Understanding Occupational Therapy: A Hermeneutic Approach

1996 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 237-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greg Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Clinical Reasoning ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Hermeneutic Approach ◽  
Adequate Definition ◽  
Definition Of

The term ‘hermeneutic’ has recently been appearing in the occupational therapy literature related to clinical reasoning but without an adequate definition of its meaning. The purpose of this article, therefore, is to offer a simple introduction to the term and discuss how it applies to clinical reasoning, thus providing occupational therapists with some of the language they will need to understand this relatively new concept fully. Drawing on literature from nursing, physiotherapy, psychology and occupational therapy, this article examines a hermeneutic approach to occupational therapy research and practice and, indeed, to an understanding of the concept of occupational therapy itself.

scholarly journals What is professionalism in occupational therapy? A concept analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 000841742199437
Author(s):  
Alexandra Lecours ◽  
Nancy Baril ◽  
Marie-Josée Drolet
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Professional Identity ◽  
Cultural Influences ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Concept Analysis ◽  
Operational Definition ◽  
Analysis Design ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Extract Information

Background. Professionalism has been given different definitions over time. These are, commonly theoretical and difficult to operationalize. Purpose. This study aimed to provide an operational definition of the concept of professionalism in occupational therapy. Method. Based on a concept analysis design, a meta-narrative review was conducted to extract information from 30 occupational therapy manuscripts. Findings. Professionalism is a complex competence defined by the manifestation of distinct attitudes and behaviours that support excellence in the occupational therapy practice. In addition, professionalism is forged and evolves according to personal and environmental characteristics. The manifestation of professionalism can lead to positive consequences for occupational therapists, clients, and the discipline, notably contributing to a positive and strong professional identity. Moreover, professionalism is also subject to cultural influences, which leads to variations in its development, manifestations, and consequences. Implications. This study offers a contemporary operational definition of professionalism and levers to promote its development and maintenance.

On Clinical Reasoning: Patterns of Reflection on Practice

1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anitha Alnervik ◽  
Gunilla Svidén
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Clinical Reasoning ◽  
Preliminary Investigation ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Treatment Session ◽  
Conditional Reasoning ◽  
Narrative Form ◽  
Reasoning Patterns ◽  
Reflection On Practice

Five qualified occupational therapists and their patients were videotaped during a treatment session. The occupational therapists first were asked to describe the session in a narrative form, i.e., “tell the story,” and then they were asked to describe the thoughts and considerations on which they had conducted the treatment session, i.e., “reflection on practice.” A qualitative analysis was performed in accordance with the model for clinical reasoning developed by Fleming (1991). Both quantitative and qualitative analysis showed that procedural reasoning was predominant both in storytelling and reflection on practice, and a very small number of comments was classified as interactive or conditional reasoning. The results of this preliminary investigation suggested that we should examine the role that reflection on practice plays in examining, developing, and teaching the art of occupational therapy.

Values Influencing Clinical Reasoning in Occupational Therapy: An Exploratory Study

1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine D. Fondiller ◽  
Lois J. Rosage ◽  
Barbara E. Neuhaus
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Clinical Reasoning ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Qualitative Research Methodology ◽  
Interview Format

This exploratory study used qualitative research methods to identify values that influence clinical reasoning in occupational therapy. Through an interview format, selected occupational therapists were asked to respond to a predetermined list of questions about a general case study. The interviews were tape-recorded and a content analysis of the tapes yielded 18 distinct value statements. Implications of the findings and recommendations for further studies are presented. Qualitative research methodology is examined for its utility in occupational therapy.

Applying Clinical Reasoning: A Caseload Management System for Community Occupational Therapists

1996 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 207-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy Fortune ◽  
Susan Ryan
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Clinical Reasoning ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Occupational Therapist ◽  
Therapy Assessment ◽  
Therapy Services ◽  
Subjective Phenomenon ◽  
Experienced Therapist ◽  
Perceived Complexity ◽  
Complex Cases

This article presents a system of caseload management for community occupational therapists. Using the clinical reasoning work of Mattingly and Fleming as a framework, the perceived complexity of each case for a community occupational therapist was analysed and then paralleled with the type and amount of clinical reasoning required. Following an initial occupational therapy assessment, each case is given a numerical weighting, graded at 3 for complex cases and from 1 for non-complex or simple cases. The degree of complexity or weighting is recognised to be a subjective phenomenon dependent on the experience, knowledge and skills of the therapist. The cases held by an occupational therapist are able to be mixed so that the experienced therapist holds a varied caseload of complex and simple work. Beginning therapists can follow the same measured approach thus augmenting their background experience. This method promotes continuing education, assists experiential learning and provides variety. Using this system, it is proposed that occupational therapy services are enhanced by reducing unnecessary casework from therapists' active caseloads, allowing increased time to work on complex cases and using expertise more efficiently.

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.

A Perspective on the Principles and Practice of Occupational Therapy

1988 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Mocellin
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Theoretical Concept ◽  
Effective Practice ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Concise Definition

This paper presents a concise definition of occupational therapy incorporating a theoretical concept which, it is suggested, provides the essential underpinning for the profession. It is further suggested that occupational therapists should become more disciplined in dealing with the health problems of patients. General guidelines considered necessary for effective practice are also outlined.

Holistic Occupational Therapy: Historical Meaning and Contemporary Implications

1994 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Ann Mccoll
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Holistic Health ◽  
Service Research ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Research And Education ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Strict Definition

Holism is an idea that occupational therapists use frequently to describe and characterize their practice. And yet, there seems to be some controversy about what it means and what it implies? This paper explores the historical and contemporary meaning of holism, and attempts to project implications for occupational therapy of adopting a strict definition of the holistic practitioner. Implications are explored according to four principles of holistic health care: that the individual is an integrated being, with the capacity to maintain equilibrium; that the goal of health care is the experience of health, not merely the absence of observable signs of illness; that evaluation of health should be a synthesis of understanding of the individual in his or her environment, not an analysis of the individual; and finally, that illness is a normal experience and an opportunity to achieve a higher level of self-awareness and integration with the environment. Each of these principles is explored relative to perceived current practices in the areas of service, research and education in occupational therapy. The paper concludes with a summary of the changes that would be required of the discipline of occupational therapy, if it were to adhere strictly to this definition.

The Recovery Paradigm: Should Occupational Therapists be Interested?

2005 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen L. Rebeiro Gruhl
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Leadership Role ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Professional Beliefs ◽  
Mental Health Literature ◽  
Practice Method

Background. The mental health literature attests to a paradigm shift from an emphasis on treatment towards a focus on fostering recovery. This paradigm emphasizes many constructs familiar to occupational therapists, including quality of life, empowerment, hope, meaningful activities and work. Occupational therapists are not only familiar with these terms, but have addressed recovery-related constructs in both research and practice. Method and Purpose. Literature on the recovery paradigm, mental health and occupational therapy was reviewed to gain an understanding of this paradigm and its relationship to occupational therapy in mental health. Result. Core occupational therapy beliefs and assumptions are strikingly similar to those purported to be important to fostering recovery. Implications. Occupational therapists should consider taking a keen interest in the construct of recovery. By virtue of professional beliefs and assumptions, occupational therapists are uniquely positioned to assume a leadership role in the area of recovery—related research and practice.

Spirituality in Occupational Therapy Practice According to New Graduates

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 197-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Misiorek ◽  
Edyta Janus
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Occupational Therapy Education ◽  
New Graduates ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Process And Outcome ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Therapy Education ◽  
Occupational Therapy Practitioners

Occupational therapy practitioners consider spirituality to be significant in affecting the process and outcome of occupational therapy; however, many therapists voice confusion and concern about its application within their practice. This study aimed to describe the personal definition of spirituality of young occupational therapy practitioners and their perspectives on its application to their practice. Thirty-five young occupational therapists, engaged in a postprofessional master’s degree, were interviewed using a self-prepared questionnaire, which included open and close-ended questions. The data was analysed using qualitative and quantitative methods. Most participants defined spirituality as a driving force, which shapes many aspects of life. More than half of the participants considered spirituality as crucial in forming therapeutic relationships. The findings suggest that inclusion of spirituality within occupational therapy education warrants further research.

Clinical Reasoning of Occupational Therapists during the Initial Assessment of Physically Disabled Patients

1982 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 195-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan C. Rogers ◽  
Gladys Masagatani
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Clinical Reasoning ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Initial Assessment ◽  
Therapy Process ◽  
Reasoning Process ◽  
Clinical Thinking

Clinical reasoning lies at the core of the occupational therapy process. Although several models of clinical thinking have been presented in the literature for use by occupational therapists, no empirical studies have been conducted to examine the process in action. This article reports a pilot study of the first component of the occupational therapy process—assessment. Ten therapists, working with patients with physical problems in medical settings, were observed and interviewed as they assessed patients and summarized their impressions. The aim of the study was to describe the reasoning process used to determine functional problems and treatment goals. A six-stage model to describe the reasoning process was derived from the data. The first stage involved a search for medical information and led to the second stage in which assessments were selected. In stages three through six, the assessment plan was implemented, client problems were defined, treatment objectives were specified, and the assessment process was evaluated. The salient features of each stage are described. Overall, the therapists found it difficult to outline the progression of their thoughts. The medical diagnosis played a key role in their thoughts as did the therapist-patient relationship. The therapists' perspective for assessment focused on musculoskeletal and self-care functions. The data were interpreted in the light of the present status of occupational therapy theory.

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