Introduce the individual in the case study, critically exploring how their medical condition and contextual factors impact occupational performance

Module title

Putting Occupational Therapy into Practice A

CRN

63268

Level

7

Assessment title

Case study essay

Weighting within module

This assessment is worth 100% of the overall module mark.

To pass this module, you must also pass PE1 and have completed the paperwork on PARE.

Module Leader/Assessment set by

Submission deadline date and time

03/04/2025, before 4.00pm

Please ensure that your assignment is submitted before 4pm. A submission at or after 4.00pm is considered late.

Students with a Reasonable Adjustment Plan (RAP) or Carer Support Plan should check the plan to see if an extension to this submission date has been agreed.

Work which has been submitted after the deadline but within the late submission period (7 days after the deadline), will be capped at 50% unless a reasonable adjustment plan, carer plan or PMC for late submission is agreed.

Work submitted more than 7 days after the deadline will not be marked. A mark of 0 will be recorded, unless personal mitigating circumstances (PMC) for late or non-submission have been accepted and carer plan or reasonable adjustment plans are in place.

How to submit

You should submit your assessment into the assessment submission box on blackboard.

Assignments should be submitted in Microsoft Word format.  

The link for the Blackboard submission box is in the Assessment folder in the blackboard site for Putting Occupational Therapy into Practice A.

As the University will mark assessments anonymously where this is possible, please use your student roll number and not your name on your submission.

When you submit work, you are accepting the submission declaration, which can be found in the Academic Support site on Blackboard. 

Assessment task details and instructions

Write a 2000-word essay based on one of the case studies provided for this module.

Select one case study from those available in the assessment folder in Blackboard. Using that case study, discuss the factors affecting occupational performance, the evidence that could be used to inform practice and propose an approach to intervention with the individual.

The suggested structure for the case study essay is as follows:

Part 1: Factors affecting occupational performance 500 words

Introduce the individual in the case study, critically exploring how their medical condition and contextual factors impact occupational performance. (ILO1, ILO 4)

Part 2: Evidence to inform practice 500 words

Evaluate the usefulness of specific types of evidence (such as guidelines, narrative and research evidence) and debate the use of this evidence in practice. Explain how to search for appropriate research evidence to support occupational therapy practice with the individual  (ILO 3). Use tables to support this part.

Part 3: Approach to intervention 1000 words

Identify, explain and evaluate theoretical approaches that could be used to support occupational therapy intervention with the individual. Explain how theory could influence assessment, goal-setting, intervention and evaluation (ILO 2, ILO5, ILO6).

Tables may be used to support the work. For example, it is acceptable to include a table in Part 2 to summarise a literature search strategy. Resources including example tables are included in the assessment folder in blackboard.

In each of the sections, include reference to a range of literature. Provide a clear argument in each section and critique information presented.

Presentation 

• This assignment has three specific parts but should be presented as one whole document. References should be compiled at the end of the essay. 
• Include a cover sheet and table of contents.  
• Clearly differentiate each part of the assignment. 
• Present the work with a clear and logical structure. Use sub-headings as appropriate. 
• Do not abbreviate occupational therapy or occupational therapist to OT.   
• Proof-read the assignment carefully before submitting. 
• Use size 12 font and double-space the work.  

Referencing:  

• This work must be fully referenced, using APA 7th edition  APA 7th edition | University of Salford. 
• Ensure that statements are supported by the highest quality evidence available. Prioritise high-quality primary sources.  

Confidentiality:  

It is good academic practice to be aware of how we use service and staff names within academic pieces of work. The following will be applied to all assessed work: 

• If any piece of assessed work names or enables easy identification of a service user / patient, then the piece of work will be marked as an automatic fail. A reassessment opportunity will be provided, as appropriate.  

• If any piece of work names or easily identifies a service or colleague, comment will be made regarding poor academic practice, and this will be noted in marking.  

Assessment Criteria

The assessment marking criteria (rubric) is included in the assessment folder on Blackboard. You should review the assessment criteria to find out what we are specifically looking at during the assessment. If any aspects of this are unclear, please ask during an assessment tutorial or using the online discussion board.

During the teaching and learning sessions and through practice for success, specific examples will be provided to explain the assessment criteria and apply them directly to this module. The module workbook and week-by-week learning resources will facilitate you to develop each part of the assignment.

Knowledge and Understanding

Assessed intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this assessment, you will be able to:

1. Analyse how health conditions and other factors can impact occupational performance.
2. Explain and appraise theoretical approaches that support professional reasoning when working with diverse individuals.
3. Appraise the usefulness and features of different types of research to inform practice and critically analyse the extent to which evidence informs professional reasoning.
4. Critically evaluate how socio-economic status, cultural background, and other contextual variables influence occupational opportunities and performance. 
5. Apply an occupational focused model, relevant approaches, and occupational therapy processes to case studies and on placement. 

Practical, Professional or Subject Specific Skills

Identify appropriate approaches to assessment, formulate occupation focused goals and evidence-based interventions and evaluation methods.

Learning outcomes 7-9 will be assessed through practice placement education (PE1).

Employability Skills developed / demonstrated

You will develop a range of employability skills sought by employers through each assessment.  

Through this assessment, you will have an opportunity to develop and demonstrate the following employability skills:

I = You will have been introduced to this skill

U = You will have developed an understanding of this skill in the context of your subject

A = You will be able to apply this skill in the context of your subject

D = You will have demonstrated an enhanced understanding and application of this skill in a wider context 

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools

For this assessment you may use tools, software, or features of software which use artificial intelligence to generate content such as text, images or data, in an assistive and supportive capacity. This means you may use the tool to explore the topic, generate or process data, or suggest draft structures and refine the wording of your work. However, the final work you submit must be your own. Use of AI to generate content to misrepresent your own abilities or mislead your assessor is academic misconduct. When using AI tools, please use University provided tools within the requirements of the University`s ICT Acceptable Use Policy, and do not upload sensitive or personal information.

Word count/ duration (if applicable)

Your assessment should be 2000 words in total.

It is suggested that the word count is broken down as follows:

Part A – 500 words

Part B – 500 words

Part C – 1000 words

The word count includes references in the text, but does not include the title page, tables, figures, diagrams or the reference list.

There is a 5% allowance. There are no penalties for going under or over the word count. Work that is significantly under the word count can often not create the necessary depth of critical thinking required. The reader will stop reading and marking at the point of the word count +5%, so any information given after this point will not be considered for marking.

Appendices are not marked and are not required in this assessment.

Feedback arrangements

You can expect to receive feedback by 28/04/2025. 

Feedback will be available on Blackboard. Feedback will include annotations to the essay and overall comments about what was done well and what could be improved in the work.  There will also be a numerical grade and description of the standard according to the marking rubric. The rubric is available in Blackboard.

A message will be sent when feedback is available. All marks and feedback are provisional until after an exam board. Analyse how health conditions and other factors can impact occupational performance.

There will be practice for success opportunities throughout the module that will provide you with formative feedback to support this assignment. 

In each week of the module handbook, and in weekly folders in blackboard, there is information about independent study activities to support with this assignment. Coaching sessions are also designed to enable achievement of the intended learning outcomes.

Academic Integrity and Referencing

Students are expected to learn and demonstrate skills associated with good academic conduct (academic integrity). Good academic conduct includes the use of clear and correct referencing of source materials. Here is a link to where you can find out more about the skills which students need:

Academic integrity & referencing

Referencing

Academic Misconduct is an action which may give you an unfair advantage in your academic work. This includes plagiarism, asking someone else to write your assessment for you or taking notes into an exam. The University takes all forms of academic misconduct seriously. 

Assessment Information and Support

Support for this Assessment

You can obtain support for this assessment through engagement with the learning resources on blackboard, assessment tutorial sessions and using the assessment discussion board on blackboard.

You can find more information about understanding your assessment brief and assessment tips for success here.

Assessment Rules and Processes

You can find information about assessment rules and processes in the Assessment Support module in Blackboard. 

Develop your Academic and Digital Skills

Find resources to help you develop your skills here.

Concerns about Studies or Progress

If you have any concerns about your studies, contact your Academic Progress Review Tutor/Personal Tutor or your Student Progression Administrator (SPA).

askUS Services

The University offers a range of support services for students through askUS including Disability and Inclusion Service, Wellbeing and Counselling Services.

Personal Mitigating Circumstances (PMCs)

If personal mitigating circumstances (e.g. illness or other personal circumstances) may have affected your ability to complete this assessment, you can find more information about the Personal Mitigating Circumstances Procedure here.  Independent advice is available from the Students’ Union Advice Centre about this process:  https://www.salfordstudents.com/advice/centre

To speak to an advisor or email advicecentre-ussu@salford.ac.uk.

In Year Retrieval Scheme

Your assessment is not eligible for in year retrieval.

Reassessment

If you fail your assessment, and are eligible for reassessment, you will need to resubmit on or before11/08/2025. Analyse how health conditions and other factors can impact occupational performance. For students with accepted personal mitigating circumstances for absence/non submission, this will be your replacement assessment attempt. 

We know that having to undergo a reassessment can be challenging however support is available.  Have a look at all the sources of support outlined earlier in this brief and refer to the Personal Effectiveness resources.