AOTA 2021 Standards for Continuing Competence in Occupational Therapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Interpersonal Skills ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Ethical Practice ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
New Developments ◽  
Performance Skills ◽  
Roles And Responsibilities ◽  
Ongoing Process ◽  
Continuing Competence

Continuing competence is essential to occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants for fulfilling their roles and abilities across experience, context, and time. It requires an ongoing process to keep up with new developments related to the profession and specialty areas throughout one’s career (i.e., early, mid-, late, change, or reentry). To build capacity, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants must commit to a process of self-assessment, reflecting on, in, and toward action to advance the knowledge, professional reasoning, interpersonal skills, performance skills, and ethical practice necessary to perform current and future roles and responsibilities within the profession. The American Occupational Therapy Association’s Standards for Continuing Competence serve as a foundation for analyzing the occupation in regard to continuing competence. These standards can be viewed separately and collectively and can be combined with other standards documents to gain an overarching perspective.

An investigation into ethical issues in occupational therapists in adult with physical disabilities: Using the qualitative approach

2020 ◽  
pp. 147775092097179
Author(s):  
Hassan Vahidi ◽  
Narges Shafaroodi
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Professional Ethics ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Ethical Practice ◽  
Ethical Problems ◽  
Physical Dysfunction ◽  
Unethical Practice

Background Occupational therapists may be encountered with a variety of ethical issues. The aim of this study was to explore ethical issues of Occupational therapist’s practice in adult physical dysfunction field. Methods Ten graduated Occupational therapists were selected by purposive sampling method. Data were gathered by semi-structured interview. Data were analyzed by content analysis approach. Results Data analysis ultimately leads to the emergence of three themes which reflects Ethical issues in Occupational Therapy. These themes include: unethical practice of Occupational therapists, factors influencing ethical practice and Strategies to improving ethical practice. Conclusion The findings show that occupational therapists have various ethical problems related to client’s rights in addition to their clinical practice, that according to the participants in this study, lack of awareness about professional ethics related to the occupational therapy and also lack of comprehensive monitoring rules in this field are the major causes of unethical practice.

What Gives You Sleepless Nights? Ethical Practice in Occupational Therapy

1993 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 207-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosemary Barnitt
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Ethical Practice ◽  
Ethical Theories ◽  
Clinical Issues ◽  
Ethical Problems ◽  
Patients Rights ◽  
Care Systems

Therapists have always encountered ethical problems at work. However, these are becoming more important as changes in health care systems take place and patients' rights and autonomy become dominant in practice. An introduction is given to ethical theories and processes, and these are related to clinical issues identified during a series of research studies with occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Knowledge and Use of Theory among Occupational Therapists: A Canadian Survey

1989 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 198-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Law ◽  
Mary Ann McCoII
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Random Sample ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Knowledge Level ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Recent Interest ◽  
Academic Qualification ◽  
Level Of Knowledge

Recent interest in occupational therapy theory has focussed attention on the utility of theory for clinical-practice and for research. However, for many therapists, knowledge and use of theory have changed notably since their educational days, and the process of keeping up to date on theory development may be difficult. This paper presents the results of a survey aimed at identifying the extent of use of theory and the level of knowledge about theory among practicing therapists in Canada. A random sample of 187 therapists from across the country was surveyed to ascertain their knowledge of authors and ideas in the occupational therapy theory literature. Results indicate that overall knowledge level is moderate. Factors which significantly predict theory knowledge include year of graduation, training in or outside Canada, academic qualification, and self-assessment of theory knowledge. There were no significant differences in theory knowledge according to area of clinical practice.

Teachers' Perceptions of the Role and Effectiveness of Occupational Therapists in Schools

1993 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 185-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Fairbairn ◽  
Iain Davidson
Keyword(s):  
Public School ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
School System ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
School Personnel ◽  
Exceptional Students ◽  
Exceptional Children ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Roles And Responsibilities ◽  
School Aged Children

Teachers' expectations from occupational therapists working with exceptional children in two Ontario public school boards were explored in this study. Information was obtained through a questionnaire distributed to all teachers (N = 143) who had worked with occupational therapists and personal interviews conducted with 10 of these teachers. Findings suggested that all teachers believed that there was an important role for occupational therapists in the school system. They defined this role as offering programming suggestions, consulting with school personnel, providing and adapting equipment, liaising with school, home and community, assessing, and following-up school-aged children. Teachers also suggested that occupational therapists further define their roles and responsibilities in school, for themselves, and for school personnel. Finally, teachers suggested that occupational therapists must continue to support and share their knowledge about children with special needs with teachers by providing more demonstration, and modeling of suggested occupational therapy programmes and by working with exceptional students inside the classroom, rather than outside, whenever possible.

A Worthwhile Collaboration: Integrating Optometry and Occupational Therapy in the Treatment of Children

2020 ◽  
pp. 221-236
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Professional Growth ◽  
Interprofessional Collaboration ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
The Body ◽  
Collaborative Practice ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Visual Deficits ◽  
Vision Deficits

Background: Vision deficits are highly prevalent in children with neurodevelopmental disorders including those with motor delays, learning and reading difficulties, and maladaptive behaviors. These deficits can interfere with their participation and performance in everyday life activities and therefore, require a comprehensive approach to therapy. As such, optometrists and occupational therapists are an optimal team to provide interprofessional collaborative care, reported in research as best practice, in the treatment of these children. However, little is known about the long-called-for collaboration between these professions. The purpose of this study was to explore factors and implications associated with a collaborative practice between optometrists and occupational therapists in the co-management of vision deficits in the pediatric population. Methods: A qualitative, descriptive design was employed to explore perceptions of collaborative practice among teams of optometrists and occupational therapists in the remedial care of children with visual deficits. Following IRB approval, co-located optometrists and occupational therapists were recruited for this study. Semistructured interviews served as the primary data collection tool to investigate the factors and implications of collaborative practice. Results: Eleven professionals provided informed consent and took part in this study, including five occupational therapists and six optometrists. Following thematic analysis, four overarching themes emerged including 1) professional boundaries, 2) co-located, integrated practice, 3) professional growth, and 4) improved patient care. Participants indicated that although barriers exist, exercising humility, upholding patient-centered focus, maintaining mutual respect, communicating frequently, and co-location were factors that enable collaboration. Positive outcomes related to both the provider and the patient were further highlighted supporting the interprofessional collaboration between these professionals. Conclusions: The findings of this qualitative study add to the body of evidence underpinning interprofessional collaborative practice. Furthermore, this study supports the coordination of care, through optometry and occupational therapy collaboration, in the treatment of visual deficits in children with special needs.

scholarly journals Occupational therapists’ experiences of enabling people to participate in sport

2020 ◽  
pp. 030802262097394
Author(s):  
Deborah Bullen ◽  
Channine Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Scope Of Practice ◽  
Local Populations ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Health And Social Care

Introduction In response to growing demands on health and social care services there is an emphasis on communities addressing the needs of local populations to improve lives and reduce inequalities. Occupational therapists are responding to these demands by expanding their scope of practice into innovative settings, such as working with refugees, the homeless and residents of nursing homes, and within sport and leisure environments. The benefits of sport are widely acknowledged, and this paper argues that occupational therapists could play a pivotal role in enabling people to participate. Method This qualitative study drew on a phenomenological approach and used interviews and thematic analysis to explore five occupational therapists’ experiences of enabling people to participate in sport. Findings Findings revealed that participants demonstrated the uniqueness of occupational therapy when enabling people to participate in sport and practised according to their professional philosophy. There were opportunities to reach wider communities and promote the value of occupational therapy by collaborating with organisations, but there were also challenges when working outside of traditional settings. Conclusion The study emphasises the unique skills occupational therapists can bring to this setting. It highlights opportunities to expand their practice, to forge new partnerships in sports and leisure environments, and to address the national inactivity crisis.

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.

scholarly journals The developing role of occupational therapists in school-based practice: Experiences from collaborative action research in Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Vol 83 (6) ◽  
pp. 375-386
Author(s):  
Debbie Kramer-Roy ◽  
Denise Hashim ◽  
Nighat Tahir ◽  
Areeba Khan ◽  
Asma Khalid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Collaborative Action Research ◽  
School Level ◽  
Collaborative Action ◽  
School Based

Introduction Occupational therapists around the world increasingly seek to support the participation of children with disabilities and special educational needs in mainstream education. Contemporary school-based occupational therapy practice is progressing from an individual, impairment focus towards collaborative, universal interventions at the whole class and whole school level. Participation-focused practice and collaboration is particularly important, but uncommon, in low-resource contexts such as Pakistan. Methods This article reports on collaborative action research that developed the role of occupational therapy in inclusive education in Karachi, Pakistan. A research team consisting of occupational therapists and teachers worked with five local primary schools, using the action research cycles of plan–implement–observe–reflect to develop practical strategies, materials and inclusive lesson plans to facilitate the participation of all children in all school-based occupations. Findings Support from school management and interdisciplinary collaboration were crucial for implementing change. In addition, strategies like inclusive lesson planning were found to benefit all children in class. Collaborative action research led to increased professional confidence in the teachers and occupational therapists, and skill development through developing a resource guide, running workshops and presenting at (inter)national conferences. Conclusion Collaborative action research was an effective means to develop the occupational therapy role in inclusive education practices in Pakistan, develop culturally appropriate educational resources, and upskill local therapists and teachers.

Workplace mental health: Current practice and support needs of Ontario occupational therapists

2018 ◽  
Vol 85 (5) ◽  
pp. 408-417
Author(s):  
Sandra E. Moll ◽  
Caitlin M. Heino ◽  
Alison H. LeBlanc ◽  
Lydia B. Beck ◽  
Laura M. Kalef
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Support Needs ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Related Services ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Workplace Mental Health

Background. Workplace mental health (WMH) is an important and expanding practice area for occupational therapists. Purpose. This cross-sectional study explores the current practices and support needs of Ontario-based occupational therapists in WMH. Method. Registrants from the provincial association who provide mental health and/or work-related services were invited to participate. Ninety-three therapists completed an online survey; 10 participated in follow-up focus groups. Analysis involved descriptive statistics of the survey data and content analysis of the focus group data. Findings. Return to work, reactivation, and functional cognitive assessment were the most commonly reported services. Key challenges were limited funding and training and lack of awareness of the occupational therapy role. Therapists emphasized the importance of raising the competence, credibility, and profile of occupational therapy in WMH. Implications. Defining the role of occupational therapy, developing training and resources, and advocacy are needed to advance occupational therapy practice within this rapidly changing field.

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