Course Description
This course introduces the therapeutic recreation process with an emphasis on assessment, documentation, and evaluation. Therapeutic recreation standards of practice in relation to the TR process are explored in depth. Topics regarding medical terminology, interdisciplinary communication, assessment methods, and documentation methods are explored. Students will gain skills in interpreting program protocols and individual program plans, interpreting assessment data, designing client goals and objectives, documenting client attendance and progress, and gathering client feedback.
Course Content
The following global ideas guide the design and delivery of this course:
Course content will be guided by research, empirical knowledge, and best practice. The following values and principles, consistent with professional standards, inform course content.
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Increasing knowledge and understanding of therapeutic recreation standards of practice equips professionals to successfully advocate for the profession and implement suitable programs within their scope of practice.
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Understanding the scope of practice for a recreation therapist and a recreation therapy assistant allows for improved communication, job functioning,and program efficacy.
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Documentation is an essential element of the therapeutic recreation process as a means to properly record and communicate to clients, family members, staff, community, stakeholders, and other allied health professions.
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Utilizing a standardized system to gather client feedback and report client progress establishes legal and confidential records of care and ensures accountability among therapeutic recreation professionals.
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Recreation therapists utilize several assessment tools within the therapeutic recreation process, such as assessment summaries, DSM-5 criteria, the ICF, and RAI/MDS. The recreation therapy assistant must understand assessment tools to provide effective programming to the clients.
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Recreation therapists utilize several documentation techniques within the therapeutic recreation process, such as program protocols, individual program plans, progress notes (e.g. SOAP and DART notes), and client evaluation summaries. The recreation therapy assistant must understand documentation techniques to provide effective programming to the clients.
- Understanding standardized reporting methods including medical abbreviations, medical terminology, and classification systems (e.g. ICF, DSM-5) allows for more effective and efficient communication between therapeutic recreation practitioners, allied health professions, and regulatory bodies.
Learning Activities
- Lecture/discussion
- Media
- Group work
- Student presentations
Means of Assessment
Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. Typical means of evaluation would include a combination of:
- Written assignments
- Presentations
- Exams
- Participation
This is a letter graded course.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Articulate the importance of assessment, documentation, evaluation, and interdisciplinary collaboration as therapeutic recreation standards of practice.
- Facilitate programs according to the scope of practice for therapeutic recreation practitioners.
- Interpret medical terminology and abbreviations used to document client progress.
- Use information from common tools used for therapeutic recreation assessment to inform programming.
- Interpret common forms of therapeutic recreation documentation, including individual program plans and program protocols.
- Document client progress, attendance, engagement, and feedback regarding recreation therapy activities.
Textbook Materials
A list of textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of each semester.