A Grounded Theory of Intuition among Occupational Therapists in Mental Health Practice

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to explore occupational therapists' understanding and use of intuition in mental health practice. Method: Using a grounded theory approach, a theoretical sample of nine occupational therapists practising in mental health settings participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using the constant comparative method. Findings: Intuition was found to be embedded within clinical reasoning. From the data, intuition was defined as knowledge without conscious awareness of reasoning. The participants viewed intuition as elusive and underground, and suggested that professional experience led to a more comfortable use of intuition. Using intuition relied on therapists' understanding of their own and others' emotions, and intuition partnered analysis within their clinical reasoning. A grounded theory of the use of intuition in mental health settings is proposed. Conclusion: Occupational therapists practising in mental health settings understand intuition to be an instinctive understanding of situations, resulting from their professional experience and the understanding of emotions.

Gut feeling: A grounded theory study to identify clinical educators' reasoning processes in putting students on a learning contract

“…In a mixed‐methods design, Burden et al () concluded that impressions based on gut feelings tend to have more impact on the clinical instructors' decision‐making process than summative assessment strategies. Chaffey, Unsworth, and Fossey () echoed a similar observation in asserting that while clinicians with experiential knowledge are likely to make fast and reasonable judgements, they often fall short of articulating how they processed their decisions.…”

“…As example, Dane et al (2011) determined that gut feelings develop as a result of an unintentional process of thinking embedded in the instructors' experiences and emotion. Chaffey et al (2010) asserted that gut feelings are integrated into the processes of clinical reasoning. Smith, Stebbins, and Grotz (2017) suggested that intuition is directly related to the degree of connection of the nurses with their patients.…”

Relationship Between Intuition and Emotional Intelligence in Occupational Therapists in Mental Health Practice

“…Clinical reasoning studies have identified the use of tacit knowledge as a contributor to practice (Fleming, 1994;Gibson et al, 2000;Hagedorn, 1996;Schell & Schell, 2008;Unsworth, 2001). In a recent grounded theory study of intuition among occupational therapists practicing in mental health, intuition was defined as knowledge that was immediate and accessed without a conscious awareness of reasoning (Chaffey, Unsworth, & Fossey, 2010). The study found that intuition was embedded in therapists' clinical reasoning and was informed by tacit knowledge.…”

Mapping an Australian Occupational Therapy curriculum: Linking intended learning outcomes with entry‐level competency standards

“…We suggest that this finding about less attention being placed on intervention outcomes might parallel what occurs in practice, whereby there is a major focus on assessment. Although these kinds of habits in practice have not been well researched in occupational therapy, Australian research revealed expressions of concern about over‐use of and over‐reliance on assessment tools in lieu of intuitive professional reasoning (Chaffey, Unsworth & Fossey, ). Similarly, in other research, Canadian graduates felt they were well prepared for conducting assessments but less prepared for making decisions about what to do next in relation to intervention (Hodgetts et al ., ).…”