Effect of Environment on OT work

As OTA students we learn that the three things that affect a therapy session are: us (the therapist) through therapeutic use of self, the activity, and the environment. Today I had a chance to see through OTAS eyes, how environment truly does affect a therapy session.

We were working in a large room full of therapists with a variety of patients. The OTs use of self was evidenced non-stop and the activities were quite varied. It would have warmed the heart of any OT instructor to see how well those sessions were being conducted and as a student I was sufficiently impressed. But today I was particularly focused on environment, and there were three main events that took place that changed this fairly consistent environment of the treatment room.

The first was when one of the volunteers who was well known by staff and patients, got the news that she had been accepted into a graduate program. She exploded with delight and shared her news and it quickly spread throughout the room. Within minutes everyone was smiling and congratulating her, even the patients. I realized that it wasn't just the good news that made them smile, but the smiles and tears of someone who is so happy and positive and that made them feel happy too.

The second event was a bit more subtle. While we were all busily working, someone turned on the radio just loud enough for those in that area to hear the oldies songs. People immediately took notice and the whole time it was on, I noticed one person after another singing, commenting on the song "I remember that song from when I was young" and some of them just smiling and moving a hand or foot to the music.

The third event was when someone brought a dog into the treatment room. He had been trained to assist a patient and was taken to that person and introduced, but as he walked by, all eyes were on him (the dog) and as I looked around, everyone was smiling and commenting on the dog and some started sharing stories about their dog, or a dog they once had with each other. I could almost feel the mood lighten as everyone reacted to a simple thing like a dog walking in.

I truly realized today how important environment can be to patients. Beyond good equipment and trained therapists doing their job well, environment can make a big difference. If laughter, a song or the sight of an animal can change the mood of a patient, then it really does matter. If we are to make the most of our sessions, we must take into careful consideration the environment as well. A happy, positive environment makes us feel happy too, even if it isn't specifically directed at us.

I came across a video that talks about the importance of pets to those who are terminally ill, and an organization that promotes this connection between pets and patients. I hope that in the future as an OTA, I will have the opportunity to incorporate pets into treatment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vfXIbmp9YmQ