Clinical reasoning is the thinking process used by occupational therapists as they interact with clients throughout the occupational therapy process. Seven different types of clinical reasoning are defined and discussed below.
Scientific Reasoning
This type of reasoning focuses on the facts such as impairments, disabilities, and performance contexts. It can be used to identify problems and to develop solutions.
Diagnostic Reasoning
This type of reasoning specifically relates to the client’s diagnosis and how that diagnosis affects the clinical picture. It is sometimes considered a component of scientific reasoning.
Procedural Reasoning
This type of reasoning focuses on the process of what, when, and how interventions and other solutions will be carried out. It focuses primarily upon the process of therapy.
Narrative and Interactive Reasoning
This type of reasoning relies on story telling in order to identify problem areas and solutions. It requires interaction between client and therapist in order to gain an understanding of the situation.
Pragmatic Reasoning
This type of reasoning focuses on logistics such as cost, time, therapist’s skills, client wishes, and physical location. It looks at the problems and the contexts and focuses on developing practical and realistic solutions.
Ethical Reasoning
This type of reasoning brings in the aspect of right and wrong as it looks at issues and aims to develop the best and most moral solution to a problem.
Conditional Reasoning
This type of reasoning is the most complex, and it encompases both an empathetic understanding of the situation, as well as a vision for its resolution. It incorporates the other types of reasoning into an integrated picture of the client and a framework for selecting the most appropriate course of action in order to achieve the ideal end goal.
References and Further Reading:
Krajnik, S. (2015). Clinical reasoning in occupational therapy [Handout].