Date Presented 03/28/20
A cross-sectional design, utilizing the Self-Assessment of Modes, version 2.1, with a convenience sample (n = 114) of practicing OTs with varying years of experience and practice was conducted to determine the primary preferred therapeutic mode for entry-level, intermediate-level, and advanced-level OTs, as well as the primary preferred therapeutic mode among various practice settings.
Primary Author and Speaker: Amy Hudkins
Contributing Authors: F. Jeannine Everhart
PURPOSE: The first, and primary purpose was to determine if relationships exist between primary preferred therapeutic modes utilized and the number of years of experience in the field of occupational therapy and current practice setting. The second purpose was to seek if there is a common, natural progression of therapeutic modes occupational therapists progress through over the course of their occupational therapy careers. The third purpose was to establish the primary preferred therapeutic mode utilized by entry-level, intermediate-level, and advanced-level occupational therapists (OT).
DESIGN: Observational, non-experimental design by way of survey methods collecting quantitative data. Master of OT alumni from one small MOT program was utilized as a convenience sample and recruited through email (N=114).
METHOD: Participants were emailed a link to the SAMQ (Self Assessment of Modes Questionnaire) which they completed. The researcher coded all answers and analyzed data quantitatively.Descriptive statistics were completed to determine the primary preferred modes between years of experience in the field of OT and the practice settings. Additionally, a chi square test of independence was completed to seek significance between the primary preferred mode and years of experience or practice setting.
RESULTS: Results show that the primary therapeutic mode for entry-level occupational therapists is encouraging, and for intermediate and advanced level therapists the primary mode used is instructing. In addition, practitioners in pediatric, adult and geriatric practice settings primarily use encouraging therapeutic modes. Practitioners in geriatric settings also use multimodal therapeutic modes. A chi-square test of independence was conducted to test for significance between IVs and DV. There was no statistical significance found between years of experience and primary preferred therapeutic mode or between practice setting and primary preferred therapeutic mode. Additionally, the advocating mode was the only mode that appeared to show a progression over time.
CONCLUSION: Results show that the primary therapeutic mode for entry-level occupational therapists is encouraging, and for intermediate and advanced level therapists the primary mode used is instructing. In addition, practitioners in pediatric, adult and geriatric practice settings primarily use encouraging therapeutic modes. Practitioners in geriatric settings also use multimodal therapeutic modes. Although there was no statistical significance linking primary preferred mode to years of experience in the field of OT or practice setting, this study provided support that it is not to be unexpected to find differences in patterns of mode utilization as therapists are expected to adapt their approach according to the interpersonal needs and characteristics of their clients (Taylor, 2008). An additional finding included multiple subjects having more than one primary preferred therapeutic mode, creating a ‘multimodal’ category that allows clinical application as therapists can be encouraged to utilize multiple modes to establish relationships with clients. This information can be applied to the field of occupational therapy and healthcare as the emphasis of healthcare continues to become client-focused. By utilizing the encouraging mode most frequently, occupational therapists can establish a strong therapeutic relationship is believed to be an integral aspect of therapy due the relationship’s potential to produce higher client satisfaction with services, increased compliance with treatment expectations, lowered levels of client anxiety, improved diagnostic accuracy, and decreased health care costs (Kornhaber, Walsh, Duff, & Walker, 2016; Palmadottir, 2006).
References
Kornhaber, R., Walsh, K., Duff, J., & Walker, K. (2016). Enhancing adult therapeutic interpersonal relationships in the acute health care setting: an integrative review. Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare, 9, 537. doi: 10.2147/JMDH.S116957
Palmadottir, G. (2006). Client-therapist relationships: Experiences of occupational therapy clients in rehabilitation. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 69(9), 394-401. https://doi.org/10.1177/030802260606900902
Taylor, R., Lee, S., Kielhofner, G., & Ketkar, M. (2009). Therapeutic use of self: A nationwide survey of practitioners’ attitudes and experiences. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 63(2), 198.
Fan, C., & Taylor, R. (2016). Assessing therapeutic communication during rehabilitation: The Clinical Assessment of Modes. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 70(4), 7004280010p1-7004280010p10.
