Prepare and conduct an occupational interview with a client (COPM)

Teacher Guidelines
Student Learning Objectives
Role Simulated Participant

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

English
German
Finnish
Croatian
Dutch
Turkish

🧩 Simulation Overview

In this scenario, students will prepare and practice conducting an initial occupational interview with a client using the COPM tool.

This is an on-campus (classroom) simulation using a controlled, reproducible scenario.

The learning scenario applies a role play modality, where students working in small groups participate in the scenario in the roles of the therapist, client or observer. It takes place in the context of on-campus practical classes.

Modality: Hands-on

Student roles:

Student roles	Number of students	Extra information
Occupational therapist	1
Participant	1
Other simulated participant Please specify in extra information	(1)	Depending on scenario, it is possible to include a simulated family member
Observer	1	One active peer observer Peer observer: makes notes of observations, monitors learner’s application of communication skills and interview protocol, and poses questions and provides first feedback during debriefing 12-15 passive observers When the scenario is implemented within a larger instructional group, remaining students might act as passive observers of scenarios of their peers.

Learning outcomes:

Learning outcomes (simOT Framework)

Domain A: Knowledge and attitudes supporting OT competence
Domain B: Managing and conducting OT process	Domain B.1. Apply theories, approaches, and evidence-informed knowledge to inform, prioritize and guide the client-centred and occupation-based therapy process Domain B.2.1. Conduct an occupational therapy interview to understand the client’s occupational narrative and establish a relationship with the client
Domain C: Developing and maintaining professional relationships and partnerships	Domain C.1. Demonstrate competencies in engaging in effective professional communication Domain C.2.1. Understand and respects the unique nature of individuals, view the client holistically in a broader context and appreciates diversity Nurture a shared understanding and agreement about: clients’ values and needs, scope and nature of services, benefits and risks, expectations and priorities, rationale for decisions, power balance Make therapeutic use of self (creating a meaningful relationship between the therapist and the client)

🛠️ Preparation for the Simulation

Prerequisites:

Competencies	Specific description of prior knowledge, attitudes and skills
Knowledge about occupations and theoretical model(s) for understanding occupation (A.1.) and client-centred and occupation-based OT practice (A.2.)	Students will know the steps of the COPM interview, the layout of the form and how to enter data in the form, in the context of the CMOP-E theoretical model. Prior to participating in the scenario, students will have received instruction and acquired knowledge (described here) necessary to understand and perform the tasks of the scenario.
Knowledge about communication skills and protocol/procedure for conducting an occupational interview	Students will know basic interviewing process skills, as well as communication skills (e.g. active listening)
Attitudes about the value of every person, people’s ability to adapt and change, factors that present barriers to participation, value and necessity of ethical practice, conducting the OT process (A.4.)	Students will demonstrate attitudes consistent with an ethical, professional, client-centered and occupation-focused approach to conducting the OT process.

📦 Actions and Materials

Action

Materials

Instructions about the scenario and students’ tasks within the simulation exercise are provided in an instructional session prior to the simulation session with the entire group.

Scenario template(s) and protocol

COPM manual and interview protocol

Props and other items to fill OT/client role

Form for observing and evaluating OT interview (attached)

Notebook for taking notes during the implementation of the scenario

Here, the instructor introduces and explains the simulation scenario, materials and ensures students understand the simulation procedure, expected performance from student and simulant, etc.

Learning objectives (observable behaviour)

Domain A
Domain B	Review preliminary information about the client. Prepare self for conducting an occupational interview (review and prepare interview protocol, prepare materials and interview space). Initiate, conduct and conclude an occupational interview with the client (identify and evaluate occupational performance problems), following COPM protocol
Domain C	Apply effective communication skills to establish therapist-client relationship.

Name	XY (name relevant to your context)
Age	57
Sex	M
Personal factors	Client lives with spouse (55), employed as a kindergarten teacher, no children of their own.
Ethnicity and cultural context	(relevant to your context)
Reason the participant is seeking OT service and concerns related to engagement in occupations	Short medical history: Brought to the emergency department with severe pain in the head, and inability to move the right arm and right leg. Visible paresis on the face n. facialis dex. Disoriented. In pain. CT, Transcranial Doppler (TCD) and Doppler ultrasonography were performed. Oxygenation, heart function (ECG) and arterial blood pressure monitored. Monitoring of blood glycemic values. Pharmacotherapy: anticoagulants, antihypertensives, diuretics. The client has a history of hypertension but no other serious illnesses. Client was admitted to an intensive neurological care unit. After stabilization of the acute condition in the hospital, he was referred for rehabilitation and transferred to a neurological rehabilitation hospital where he is now. Reason for OT: Assessment of challenges in daily occupations, OT intervention and preparation for returning home after stay in rehabilitation hospital.