AH3S05 - Addressing the Complexities of Occupational Therapy Practice 01 Sep 2022 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: AH3S05
Module Title: Addressing the Complexities of Occupational Therapy Practice
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Allied Health and Chiropractic
Faculty Sub Group: Occupational Therapy
Module Leader: Sally Scott-Roberts
Module Team: Abigail Stephens, Zoe Williams, Filipa Machado, Bethan Kent
First Intended Intake: SEP 2022 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100249 - occupational therapy
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2022
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

This module aims to draw together the theory and practice of from Level 4 and 5 modules, preparing students to deal with the complexities of practice to become confident and competent occupational therapists. Through critical exploration of occupational science, the profession's philosophies and practice students will develop a deeper understanding of the complexities and diversity of occupational therapy interventions and contexts. By synthesising theory and practice this module aims to further develop professional reasoning skills and evaluate evidence-based decision making.

Content Summary

Appraisal of the science of human occupation in relation to the philosophy, theories, and practice of occupational therapy, to confidently articulate and apply their professional Occupational Therapy identity.

Critical appraisal of occupational deprivation and occupational injustice focusing on regional, national, and international challenges. Disparity in opportunity for occupational engagement and impacts on health and wellbeing, including housing, wealth, epidemiology, epigenomics, built and natural environments, health systems and disease prevention etc.

Critical appraisal of complexities of occupational therapy interventions, addressing dark occupations (such as substance abuse, eating disorders etc.) and service user choice.

Developing robust and professional reasoning and compassionate leadership throughout the Occupational Therapy Process.

Synthesising, evaluating, and utilising the evidence to inform practice to ensure evidence-based assessment, intervention, and evaluation.

Understanding the complexities of cultural, social, global, and economic climates, both locally and nationally and the impact these have on service delivery. Critical appraisal of the determinants for health and wellbeing, including health literacy, models of health, health inequalities, human rights, prevention, interdisciplinary working, justice, and other factors influencing public health provision.

Promoting the rights of others to positively impact professionalism, equity, equality, diversity, and inclusion.

World Health Organisation, international collaborations, and third sector initiatives impacting global public health and wellbeing including sustainability.

Partnership skills to work across organisational and agency boundaries to deliver innovative and sustainable services.

Research and evidence-based practice informing professional decision making. Co-design and co-production.

Analysis of the concept of compassionate leadership and complexity of delivering a person-centred, compassionate, and values-based occupational therapy service.

Therapeutic use of self, developing resilience through reflexivity.

Creative occupational therapy practice to address 21st century needs.

Report writing and influencing decision making.

Personal responsibility to develop life-long learning skills and recognise developmental needs through in-depth reflection.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 6
Practical classes and workshops 6
Independent Study 100
Directed Study 48
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 8
Formative Assessment - Independent 10
Interdisciplinary work 2
Problem / challenge based learning 20
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically analyse and synthesis the theories, philosophy, and science of human occupation to explore the complexities of occupational therapy practice, in a range of diverse and developing contexts.
LO2 Demonstrate sophisticated professional reasoning and evidence-based decision making in the delivery and evaluation of creative occupational therapy practice.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Report 1 A report providing a critical, evidence-based justification for the implementation and evaluation of a creative occupational therapy intervention in a challenging setting. 0 3000 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Report 1

Reading List

Drewes, A.A. and Schaefer, C.E. (eds.) (2018) Play-based interventions for Childhood Anxieties, Fears and Phobias. New York: Guildford Press.

Hasselkus, B.R. and Dickie, V.A. (2021) The Meaning of Everyday Occupation. 3rd edn. Thorofare, NJ: SLACK, Incorporated.

Oven, A. (2020) Creativity in Occupational Therapy: Person, process, product. New York: Nova Science Publishers Inc.

Pentland, D., Kantartzis, S., Clausen, M.G. and Witemyre, K. (2018) Occupational Therapy and Complexity: Defining and describing practice. London: Royal College of Occupational Therapists. Available at: https://www.rcot.co.uk/sites/default/files/OT%20and%20complexity.pdf

Twinley, R. (ed.) (2020) Illuminating the Dark Side of Occupation: International perspectives from occupational therapy and occupational science. London: Routledge.

Taylor, R.R. (2020). The Intentional Relationship: Occupational therapy and use of self. 2nd edn. Philadelphia: FA Davis.

Ikuiga, M.N. and Pollard, N. (2015) Meaningful Living Across the Lifespan: Occupation-based intervention strategies for occupational therapists and scientists. London: Whiting and Birch Ltd