Introduction to occupational therapy *
- Development in Occupational Therapy Education and Practice
- Theoretical Foundations of Occupational Therapy
- Terminology and Language
- European Organisations
* Taken from : TUNING Educational Structures in Europe ' Reference Points for the Design and Delivery of Degree Programmes in Occupational Therapy', 2008
Introduction to Occupational
Therapy
Occupational therapy, described as both an art and a science, is a health profession that has its roots in the emerging ideas concerning the moral and humanitarian treatment of mental illness at the beginning of the 19th century.
It was recognised as a profession with the title occupational therapy at the beginning of the 20th century in America when its practice encompassed physical health as well as mental health. Since its conception, occupational therapy has believed that health can be infuenced by occupation. Participating in occupations promotes people’s identity, health and well-being. Therefore, the primary goal of occupational therapy is to make it possible for people to participate or engage in the occupations of everyday life. An occupation is «a group of activities that has personal and socio-cultural meaning, is named within a culture and supports participation in society. Occupations can be categorised as self-care, productivity and/or leisure» (ENOTHE n.d.) People may be restricted from participating in occupations due to a mismatch between the environment and the person’s abilities.
People may experience restriction of occupations due to impairment of body structure or functions and factors in the person’s environment: physical, social, attitudinal, or legislative. Other citizens without impairment may also be restricted in their opportunities to engage in occupations due to environmental factors, experiencing occupational deprivation (for exam-ple refugees, minority groups). As already stated occupational therapists believe that health can be improved or maintained when people engage in occupations. The unique focus of occupational therapy is its contribution to enabling the participation of all persons in the occupations of their choice. Occupational therapists enable people to explore, achieve and maintain balance in their daily activities and occupations, that is their self-care, work, social, recreational, creative and other activities, according to their own choices and needs.
Additionally when a person engages in occupations that are meaningful for them, their skills and abilities are enhanced, enabling them to participate in the occupations of their choice in their own environment. When a person is occupied, that is, fully engrossed in meaningful activity, health and well-being may be promoted. Recent research has found that occupations are intrinsically rewarding, as they build skills and promote the development of personal capacities (Creek 2003). In order to use occupations in a therapeutic way, occupational therapists are skilled in the analysis, selection, synthesis, adaptation, grading and application of activities and occupations. An occupational therapist’s special role is to ensure that the activities and occupations selected are optimally suited to the needs, abilities, skills and choices of the individual. Activities and occupations used in this way may include the actual occupations in which the person engages on a daily basis, (e.g. cooking), or specifically designed therapeutic or educational activities, (e.g. creative media, such as ceramics). The occupational therapist may also use aids (such as walking aids) or technological devices (e.g. computers) to assist the person to engage in their daily occupations. Additionally or alternatively, the occupational therapist works towards changing aspects of the environment, as for many persons the environment is the major barrier preventing full participation in occupation. The physical environment may be changed in order to provide adequate access for all persons to all places of work, recreation, worship, public services etc. The social environment may be facilitated to provide maximum support for its members. Attitudes have been recognized for many years as a factor restricting the equal participation of all members of society and occupational therapists may work actively to promote those attitudes that will enable the participation of all in the daily activities of their community. Finally, legislation may restrict or encourage equal participation for all in the full range of activities of society, and occupational therapists work to ensure awareness of the needs of all members of society by the relevant legislative bodies. Occupational therapists may work in partnership with individuals, with individuals together with their family or carers, with groups of people, or with whole communities and populations. Occupational therapists may work directly with persons or groups who are experiencing restricted opportunities for participation in occupation. They may also work with governmental and non-governmental groups and organisations, providing expertise on issues related to occupational participation. Occupational
therapists work with persons of all ages and with persons of all cultural and ethnic backgrounds. This partnership aims to ensure that persons are actively engaged in the whole process, the success of which is measured in terms of the resulting satisfaction that the person experiences with their everyday life (WFOT 2004).
Occupational therapy may therefore be used in a very wide range of
settings and with persons with a very wide range of needs, wherever occupation and activities may be used as a vehicle of change to enable the individual or group to take part in the daily activities of their choice. Occupational therapists work in health, education or social settings, for example in hospitals and health centres, workplaces, schools, prisons and in the community, both in the individual’s home and with community groups. The practice of occupational therapy is grounded in local culture and the needs of local populations. Therefore, although occupational therapy is one profession bound by core principles, its’ practice is diverse and multi-faceted, re ecting the diversity of culture and populations in Europe.