OT 550: PSYCHOSOCIAL FOUNDATIONS in OT PRACTICE

This course focuses on the psychosocial foundation of OT practice and emphasizes the knowledge and skills necessary for application of psychosocial intervention across all arenas of care. Initial content will focus on reviewing mental health conditions and exploring the impact of mental health on individuals, cultures, and societies. Students will search for and analyze current evidence and have opportunities to apply theories, frameworks, and clinical reasoning skills in assessment and intervention. Emphasis will be placed on developing professional skills and competencies in assessment and intervention used in psychosocial practice. Application to rural practice will also be emphasized. Students in good standing with all 2nd semester coursework to date will be assigned a 30-40 hour rotation within a practice setting focused on applying the psychosocial/neurological knowledge and skills. Students will analyze the impact of psychosocial health on occupational engagement and participation within various contexts. Cultural acceptance of mental health issues will be explored. Opportunities to expand current knowledge of organizational management, direct care situations, and documentation will be provided. Emphasis is again placed on analyzing practice environments for application of OT practice. This Level I experience is designed to enrich didactic coursework through directed observation and participation in selected aspects of the OT process.