How do we know we do what it says on the tin? Ensuring adherence to a person centered approach within Occupational Therapy Mental Health Services in Higher Education.

Current Irish mental health policy demands a shift towards person centred service delivery. Occupational therapy is well placed to implement and develop services in line with this policy as it has person centred care at the core of its theoretical constructs.  This study examines the use of person centred models in an occupational therapy service for students with mental health disabilities in higher education that is, the Person Environment Occupation (PEO) and Recovery models.   As documentation offers the best insight into the integration of theory to practice, the aim of this study was to examine if documentation adhered to its theoretical underpinnings.    Thus 195 Electronic case files were reviewed and 47 in a re-assessment process. Results demonstrated adherence to the recovery model was an area of strength for the service as was alignment to international best practice standards. However, recording of goals and interventions in line with the PEO model was lacking. Following a period on consultation with senior therapists and the clinical director changes were made to further embed the models into the documentation processes.  Following this consultation re-assessment demonstrated greater adherence to person centred models in all interactions with the students with mental health disabilities.  This research demonstrates that it is necessary not only to examine ones practice but to develop context specific tools to ensure person centred care signifying integration of theory to practice.