Education in Occupational Therapy: The Transition to the Academic Level. Changing the Professional Identity of Occupational Therapists in Switzerland

2019 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 235-243
Author(s):  
Ursula Gubler Thomann
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Professional Identity ◽  
Change Process ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Project Manager ◽  
Academic Level ◽  
And Training ◽  
German Part

The aim of the article is to summarise the development of the teaching and training programme for occupational therapy in the German part of Switzerland over the years 2006-2019. As the responsible program director and project manager in the transition from higher education to an academic level, the author of this article was strongly involved in changing the professional identity of occupational therapists in Switzerland. The following text presents her personal overview of this transition. The main focus lies on education, the change process and how academisation has gradually changed the curriculum in Switzerland.

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.

The Educational Needs of Occupational Therapists Who Work with Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

1998 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynda Foulder-Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Adult Survivors ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Mental Health Settings ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
And Training

This study aimed to examine the education and training needs of occupational therapists who work with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Two sample groups were used: occupational therapy pre-registration courses and occupational therapists working in mental health settings. Two postal surveys were designed in order to elicit both quantitative and qualitative data. Seventeen courses and 43 occupational therapists responded from around the United Kingdom. The results indicated that although most of the occupational therapy courses offered some form of education around CSA issues, this had been available for a relatively short period of time (generally for less than 5 years). However, the majority of occupational therapists who responded were senior staff with more than 5 years' clinical experience who had not received such education as students. Consequently, the education offered differed greatly from that of 5 years ago. All the occupational therapists felt that their current level of knowledge could be improved. Recommendations regarding prospective educational requirements and further research are made.

Alcohol Teaching within Occupational Therapy Courses: a Case for Larger Measures

1994 ◽  
Vol 57 (9) ◽  
pp. 354-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter G Booth ◽  
Cheryl J Mulligan
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Occupational Therapy Education ◽  
Professional Qualification ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Screening Assessment ◽  
Therapy Education ◽  
And Training

The ubiquity of alcohol abuse problems encountered by practising health care workers is not reflected by the scale of training input into professional qualification courses. The present survey found this to be the case within occupational therapy education and training. Practising occupational therapists were aware of basic health information about alcohol. However, they were reluctant and lacked confidence to engage in screening assessment or basic treatment with the problem drinkers, whom they perceived as a significant proportion of their caseload. Enhanced training in alcohol and substance misuse would reinforce both the inevitable involvement with these clients and the legitimate role of the occupational therapist in their management.

Problem-Based Learning in the Development of an Occupational Therapy Curriculum, Part 1: The Process of Problem-Based Learning

1994 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaynor Sadlo ◽  
David Warren Piper ◽  
Patricia Agnew
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Teaching Methods ◽  
Problem Based Learning ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Academic Disciplines ◽  
London School ◽  
Professional Issues

‘Problem-based learning’ is a concept of learning in which students focus from the beginning of their course on a series of real professional issues, where the knowledge of the various academic disciplines that relate to these issues is integrated. The process evolved from dissatisfaction with the usual teaching methods in higher education, particularly in medicine. It seems eminently applicable to the education of occupational therapists, and its wider adoption is advocated. Part 1 of this article outlines the development of problem-based learning, describes its rationale, and discusses some of the evidence of its effectiveness. Part 2 will describe its implementation in the new BSc course at the London School of Occupational Therapy, West London Institute, College of Brunel University.

Muriel Driver Memorial Lecture

1977 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 101-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara J. O'Shea
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Professional Identity ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Public Image ◽  
Memorial Lecture ◽  
The Public ◽  
Professional Interaction ◽  
International Theory ◽  
Professional Image ◽  
Practicum Experiences

This paper addresses the topic of professional interaction from a dramaturgical perspective for the purpose of sensitizing occupational therapists to their potential and individuals in shaping and directing the public image of occupational therapy. Research, based on international theory, which investigated students' acquisition of professional identity during initial practicum experiences is used to illustrate the usefulness of dramaturgical theory for practising therapists to analyze their performance as occupational therapists. Therapists are urged to assess their own projection of occupational therapy to those around them, and to become protagonists in effecting a positive professional image.

scholarly journals Changing Perspectives of Local Therapists Eight Years after the Implementation of an Occupational Therapy Service in a Unique Himalayan Cross-Cultural Setting

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Gaby Scheidegger ◽  
Zhang Ting Ting ◽  
Caroline Bastiaenen ◽  
Michael Nagler
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Professional Identity ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Cultural Practice ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Cultural Learning ◽  
Cultural Setting ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Therapy Service

Background. Whether concepts and principles of Occupational Therapy (OT) can successfully be applied to non-Western and cross-cultural settings is being intensively discussed. Aims/Objectives. We explored the changing perspectives of local occupational therapists (OTs) eight years after the implementation of an OT service in a Himalayan cross-cultural setting in terms of (1) treatment applied, (2) professional identity, and (3) cross-cultural interactions. Material and Methods. A qualitative study design was chosen, and semistructured interviews were conducted in all employed practitioners (a) during implementation and (b) eight years later n = 7 . Questions were carefully formulated in order to narrow down the intended issues but respecting crosscultural differences. The framework method was implemented for data analysis. Findings. Long-term empowering local OTs resulted in the successful development of a sustainable OT department in a unique Himalayan cross-cultural setting. Practitioners became aware of their therapeutic potentials, a clear sense of professional identity was developed, and it was recognised that sensitive cross-cultural practice is only achieved by an ongoing and intentional cultural learning process. Conclusions and Significance. Our findings suggest that OT can be applied to non-Western cross-cultural settings.

scholarly journals Clinical practice as a mean of the professional identity formation of prospective physical and occupational therapists

2021 ◽  
pp. 29-33
Author(s):  
Nataliia Bielikova ◽  
Nataliia Ulianytska ◽  
Svitlana Indyka
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Professional Identity ◽  
Identity Formation ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Occupational Therapist ◽  
Professional Activity ◽  
Professional Identity Formation ◽  
Clinical Practices ◽  
Initial Choice

The professional identity formation of prospective physical and occupational therapists in the clinical practices process has been studied. The presence of the formed professional identity provides their orientation in the professional field and professional community that allows to realize more fully personal potential in a multidisciplinary team, to predict possible consequences of professional choice and to define own professional development prospects. There are three main stages in the formation of professional identity of the prospective physical therapy and occupational therapy specialists: an initial choice; a confirmation or refutation of the initial choice; an implementation of the initial choice in the activity. The dynamics of professional identity formation during the whole period of their professional training in a higher education institution has been determined. The peculiarities of early students` professionalization in the process of clinical practice have been revealed in a passive form, later - at the stage of active practice. Among the principles of professional identification development of future masters in physical and occupational therapy in the process of clinical practices, the principle of reflectivity and the principle of a value attitude forming to professional activity have been singled out. The clinical practice, taking place in medical and rehabilitation institutions, involving participation in the rehabilitation diagnosis establishment and in the rehabilitation program has been defined. Formation, development, a moral and psychological qualities complex, as an integral part of professional training of physical and occupational therapy specialists for their future professional activity; ensuring the growth of students` professional competence level; promoting self-identification and choosing the future professional activity direction are the main tasks of the research. The professional identification and personal identity formation of the prospective physical and occupational therapist is the unity of three processes: student`s self-acceptance as a prospective physical and occupational therapist; comparison with the professional ideal, norm and sample of a physical therapist; recognition by the external environment of the prospective specialist's affiliation to the professional group of practicing physical and occupational therapists. Throughout life professional identity is a product of continuous personal and professional development of the physical and occupational therapist.

Occupational Therapy Assessment of Spirituality questionnaire: translation into Persian and psychometric testing

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Masoud Babaei ◽  
Ashraf Karbalaee-Nouri ◽  
Hassan Rafiey ◽  
Mehdi Rassafiani ◽  
Hojjatollah Haghgoo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Exploratory Factor Analysis ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Content Validity ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Validity Index ◽  
Therapy Assessment ◽  
And Training

Background/aims Occupational therapy is a profession that uses holistic and person-centered approaches that deal with all aspects of daily life. Clients' needs fall into four areas, and one of them is spirituality. Therefore, occupational therapists should pay attention to this area, but there is little information on the status of occupational therapists' knowledge and use in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to translate the occupational therapy assessment of spirituality questionnaire into Persian and determine its validity, factor analysis and reliability. Methods This is a psychometric study that was conducted between June and September 2018. The Occupational Therapy Assessment of Spirituality is a self-report, 25-item questionnaire, with self-exploratory scoring that investigates occupational therapists' views on four factors: spirituality in the scope of practice following its addition in the theoretical framework; formal education and training on spirituality; need for future educational opportunities and training to address spirituality; and awareness of assessments and evaluations in occupational therapy that incorporate clients' spirituality. The International Quality of Life Assessment approach was used for translation. Content validity was performed with 10 occupational therapists regarding qualitative content validity, content validity index and content validity ratio. Exploratory factor analysis and internal consistency with a sample size of 125 people and test–retest coefficient with a sample size of 25 people were computed for reliability. Results Qualitative content validity was confirmed, with content validity index greater than 0.79 and content validity ratio greater than 0.62. During the exploratory factor analysis process, the number of factors was reduced to three factors and the number of questions were reduced from 21 to 15 questions. Internal consistency was good (0.88). Test–retest coefficient was 0.96, with a high level of significance (P<0.001). Conclusions The Persian version of the Occupational Therapy Assessment of Spirituality is a reliable and valid questionnaire and can be used among Iranian occupational therapists in different clinical settings.

The Queen's University Study of Occupational Therapy Some Reflections and Conclusions

1977 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
James D. Maxwell
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Professional Identity ◽  
Educational System ◽  
Undergraduate Education ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
The Political ◽  
Political Sophistication ◽  
Conference Theme ◽  
Political Struggles ◽  
Queen's University

Occupational Therapy: The Economic Alternative, the conference theme for 1977, is examined in the light of some of the characteristics of occupational therapists. Changing the structure to make OT more of an economic alternative is one example of the political struggles the profession faces. OT's in their response to the Queen's Study indicated that although they were satisfied with their work and their choice of career, they did not want to be leaders or engage in political struggles. Dissatisfied with the leaders whom they had selected (and who had presumably volunteered reluctantly) the OT's were also dissatisfied with the confidence the profession and its membership had in their professional identity. OT's see the need for greater political sophistication when they look at undergraduate education and suggest that related areas of the curriculum be improved. Waiting for change in the educational system will take too long and more OT's should be sensitized to the needs for political sophistication now. Both the profession and the schools of OT should make an attempt to increase the sensitivity to political problems and to raise the level of political sophistication of members in dealing with these problems.

scholarly journals Terapia Ocupacional, cotidiano e pandemia COVID-19: inquietações acerca do ocupar o tempo-espaço/Occupational Therapy, Everday life and pandemic Covid-19: concerns about occupying time-espace

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 529-553
Author(s):  
Derivan Brito da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Professional Identity ◽  
Pierre Bourdieu ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Occupational Therapist ◽  
Human And Social Sciences ◽  
Norbert Elias ◽  
Palabras Clave ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Face

A Pandemia COVID-19 suscita discussões de diversas ordens, e traz à cena da vida cotidiana, dilemas e velhas e novas questões que envolvem a trama indivíduo-e-sociedade. Na presente dialogia buscamos problematizar a prática profissional do terapeuta ocupacional diante do fenômeno Pandemia COVID-19. Para tanto, elegemos a vida cotidiana como ponto central da problematização. Assim, com base em referenciais das Ciências Humanas e Sociais, em especial, na Abordagem de Norbert Elias, Pierre Bourdieu e Anselm L. Strauss, buscamos /estabelecer um diálogo com autores do campo da Terapia Ocupacional e com as nossas observações acerca das interações sociais de terapeutas ocupacionais no ciberespeço-tempo. Esta dialogia suscita questões elementares para compreender o processo de mudança que nos instiga a reinventar o objeto profissional em Terapia Ocupacional e, consequentemente, a identidade profissional do terapeuta ocupacional Abstract COVID-19 pandemic raises dicussions of several kinds, and it brings to the scene of everyday life, dilemmas as well as old and new questions which involve the individualandsociety plot. In the current dialogue, we seek to discuss the occupational therapist‟s professional practice in the face of COVID-19 Pandemic phenomenon. Having this in mind, we chose daily life as the core point of the discussion. Thus, based on references from the Human and Social Sciences, especially according to Norbert Elias‟s, Pierre Bourdeiu‟s and Anselm L. Strauss‟s approach, we seek to establish a dialogue with authors in the field of Occupational Therapy and with our observations about the social interactions of occupational therapists in cyberspace-time. This dialogue raises elementary questions to understand the changing process which prompt us to reinvent the professional object in Occupational Therapy area and, as a result, the professional identity of the occupational therapist. Keywords: Occupational Therapy. Everyday Life.COVID-19 pandemic. Professional Identity.  Resumen La pandemia COVID-19 plantea discusiones sobre diferentes órdenes y trae en escena de la vida cotidiana, dilemas y viejas y nuevas preguntas que involucran al individuo y la sociedad en el presente diálogo buscamos problematizar la práctica profesional de terapeuta ocupacional frente al fenómeno pandémico COVID-19. Para esto, elegimos la vida cotidiana como punto central de problematización. Entonces, basado en el referencial de las Ciencias Humanas y Sociales, especialmente en el enfoque de Norbert Elias, Pierre Bourdieu y Anselm L. Strauss, buscamos establecer un diálogo con los autores en el campo de Terapia Ocupacional y con nuestras observaciones sobre las interacciones sociales de terapeutas ocupacionales en el ciberespacio-tiempo. Este diálogo plantea preguntas elementares para entender el proceso de cambio que nos instiga a reinventar el objeto profesional en terapia ocupacional y, en consecuencia, la identidad profesional del terapeuta ocupacional. Palabras clave: Terapia ocupacional, Vida cotidiana, Pandemia de COVID-19, Identidad professional.  Interinstitutional

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