Authors (including presenting author) :
Cheung CCJ(1)(3), Chan CH(2)(3), Chan SC(3), Ho CM(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Occupational Therapy Department, Tai Po Hospital, (2)Occupational Therapy Department, Shatin Hospital, (3)Community Psychiatric Service, North District Hospital/Shatin Hospital
Keyword 2: :
Collaboration
Keyword 3: :
Risk Management
Keyword 6: :
Occupational Therapy
Introduction :
Occupational therapists (OTs) form about 20% of the Community Psychiatric Service (CPS) workforce in the Hospital Authority (HA) and are core members of the service. Alongside generic case management, OTs deliver discipline‑specific interventions that support recovery in daily living, vocational functioning, and social participation. However, most newly recruited OTs enter CPS with only one year of in‑patient psychiatric experience, after completing the six‑month Multi‑professional Case Management Program (MCMP). While MCMP establishes essential competencies, many new OTs report difficulties in emergency response. To address this gap, a monthly Risk Drill was launched in June 2025 for CPS OTs in Tai Po Hospital (TPH) and North District Hospital (NDH), extended to OTs in‑patient psychiatric service in TPH, and in December 2025, included CPS OTs in Shatin Hospital (SH). This structured training uses peer discussion, and simulation to prepare new recruits for clinical emergency handling and risk prevention.
Objectives :
1. To evaluate the user experience and effectiveness of the Risk Drill program.
Methodology :
Registered Occupational Therapists (ROTs) and senior staff completed a post‑session survey. Beyond demographic data, the survey had three parts: Part 1: Assesses achievement of objectives, including risk identification, clinical reasoning in emergencies, and compliance with reporting systems. Part 2: Rates the effectiveness of group discussions and simulation using a 5‑point Likert scale. Part 3: Collects qualitative feedback on participants’ experiences, and suggested improvements.
Result & Outcome :
44 responses were collected: 28 ROTs and 16 Advanced Practice Occupational Therapists (APOTs) or above, of which 63.6% were not currently in CPS practice. All respondents agreed that the session achieved its objectives. Group discussions and simulations received an average effectiveness rating of 4.16 and 4.11 respectively over 5. Participants unanimously reported improved competence in clinical emergency handling and risk prevention. Qualitative feedback described the training as comprehensive, noting that involvement of in‑patient staff fostered broader perspectives. Participants valued the opportunity for simulation compared with passive guideline review, especially when rehearsing communications between different parties during emergencies. The pilot evaluation indicates that Risk Drill provides a positive learning experience, enhancing ROTs’ preparedness for risk management in CPS settings. Both peer discussion and simulation emerged as core components of its effectiveness. Additionally, participants benefited from peer learning and increased awareness of blind spots in clinical reasoning.
