SIM lab reflection

1.  I feel that I performed maybe average/good for a first SIM lab experience. I think that the fact that I was being recorded/watched made me more nervous than I thought it would when I walked in. Because of that I think that I stuck directly to the assessment instead of allowing time for conversation with the client, which is probably one of my bigger regrets from the experience. We have learned that getting to know the client is extremely important in intervention, and the client mentioned having cats and a daughter, and I wish I had her elaborate a little more on that to get to know her and her interests better. I also had sort of prepared for how the skit was going to go in my head, I should have known better. Because when Francis asked me what OT was, it threw of my skit and I did not answer that well (which stuck out to me in my video), that is obviously extremely important. Additionally, in the debrief in class I realized that I should have checked her bracelet rather than just asking her name. 

2.  I think that although my therapeutic relationship wasn't quite there, I still interacted with the client and kept conversation flowing. When working on the question with the 5 objects, I gave the client some cues to remember two of the items, and in the end those were the only two that she remembered, because giving helpful tips was not against the instructions, I think that was beneficial. 

3.  I really enjoy talking to people and getting to know them, and I think that I struggled doing that in the encounter. I didn't really develop the therapeutic relationship that is so important. 

4.  I was also wondering what it would be like to be Francis's position. Having a random person walking in the door and asking those questions that seem tricky, and not knowing some answers. It made me curious because I have worked with clients with dementia, and some would 'skirt the issue' like Francis but others would respond with anger and frustration. I wondered what that must feel like, and if I would respond like Francis, or others through frustration. 

5.  I think I would be more relaxed the next time, and I would like to develop a therapeutic relationship with Francis, because that is so important. I would also check the client's bracelet for identification. 

6.  I learned that if a client can't remember what they are doing, they will change the subject or try and distract, so it is my job to keep it conversational but also redirect. I also learned that even if you go in expecting that you know everything about your client, the paper does not fully do them justice, so you should go in with an open mind of what your client will be like. I also learned that it is important to check client identification for obvious safety reasons, especially in the clinical environment when you are unaware of the client's orientation when you enter the room.