Occupational Therapy Manpower: Ontario's Critical Shortage

1989 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carole Mirkopoulos ◽  
Barbara Quinn
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Additional Stress ◽  
Service Programs ◽  
The Disabled ◽  
Therapy Services ◽  
Increasing Demand ◽  
The Impact

The following report prepared by a task force of employers and consumer groups underlines the need to develop strategies to meet current shortages and future requirements for occupational therapy manpower. Increasing demand for occupational therapy services is in response to an increase in service programs funded by the Ministry of Health, changing philosophies of care and management for the disabled, and a clearer understanding of the role of the occupational therapist in the physical and mental well-being of the disabled. This trend is expected to continue over the next five years and place additional stress on an already exhausted supply of manpower. The data used for forecasting manpower requirements in this report were that of Hospital Statistics, Table 8B and Ontario Home Care Programs statistics. By 1990–91, given the rate of growth in these two sectors, projected attrition and projected output from educational programs, an additional 1048 occupational therapists will be required over and above available resources at that time. Strategies must be put into place to offset the impact of this occupational therapy manpower shortage in Ontario. Considerations in the development of strategies are briefly discussed and suggestions are made to address this problem both in the short and long term.

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.

Muriel Driver Memorial Lecture Discours Commémoratif Muriel Driver

1987 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 165-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Joanne Stan
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Memorial Lecture ◽  
Health Care Environment ◽  
Care Environment ◽  
Organization Management ◽  
Therapy Services ◽  
Political Economic ◽  
The Impact

This paper explores the impact of a changing health care environment on the organization, management, and delivery of occupational therapy services in Canada. Political, economic, and other societal forces are having a profound effect on the demand for and the practice of occupational therapy. The influence of such forces on occupational therapy is discussed within the context of the profession's internal organization, external image, educational continuum, and practice directions. The paper reviews the profession's past response to such forces and develops approaches that occupational therapists individually and collectively can pursue to be more strategically positioned within the changing health care scene.

Promoting Occupational Therapy Mental Health Research: Proceedings From the 2017 AOTF Mental Health Planning Grant Collective

2021 ◽  
pp. 153944922110054
Author(s):  
Sharon A. Gutman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Community Participation ◽  
Health Planning ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Health Community ◽  
Therapy Services

Although occupational therapists were once integrally involved in mental health practice, the percentage of therapists presently working in this clinical area is low. In 2017, the American Occupational Therapy Foundation convened a planning grant collective (PGC) to generate research to support populations with serious mental health challenges. The PGC’s primary mission was to identify key research areas in which occupational therapists and colleagues could work collaboratively to demonstrate evidence for occupational therapy services supporting mental health community participation. Participants included 21 members from six professions and three program officers from federal funding establishments. The PGC identified seven overarching research concepts, three broad areas of research inquiry, and eight possible studies addressing occupational therapy’s contribution to research promoting community participation and health outcomes for people with mental illness. This article provides a summary of the PGC proceedings so that researchers can collaboratively implement identified research topics.

Exploring the meaning of value-based occupational therapy services from the perspectives of managers, therapists and clients

2021 ◽  
pp. 030802262110300
Author(s):  
Su Ren Wong ◽  
Bi Xia Ngooi ◽  
Fang Yin Kwa ◽  
Xiang Ting Koh ◽  
Rachel J J Chua ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Perceived Value ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Therapeutic Relationships ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Therapeutic Communication ◽  
Main Concept ◽  
Therapy Services

Introduction There is a worldwide trend towards value-based health care, which strives to control healthcare costs while maximising value for clients. The main concept of value has been defined as health outcomes achieved per US dollar spent. This research explored how clients of occupational therapy services, managers and occupational therapists perceived value in occupational therapy services. Method A qualitative design was used to explore the perspectives of clients ( n = 11), occupational therapists ( n = 7) and occupational therapy managers ( n = 7). Appreciative inquiry guided the two phases of semi-structured interviews ( n = 5) and focus groups ( n = 6). Inductive and deductive coding were used to establish themes. Findings Three themes encompassed the participants’ perceived value of occupational therapy services: (1) outcomes which are meaningful to daily life, (2) a constructive client–therapist relationship and (3) affordable, coordinated and understandable therapy. Conclusion Participants attributed value to occupational therapy services when they encountered personalised goal setting, focused on meaningful outcomes, managed personal costs and experienced positive therapeutic relationships. Enhancing services could focus on (1) developing skills in collaborative goal setting, (2) determining suitable outcome measures which are meaningful at personal- and service-level reporting, (3) encouraging self-management strategies, and (4) emphasising therapeutic relationships and supporting therapeutic communication skill development.

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.

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.

Hunger and Food Well-Being: Advancing Research and Practice

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 136-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa G. Bublitz ◽  
Jonathan Hansen ◽  
Laura A. Peracchio ◽  
Sherrie Tussler
Keyword(s):  
Food Availability ◽  
Social Relationship ◽  
Food Policy ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Food Marketing ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Food Literacy ◽  
The Impact

This article explores the paradigm of Food Well-Being (FWB), “a positive psychological, physical, emotional, and social relationship with food,” for those who experience hunger. Building on the insights derived from two sources—research across a range of disciplines including marketing and the practices of the nonprofit Hunger Task Force to alleviate hunger and advance FWB—the authors explore the five domains of FWB: food availability, food socialization, food literacy, food marketing, and food policy as they relate to people who experience hunger. The authors establish a research contribution by extending the FWB paradigm to include people experiencing hunger and by applying this extended paradigm to illuminate the impact of hunger on people’s FWB. Finally, the authors propose research to guide researchers, policy makers, and nonprofits toward generating FWB for all.

scholarly journals World Federation of Occupational Therapists' Position Statement on Telehealth

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
World Federation Of Occupational Therapists
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Position Statement ◽  
Standards Of Care ◽  
World Federation ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Related Services ◽  
Local Health Care ◽  
Therapy Services

The purpose of this document is to state the World Federation of Occupational Therapists’ (WFOT) position on the use of telehealth for the delivery of occupational therapy services. Telehealth is the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) to deliver health-related services when the provider and client are in different physical locations. Additional terms used to describe this service delivery model include: tele-occupational therapy, telerehabilitation, teletherapy, telecare, telemedicine, and telepractice, among other terms. Telehealth may be used by occupational therapy practitioners for evaluation, intervention, monitoring, supervision, and consultation (between remote therapist, client, and/or local health-care provider) as permitted by jurisdictional, institutional, and professional regulations and policies governing the practice of occupational therapy.Occupational therapy services via telehealth should be appropriate to the individuals, groups and cultures served,and contextualized to the occupations and interests of clients. Important considerations related to licensure/registration, collaboration with local occupational therapists, client selection, consent to treat, professional liability insurance, confidentiality, personal and cultural attributes, provider competence/standards of care, reimbursement/payer guidelines, and authentic occupational therapy practice are discussed.

Management Budgeting for Occupational Therapists?

1988 ◽  
Vol 51 (12) ◽  
pp. 425-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Buchanan
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Treatment Time ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Clinical Treatment ◽  
Patient Contact ◽  
Contact Hours ◽  
Therapy Services ◽  
Preliminary Study

This article describes a preliminary study into the implications of management budgeting for occupational therapy services. † In the Derby Unit of Psychiatry, occupational therapists used a database provided by the hospital to determine measurable clinical treatment time, to examine patient contact hours for differing grades of occupational therapy staff, and to determine possible links between time spent in clinical contacts and staff job satisfaction. Although the sample size is small (N= 43 investigated working days), results and discussion give rise to important budgeting implications and suggestions for further study.

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