Yesterday, was my second day as a fourth year occupational therapy student. My first day was rather disappointing really and it still bothers me until now but I can't be moping about my problems all the time, ne? So anyway, It was our OT 4 class and since it's still the first week, we just did a short orientation. According to our professor, we will be learning all about "evaluation tools" and "batteries" which will be most likely used in the mental health practice. I'm not sure what form they really take but I heard her say something about "checklists" in the United States. She said that unlike in the States where the therapist only needs to fill out the check list, a thorough narration laid down by the client (occasionally, the family and friends as well) is written here in the Philippines. She added that these tools are essential in properly documenting the client. Well, I must say that an observation alone and confirming it on a piece of paper by a check can't really suffice compared to the detailed narration. Certain points can be missed out especially when the client changes therapists often. At that point, a successful therapy is far from happening. It will be stalled. For how long? Who knows? Up until the essential details can be covered, I guess. It's like your patching up a mystery murder from in a detective novel. That's right...like SHERLOCK HOLMES!!! A therapist is like a detective on a case; thus one's observation and deduction skills must be furnished. Without the clues which provide the outline of the crime, justice cannot be served; without the essential details which needs to be noted in the documentation, therapy will be lacking.
This will not be easy; nevertheless, it is what gives this course thrill.
