scholarly journals Team Focus: Occupational Therapist

2008 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 94-98
Author(s):  
Susan J. Forwell ◽  
Kathleen M. Zackowski

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.

2008 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 2-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gelya Frank ◽  
Pamela Block ◽  
Ruth Zemke

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.


1992 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 148-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellie Fossey

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.


2002 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 153-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry Krupa ◽  
Debbie Radloff-Gabriel ◽  
Elizabeth Whippey ◽  
Bonnie Kirsh

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.


1998 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Law ◽  
Sandy Steinwender ◽  
Leanne Leclair

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


2021 ◽  
pp. 000841742110644
Author(s):  
Evelyne Durocher ◽  
Janet Njelesani ◽  
Emily Crosby

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.


2012 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 70-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet E. G. Jull ◽  
Audrey R. Giles

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.


2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 213-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Sandquist

The principles of integrative nursing advocate that food be considered as a primary intervention for health promotion, risk reduction, and generally improved well-being. Food provides information to the body, signaling basic biological functions and normalizing physiological processes. Health care professionals should query patients about their nutritional intake, recognizing that adjustments in the types of foods consumed can often address long-standing symptoms that create distress, including pain, fatigue, anxiety, and gastrointestinal dysfunction. A Food First approach to care offers a novel approach that champions whole person/whole systems emergent health and well-being.


TRAUMA ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 46-53
Author(s):  
V.S. Sulyma ◽  
Yu.O. Filiak ◽  
V.M. Krasnovskyi

Achieving health, well-being, and participation in life through engagement in occupation is the statement that describes the domain and process of occupational therapy in its fullest sense. This definition includes all areas of influence in occupational therapy: type of employment (level of active lifestyle: rest and sleep, education, work, pleasure, social participation), client factors (values, beliefs, spirituality, body functions and structures), skill performance (motor, process and social interaction skills), pattern performance (habits, routines, rituals, roles), environment (cultural, personal, physical, social, virtual). Occupational therapy in military service is difficult in its own way. The main feature is that veterans demand constant monitoring and support. These people are vulnerable to suicide. That’s why occupational therapist should not wait for their self-referral. Members of soldier’s family need to be actively involved in cooperation as well. Practical guidelines of colleagues from the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists “Working for the Canadian Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Canada” and “A Guidance Document for Occupational Therapists” are most suitable for the implementation in Ukrainian realities. Occupational therapy process starts with an assessment of functioning and disability in relation to a health condition. In Ukraine, an analogue of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 23.05.2018 No. 981) has been identified and introduced, which allows for a comprehensive functional assessment and further steps of planning, monitoring compliance, evaluation of occupational therapy. Primary screening is significantly facilitated by a test system developed by colleagues from different countries, which requires translation into Ukrainian and implementation. It would be appropriate to use a single base of servicemen for their distribution according to the priority of providing care that would optimize the start of occupational therapy. It is necessary to study in detail the long-term experience and advances of developed countries and integrate the promising experience of colleagues in military occupational therapy in Ukraine, which has a chance to become one of the promising specialties with a high level of military service.


2019 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-62
Author(s):  
Kelli Young ◽  
Abrielle Dodington ◽  
Catherine Smith ◽  
Carol S. Heck

Background. Sexuality is an important dimension of one’s health and well-being. Studies show that occupational therapists regard clients’ sexual health as a legitimate domain of practice but do not adequately address it in their clinical work. Purpose. This study aims to describe occupational therapists’ perspectives regarding clients’ sexual health. Method. This exploratory study surveyed Canadian occupational therapists using an online questionnaire that collected information on beliefs, knowledge, comfort, barriers, and facilitators with regard to addressing sexuality. Descriptive analysis was conducted on questionnaire data, and content analysis was used to organize respondents’ comments. Findings. While most respondents believed that addressing sexuality was within their scope, few actually did so in practice. Participants reported comfort with sexuality but identified lack of knowledge as a barrier to addressing clients’ sexual health. Implications. This study provided a greater understanding of factors that require consideration for occupational therapists to effectively meet clients’ sexual health needs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 7512515315p1-7512515315p1
Author(s):  
Susan M. Knier ◽  
Julie L. Watson ◽  
Jennifer O’Connor Duffy

Abstract Date Presented 04/22/21 Health care professionals are vulnerable to stress overload and risks that threaten health and well-being. This study investigated the impact of mindful self-compassion (MSC) training on people working in health care. Overall, self-compassion and subscale scores showed significant improvement. Participants indicated that self-compassion and positive mind states were integrated into their lives. OTs could assimilate MSC as an adjunct approach for their clients and their selves. Primary Author and Speaker: Susan M. Knier


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