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Personal Reflection Client Centred Practice 1

The document discusses the client-centered approach in occupational therapy. It defines key concepts of client-centered practice such as autonomy, choice, and respecting diversity. While client-centered care is considered a best practice, it can be challenging to implement due to issues like power imbalances. Going forward, the author will apply their understanding of this approach by using critical thinking, actively listening to clients, and engaging in shared decision making to creatively plan meaningful interventions.

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97 views3 pages

Personal Reflection Client Centred Practice 1

The document discusses the client-centered approach in occupational therapy. It defines key concepts of client-centered practice such as autonomy, choice, and respecting diversity. While client-centered care is considered a best practice, it can be challenging to implement due to issues like power imbalances. Going forward, the author will apply their understanding of this approach by using critical thinking, actively listening to clients, and engaging in shared decision making to creatively plan meaningful interventions.

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Reflection on Client-centred Approach

What?

Law et al. (1995) described the key concepts of client-centred practice as: autonomy,
choice, partnership, responsibility, enablement, contextual congruence, accessibility and
respect for diversity. The client-centred approach recognises that “…the client is the focus of
needs-led occupational therapy, delivered with respect and in partnership” (Duncan 2011, p.
143). Although I had heard this term before, in relation to planning and implementing child-
centred plans in a Primary School, I could not confidently articulate the importance of this
concept and understand its implications for practice in a medical setting. Through
engagement in the module, I became familiar with the importance of client-centred practice.
So what?

Client-centred practice is important for meeting quality healthcare characteristics such


as people-centredness and equity. Client-centred practice supports collaboration, engagement
and shared decision-making with the client (Sumsion 1993). The World Federation of
Occupational Therapists (2010) recognises that a competent, professional Occupational
Therapists, adopts a client-centred approach to achieve best practice and provide a quality
healthcare service.

Although client-centred practice is reported as beneficial, engaging in client-centred


practice is challenging. Through further reading I have discovered the challenges of adopting
this approach in practice. Hammell (2015) acknowledges that a critical lens should be
employed when adopting a client-centred approach. Implementing a critical lens will support
the therapist to identify power imbalances between the client and therapist. Additionally it
will enable the therapist to identify evidence-based interventions that are truly meaningful to
the client. I would imagine that an element of innovation and creativity are needed in order to
ensure the client’s needs and interests are suitably matched with the interventions and
outcomes provided. Understanding the client-centred approach and its application to practice
is a key learning from the Preparation for practice module. Previously, I would have
considered this approach as solely asking the client their views and collaboratively setting
meaningful goals. I would not have considered the creativity and critical thinking needed to
act in a client-centred manner. Overall, although a client-centred approach is beneficial for
clients and considered best practice it is important to remember that it can be difficult to
effectively engage in this type of approach in practice.
What next?

My understanding and familiarity with the client-centred approach will be essential as


I interact with clients, plan appropriate client-centred interventions and evaluate client’s
performance. With this solid understanding of this concept, I will apply a critical lens when
adopting this approach to ensure I identify evidence-based practices that are truly meaningful
to the client. I will be cognisant to ask questions and actively listen to the client’s interests,
needs and meaningful occupations. I will engage in shared decision-making and goal setting
with clients. I will creatively plan interventions that truly reflect the client’s needs and
interests. When reviewing the client’s performance post-intervention I will ask them for their
feedback and level of satisfaction of the interventions and outcomes as well as ensuring it is
clinically significant. Going forward, I will gain practical skills on implementing this
approach through my future practice education placements and employment.

References

Duncan, E.A. (2011) ‘Foundations for Practice in Occupational Therapy’. Elsevier Health

Sciences.

Hammell, W. R. K. (2015) ‘Client-centred occupational therapy: the importance of critical

perspectives’, Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 22(4), 237-243,


available: doi: 10.3109/11038128.2015.1004103.

Law, M., Baptiste, S. and Mills, J. (1995) ‘Client-centred practice: What does it mean and

does it make a difference?’, Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 62(5), 250-


257, available: https://doi.org/10.1177/000841749506200504.

Sumsion, T. (1993) ‘Reflections on client-centred practice: the true impact clients’, Canadian

Journal of Occupational Therapy, 60 (1), 6-8, available:


https://doi.org/10.1177/000841749306000103

World Federation of Occupational Therapy. (2010) Statement on occupational therapy,

available: https://wfot.org/resources/statement-on-occupational-therapy [accessed: 08


Oct 2022].

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