Parental guidance- Occupational therapy process and interview

Teacher Guidelines
Student Learning Objectives
Role Simulated Participant

📄 You can download the full simulation scenario in your preferred language below:

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🧩 Simulation Overview

The parent calls an occupational therapist to find out how to get the child to an occupational therapy evaluation. The parent wants to know what occupational therapy is, whether it costs anything and who organises it. The parent also wants to know if their child may need occupational therapy.

Modality: Hands-on Student roles:

Student roles	Number of students	Extra information
Occupational therapist	1-2	In this scenario, there may be two therapists, with one acting in a supporting role if the student feels they need support.
Participant	1	Parent
Other simulated participant Please specify in extra information
Observer	1 <	Students not engaged directly in simulation observe process, make notes of observations, monitor learner’s application of communication skills and interview protocol, and pose questions and provide feedback during debriefing. They also get specific observations tasks which are given beforehand.

Learning outcomes:

Learning outcomes (SimOT Compass)

Domain A: Knowledge and attitudes supporting OT competence
Domain B: Managing and conducting OT process	Identify the need and appropriateness of occupational therapy for the client (individuals, organizations or communities). (B.1)  Conduct an occupational therapy interview to understand the client’s occupational narrative and establish a relationship with the client (B.2)
Domain C: Developing and maintaining professional relationships and partnerships	Communicate respectfully, appropriately and effectively with clients, families, significant others, colleagues/team members, supervisors, agencies, school, work, community, and the public.  (C.1)

🛠️ Preparation for the Simulation

Prerequisites:

Competencies	Specific description of prior knowledge, attitudes and skills
A.1.	Occupational therapists possess knowledge about occupation and humans as occupational
A.2	Occupational therapists possess knowledge about occupational therapy
A.4.	Occupational therapists possess attitudes about: Rights of people to receive needed services and participate in health enhancing occupations
	The student should have understanding of the occupational therapy basic ideology which encompasses the person, occupation and environment.

📦 Actions and Materials

Action

Materials

Scripts available: printed or electronically on the learning platform

Case study (Short client description, general information about the simulation and decision-making about the roles)  

Preparing the environment 

Arrange access to the simulation, control, and debriefing rooms.  Familiarize yourself with the SimStation system: 

Test cameras, microphones, and software.

Learn how to record, mark, and replay sessions.

Conduct a technical check before the session: 

Ensure all devices, batteries, and connections are working.

Test audio and video recording/playback.

Cameras positioned and adjusted: 

Microphones positioned and tested

SimStation control console and software ready

Display or projector in debriefing room ready

Optional: whiteboard/flipchart and markers for debriefing discussion.  Prepare the simulation room according to the material instructions (chair, work station)

Learning objectives (observable behaviour)

Domain A
Domain B	The student is able to gather more information about the child’s situation through unstructured interview.  The student is able to determine the need for occupational therapy  The student can explain how the occupational therapy process usually proceeds to a client
Domain C	The student is able to communicate respectfully

Name	Not relevant to the simulation exercise. Role player chooses the name.
Age	5
Sex	Not relevant to the simulation exercise.
Personal factors	healthy pregnancy and birth with no complications, child is generally healthy with no history of chronic illness or diagnosed medical condition of medical disorder.
Ethnicity and cultural context	Western European, Finnish
Reason the participant is seeking OT service and concerns related to engagement in occupations	The child in question is a 5-year-old whose parent was informed that her/his child could potentially benefit from occupational therapy the daycare provider. The parent calls the occupational therapist to find out more about occupational therapy and how to access occupational therapy services.