Introduction to Special Theme Issue Anthropology, Occupational Therapy and Disability Studies: Collaborations and Prospects

2008 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 2-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gelya Frank ◽  
Pamela Block ◽  
Ruth Zemke
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Medical Anthropology ◽  
Disability Studies ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Applied Anthropology ◽  
Theme Issue ◽  
Everyday Activities ◽  
Health And Well Being

A profession exists that shares interests with medical anthropology and applied anthropology to promote health and well-being through everyday activities, meaningful routines, and social participation. The profession is occupational therapy. Increasing numbers of anthropologists have professional credentials as occupational therapists, or work with occupational therapists, and collaborate also with disability studies scholars and activists. They share a mission is to define and clear new pathways to health, well-being, and social justice.

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.

Introduction: The Anthropology-Map Merger

2007 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 4-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Namino Glantz ◽  
Ben McMahan
Keyword(s):  
Community Engagement ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Annual Meeting ◽  
Medical Anthropology ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Applied Anthropology ◽  
Participatory Health Research ◽  
Health And Well Being

The potential of merging anthropology and mapping became clear to us (guest editors Namino Glantz & Ben McMahan) as we sought novel means of improving health among the elderly in Mexico. To share our own experiences and hear about others, we organized a session—The medical anthropology-map merger: Harnessing GIS for participatory health research—at the Society for Applied Anthropology (SfAA) Annual Meeting, held in March 2007 in Tampa, Florida. Presenters detailed case studies to explore how mapping strengthened health research by enriching understanding of the dynamics of health and well-being, and by promoting community engagement in research and intervention. At the same meeting, the PA editors agreed to dedicate this issue of Practicing Anthropology to showcasing the innovative directions that anthropology can take by incorporating participatory mapping. Featured authors—nearly all participants in the SfAA session—illuminate and expand upon the themes Mark Nichter mentions above.

The Study of Human Occupations: Implications for Research in Occupational Therapy

1992 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 148-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellie Fossey
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Theoretical Base ◽  
Human Occupation ◽  
Health And Well Being

This article outlines the need to develop a body of research in occupational therapy which, firstly, supports the theoretical base of the profession and, secondly, enables occupational therapists to define the scope of their practice and their contribution to the promotion of health and well-being in society. It proposes the study of human occupation as a focus for research, from which greater knowledge and understanding of occupations and their significance for health could be gained. Further, the dimensions and research potential of this field are explored.

Reflections On… Occupational Therapy and Assertive Community Treatment

2002 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 153-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry Krupa ◽  
Debbie Radloff-Gabriel ◽  
Elizabeth Whippey ◽  
Bonnie Kirsh
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Assertive Community Treatment ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Treatment ◽  
Psychiatric Disabilities ◽  
Community Based ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Health And Well Being

Occupational therapists can play a valuable role on Assertive Community Treatment Teams (ACT). ACT is a widely disseminated, community based model of service delivery for individuals with severe psychiatric disabilities and high support needs. This paper discusses the generalist and specialist functions of occupational therapists within ACT. It is argued that occupational therapy addresses the occupational health and well being of ACT clients by intervening at three levels: the individual, the program and the community. This occupational focus is consistent with the ACT goal of enhancing community adjustment and quality of life. The paper concludes with a discussion of the opportunities and the constraints that face occupational therapists working within ACT.

Occupation, Health and Well-Being

1998 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Law ◽  
Sandy Steinwender ◽  
Leanne Leclair
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Strong Evidence ◽  
Critical Review ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Methodological Review ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Review Criteria

Occupational therapists believe that there is a relationship between occupation, health and well-being but there is little evidence in the occupational therapy literature to support this belief. This paper describes the results of a critical review of research examining the relationship between occupation and health and well-being. Twenty-two studies from the health and social sciences literature were reviewed using specific methodological review criteria. The findings of these studies provide moderate to strong evidence that occupation has an important influence on health and well-being. Because most of this research has been completed with persons without disabilities, further research is required to explain the nature of the relationship between occupation and health and well-being for persons who experience a disability which affects their daily occupations

Art Activities in Long-Term Care: A Scoping Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 000841742110644
Author(s):  
Evelyne Durocher ◽  
Janet Njelesani ◽  
Emily Crosby
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
Art Activities ◽  
Health And Well Being

Background: Outcomes of using art in therapy overlap with goals of occupational therapy with older adults in long-term care, which include improving and maintaining health and well-being through engagement in occupations. There is a lack of evidence about how art activities could complement or inform occupational therapy. Purpose: The purpose of this scoping review is to map existing literature about how art activities are used in long-term care. Methods: Six electronic databases were searched. Fourteen studies met inclusion criteria and were analyzed to identify patterns and discrepancies. Findings: The analysis suggests art activities can contribute to well-being by improving mood, promoting communication and reminiscence, and supporting the development and deepening of social relationships. Implications: Occupational therapists should consider incorporating art activities as these offer therapeutic benefits and can be adapted to individual strengths and preferred type and level of participation.

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.

Enhancing Response Ability: Dietetics as a Vehicle for Social Justice—A Primer

2021 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 159-166
Author(s):  
Jennifer Brady ◽  
Tanya L’heureux
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Dietetic Education ◽  
Collective Response ◽  
Critical Reflexivity ◽  
The Social ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Do So ◽  
Lack Of Knowledge

Recent world events have shone a spotlight on the social and structural injustices that impact the lives, health, and well-being of individuals and communities under threat. Dietitians should be well positioned to play a role in redressing injustice through their individual and collective “response abilities”, that is, the combination of responsibility for and ability to be responsive to such injustices due to the varying privilege and power that dietitians have. However, recent research shows that dietitians report a lack of knowledge, skill, and confidence to take on such roles, and that dietetic education includes little knowledge- or skill-based learning that might prepare dietitians to do so. This primer aims to introduce readers to concepts that are fundamental to socially just dietetics practice, including privilege, structural competence, critical reflexivity, critical humility, and critical praxis. We assert that when implemented into practice and used to inform advocacy and activism these concepts enhance dietitians’ individual and collective response ability to redress injustice.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document