Authors suggest that the performance of novice and expert occupational therapy practitioners are largely due to their ability to clinically reason. This study was conducted to gain further understanding of the ways novice and expert occupational therapists use clinical reasoning in practice and ultimately how novice practitioners can begin to clinically reason like experts. Five occupational therapists participated in this mixed methods study. Three expert and two novice occupational therapists working in rehabilitation settings wore head-mounted video cameras while completing three therapy sessions (assessment, treatment, and discharge planning). Therapist then reviewed the videos and reported on their clinical reasoning. The verbal reports were then transcribed and analyzed by the authors. Authors concluded that novice therapists could benefit from spending more time reflecting on the therapy process, and discussing their therapy with expert colleagues.
Unsworth, C. (2001). The Clinical Reasoning of Novice and Expert Occupational Therapists. Scaninavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 8(4), 163-173. Retrieved from http://informahealthcare.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/110381201317166522