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Information used by an expert paediatric occupational therapist when making clinical decisions
Jodie A Copley1, Merrill J Turpin, Tegan L King
1Division of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia. j.copley@uq.edu.au
Background:
Occupational therapists use a range of types and sources of information when making clinical decisions. It is unclear how this information is integrated.
Purpose:
This paper describes an exploratory qualitative case study that identified the types and sources of information accessed by one experienced paediatric therapist and how this information was combined and prioritised when making clinical decisions.
Methods:
. Data were collected using observations of therapy sessions, key informant interviews, and semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed thematically.
Findings:
To inform clinical decisions, the participant prioritised information about each child in his or her context when making decisions. Other types of information from text books and journals, professional development activities and professional and personal experience, expanded her unique body of knowledge over time.
Implications:
Re-conceptualisation of how information use supports clinical decision making and expands a therapist's unique body of knowledge over time can support client-centred practice in occupational therapy.
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