How to be a better OT

Clare Batkin - Your OT Tutor
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Hosted by occupational therapist and clinical educator Clare Batkin, founder of Your OT Tutor, the "How to be a better OT" podcast delivers simple, practical, and worthwhile educational content for busy clinicians. Step back from the overwhelm and bring core frameworks to life with step-by-step guides, case study examples, and real-world strategies that will help build your competence and confidence, so you can deliver the best client outcomes and truly love what you do.

Episodes

  1. How to deliver effective client education

    4d ago

    How to deliver effective client education

    Tell Clare what you think here! Are you tired of handing out generic education pamphlets that your clients never actually use? Discover how to move beyond the basic handout and deliver client education that results in meaningful change. Episode Summary: In this episode of the How to Be a Better OT podcast, host Clare Batkin tackles a topic relevant to every OT clinical caseload: how to provide effective client education. It’s not just about rattling off information to tick a box; it’s about providing the right information, at the right time, and in the right way to empower your clients as active decision-makers. Clare introduces her signature RALFEY framework to help you evaluate client readiness, adapt your language, and ensure your clients truly understand and apply your recommendations.   Key Takeaways: The RALFEY Framework: A step-by-step acronym (Readiness, Amount, Language, Format, Evaluation, You're Not Done Yet) designed to help you structure impactful education sessions.R is for Readiness: Learn why you must think about what type of information your client is ready for before jumping into it. A is for Amount: Consider how much time you have and how much your client will be able to process.L is for Language: Discover how co-designing examples with clients ensures your education is culturally relevant and matches their health literacy.F is for Format: Why you should challenge your "autopilot" written handout approach and explore creative options like using videos, podcasts, or even sticking QR codes directly onto a client's splint.E is for Evaluation: Understand the danger of simply asking, "Do you have any questions?" and consider alternatives such as practical demonstrations and gamification.Y is for You’re not done yet: This is all about the evaluation that happens after the session is done, so you continue to improve your approach for your current and future clients.   Links & Resources Mentioned: Freebie: Access Annette Tonkin’s guide on working with clients with preconceived ideas, as well as over 100 other free resources in the Learning Library.Deep Dive: Get the full client education tutorial and download the step-by-step worksheet by joining the Connector Membership.Advanced Learning: Learn how to navigate conflicting goals and motivate hard-to-engage clients in the Alliance Membership.Tool: Gamify your group education sessions and test client knowledge using Kahoot.  If you found this breakdown of the RALFEY framework helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow OT!  Be sure to tune in next time when we will cover what an OT home assessment actually involves, whether you are facilitating a safe hospital discharge or conducting a community review. Want to continue learning with Clare? Here are your options: Check out my FREE Learning Library full of resources and coursesSign-up for one-on-one or group training and supportBook a time for a chat to see how I can helpSign-up for a Your OT Tutor membershipFollow me on social media – vist my Linktree for the links you need!

    26 min
  2. Introductions, logistics and what "better" actually means

    Jun 22 ·  Bonus

    Introductions, logistics and what "better" actually means

    Tell Clare what you think here! Want to become a more confident, competent occupational therapist but don't know exactly where to focus your learning and professional development? Episode Summary: In this debut episode of the How to Be a Better OT podcast, host and "Your OT Tutor" founder Clare Batkin introduces her mission to make professional development simple, practical, and worth it for OTs. Clare shares her 17-year journey through diverse clinical settings and unveils her signature framework: The Foundations of OT Success. Whether you are a student, a new grad, or an experienced clinician, this podcast will help you develop the core skills you need to excel and love what you do. Key Takeaways: Meet Your Host: Learn about Clare's diverse 17-year OT career, spanning from acute ICU to community NDIS, and how her passion for clinical education led to the creation of Your OT Tutor.The Foundations of OT Success: A high-level breakdown of the core skills every OT needs, from "Thinking like an OT" and "Being an OT Detective," to solving problems that change lives.The Missing Link in OT Education: Discover why Foundation 1, "Empower Yourself," is the crucial first step for providing the energy and brain space needed for developing as an OT.A Sneak Peek at the Podcast: Find out what to expect in Series 1 ("How-To" guides for core OT skills) and Series 2 (Clare’s take on hot topics in the OT world).  Links & Resources Mentioned: Take the Free Self-Reflection Quiz to identify your learning priorities based on the Foundations of OT SuccessAccess the free Your OT Tutor Learning Library, featuring over 100 resources for OTs and allied health professionalsConnect with Clare and sign-up for her LinkedIn newsletter hereJoin Clare on Echo, the new social media platform exclusively for allied health professionalsIf you found this introduction helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow OT who wants to grow in their career!  Want to continue learning with Clare? Here are your options: Check out my FREE Learning Library full of resources and coursesSign-up for one-on-one or group training and supportBook a time for a chat to see how I can helpSign-up for a Your OT Tutor membershipFollow me on social media – vist my Linktree for the links you need!

    12 min
  3. How to do a Functional Capacity Assessment

    Jun 22

    How to do a Functional Capacity Assessment

    Tell Clare what you think here! Does writing a Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) for the NDIS feel daunting? Or are your OT reports constantly getting knocked back for "not enough evidence"? Episode Summary: In this episode of the How to Be a Better OT podcast, host Clare Batkin breaks down one of the most common (and complex) services provided by occupational therapists working within the NDIS: the Functional Capacity Assessment. Clare shares her 3-stage framework (Preparation, Assessment, and Report Writing) to help you gather the right information, choose the best standardised assessments, and write reports that clearly align with NDIS "Reasonable and Necessary" criteria.   Key Takeaways: The Preparation Phase: Learn why you should never "wing" an initial assessment and how to use OT models (like the PEO) to prep your interview guide.The Assessment Phase: Discover the crucial components of your information gathering including clinical interviews, functional observations, home environment checks, standardised assessments and liaison with others.Writing the Report: How to translate your findings into plain language for NDIS planners, format for maximum readability, and include the right level of detail.The Follow-Up: Why your job isn't done when you hit "submit," and how tracking the outcomes of your reports builds your clinical reasoning and confidence, and improves outcomes for your clients.  Links & Resources Mentioned: Freebie: Download the FCA Process Flowchart from Section 6 of the Learning Library, to map out your assessments Freebie: Access the PROOF Framework Worksheet from Section 6 of the Learning Library to ensure your recommendations are specific and evidence-based.Freebie: Download the Executive Summary Example from Section 6 of the Learning Library to use on the front page of your long reports Free Tutorials: Watch the videos on WHODAS 2.0 Scoring, the Modified Barthel Index online calculator, and the webinar on Describing Function & Standardised Assessments in the Learning Library or on YouTube. Freebie: Read the guide and conference presentation on assessing clients with Invisible Illnesses (ME/CFS) in Section 5 of the Learning Library.Blog Post: Read “Improve your report writing with the PEO approach” to optimise your writing experience and efficiency.Course: New to the scheme? Sign up for the Navigating the NDIS course.Course: Get the comprehensive OT Guide to Completing a Functional Capacity Assessment with 8 hours of CPD, including case studies and quizzes.FCA Template: Purchase the white-labelled FCA Report Template (one-per-workplace purchase), featuring guiding comments to help you gather the right details.Deep Dive: Join the Connector Membership for full webinars on functional mobility, cognitive assessments, home assessments, WHODAS 2.0 and Modified Barthel Index.Advanced Learning: Join the Alliance Membership for access to the Connector tutorials, along with advanced clinical content and access to some NDIS courses.  If you found this breakdown of the FCA process helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your colleagues!  And be sure to tune in next time when we cover our next core skill: how to provide effective client education. Want to continue learning with Clare? Here are your options: Check out my FREE Learning Library full of resources and coursesSign-up for one-on-one or group training and supportBook a time for a chat to see how I can helpSign-up for a Your OT Tutor membershipFollow me on social media – vist my Linktree for the links you need!

    34 min
  4. How to do an OT hospital initial assessment

    Jun 22

    How to do an OT hospital initial assessment

    Tell Clare what you think here! Do you feel robotic asking the exact same questions during every hospital initial assessment? Discover how to adapt your clinical interviews for every patient while effectively planning their safe and timely discharge. Episode Summary: In this episode of the How to Be a Better OT podcast, host Clare Batkin breaks down the absolute bread and butter of acute and rehab care: the hospital initial assessment. Drawing on a decade of experience, Clare walks you through the entire process, from essential pre-assessment file reviews to documenting your findings. Whether you are a student, a new grad, or transitioning into a hospital setting, this episode will help you gather the right information to get your patients home safely and efficiently.   Key Takeaways: The Ultimate Goal: Learn why the overarching purpose of any hospital initial assessment always comes back to safe and timely discharge planning.The Prep Work You Can't Skip: Why reviewing medical files and getting handovers from the multidisciplinary team (MDT) is crucial before you even step foot in the patient's room.What to Ask (and What to Skip): A breakdown of the core interview components, including diagnosis, social history, home environment, and previous vs. current function.Adapting Your Approach: How to tailor your questions depending on the patient's age, diagnosis, and unique discharge concerns.Documentation Hacks: Why SOAP notes don't work for initial assessments, and how to use subheadings and "sticker templates" for faster, more consistent note-writing.  Links & Resources Mentioned: Freebie: Download the Hospital Initial Assessment Form from section 5 of the Learning Library to help guide your clinical interviewsFreebie: Access the Documentation Examples in Section 6 of the free Learning Library: Deep Dive: Join the Connector Membership for full webinars on how to conduct and document an initial hospital assessment (including a simulated demo), functional mobility assessments, functional cognitive assessments, and assistive tech prescription.Advanced Learning: Join the Alliance Membership for advanced clinical content and NDIS courses.  If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow OT.  Make sure to tune in to our next episode, where we'll shift our focus to the private sector: How to do a Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA)!  Want to continue learning with Clare? Here are your options: Check out my FREE Learning Library full of resources and coursesSign-up for one-on-one or group training and supportBook a time for a chat to see how I can helpSign-up for a Your OT Tutor membershipFollow me on social media – vist my Linktree for the links you need!

    28 min
  • 4 Episodes

About

Hosted by occupational therapist and clinical educator Clare Batkin, founder of Your OT Tutor, the "How to be a better OT" podcast delivers simple, practical, and worthwhile educational content for busy clinicians. Step back from the overwhelm and bring core frameworks to life with step-by-step guides, case study examples, and real-world strategies that will help build your competence and confidence, so you can deliver the best client outcomes and truly love what you do.

Information

  • Creator
    Clare Batkin - Your OT Tutor
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 How to be a better OT
  • Show Website
    How to be a better OT

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