Problem Solving

Question 1

Problem Solving

Answer 1

●Complex, decision-making process
●Analyze a problem and develop a plan of action for solving or reducing the problem’s harmful effects
●Finding an answer for a question
●Need to generate many solutions to problems because everyone is different
Essentially what OT’s do all the time!
●Requires creative problem solving to be a good therapist.
●Problem solving and decision
making are a part of everyday life

Question 2

Steps in Problem Solving

Answer 2

• Identify the problem/issue.
• Understand everyone’s interests.
• List the possible outcomes.
• Evaluate the options.
• Select an option or options.
• Document the agreements.
• Agree on contingencies, monitoring, and evaluation.

Question 3

Traditional Problem Solving Model

Answer 3

See pic on slide

Question 4

Creative Problem Solving Model (CPS)

Answer 4

●Involves a willingness to try different solutions
●Ability to narrow down the problem
●Ability to pick up on cues from the patient and context
●Ability to think “out of the box”
●Developed by Osborne and Parnes (but adapted here for OT!)

See pic on slide

Question 5

Fact or Data Finding

Answer 5

●Find as much information as you can about what the client wants to accomplish
●Use who, what, when, where, why and how questions
●Expand on the “mess”

Question 6

Problem Finding

Answer 6

●Can be the first obstacle to effective problem solving
●There may be many components to a perceived problem
●Therapist needs to look at a problem from the patients point of view
●Consider activity analysis – what can you break this problem down into?

Question 7

Idea Finding

Answer 7

●Brainstorm alternatives.
●Avoid “killer phrases”
●Ask the following questions:
●What are the benefits?
●What are the drawbacks?
●What info can I get about each idea’s interesting points that will help me arrive at a solution?

Question 8

Solution and Action Finding

Answer 8

●Evaluation of treatment options
●Analyze and evaluate the options generated in idea finding
●Select the one’s with the greatest potential for solving the problem
●Action plan is created in the acceptance finding (treatment plan)

Question 9

Characteristics of Paradigms

Answer 9

●Can lead to problems and inhibit (or support) problem-solving
●Common to the community, how we view the world
●Defining our personal realities
●“Paradigm paralysis” inhibits problem solving
●“Paradigm pliancy” supports better problem-solving
●Almost always more than one paradigm
●People have the power to change their paradigms

Question 10

Daily activities influenced by your paradigms
Consider the following and think of why you do things the way you do:
●How I manage my money
●How I clean my living space
●The type of clothing I wear
●What kind of music I prefer to listen to

What problems can occur in a community regarding these things?

Answer 10

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Question 11

Patients and Paradigms
●What is the role of the health care provider?
●What is the sick role?
●What is done to make me better? Who is responsible for this?
●What is acceptable occupational performance in the community?

Answer 11

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Question 12

Problem Ownership

Answer 12

●How many people are involved in finding a solution?
●Who is currently not involved but could be?
●Who is interested or not interested in solving the problem?
●Who has the time and resources to help?
●Who will make working on this a priority?

Question 13

Problem-Solving and OTs

Answer 13

●Skillful therapists are creative problem solvers.
●Whether you work with children or adults, in mental health or physical disabilities, occupation, made manifest by one’s occupational performance, is the paradigm that unifies all areas of OT.

Helps you to find out what will work best for your clients
●Come up with different activities and treatments so they enjoy therapy
●Help to tie in treatment with everyday activities