music and fun!

Our cohort are really supportive of each other and I think when times are tough we do try to support and encourage one another  as best we can! Clearly a positive thing since we are training to become occupational therapists.  I'm thankful to have been on the receiving end of this encouragement at various points throughout the year but especially this week! Hopefully I'm returning the favour to others.

Now to enjoy the rest of my weekend off, before getting stuck into my research proposal on Monday!

Keep Smiling! Until next time!


For more insight into my journey to become an occupational therapist; follow me on twitter: @OTontheTracks

Week 40: Creative Reflection

Key Term: Creative Reflection & Group Working

This week allowed the class to reflect on one of this terms modules 'Applied OT', in a creative way. It also gave us a chance to reflect in groups as we created our canal metaphor of our journey. I was surprised by how positive an experience this was - being able to bounce ideas and thoughts of other certainly helped my look at my journey this term.


Not sure if you can tell by the picture but it's a canal that we are metaphorically travelling down... It starts with us at the start of the module in February with the knowledge we had from out first placement and two modules from last term... the bridge represents linking theory to practice in the first part of the module and sometimes the difficulty we had in doing so, the tunnel represents being out on placement and almost in a darker place as we are on our own without our classmates but there is also a light guiding us through and that is the skills we have learnt in the classroom and from each other. there canal after that point repressed that the sun is starting to shine and we are starting to feel like it makes sense... Just the presentation to get through before going under the rainbow at the end of the module.


I'm at a point now where I know I have a massive hurdle to overcome before the end of term i.e. the dreaded 30 minute individual assessed presentation. I have actually been worrying about this since starting the course in September as I've always (since as far back as I can remember) had a fear of public speaking! But I know i do need to do this! I am purposely writing this in my blog post because if I don't I feel I'm just going to be in complete denial about having to do it! I can do this!!!


I have also found this week exhausting, and I'm thankful for a week away from uni this coming week.. there is still so much work to do on my presentation, not to mention my research proposal before meeting my supervisor on 7th July! But its a week without commuting which I'm so happy about!


I'm reminded this week of how thankful I am to have chosen a university that has such supportive staff and that try to encourage us as much as they can! Always a plus when a tutor brings chocolate and crafts to a reflective session! Made worrying about the presentation a little less awful!


Until next time!
I hope you all have a good week!

Week 38: Back to uni

Week 38

Key Term: Campus is a Ghost Town

... and we are back! 

This week is the start of our last section of first year with the start of 5 weeks of classes and 2 assignments due before the August. It felt strange to be back in uni especially since the campus was really empty as most students are finished for the summer holidays. It was great to meet up with classmates again and learn from each others experiences on placement.

We also had probably the sunniest day of the year so far this week which certainly had an impact on my motivation to do uni work. But I'm plodding through it this weekend with the weather being slightly more dull. 


For more insight into my journey to become an occupational therapist; follow me on twitter: @OTontheTracks

A day in the life of a commuting MSc OT Student

I really wanted to post about a day in my life at an OT Student that commutes... So I picked today as an example. It's the first day back after placement so as good an example as any. I commute down today and stay in a hotel tonight as I am in uni tomorrow morning too.

05:00 - Alarm goes off! - This wake up call never gets any easier, you'd think after 9 months I would be used to it but it really is possibly the worst part about commuting to uni.

05:15 - Get ready for the day - At least the shower wakes me up enough to make sure I have all the things I need for the day at university. 

05:45 - Breakfast - Only time to grab a cereal bar and a banana, pack some fruit and a packet of crisps for on the train.

05:55 - Leave house - Thankfully it's a dry morning today, its always harder to motivate myself to leave when its cold and dark.

06:05 - Catch bus to station - The bus is on time for once and I can sit staring out at the world for 15 mins, whilst I try to wake up some more. 

06:52 - Catch train to Carlisle - Sadly train was late in arriving into station so had to stand on platform for ten mins. Its normally there when I get there as I get on at first stop.  I manage to do a little reading on the train ahead of this mornings class. I make time to eat some more fruit and a packet of crisps before the train pulls into Carlisle.

08:05 - Arrive in Carlisle and meet a fellow student at train station before walking to uni. It's good to catch up with her about our week off last week and also placement. 

08:30 - I've got a meeting with my tutor to go over some feedback about my last assignment which we got back whilst we were on placement. 

09:05 - Grab a drink and head up to find classroom for today's class

09:30 - Class begins - Lots of chatting and catching up with each other and sharing placement stories whilst going through the theory in today's class. It's a good opportunity to link the theory to practice and work out how it all fits together. 

10:45 - Break time - Time to grab a drink and some chocolate to keep me going until lunch. 

11:15 - Back into class to finish the mornings session and discuss our formative assessment that is due next week. 

12:30 - Lunch time and I'm starving again; Early starts to the day make you hungry, it feels like tea time to my body. 

13:00 - Meet with my learning group to go over the afternoon task following this mornings class; A tad strange today as a few people were missing from our group so there was just two of us! We do as much as we can but realise some of the information is with one of the missing girls so will need to follow this up tomorrow. 

15:00 - Pop over to meet some other classmates for a proper catch up 

16:00 - Checked into hotel for the night - I'm sharing with one of the other girls from the course, which is a plus as it means we can chat and reflect on first day back. 

17:00 - Grabbed some dinner - Pizza Express is a local favourite when I'm in Carlisle and loving the NUS discount on a Monday!

18:30 - Trip to supermarket to get some supplies for breakfast and lunch tomorrow, before heading back to the hotel.

19:00 - Spend some time reading journal articles for my upcoming research proposal

20:30 - Time to relax as the early start is catching up with me, will zone out in front of the TV with a cup of tea for a while before heading to bed. 

For more insight into my journey to become an occupational therapist; follow me on twitter: @OTontheTracks

Projecting the Future of Occupational Therapy... Reflections on attending #BAOTatYSJ

6th BAOT Northern and Yorkshire Student Conference - Projecting the Future of Occupational Therapy

With the sunny backdrop of York, Myself and 3 others from my course attended the BAOT Northern & Yorkshire student conference. Having just completed PP2 and getting ready to go back into classes for the last couple of months of my first year, the conference gave me ample opportunities to be inspired and expand my understanding of a few areas of the occupational therapy profession and how it is ever-changing not just in it's history but as we look to the future.

YSJ OT Society Committee
encouraging delegates to tweet
throughout the conference. 

You can see the tweets from the conference over on twitter using the hashtag #BAOTatYSJ

NB: Views and reflections are my own but will have been impacted by discussions and interactions throughout the day. I have used tweets to help illustrate thoughts and views and where possible I have referenced these at the end of the blog post.

Jennifer Creek - Opening Plenary 'Occupational Therapy in 21st Century" 

It was really exciting to hear Jennifer Creek speak at conference having spent a huge part of my degree so far with my head in her textbook. She gave such a great opening plenary that inspired me and cemented my decision to become an occupational therapist. 

She shared her thoughts on the core skills that occupational therapists use and our uniqueness as a profession. I couldn't help but think back to my Intro to OT assignment and wished that I had been able to hear her speak before I had submitted it as It felt somewhat relevant. 

My takeaway thoughts from her opening plenary were the ever adapting scope of our profession and how as OT's we need to be willing to recognise our core skills and adapt to new areas of practice if we want to continue to help people access their occupations as the impact of challenges affect mankind. 

Slide from Jennifer Creeks Presentation

Occupational Therapy really is an exciting profession to be training to enter, the client mix and career scope really is limitless, as long as there are people with occupations then we have a role to help people engage with them.

Workshop Sessions 

The conference had five workshop sessions to choose from and three available session slots. All the sessions focused on the conference brief of projecting the future of OT. I chose three to attend although I really would have liked to have gone to all five. I will discuss briefly about the sessions I attended, but the twitter feed has tweets from all the sessions for it's worth checking out. 

'I am an OT and I work generically with clients engaged in dark occupations'

Slide from Rob Berry's powerpoint
presentation during workshop

This session began by focusing on what we perceive to be occupations and how we would define them.  It also gave us the opportunity to discuss in groups the role of OT by focusing on what our superhero OT would look like.

The Enablerist

Our group created 'The Enablerist" previously 'The Enabler' (the group at the next table stole our name!). We felt that our powers would be enabling, empowering, enthusiasm, engagement and other E related skills! 

Slide from Rob Berry's powerpoint
presentation

On the serious side though we acknowledged as OTs we spend a great deal of our time with patients enabling and encouraging them to access their meaningful activities i.e. their occupations. It begs the question what do we do when the clients occupations are detrimental aka 'dark occupations'?

Our group then discussed terrorism as an occupation which is something we may come into contact with in some form or another with our clients as an OT.  As our group discussed terrorism it became clear it did fit into the definition of occupation we had previously discussed during the session. 



As OTs we can not encourage dark occupations, there is no question about that, but we do have to begin to understand them if we are to be truly client centred in our practice. 

It also highlighted the importance of supervision, peer support and the use of evidence based practice to guide what we do with clients engaging in dark occupations to make sure what we are doing is meeting our code of ethics as practitioners.

This session also dealt with the prospect that we may end up in generic roles if we choose to work in mental health as OTs. It is a strange concept to think that after studying to be an OT that we'd be in a role that doesn't have occupational therapist in the title. But as we look at the future of our profession it is probably something that will be come even more commonplace than it is now. I was thankful that as I read the job description for a generic mental health role that nurses/social workers I could see that it includes areas that would and do utilise our unique OT skills and also placed importance on your ability to maintain your professional registration and development whilst working under the code of ethics. 


'I am an OT and I work in Learning Disability Services'

Slide from Karen Brown's presentation
during workshop

This session included discussion about what a learning disability is and the issues someone suffering from them may experience. It also introduced us to Lego Therapy. 



It was really interesting to hear about collaborative working with the SLT that she had done but also to understand our unique perspective as OTs to understand activities in a different and therapeutic way when using them to help achieve goals with a individual. 



We got to have a go in our groups which helped us understand the skills and components of the activity which was fun if not slightly frustrating for our group as we struggled to make ours! We were told we had the hardest one but it does beg the question how many MSc OT students does it take to make a Lego model of a dinosaur?


It was really positive to hear how it had been used in practice and the type of models clients Karen Brown had worked with had made and did help to give an increased understanding of Lego Therapy's use in clients in Learning Disabilities Services. 



This session also encouraged us to look further than the NHS for roles as OTs and consider a role within Learning Disabilities. 

Toys that use the switch technology

'I am an OT and I utilise technology in interventions'

This was a really informative session led by Paula Spencer, and team from William Merritt DLC allowing us to have a go at some of the the technology available  using switches.

We got to see toys, adapted phones and video games all using the switch technology to allow individuals with limited movement access the activities that are important to them in the day to day life. I was really interested to hear about the role of the switch technology with apple smart phones and the part the technology sector could plan in helping individuals with disabilities to do the things they love and intern increase there social activities. 

This session also gave me an opportunity to learn more about adaptions to help people with disabilities drive and intro increase their independence. 


Having come across people who would need adaptions to enable them to continue or learn to drive over the past few years, It was good to hear about the role of the OT in recommending the possible adaptions. It gave me a chance to get a few answers about the length of time until that are re assessed and how that decision is made too, which was really helpful.


Katrina Bannigan -Closing Plenary: IHC Plymouth Case Study Research Project

Katrina Bannigan closed the conference by sharing about the IHC Plymouth Case Study Research Project. I have been around during an #OTalk about it earlier in the year but was still struggling to grasp the idea if I'm honest so it was good to hear about the project. 


Great example of technology being used at the conference as well as she video called in to give they closing plenary. 



Other Highlights of the Conference are:

@althacks @OTontheTracks 
@Vicky_Jones_89 @CPstudentOT

Getting to catch up with friends from uni after 8 weeks on placement

8 weeks apart so lots to catch up on before going back to uni on Monday.

‏@OTontheTracks @OT_rach 

Meeting Rachel Booth in person

Its always nice to meet people from twitter in person, and even managed to get a selfie with Rachel. 

@althacks @OTontheTracks@Vicky_Jones_89 @CPstudentOT
 @jcreektv

Getting a selfie with Jennifer Creek 


Need I say more... photo with the women behind the textbook!

Selfie donations went towards #creek600 to help send an African OT or student to the 2015 WFOT regional conference in Uganda.

All in all I left the conference ready to tackle the end of first year and excited about the future of the profession i have chosen to enter. It has given me food for thought and insight in areas I may not have previously considered to work which can only be a positive thing. 

York St John OT Society and BAOT Northern and Yorkshire Region Students did a fab job at organising this conference and I'm really thankful to have had the chance to attend it as an OT student.

References 

Bannigan, K (2015)  IHC Plymouth Case Study Research Project [Closing Plenary] 6th Annual BAOT N&Y Student Conference. York St Johns University. 5th June.

BAOT NY Students. (2015) 5 June. available at:  https://twitter.com/BAOTNYStudents (Accessed 6 June 2015).

Berry, R. (2015) I am an OT and I work generically with clients engaged in dark occupations  [Workshop to BAOT N&Y Student Conference], A.  York St Johns University]. 5 June. 

Booth, R.  (2015) 5 June. available at: https://twitter.com/OT_rach (Accessed 6 June 2015)

Brown K. (2015) I am an OT and I work in Learning Disabilities Services [Workshop to BAOT N&Y Student Conference], A.  York St Johns University]. 5 June. 

Spencer P. (2015) I am an OT and I utilise technology in interventions [Workshop to BAOT N&Y Student Conference], A.  York St Johns University]. 5 June. 

Castro, L. (2015) 5 June. available at: https://twitter.com/LaurenSC1986 (Accessed 6 June 2015)

Creek, J (2015) Occupational Therapy in 21st Century  [Opening Plenary] 6th Annual BAOT N&Y Student Conference. York St Johns University. 5th June.

Dulson, A.  (2015) 5 June. available at: https://twitter.com/alison_dulson (Accessed 6 June 2015)

Spencer P. (2015) I am an OT and I utilise technology in interventions [Workshop to BAOT N&Y Student Conference], A.  York St Johns University]. 5 June. 

York St Johns University '6th Annual BAOT N&Y Student Conference Delegates Pack',  (2015)