Simulation Reflection

 As part of the Neuro Aspects course I am taking in Occupational Therapy school, we had the opportunity to participate in a simulation of a clinical encounter in which I administered a cognitive screening to a person who had recently experienced a stroke. I administered the St. Louis University Mental Status Examination (SLUMS), which measures a client’s current cognition at the time of the exam. Cognition combines taking in, processing, comprehending, and recalling information. An occupational therapist can provide support to individuals with cognitive disorders and their families by administering screenings and assessments, educating about the condition, helping put habits and routines in place, modifying the client’s environments, and providing therapeutic interventions that focus on function, attention, multitasking, organization, and mental health. 

I was able to complete all of the SLUMS examination with my client; she scored a 21 suggesting that she has a mild cognitive impairment, which may mean that the client is experiencing issues with memory, language, and judgment that could cause them to have trouble retrieving information during conversations, remembering recent events, judging the amount of time it takes to complete a task and make safe decisions. These challenges may make it difficult for a person to talk about the cognitive changes that they have been experiencing, possibly delaying proper treatment for their condition. During my experience, I explained what OT was to my client, elaborating on how we work on helping people participate in the things they do in their everyday life. The client appreciated the explanation and did not have any questions. By keeping my elevator speech short and using words that a person with minimal knowledge of OT could easily understand, I could successfully explain OT. 

During the simulation, one of my biggest strengths was making small talk with the client and making her feel comfortable. I enjoyed talking to her after I completed the assessment, talking about her favorite occupations since she retired a year ago. I wish I had explained more about why we were doing the examination before starting the exam and asked her more about her memory. My biggest takeaway from the process is the importance of organization, thinking on your feet, and connecting with the client. I plan to continue working on my communication skills and practicing administering assessments with family and friends. I really enjoyed this experience and am excited to use the skills I have learned in the future.