6.4 Clinical Professional Practice Post-Conference
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. – Leo F. Buscaglia
Clinical Professional Practice Post-Conference is a time embedded into the Clinical Professional Practice Placement shift during which students can reflect, discuss, share, and learn. During this meeting time, students may discuss events of the shift, learn about a certain topic relevant to the practice and skills of a PSW, or teach one another about topics that they have researched (VickyRN, n.d.). This time together is crucial for student development and offers a safe space to reflect on experiences, think critically and integrate theory (what they have learned in their prior courses) with practice. This time together as a group will facilitate a deeper understanding of client care and provide the students time to discuss amongst one another what could have been done differently. Post-conferences are meaningful for students and promote a positive and supportive learning environment in which students can debrief, discuss and develop critical thinking skills (VickyRN, n.d.).
In the following section, you will be able to review some of the Post-conference activities and questions to guide your Reflective Practice.
Reflective Practice: Communicating with a Client
Questions:
- Identify & describe communication difficulties that your client has (i.e. sensory deficits, mental status, difficulty speaking).
- Describe the environment where your communication took place.
- Did it enhance or hinder communication?
- How did you begin speaking to your client, and what did you say (opening statement)?
- What non-verbal communication observations did you make about your client? (mood, gestures, facial expressions, etc.)
- Did your client’s verbal and non-verbal messages match?
- Give an example of how you used:
- Empathy:
- Respect:
- How did your client respond to how you began to speak to them (your opening statement)?
- Give an example of how you might begin to speak to the client next time (a new opening statement).
- Identify the measures that you took to:
- Enhance communication
- Show your interest in the client
- Your desire to listen.
- Evaluate your feelings after this communication reflection exercise:
- Did you feel self-conscious?
- Did you forget what you were going to say?
- Did you find it difficult to speak to an older person?
- Can you recall three main facts that the client shared with you during this interaction?
- Reflecting on your verbal performance, did you use any expressions or patterns of speech that the client may not have understood (such as “like”, “totally”, slang, etc)?
- How is communication with an older client different from that with someone your age (such as pitch of your voice, speed of communication, etc.)?
- Using the information that you have obtained from this reflective exercise, identify two or three ways that you could enhance your next communication experience.
Clinical Professional Practice Activity: Feeding a Client
Assessment
List 4 things you need to know about your client before assisting him/her to meet his/her nutritional needs.
What care did you provide to your client after assisting with feeding?
State 3 environmental factors that may affect a client’s appetite.
Planning
How did you prepare your client for feeding?
What care did you provide to your client after feeding him or her?.
Describe what you did to promote comfort and ease during feeding.
a) for yourself
b) for your client
Implementation
Give 3 methods you could use to encourage client participation during feeding.
Evaluation
State the importance of monitoring a client’s food intake.
What is your responsibility when your client refuses to eat?
Documentation
How do PSW’s record a client’s intake at the agency where you are completing your clinical placement?
Clinical Professional Practice Activity: Bathing & Showering a Client
Assessment
What information about your client is important prior to assisting with a tub bath or shower in relation to:
- mental status
- physical condition
- ability to participate
- personal preferences
Planning
List 4 safety considerations that you must consider when assisting a client with a tub bath or shower:
1. ____________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________
4. _____________________________________________________________
Implementation
While bathing or providing personal care to a client, identify 4 body areas that should be observed for possible problems.
Evaluation
After assisting with the client’s tub bath or shower, answer the following:
- What tasks was the client able to complete independently?
- Did you observe any concerns? (e.g. abrasions, odours, etc.)
- How were you able to reduce your client’s fears about this procedure?
Did you forget anything (i.e. equipment) prior to or during the procedure?
Documentation
How and where did you document bathing your client?
Always ensure you know:
- Where to document client care
- How to document client care
- What to document in relation to the client care provided
Would anything at this time have to be reported to the PSW (assigned staff member) or to the nurse in charge?
Clinical Professional Practice Activity: Evening Care
If you have the opportunity to complete an afternoon/evening shift, you may be able to partake in this activity
Observation
- List the MAIN COMPONENTS of routine afternoon/evening care for your client.
- Describe any limitations your client has in completing their own afternoon/evening care
Elimination/Peri-Care
- How does evening care differ in terms of meeting your client’s elimination needs in comparison to morning care?
- State the specific measures you used with this client in order to prevent the spread of microorganisms.
Safety and Comfort Needs
- Based on a review of the client’s care plan and your observations, identify the measures that you must employ in order to maintain the safety of your client overnight.
- Identify the specific comfort measures you employed when providing h.s. care.
- Did your client have any specific preferences during evening care? What were they?
(e.g. socks, which side to lie on, etc.)
Evaluation of Evening Care
- Did you encounter any difficulties while providing evening care?
- What could you do to make this easier next time?
- What measures did you use to encourage client participation?
