OSOT 1250: Exploring Aging and Occupational Therapy Through Interviews

This report details an informational interview conducted with a physical therapist and a registered nurse to explore their roles in managing the care of aging clients and their collaboration with other disciplines. The interviews covered their experiences, responsibilities, necessary skills, challenges, and approaches to interdisciplinary collaboration. Key skills highlighted include effective communication, patient-centered care, and adaptability. The professionals emphasized the importance of continuous learning, ethical conduct, and leadership in their respective fields. Reflections on the interview process revealed the importance of determination, knowledge, and ethical practice in healthcare professions, aligning with existing literature on communication, leadership, and ethics in healthcare. Desklib offers similar solved assignments and past papers for students.

Running head: OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Occupational therapy
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

1OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Introduction
The assignment is the outcome of the interview conducted with two professionals from
different discipline who can manage the care of the aging client. The two professionals I had
selected for the interview are the physical therapist and the registered nurse to collect
information pertaining to the health is profession. The aim of the interview is to understand the
manner in which they collaborate with other disciplines. The information found would then be
compared with the literature review.
Summary of the interview
I have contacted a physical therapist known by my aunt through phone and booked an
appointment on the day having week off. I have contacted the registered nurse through email
and booked an appointment on the day most appropriate for her. For both the interviews I have
arrived 15 minutes early to demonstrate I was interested in giving sufficient time. In both cases
the interview was scheduled at their respective residences. I have greeted them both with smiling
face and positive tone. Questions were designed that would not involve personal questions.
Before starting the interview I have ensured that the area was comfortable with chairs and
adequate lightening. I started asking with the name of the organisation. The registered nurse
mentioned that she works in large hospital in the geriatric care. The physical therapist responded
working in the local hospital and as rehab manager. The next question was about their experience
and responsibilities. The RN has been working since 10 years where as the therapist has 15 years
of experience. The RN monitors patients, interpret the charts and graphs to ensure that heart is
beating without stress as well as designing interventions, fall risk assessments. The physical
therapist reported monitoring staff, schedule coverage and weekend therapy. Review outpatient

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documentation system and exporting to our main medical record system. He also coordinates
with the nursing services for compliance recording and coordinating care. He helps elderly
people overcome their disability.
Next thing I asked was skills required for the job with inquisitiveness. The RN
responded positively that effective communication and coordination skills are required to work
in multidisciplinary setting. To be successful she emphasised on being compassionate and
genuine. The physical therapist also emphasised on the effective communication as most
challenging was conveying information to the parents and family members. The skills that were
commonly mentioned by both professionals are patient centered approach.
On asking with curiosity the most challenging thing about the job, the RN responded that
mindfulness is required for fall prevention of elderly patients. It requires coping up with hectic
schedule and stress due to uncertainty. The physical therapist replied that not attaining the full
recovery in case of severe disability is the challenge. Designing exercise interventions is difficult
as different patients have different comorbidities such as ischemic heart.
I did further ask how to collaborate with other discipline and progress in career? RN
answered that it is the “love for profession” and adherence to professional standards/code of
conduct. The physical therapist replied confidently, “I love to take initiatives and never leave
opportunities” to work with wellness centres, sports, medicine, cardiac rehab, and other
hospitals. The answer that was common to both was need of updated information on technology,
evidence based practice, enthusiasm to uptake responsibilities, verbal and nonverbal skills, and
confidence to voice out views, hardworking, leadership and team working skills.
After completing the interview I have send thank you note to both professionals via mail.

3OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Reflection
In both cases I was nervous at the time of interview. However, by conducting the
interview I learnt that the skills most important for profession and way to coordinate with other
disciplines. I knew only half of the information both the professionals gave me. It was wonderful
experience to have my questions answered. The viewpoint of the nurse and therapist about
effective communication can be compared with that of (Williams et al. 2016), who also
emphasised on effective communication as prerequisite of high quality care in multicultural
hospital setting and when dealing with older adults. Further, their views on leadership can be
compared to the view of Endacott et al. (2015) according to which leadership is useful for
addressing diverse cultural needs of patients and is useful for expanding roles of nurses and
physicians. The ANA code of ethics is required to avoid ethical issues in multidisciplinary
setting by maintaining professional integrity (Epstein & Turner, 2015). As per Sorenson et al.
(2016) determination and compassion is required to cope with the job burnout and fatigue.
Overall the interview was a positive experience as both the professionals inspired me to have
high level of determination and knowledge to soar high in career.

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References
Endacott, R., Bogossian, F. E., Cooper, S. J., Forbes, H., Kain, V. J., Young, S. C., ... &
First2Act Team. (2015). Leadership and teamwork in medical emergencies: performance
of nursing students and registered nurses in simulated patient scenarios. Journal of
clinical nursing, 24(1-2), 90-100.
Epstein, B., & Turner, M. (2015). The nursing code of ethics: Its value, its history. OJIN: The
Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 20(2), 1-10.
Sorenson, C., Bolick, B., Wright, K., & Hamilton, R. (2016). Understanding compassion fatigue
in healthcare providers: A review of current literature. Journal of Nursing
Scholarship, 48(5), 456-465.
Williams, K., Kemper, S., & Hummert, M. L. (2016). Enhancing communication with older
adults: overcoming elderspeak. Journal of psychosocial nursing and mental health
services, 43(5), 12-16.