COPM Assessment: COPD and hip recovery

/ Hands-on cases

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

🧩 Simulation Overview
The simulation involves role-play with a simulated client. The goal is to conduct a COPM assessment with Maria, a 70-year-old recovering from hip surgery and managing COPD. Students will assess her needs, set goals, and develop a plan to improve her mobility and quality of life.  Modality: Hands-on Student roles:
​​Student roles​  ​​Number of students​  Extra information 
​​Occupational therapist​  1 
  • Guide Maria through the COPM using a structured approach. 
  • Accurately document performance and satisfaction scores. 
  • Discuss scores and jointly identify priority intervention goals. 
  • Show empathy and use active listening to understand Maria’s feelings. 
  • Set achievable, client-centered goals on independence, household tasks, and social participation. Set SMART goals for the client record. 
  • Summarize findings and plan follow-up 
  • (Complete checklists/assessment and) participates in debriefing. 
​​Participant​  optional 1  Simulated client (Maria) (without actor) 
  • Portray Maria per case description. 
  • Express experiences and limitations in daily activities. 
  • Give feedback on activity importance and satisfaction. 
  • Show frustration and motivation to regain independence 
  • (Complete checklists/assessment and) participates in debriefing. 
​​Other simulated participant Please specify in extra information​     
​​Observer​  max. 4 
  • Evaluate COPM administration and therapeutic dialogue. 
  • Assess communication for empathy and client-centeredness. 
  • Observe therapist’s involvement of Maria in goal-setting and decisions. 
  • Provide targeted feedback on assessment, score interpretation, and intervention planning. 
  • Complete checklists/assessment and participate in debriefing. 
  Learning outcomes:
​​Domain A: Knowledge and attitudes supporting OT competence​  A.1. Occupational therapists possess knowledge about occupation and humans as occupational beings   A.5. Occupational therapists possess general medical and professional knowledge 
​​Domain B: Managing and conducting OT process​  B.1. Apply theories, approaches, and evidence-informed knowledge to inform, prioritize, and guide the client-centred and occupation-based therapy process   B.2.1. Conduct an occupational therapy interview to understand the client’s occupational narrative and establish a relationship with the client B.2.2. Occupational therapists jointly set goals and intervention plans with the client   B.3. Occupational therapists demonstrate competencies in conducting ethical and safe practice   B.4. Occupational therapists demonstrate competencies in conducting culturally sensitive practice 
​​Domain C: Developing and maintaining professional relationships and partnerships​  C.1. Demonstrate competencies in engaging in effective professional communication   C.2.1. Understand and respect the unique nature of individuals, view the client holistically in a broader context and appreciate diversity; Occupational therapists establish and maintain relationships and partnerships with colleagues; Occupational therapists establish and maintain relationships and partnerships with other agencies and stakeholders; Make therapeutic use of self (creating a meaningful relationship between the therapist and the client) 
​​Domain D: Professional autonomy and continuous professional development​  D.1. Occupational therapists demonstrate competencies in professional autonomy and accountability   D.2. Occupational therapists demonstrate competencies in the management of oneself and one’s practice, service, and workplace. 
🛠️ Preparation for the Simulation
Prerequisites:
​​Competencies​  ​​Specific description of prior knowledge, attitudes and skills​ 
Knowledge 
  • Basic understanding of occupational therapy principles and the COPM framework. 
  • Awareness of common conditions such as orthopedic issues, COPD, and arthrosis and their impact on daily functioning. 
  • Knowledge of effective communication strategies in client interviews 
Attitudes 
  • Client-centered, ethical, and culturally sensitive attitude. 
  • Openness to listening without judgment and respecting client priorities 
Skills 
  • Ability to build rapport and create a safe, trusting environment for goal setting. 
  • Basic interviewing and active listening skills to explore client needs and priorities. 
  • Familiarity with using structured assessment tools such as the COPM to guide collaborative goal setting 
📦 Actions and Materials
​​Action​  ​​Materials​ 
Preparing the therapy room  OT equipment, aids (e.g., four-wheeled walker), chairs 
Preparing blank COPM forms  Paper or digital forms, pens 
Printing and organizing client documentation  Printed client file: medical information, assessments 
Providing accessories for simulated client  Bag with tissues and inhaler (COPD) 
Optional: Setting up recording equipment  Camera, microphone, laptop, … 

​​Learning objectives (observable behaviour)​ 

 

​​Domain A​ 

  • The student demonstrates knowledge of the client’s orthopedic and respiratory conditions by asking relevant, focused questions during the COPM assessment. (A.1., A.5.) 

​​Domain B​ 

  • Conduct a client-centered OT interview following COPM guidelines to identify and document the client’s occupational challenges (B.1.; B.2.1.) 
  • Collaborate with the client to set 3 SMART goals based on priorities and COPM scores, and document them clearly (B.2.2.) 
  • Demonstrate ethical and culturally sensitive practice by aligning goals and interventions with the client’s values and needs (B.3.; B.4.) 

​​Domain C​ 

  • Establish a trusting therapeutic relationship using active listening, empathy, and open-ended questions to understand the client’s values and culture (C.1. – C.2.1.). 

​​Domain D​ 

  • Complete and document the COPM assessment independently, demonstrating professional accountability and accuracy (D.1. – D.2.). 

 

​​Name​ 

Maria Janssens 

​​Age​ 

70 years (born 1943) 

​​Sex​ 

Female 

​​Personal factors​ 

  • Supportive husband as primary caregiver; two adult children nearby providing additional support. 
  • No professional care present yet 

​​Ethnicity and cultural context​ 

Belgian, Dutch-speaking 

​​Reason the participant is seeking OT service and concerns related to engagement in occupations​ 

Maria was referred for post-hip replacement rehab, COPD, and osteoarthritis management.  

She faces limited mobility, pain, and breathing difficulties that affect daily tasks.  

She seeks support to manage pain, improve breathing, improve mobility and quality of life. 

Maria aims to regain independence in self-care, maintain household roles, and spend time with loved ones. 

Medical history and diagnosis 

  • Recent left THR (Total Hip Replacement) (1 month ago) 
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) 
  • Osteoarthritis, primarily in knees 
  • Current medications: pain management, respiratory support, post-surgical care 

 

 

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