Reflections on a Renaissance of Occupation

2000 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gail Whiteford ◽  
Elizabeth Townsend ◽  
Clare Hocking
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
20Th Century ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Social Practices ◽  
Primary Concern ◽  
Paid Work ◽  
Occupational Science ◽  
Societal Context

At the close of the 20th century, there is a renaissance of occupation in occupational therapy and occupational science. Kielhofner (1992) offers an intraprofessional explanation that the growing interest in occupation recaptures occupational therapy's lost identity. An extraprofessional explanation is that postmodern ideas and social practices have helped to create a societal context in which a renaissance of occupation is welcome. Postmodernism raises questions and awareness of power, diversity, temporality, and situatedness in which normative ideas of occupation as paid work can be challenged. Since occupation is of primary concern to occupational therapy and occupational science, the authors reflect on postmodernism and its influence on a renaissance of occupation in these two fields. These reflections consider what such a renaissance means for occupational therapists and occupational scientists in the 21st century.

Doing Occupational Justice: A Central Dimension of Everyday Occupational Therapy Practice

2020 ◽  
Vol 87 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-152
Author(s):  
Antoine L. Bailliard ◽  
Aaron R. Dallman ◽  
Amanda Carroll ◽  
Ben D. Lee ◽  
Susan Szendrey
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Everyday Practice ◽  
Science Literature ◽  
Occupational Science ◽  
Canadian Association ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Occupational Justice

Background. The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) state that occupational justice is part of the domain of occupational therapy and that occupational justice is “an aspect of contexts and environments and an outcome of intervention” (AOTA, 2014, p. S9). Key Issues. Despite the increasing focus on justice in the occupational therapy and the occupational science literature, many practitioners in traditional settings do not see its relevance to their everyday practice (Galvin, Wilding, & Whiteford, 2011) or have difficulty envisioning how to enact a justice-informed practice. Purpose. This paper demonstrates how occupational justice is germane to all settings of occupational therapy, and how it can be enacted at micro, meso, and macro levels of occupational therapy practice. Implications. We argue that occupational therapy is a justice-oriented profession at its core and will discuss how occupational justice can be enacted at all levels of practice.

… The Truth is No Longer Out There

1997 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 50-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Creek
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Everyday Life ◽  
20Th Century ◽  
Human Activity ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Ordinary People ◽  
The Past ◽  
Physical Universe ◽  
Scientific Endeavour

Western scientific endeavour, for the past 200 years, has been directed towards uncovering the laws that govern the physical universe. Truth has been seen as existing independently of human activity, and all that is required to discover it is to make accurate and objective observations which lead to rational conclusions. The second half of the 20th century has been characterised by an increasing awareness that knowledge can never be truly objective. With this realisation, the pursuit of truth has given way to a greater acceptance of diversity, complexity and uncertainty in a shift of perspective called postmodernism. Occupational therapists have been traditionally concerned with the details of everyday life as lived by ordinary people. The goals of intervention are individual, contextual, discrete and diverse. Practice is based on pragmatism rather than on abstract principles. This article provides an introduction to a complex topic and argues that occupational therapy can best be understood and valued from a postmodernist perspective.

scholarly journals The Concept of Oppression and Occupational Therapy: A Critical Interpretive Synthesis

2021 ◽  
pp. 000841742110511
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Pooley ◽  
Brenda L. Beagan
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Social Structures ◽  
Social Discourse ◽  
Science Literature ◽  
Occupational Science ◽  
Intersectional Analysis ◽  
Critical Interpretive Synthesis

Background. Occupational therapy and occupational science literature include growing attention to issues of justice, marginalization, and rights. In contrast, the concept of oppression has scarcely been employed. Purpose. This paper investigates how adding the concept of oppression may enhance occupational therapy approaches to injustice, prioritizing a focus on structural causes, and facilitating conscientious action. Method. A critical interpretive synthesis explored insights from authors who name oppressions in occupational therapy and occupational science literature. In total, a sample of 28 papers addressing oppression, ableism, ageism, classism, colonialism, heterosexism, racism, and/or sexism was selected for inclusion. Findings. Four themes were identified: oppression and everyday doing; effects of structures and power; responding and resisting; and oppression within occupational therapy. Implications. Incorporating oppression within the plurality of social discourse may help occupational therapists to avoid individualistic explanations, attend to relationships between social structures and constrained occupations, frame intersectional analysis, and engage in praxis.

Critical reflections on occupational justice: Toward a rights-based approach to occupational opportunities

2016 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen R. Whalley Hammell
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Capabilities Approach ◽  
World Federation ◽  
Occupational Science ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
The Disabled ◽  
Occupational Justice ◽  
Definition Of

Background. Occupational justice is cited throughout the occupational science and occupational therapy literatures despite little scholarly attention either to its definition or to how situations of occupational justice are identifiable. Purpose. This paper aims to contribute a critique of occupational justice, explore the concepts of justice and (occupational) rights, and support a capabilities approach to inform rights-based occupational therapy practices. Key Issues. No clear definition of occupational justice or differentiation from social justice exists despite the longevity of the concept, and theorists frequently confuse the concepts of justice and rights. A rights-based focus provides an unambiguous mandate for occupational therapists, with the capabilities approach offering a cross-disciplinary framework to inform rights-based practices. Implications. The concept of occupational rights is consistent with the rights-based focus advocated by the disabled people’s movement, articulated by the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities, and affirmed by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists’ position on the centrality of occupation to health, well-being, and human rights.

“Band Wagon and Gravy Train”: uses and abuses along the Silk Road

Afghanistan ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-194
Author(s):  
Warwick Ball
Keyword(s):  
20Th Century ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Silk Road ◽  
Late 20Th Century ◽  
Ancient Trade ◽  
International Image ◽  
Academic Discussion ◽  
The Silk Road

The Silk Road as an image is a relatively new one for Afghanistan. It appeals to both the pre-Islamic and the perceived Islamic past, thus offering an Islamic balance to previous identities linked to Bamiyan or to the Kushans. It also appeals to a broader and more international image, one that has been taken up by many other countries. This paper traces the rise of the image of the Silk Road and its use as a metaphor for ancient trade to encompass all contacts throughout Eurasia, prehistoric, ancient and modern, but also how the image has been adopted and expanded into many other areas: politics, tourism and academia. It is argued here that the origin and popularity of the term lies in late 20th century (and increasingly 21st century) politics rather than any reality of ancient trade. Its consequent validity as a metaphor in academic discussion is questioned

A Worthwhile Collaboration: Integrating Optometry and Occupational Therapy in the Treatment of Children

2020 ◽  
pp. 221-236
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Professional Growth ◽  
Interprofessional Collaboration ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
The Body ◽  
Collaborative Practice ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Visual Deficits ◽  
Vision Deficits

Background: Vision deficits are highly prevalent in children with neurodevelopmental disorders including those with motor delays, learning and reading difficulties, and maladaptive behaviors. These deficits can interfere with their participation and performance in everyday life activities and therefore, require a comprehensive approach to therapy. As such, optometrists and occupational therapists are an optimal team to provide interprofessional collaborative care, reported in research as best practice, in the treatment of these children. However, little is known about the long-called-for collaboration between these professions. The purpose of this study was to explore factors and implications associated with a collaborative practice between optometrists and occupational therapists in the co-management of vision deficits in the pediatric population. Methods: A qualitative, descriptive design was employed to explore perceptions of collaborative practice among teams of optometrists and occupational therapists in the remedial care of children with visual deficits. Following IRB approval, co-located optometrists and occupational therapists were recruited for this study. Semistructured interviews served as the primary data collection tool to investigate the factors and implications of collaborative practice. Results: Eleven professionals provided informed consent and took part in this study, including five occupational therapists and six optometrists. Following thematic analysis, four overarching themes emerged including 1) professional boundaries, 2) co-located, integrated practice, 3) professional growth, and 4) improved patient care. Participants indicated that although barriers exist, exercising humility, upholding patient-centered focus, maintaining mutual respect, communicating frequently, and co-location were factors that enable collaboration. Positive outcomes related to both the provider and the patient were further highlighted supporting the interprofessional collaboration between these professionals. Conclusions: The findings of this qualitative study add to the body of evidence underpinning interprofessional collaborative practice. Furthermore, this study supports the coordination of care, through optometry and occupational therapy collaboration, in the treatment of visual deficits in children with special needs.

The role of science in the study of and response to space threats

2019 ◽  
Vol 89 (8) ◽  
pp. 777-799
Author(s):  
B. M. Shustov
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
20Th Century ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Space Debris ◽  
The Sun ◽  
National Program ◽  
Biological Hazard ◽  
Academy Of Sciences ◽  
Space Activities

During the second half of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century, space hazards multiplied, the most urgent of which is space debris. Professionals working in space are exposed to this hazard daily and are aware of it as a problem. Furthermore, increasing attention is being paid to the unpredictable behavior of the Sun, which produces the so-called space weather. The asteroid-comet hazard is considered as potentially having the most catastrophic consequences. No manifestations of biological hazard have yet been observed, although as space activities develop, it is becoming increasingly important. The appropriate time scale for astrophysical hazards is many millions of years, so from a practical perspective, they have no importance. This article briefly describes the main types of space hazards. The author analyzes the results of research and practical work in the field, both worldwide and specifically in Russia. Comparative analysis leads to the clear conclusion that a national program must be developed for the study of space hazards and to respond to space threats. This article is based on a report made by the author at the meeting of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) on January 15, 2019.

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