scholarly journals Occupational therapy in the Fourth Industrial Revolution

2018 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 272-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lili Liu

Background. While occupational therapy’s inception was from the Arts and Crafts movement and the moral treatment movement with war veterans, the profession has evolved to requiring a professional entry-level master’s degree to practice, and involves complex relationships with clients across the life span. Throughout history, a consistent impact of each industrial revolution has been the loss of jobs to automation. This consequence is even more profound today with the exponential growth of innovations and automation. Purpose. The objectives of this article are to (a) set the context by reviewing the evolution, or five eras, of occupational therapy in Canada; (b) present what is meant by the “Fourth Industrial Revolution”; and (c) examine the technological innovations faced by occupational therapists and our clients as we enter the “sixth” era of occupational therapy in Canada. Key Issues. Although occupational therapy, as a profession, has low risk for automation, a great number of our clients will not be able to reskill fast enough to keep up with job market requirements. Telerehabilitation, the Internet of Things, virtual reality, 3-D printing, robotics, artificial intelligence, and autonomous vehicles are challenging ways occupational therapists provide services to clients. Implications. It is recommended that occupational therapists engage with disciplines beyond current typical connections, as our expertise is called upon to advocate for ourselves and our clients who are end users of these technologies.

2016 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
pp. 306-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ted Brown ◽  
Jeffrey L. Crabtree ◽  
Joe Wells ◽  
Keli Mu

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 87 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-152
Author(s):  
Antoine L. Bailliard ◽  
Aaron R. Dallman ◽  
Amanda Carroll ◽  
Ben D. Lee ◽  
Susan Szendrey

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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-11
Author(s):  
Asnat Bar-Haim Erez ◽  
Eynat Gal

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.


1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 259-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Ellen Levine

Present concerns about the state of theory and practice in occupational therapy can be explained in light of past developments, both successful and unsuccessful efforts. This article explains why occupational therapists still use arts-and-crafts modalities, the practice of which can be traced to early therapists influenced by the philosophy and practices of a social movement that swept across America from 1895 to 1920. This analysis is based on historical research, a methodology not common in occupational therapy literature.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 42
Author(s):  
Afam I. O. Jideani ◽  
Awelani P. Mutshinyani ◽  
Ntsako P. Maluleke ◽  
Zwivhuya P. Mafukata ◽  
Mkateko V. Sithole ◽  
...  

The industrial revolutions occurring at specific periods impacted differently on food industry machinery, including analytical and innovative scientific equipment, and had significant effects on food manufacturing. The fourth industrial revolution (4IR) unlike the other industrial revolutions (1IR, 2IR, and 3IR) has a faster significant impact and niches on artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), blockchain, robotics, the internet of things (IoT), digitalization, big data, autonomous vehicles, additive manufacturing, nanotechnology, biotechnology, and 3D food printing technologies. Going forward would require more mechatronic engineers as process technicians, particularly in paperless processes and automation of the digital rich future.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana Klein ◽  
Marcelo Archanjo ◽  
Rodrigo Suigh ◽  
Roseli de Deus Lopes

BACKGROUND EasySeating is a mobile health (mHealth) app that supports the prescription of wheelchair and postural support devices (WPSD). It can be used by occupational therapists (OT) and physiotherapists (PT) who prescribe these devices. The app offers a framework for the prescription procedures, showing images, metrics and details that can guide the prescriber to decide the best equipment for wheelchair users. OBJECTIVE to present the development and usability of the EasySeating app. METHODS This study was divided into three stages and was carried out as an iterative process with eighty eight participants (n=88) that provided information for the software development and its usability. In the Stage 1 data was gathered to develop the first prototype, followed by the Stage 2 where four prototypes were improved by the feedback from experts. Finally in the Stage 3 the usability was tested. Data collection was performed through semi-structured interviews, focus groups and heuristics evaluation. Data analysis was descriptive and qualitative. RESULTS In the Stage 1 was identified the lack of a uniform terminology used by practitioners; however this information was used to create the first prototype based on a range of postural devices reported. In the Stage 2, qualitative information was used to improve the app including images, more options of devices. In Stage 3, the usability test improved the app in the following aspects: smartness, increasing the dialog and feedback with the practitioner. CONCLUSIONS The three stages enable to define a uniform terminology; to identify and recommend a framework for prescription comprising rehabilitation practitioners, technicians and wheelchair users; to document a method to develop a mHealth that can have reproducibility by the international community interested in assistive technology assessment using technology, a new trend in an era of the fourth industrial revolution.


2016 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
pp. 281-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen R. Whalley Hammell

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.


2005 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 202-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Corr ◽  
Leonie Siddons

This paper introduces the key issues that occupational therapists need to cover when selecting outcome measures for their workplace. It indicates the properties required for a standardised tool and describes how data are usually collected and analysed. Consideration is given to the advantages and disadvantages of using a standardised tool to measure the outcome of occupational therapy.


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