Collaborating with service users and carers: using film to promote reflective practice in the classroom

It is valuable for occupational therapy students to consider their practice from an external perspective, in order to develop critical
thinking and client-centered practice (Whalley Hammel, 2015; Wright and Bolton 2012). There is current drive in mental health practice to collaborate with service users in service delivery, planning and education (Millar et al, 2016). Individuals with personal experience of illness and disability are valuable co-educators, who can challenge student reflexivity, (Yalon-Chamovitz et al, 2017).

The aim of the project was to develop an empathy raising film, to use as a reflective tool. Focus groups were conducted to collate experiences and ideas from service users and carers. A co production team was formed to script and shoot the film, the team included: service users, carers, students and staff. The film package included short vignettes about a care planning meeting, intermittently dispersed with quotes from service users and carers, (Department of Health, 2008). The quotes include personal experiences of these meetings and suggestions for change.

The film was incorporated into a teaching session for occupational therapy students. Once the film had been viewed, comments from the students were collated, they discussed: the austerity of the environment, the power and authority given to the professionals and the challenges of conducting a truly person-centered planning meeting. The dissonance within the group discussion allowed the students to consider the values that were influencing their decisions. Overall the film allowed the individuals that have experience of service provision, to influence future occupational therapy student practice