scholarly journals Collaborative relationship-focused occupational therapy: Evolving lexicon and practice

2021 ◽  
pp. 000841742110228
Author(s):  
Gayle J. Restall ◽  
Mary Y. Egan
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Collaborative Relationship ◽  
Relational Context ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Occupational Participation ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Fundamental Shift

Background. Client-centred practice has been part of occupational therapists’ identity for several decades. However, therapists have begun to question whether the term obstructs critical relational aspects of therapy. Purpose. The purpose of this article is to summarize critiques of the use of the term client-centred and propose an expanded descriptor and a fundamental shift in how occupational therapists engage with individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations. Key Issues. Three themes summarize critiques of how client-centred practice has been envisioned: (a) the language of client-centred, (b) insufficient appreciation of how the therapist affects the relationship, and (c) inadequate consideration of the relational context of occupation. We propose collaborative relationship-focused practice that has key relational elements of being contextually relevant, nuanced, and safe, and promotes rights-based self-determination. Conclusion. We argue that these essential relational elements, along with a focus on occupations, are required to promote occupational participation, equity, and justice.

Limitations on Participation and Their Relation to Social Determinants of Health Among Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Students During Coronavirus Lockdown

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nuria Menéndez Álvarez ◽  
Emiliano Diez Villoria ◽  
Estíbaliz Jimenez Arberas ◽  
Ana María Castaño Pérez ◽  
Antonio León García Izquierdo
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
World Health ◽  
International Classification Of Functioning ◽  
Occupational Therapy Students ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Importance: For the first time in recent history, people worldwide have faced severe restrictions in occupations because of the measures adopted by governments to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis. Objective: To determine the limitations on participation of occupational therapists and occupational therapy students during “lockdown” and their impact on social determinants of health. Design: A cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted via an online survey. Participants: A total of 488 occupational therapists and occupational therapy students in North America, South America, and Europe. Outcomes and Measures: A questionnaire consisting of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health and items developed to assess the impact of lockdown on daily life was emailed to occupational therapy professional associations, organizations, and universities between April and June 2020. It was available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese and met all the parameters listed in the Declaration of Helsinki. Results: The roles and routines of people across the developed world have been affected by lockdown measures. The study shows marked differences between participants in the domains of getting along and life activities, as well as influence on the environment. Moreover, South American participants experienced these difficulties to a greater extent than European participants. Conclusions and Relevance: This study quantifies the limitations in the participation of occupational therapists and occupational therapy students and the relationship of occupation to social determinants of health. What This Article Adds: The results of this research corroborate the relationship between health and occupation and highlight elements, such as the environment and context, that are important in occupational therapy. Therapists’ ability to analyze occupation in relation to contextual and cultural factors will benefit clients.

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.

Examining changes in occupational participation in forensic patients using the Model of Human Occupation Screening Tool

2016 ◽  
Vol 79 (12) ◽  
pp. 727-733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chia-Wei Fan ◽  
Mary Morley ◽  
Mike Garnham ◽  
David Heasman ◽  
Renee Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Human Occupation ◽  
Forensic Patients ◽  
Communication Interaction ◽  
Model Of Human Occupation ◽  
Occupational Participation ◽  
The Many ◽  
Over Time

Introduction In occupational therapy, there has been an increased interest in patients’ occupational participation within forensic settings. This retrospective study involved a longitudinal analysis of occupational participation within six forensic hospitals in England. The aim was to contribute to the understanding of forensic patients’ occupational participation over a two-year period. Methods The Model of Human Occupation Screening Tool (MOHOST) was rated by 78 occupational therapists on 489 patients in low and medium secure units who were receiving occupational therapy over two years. The many-faceted Rasch Model was used to convert their MOHOST scores at each time point into interval scales. Regression analysis was used to examine changes in occupational participation over time. Results Patients’ overall occupational participation improved over time. Specifically, participation improved in five of the six MOHOST subdomains, which included their motivation for occupation, pattern of occupation, communication/interaction skills, process skills, and environment. Patients did not demonstrate significant change in their motor skills, which varied as expected. In addition, patients in low secure units had better occupational participation than those in medium secure settings. Conclusion Our findings indicated improvements in the patients’ occupational participation over the 2-year period. Further investigations are needed to understand factors contributing to change.

Is Meeting Spiritual Need within the Occupational Therapy Domain?

2005 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 177-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Hoyland ◽  
Christine Mayers
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Spiritual Care ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Spiritual Needs ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

The profession's present interest in the topic of spirituality initiated the decision to undertake this study, which aimed to investigate the extent to which occupational therapists consider clients' spiritual needs as part of their domain. The objectives of the study were to ascertain whether this was part of the occupational therapist's role and to identify the ways in which occupational therapists addressed the spiritual needs of their clients. Six senior II occupational therapists participated in semi-structured interviews. The participants felt that all individuals have spiritual needs, although not all would recognise or acknowledge them as such. All the participants considered spiritual care to be part of their role, but there was some uncertainty regarding the relationship of spiritual care to occupational therapy in general. Spiritual needs were addressed by a listening and holistic approach.

One Nation or Ten Provinces: The Relationship between the National and Provincial Associations

1979 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-14
Author(s):  
Helen M. Madill ◽  
Sharon G. Brintnell
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Professional Organizations ◽  
Canadian Association ◽  
Direct Benefits ◽  
The Relationship

This paper considers the relationship between the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists and the provincial occupational therapy associations with a view to strengthen this collaboration by means of affiliate status for provincial bodies. Recommendations are made concerning the functions and responsibilities of both levels of professional organizations as well as the direct benefits to the members.

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.

Feminist or Feminine? The Feminine Principle in Occupational Therapy

1996 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greg Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Complementary Therapies ◽  
Recent Literature ◽  
Medical Model ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Feminine Principle ◽  
The Feminine ◽  
The Relationship

Recently, there has been renewed interest in the relationship between feminism and occupational therapy, but does occupational therapy continue to operate on the feminine principle which underlies the philosophical basis of the profession? There is a strong tendency by some occupational therapists to emulate the masculine principle which drives the medical model but this, in fact, places occupational therapy at a disadvantage in the prevailing male culture. Drawing on a wide range of recent literature related to education, professionalism, management, research, clinical reasoning and complementary therapies, this article argues that the feminine principle is very much alive in the theory and practice of occupational therapy today.

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.

scholarly journals Occupational therapy in the Fourth Industrial Revolution

2018 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 272-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lili Liu
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Autonomous Vehicles ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Arts And Crafts ◽  
Entry Level ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Complex Relationships

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.

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