Case study modules
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Discover 30 ready-to-use example scenarios that showcase diverse occupational therapy student competencies. These scenarios include hands-on, digital, and blended learning designs. Explore, adapt, and integrate them into your teaching to create authentic, practice-oriented learning experiences.
All resources are available in English, Croatian, Dutch, Finnish, German, and Turkish.
Observing, scoring and analysing client’s performance on a standardised assessment (test)
In this scenario, students will have the opportunity to learn about the protocol for conducting a standardised occupational therapy assessment for the evaluation of performance component(s) (e.g. cognitive function, visual-perceptual skills….). Students will learn about test administration, scoring and interpretation.
This simulation experience is focused on assessment methodology, and therefore can be used for the practice of these skills with any standardized test used in occupational therapy assessment of performance components (e.g. RBMT, RPAB, LOTCA, BADS, …)
This is a digital (online) simulation using a controlled, reproducible scenario.
Students gain experience in observing and analysing the client’s performance and scoring the test by observing client’s performance on a video.
OT Advice: Home modifications in COPD and hip recovery
In this simulation, students will interact with a standardized patient portraying Maria, a 70-year-old woman recovering from hip surgery while managing COPD. Students will explore ways to help her carry out daily activities more easily and safely at home, with a particular focus on self-care in the bathroom (variations possible). They will formulate practical occupational therapy recommendations to enhance her comfort, independence, and participation in meaningful daily tasks.
Video observation OT intervention in Total Hip Prosthesis
This scenario provides a simulation for video-based simulation and/or role play. This scenarios is designed as hybrid scenario which can be applied as video based simulation (online) or role-play (online and/or on-site).
Scenario contains information about a client who undergone a total hip replacement surgery. Clients lives in nursing home and needs information about precations and intervention for assistive device use. There is one video contains general mobility of the client, learners are expected to create and intervention plan for assistive and adaptive device training for mobility and dressing.
Video Observation and Analysis: School-Based Occupational Therapy Intervention for a Child with ADHD
This simulation-based learning scenario aims to enhance students’ skills in observing, analyzing, and critically evaluating occupational therapy (OT) interventions for children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) within a therapy room setting.
Students will observe a pre-recorded video of an OT conducting a one-on-one session with a child in a culturally relevant pediatric therapy environment. The video demonstrates developmentally appropriate and contextually grounded strategies designed to improve the child’s attention, support emotional regulation, and manage hyperactive behaviors.
Learners are expected to engage in critical reflection on both the therapeutic techniques used and the environmental and socio-cultural factors that influence occupational performance.
Remote Occupational Therapy Assessment for Stroke: Administering the MMSE
This simulation focuses on assessing cognitive functions in a patient with stroke using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) within a telerehabilitation setting. Designed for intermediate to advanced occupational therapy students, it allows learners to practice conducting cognitive assessments remotely, interpret findings, and communicate results professionally and empathetically. Students take on the role of an occupational therapist, working with a standardized patient in real time, and must navigate ethical, technical, and clinical reasoning challenges throughout the session.
Occupational Therapy Intervention Planning and Implementation for a Person with Parkinson’s Disease
This simulation scenario focuses on planning and implementing an occupational therapy (OT) intervention for an individual diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. It aims to enhance students’ clinical reasoning, practical skills, and ability to provide person-centered care in a highly authentic and structured learning environment.
Students will observe the patient’s transfer activities, plan and apply appropriate transfer techniques, and recommend assistive devices. The scenario is designed for in-clinic implementation with standardized patients. However, it can also be conducted using role-play with senior students, depending on available resources and institutional context.
Standardized assessment of a patient with neurological condition
This scenario contents a assesment of a patient with parkinson’s disease for OT and COPM.
The scenario includes expected learning outcomes, scenario flow with expected actions and all details regarding simulation scenario.
Occupational interview with a client with a neurological condition
This scenario contents a first interview of a patient with Parkinson’s disease for OT assessment. The scenario includes expected learning outcomes, scenario flow with expected actions and all details in regard to simulation scenario.
Ethical decision-making: Culturally home visit
The therapist makes a home visit. The client has been in an accident that has left her with both physical and mental challenges, and she has difficulty to cope with household chores. The client, her spouse and OT have conflicting views about what kind of services the client need.
After home visit the therapist wants to discuss an ethical problem and solution with the employer.
Resolving the ethical question: what should be done in this situation? What kind understanding of culture you should have? What to do when there is a difference in values and attitudes between you, the client and her spouse? How can you support the client in dealing with everyday challenges? What information do you need as an occupational therapist?
Ethical decision making: Sexual identity and abuse
This simulation case involves meeting a client in a difficult situation. The client describes a domestic violence experience she has had during a home visit. The video unfolds through the eyes of the therapist.
Resolving the ethical question: what should be done in this situation? Should you intervene in a situation of intimate partner abuse? How can you support the client in dealing with sexuality and sexual identity issues? What information do you need as an occupational therapist?
Ethical decision-making: Client refuses a home visit
The therapist makes a home visit, but the client does not want to receive the therapist. The client has just been discharged from the hospital, and the purpose of the visit is to find out how the client is coping at home. After home visit the therapist wants to discuss an ethical problem and solution with the employer.
Resolving the ethical question: should the occupational therapist go home against the client’s will or should the therapist refrain from going, and is it then a case of abandonment? How does the student justify their decision, is it a legal problem or an ethical challenge?
Leila- home visit and client interview
The simulation takes place during a home visit after Leila being discharged from the hospital. The purpose of the home visit is to identify, through an interview, the need for therapy process and activities that are meaningful to the client. During the home visit, Leila is accompanied by a member of her family and, if desired, a home care worker.
Hand rehabilitation and activity analysis
The simulation takes place during an outpatient clinic visit situation. This simulation exercise involves an outpatient visit where the client has symptoms of numbness in her hand. This makes it difficult for her to participate in meaningful occupations. Based on interviews and observations, occupational therapists must determine the need for occupational therapy and the occupational challenges faced by clients.
Parental guidance- Occupational therapy process and interview
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.
Define, explain and advocate for the professional role and value of occupational therapy
In this scenario, students will engage in a simulated situation in the role of occupational therapist. The scenario involves a meeting (online or live) between occupational therapists and a stakeholder (individual, group or organization with a specific interest or stake in the potential role, activities and value of occupational therapy).