One reason I really connect with VdTMoCA is that it not only helps me understand my patients better, it also helps me better understand who I am and how to manage my neurodiversity.

For example, a key suggestion from the VdTMoCA to practitioners during patient assessments is to observe the individual engage in both familiar and unfamiliar activities. This approach has empowered me to better understand how to assess patients and to consider what activities are familiar to them and what might be new or challenging.

In applying the VdTMoCA theory to my personal situation, as I adjust to a new place of work, I am noticing how the more ‘familiar’ I have become with my new place of work, the more effective I am able to be in my role. Staff and patients are now familiar with me, I know longer feel an outsider.  This has informed my volition to establish routines for work, lunch, and time management as I am learning these actions help me manage my neurodiversity.

While I’d love to delve into applying VdTMoCA theory full-time, my ever-growing to-do list won’t let me. To stop it from becoming a problem, I’ve found it helpful to remind myself of the following…

To accept what I cannot change:

Working in forensic mental health ‘change’ comes slowly. This is not just for patients but also in clinical governance. Colleagues I am getting to know have worked here in Willow House for a long time and have developed ways of working that suit them and patients for a reason. Why should they adopt a new way of working?

To look after myself so I have the strength to change what I can:

To manage my neurodiversity and avoid overwhelm, I need to take breaks. It’s important not to push myself too hard. My supervisor’s advice is to “stroll, not run.” I tend to forget this and slip back into old habits. 

To seek to develop the wisdom to know the difference:

Seeking ways to apply VdTMoCA theory to my new place of work is important. But patients here have chronic illnesses and many have become institutionalised. Resources are limited. I have to be prepared that “change” may not happen easily.

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With many conflicting pressures on my time it has all begun to feel a bit too much. I have begun to question whether this approach is worth the extra effort.

Thankfully I found out about a 6 month Allied Health Professional (AHP) development online programme for AHPs who are preparing for taking the next step up in their clinical careers. I only discovered this opportunity a week before the first session was scheduled. Thankfully I was able to attend. We were all invited to develop goals related to the different pillars of practice to support our professional development. These are some of the goals I came up with:

Clinical Skills 

To gain a greater understanding of the benefits and challenges of using the VdTMoCA on a ward over a year by creating a record of my journey through a blog, to enable reflection and to get support from the wider OT community. 

Education 

To develop a presentation based on my experience that can be delivered to all health professionals to highlight the benefits and principals of occupational therapy and this model of practice. 

Leadership 

To support and provide encouragement, and the clinical reasoning to both OT colleagues and the wider MDT in my place of work to try to adopt this model for an agreed length of time to evaluate its efficacy. 

Research 

To take the lead in designing a piece of research that can enable my service to determine how feasible and how effective using the VdTMoCA is in supporting patients in their recovery. 

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If you are reading this and have any experience of doing research or would be interested in collaborating in the “Research” goal please do get in touch by emailing me at learningthevdtmoca@proton.me