Occupational Therapy Training Program: "Mediated Communication Recovery-Wellbeing (MCRW) for mental health practitioners

Background: Communication is the foundation of any intervention chosen by OTs. This skill, cognitive at its base, can enable the process of personal recovery and well-being, for consumers of mental health services. Despite the... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Communication is the foundation of any intervention chosen by OTs. This skill, cognitive at its base, can enable the process of personal recovery and well-being, for consumers of mental health services. Despite the importance of "Rehabilitative Communication" very little consideration exists as to how this type of communication is taught and how clinicians are trained to use it. It is seldom reviewed for accuracy and effectiveness. The present study aims to examine the efficacy of a communication training program for mental health practitioners.

Method:
The study sample included two teams of rehabilitation practitioners (n=40) who participated in a 12-week training program conducted by an O.T. Using Mixed Methods Design, attitudes toward recovery, mental health consumers and feelings of professional competence were examined. The quantitative (questionnaires) and qualitative (focus groups) outcome measures were conducted pre-post training.

Results:
One-way analysis of variance, examining the differences in study variables after participating in the training program, showed significant positive change in attitudes towards consumers and recovery (p<.001),and in the sense of occupational competence (p<.001).These findings were reinforced by qualitative analysis of focus groups

Conclusion:
Communication skills can and should be structured and taught to OTs.They can influence practitioner's attitudes and eventually promote recovery processes. Awareness and reflection of communication impacts practitioners' efficiency and attitudes

Application to Practice:
The practical contribution of this training-provides structured process of refining the communication skill. Its clinical contribution is in allowing professionals to use mediation as basic communication technique which increases their ability to communicate with their consumers.