A framework for occupational enablement to facilitate social change in community practice

2018 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 318-329
Author(s):  
Elize Janse van Rensburg
Keyword(s):  
Social Change ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Community Development ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Practice ◽  
Management Guideline ◽  
Key Issues

Background. Community practice in occupational therapy is becoming increasingly relevant worldwide. Moreover, a social-change approach focusing on occupational enablement is pertinent in community practice as occupational therapists endeavour to promote health, well-being, and occupational justice in communities. Purpose. Drawing on theory from the fields of community development, community engagement, and occupational enablement, and based on the findings of a previous empirical, qualitative study, a framework for occupational enablement in community practice was developed. Key Issues. This article presents the background to the development of the framework, after which the framework is introduced and discussed in terms of the composition, relevance, and application of its components. The framework details outcomes and objectives that may be targeted and activities that may be utilized successfully during occupational therapy community practice engagements. It further illuminates facilitators of enablement related to contextual factors, stakeholders, and strategies that enhance the potential for enabling community practice engagements. Implications. This framework can provide a strategic management guideline for occupational therapists and students who engage with communities in endeavours such as community development and service learning.

scholarly journals Occupational therapists’ experiences of enabling people to participate in sport

2020 ◽  
pp. 030802262097394
Author(s):  
Deborah Bullen ◽  
Channine Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Scope Of Practice ◽  
Local Populations ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Health And Social Care

Introduction In response to growing demands on health and social care services there is an emphasis on communities addressing the needs of local populations to improve lives and reduce inequalities. Occupational therapists are responding to these demands by expanding their scope of practice into innovative settings, such as working with refugees, the homeless and residents of nursing homes, and within sport and leisure environments. The benefits of sport are widely acknowledged, and this paper argues that occupational therapists could play a pivotal role in enabling people to participate. Method This qualitative study drew on a phenomenological approach and used interviews and thematic analysis to explore five occupational therapists’ experiences of enabling people to participate in sport. Findings Findings revealed that participants demonstrated the uniqueness of occupational therapy when enabling people to participate in sport and practised according to their professional philosophy. There were opportunities to reach wider communities and promote the value of occupational therapy by collaborating with organisations, but there were also challenges when working outside of traditional settings. Conclusion The study emphasises the unique skills occupational therapists can bring to this setting. It highlights opportunities to expand their practice, to forge new partnerships in sports and leisure environments, and to address the national inactivity crisis.

scholarly journals Team Focus: Occupational Therapist

2008 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 94-98
Author(s):  
Susan J. Forwell ◽  
Kathleen M. Zackowski
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Therapy Process ◽  
Functional Difficulties ◽  
Care And Support ◽  
Symptomatic Management ◽  
Home Work ◽  
Health And Well Being

Occupational therapists (OTs) have a unique and valued role in the health and functional recovery of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). To maximize the benefit of occupational therapy by both health care professionals who refer patients and the patients who use the services, an understanding of the scope of services that OTs offer is essential. This article describes the breadth of the OT evaluation and intervention specific to the treatment of individuals who have MS. As an overriding goal, the OT assists clients in processing the implications of physical, cognitive, and emotional changes and creatively developing strategies to cope with and, when appropriate, minimize the effects of these changes. The occupational therapy process is described, beginning with evaluation and providing guidelines and resources for appropriate client-centered goal setting. The OT and client then discuss intervention that ensures optimal functional outcome and includes symptomatic management, according to the specific functional difficulties and implications and the particular symptoms of each patient. Through discussion, the OT helps each client achieve health and well-being with remedial and compensatory techniques that enable participation in meaningful activities and roles in the home, work, and community. OT services are essential to the appropriate and optimal delivery of comprehensive care and support to individuals with MS.

Health Equity, Aboriginal Peoples and Occupational Therapy

2012 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 70-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet E. G. Jull ◽  
Audrey R. Giles
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Belief Systems ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Aboriginal Peoples ◽  
Critical Examination ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Canadian Health ◽  
At Risk Populations ◽  
Foundational Belief

Background. In Canada, Aboriginal peoples are affected by colonial relations of power that result in poor health outcomes. Despite occupational therapists' efforts to work in a safe and competent manner with people experiencing challenges to participating in daily life, Western healthcare models reflect values that often undermine Aboriginal peoples' health and well-being. Purpose. Meaningful, effective, and culturally appropriate healthcare practices cannot be fully implemented by occupational therapists without an ongoing and critical examination of occupational therapy's foundational belief systems. Only a critical examination of these foundational belief systems will enable occupational therapists to take action towards addressing these inequities, which is an important step in moving towards culturally safe care. Key Issues. Canadian health professions, including occupational therapy, have the potential to create positive change at a systems level through the critical exploration of underlying professional assumptions. Implications. To advance dialogue about Aboriginal peoples' health, occupational therapists must engage in exploration of their profession's underlying theoretical concepts or risk participating in the perpetuation of health inequities for already at-risk populations.

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.

Quality of life: A universal or a disability specific concept?

2019 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-11
Author(s):  
Asnat Bar-Haim Erez ◽  
Eynat Gal
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Specific Concept ◽  
The Individual

Background. Quality of life (QoL) is an important outcome of occupational therapy practice. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts the individual throughout their lifespan and may substantially affect QoL. Measuring QoL of people with ASD presents a challenge and a debate whether to use general versus disability-specific adapted measures. Purpose. This paper aims to (a) revisit the construct of QoL and discuss specific dilemmas pertaining to its measurement, and (b) discuss implications to the assessment of QoL in individuals with ASD while highlighting the potential contribution of occupational therapy to the development of measures. Key Issues. We suggest adding the domain of accessibility into QoL assessments, including, physical, sensory, social, and cognitive aspects, and to use disability-specific QoL measures. Implications. The paper presents a call for occupational therapists to be involved in developing specific ASD disability-oriented measures that consider the unique characteristics of the disorder and environmental supports.

The entry-level occupational therapy clinical doctorate: The next education wave of change in Canada?

2016 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
pp. 306-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ted Brown ◽  
Jeffrey L. Crabtree ◽  
Joe Wells ◽  
Keli Mu
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
The United States ◽  
Occupational Therapy Education ◽  
Clinical Doctorate ◽  
Entry Level ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
Therapy Education

Background. Currently, Canada and the United States are the only two countries that mandate entry to the occupational therapy profession at the master’s level. There was a recommendation considered by the American Occupational Therapy Association that by 2025 all education programs would move to the clinical doctorate level. In August 2015, the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education made the formal decision that for now, the entry-level qualification for occupational therapists in the United States will remain at both the master’s and clinical doctorate levels. Purpose. This article presents an overview of the types of doctorates available, the pros and cons of moving to the clinical doctorate, and some potential questions that will need to be considered. Key issues. Is the next step in the educational progression of occupational therapy in Canada the entry-level clinical doctorate? What are the potential implications for the profession, our clients, and funders? Implications. Further discourse and investigation of this issue is needed.

scholarly journals Exploring the Praxis of Occupational Therapy-Community Development Practitioners

2021 ◽  
pp. 000841742110666
Author(s):  
Laura Irvine-Brown ◽  
Vicki-Ann Ware ◽  
Ana Paula Serrata Malfitano
Keyword(s):  
Community Development ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Social Transformation ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Growing Body ◽  
Knowledge And Practice ◽  
Depth Interviews

Background. A growing body of occupational therapy knowledge and practice focuses not on health but on social transformation, and couples occupational therapy with community development. A tension in both these fields is the disconnect between what practitioners espouse and what they do, limiting the potential of practice. To address this, practitioners are encouraged to engage in praxis—the critical synthesis of theory and practice. Purpose. To explore whether and how Australian occupational therapy-community development practitioners engage in critical praxis. Method. A critical dialogical method was employed to complete multiple in-depth interviews with four occupational therapy-community development practitioners. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings. Practitioners appeared capable of praxis but were not consistently employing it. Findings were grouped into themes: disjointed praxis, authentic praxis, supporting praxis, and praxis challenges and solutions. Implications. Occupational therapists need to be supported to develop, use, and maintain skills in critical praxis.

scholarly journals The place of occupational therapy in the comprehensive rehabilitation of participants of the Anti-Terrorist Operation/Joint Forces Operation taking into account world experience

TRAUMA ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 46-53
Author(s):  
V.S. Sulyma ◽  
Yu.O. Filiak ◽  
V.M. Krasnovskyi
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Test System ◽  
International Classification Of Functioning ◽  
Guidance Document ◽  
Canadian Association

Achieving health, well-being, and participation in life through engagement in occupation is the statement that describes the domain and process of occupational therapy in its fullest sense. This definition includes all areas of influence in occupational therapy: type of employment (level of active lifestyle: rest and sleep, education, work, pleasure, social participation), client factors (values, beliefs, spirituality, body functions and structures), skill performance (motor, process and social interaction skills), pattern performance (habits, routines, rituals, roles), environment (cultural, personal, physical, social, virtual). Occupational therapy in military service is difficult in its own way. The main feature is that veterans demand constant monitoring and support. These people are vulnerable to suicide. That’s why occupational therapist should not wait for their self-referral. Members of soldier’s family need to be actively involved in cooperation as well. Practical guidelines of colleagues from the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists “Working for the Canadian Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Canada” and “A Guidance Document for Occupational Therapists” are most suitable for the implementation in Ukrainian realities. Occupational therapy process starts with an assessment of functioning and disability in relation to a health condition. In Ukraine, an analogue of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 23.05.2018 No. 981) has been identified and introduced, which allows for a comprehensive functional assessment and further steps of planning, monitoring compliance, evaluation of occupational therapy. Primary screening is significantly facilitated by a test system developed by colleagues from different countries, which requires translation into Ukrainian and implementation. It would be appropriate to use a single base of servicemen for their distribution according to the priority of providing care that would optimize the start of occupational therapy. It is necessary to study in detail the long-term experience and advances of developed countries and integrate the promising experience of colleagues in military occupational therapy in Ukraine, which has a chance to become one of the promising specialties with a high level of military service.

Clinical Reasoning in Occupational Therapy: Idiosyncrasies in Content and Process

1996 ◽  
Vol 59 (8) ◽  
pp. 372-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Elizabeth Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Pattern Recognition ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Clinical Reasoning ◽  
Deductive Reasoning ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Medical Problem ◽  
Written Text ◽  
Component Processes

This article describes part of a research project that aims to examine the content and process of occupational therapists' reasoning. Thirty-eight experienced occupational therapists participated. This qualitative study gathered written text from the therapists, representing their thinking when presented with facsimiles of practice situations. Analysis of both the content of the reasoning and the component processes of the reasoning took place. The processes observed were similar to those observed in studies of medical problem solving. Some therapists demonstrated a rapid formulation of the problem, indicating the use of pattern recognition. There was also an element of hypothetico-deductive reasoning, as has been observed in medicine and physiotherapy. This article explores these findings, relating them to the research of other theorists in the field of reasoning and concluding with a discussion of some apparent idiosyncrasies in the participants' reasoning.

Empowerment and occupation: A new perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
pp. 281-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen R. Whalley Hammell
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Core Values ◽  
Relevant Concept ◽  
Ability To Act ◽  
The World ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
New Perspective

Background. The idea of empowerment permeates the occupational therapy literature yet has received little critical reflection from occupational therapy’s theorists. Purpose. This paper aims to explore the concept of empowerment and highlight a recent definition that resonates with occupational therapists’ core values. Key Issues. Empowerment is generally understood to be a process of bestowing power and giving ability to someone deficient in both. However, a new definition provides a framework for understanding how empowerment might enhance people’s capabilities. Implications. The World Bank’s depiction of empowerment fits well with occupational therapists’ beliefs in the importance of the ability and opportunity to “do,” providing a framework for action. This framework focuses on people’s capabilities: their freedom—or opportunity—to choose what they wish to do and to be and their ability to act on these wishes. Moreover, the World Bank’s assertion that empowered people have freedom of both choice and action suggests empowerment is a relevant concept for occupational therapists.

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