Towards an understanding of the staged model of predictive reasoning

This study set out to examine the clinical practice of experienced occupational therapists in mental health vocational rehabilitation service in Hong Kong. A combined qualitative and quantitative methodological approach was used to enhance the methodological rigour of the research. Three sub-studies were carried out including a pre-study survey; a semi-structured interview for 6 experienced therapists and a multiple case studies to verify the model of predictive reasoning generated in this research. The findings of this study confirmed the consecutive staged model of decision making, the cyclical predictive reasoning process and its critical components were important in predictive reasoning process. Furthermore, the research alerted that therapist’s ‘Internal References’ affect the process that might exert good or bad influences in the prediction and intervention approaches. From the twenty cases reported and analysed in the multiple case studies, I verified the generated characteristics of the staged model of predictive reasoning process were being evidenced in the daily practices of other experienced occupational therapists. Hence, Predictive Reasoning in occupational therapist was proven as a fundamental scientific, social as Well as psychological process of ascertaining client best suitable choice in vocational rehabilitation. In this research, it has highlighted that they were practicing a bivalent model of practice – scientific in thinking and humanistic in interacting. It has long been a great problem for the professionals to inform the public on their forms and efficacy of practice through scientific rigour. The research methodology employed in this research was an innovative design that responses to both positivist and interpretivist paradigm, to create a new opportunity for occupational therapist to start to reflect on choosing the best suitable research methodology for reporting the real picture of clinical practices.