University of Galway

Course Module Information

Course Modules

Semester 1 | Credits: 5

This module will provide students with a framework for the work of an occupational therapist in a mental health setting.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Respect and uphold the rights, dignity and autonomy of every service user including their role in the diagnostic, therapeutic and social care process Understand the role and purpose of building and maintaining therapeutic relationships as a tool in the delivery of occupational therapy across the lifespan in a variety of contexts and understand the need to establish a client centred therapeutic relationship as the basis for change and enabling participation and engagement in occupation.
  2. Understand the role of policies and systems to protect the health, safety, welfare, equality and dignity of service users, staff and volunteers
  3. Modify and adapt communication methods and styles, including verbal and nonverbal methods to suit the individual service users considering issues of language, culture, beliefs and health and/or social care needs: - General communication skills including interviewing and counselling - Respectful and active listening Gather all appropriate background information relevant to the service user’s health and social care needs. Apply knowledge of the characteristics of therapeutic relationships and communication processes: - People-centredness and collaboration - Mentorship and coaching - Motivation, hope and empowerment - Treating people respectfully and establishing trust
  4. Understand the need to work in partnership with service users, their relatives/carers and other professionals in planning and evaluating goals, treatments and interventions and be aware of the concepts of power and authority in relationships with service users. Recognise the role of advocacy in promoting the needs and interests of service users and be able to understand and apply the concepts of advocacy in addressing the occupational needs of individuals, groups and communities. Develop attitudes about the value of every person and people’s ability to adapt and change.
  5. Know about an occupational therapy process and the skills in implementing it - Screening the need for occupational therapy - Collaborate with a client to identify his or her occupational needs and goals
  6. Justify the selection of and implement appropriate assessment techniques and be able to undertake and record a thorough, sensitive and detailed assessment. Determine the appropriate tests/assessments required and undertake/arrange these tests. Be able to analyse and critically evaluate the information collected in the assessment process. Assess - Occupational performance skills - Capacity for occupation - Activity limitations - Participation, including satisfaction with participation - The outcomes of participation
  7. Demonstrate sound logical reasoning and problem solving skills to determine appropriate problem lists, action plans and goals.
  8. Demonstrate a critical understanding of relevant biological sciences including anatomy, human development, social and behavioural sciences, occupational science and other related sciences, together with a knowledge of health and wellbeing, function, disease, disorder, and dysfunction and be able to apply this to the practice of occupational therapy with consideration to the person – environment – occupation relationship.
  9. Demonstrate an understanding of the Person Factors in occupational performance areas and engagement including motor, sensory, cognitive, perceptual, psychosocial and spiritual and be able to apply these to practice.
  10. Understand the relationship of social determinants of health (SDH) and early childhood experience on human development and the capacity to participate in occupations. Understand the relationship between psychological, social and economic factors and occupation
  11. Manage disruption to body structure or function to preserve the potential to participation in occupation by understanding: - theories of psychosocial coping - early childhood experiences of trauma, abuse and neglect with life-long relational consequence such as attachment disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and emotional deregulation
  12. Evaluate the adequacy of one’s own existing knowledge, skills and attitudes. Critically reflect about one’s knowledge, skills and attitudes
Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers
Reading List
  1. "Occupational Therapy and Mental Health" by Creek, J., Lougher, L. & Van Bruggen, H.
    Publisher: Elsevier Health Sciences
  2. "Skills for Practice in Occupational Therapy" by Duncan, E. (Ed.)
    Publisher: Churchill Livingstone
  3. "Shorter Oxford Textbook of Psychiatry" by Gelder, M., Harrison, P. & Cowen, P.
    Publisher: Oxford
The above information outlines module OY110: "Mental Health 1" and is valid from 2023 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.