Occupational Therapy Process Analysis

The main role of the occupational therapy process is the delivery of client-centered occupational therapy services (AOTA, 2014). The process involves evaluation and intervention to achieve targeted goals and is facilitated by occupational therapists unique views in regards to clinical reasoning, analyzing occupations and activities and working alongside clients collaboratively. Many other health professions use a similar process in evaluation and intervention but it is the processes distinct focus on occupation that sets it apart from other professions (AOTA, 2014). The role of the occupational therapy process is to work collaboratively with clients, his or her environmental setting, and the occupations in which he or she engages (A0TA, 2014).

Another benefit is that they set down a sequence of steps to follow in transferring theory to practice and identify what is most important and what areas need to be addressed immediately.
Conceptual models also help define and focus areas of interest to occupational therapists e.g. the environment, occupations and performance skills (Reed & Sanderson, 1999).
Models provide a solid framework for assessment, intervention and evaluation which are all important stages in the occupational therapy process (Reed& Sanderson, 1999). Models have also helped to establish a common vocabulary from which practitioners can communicate with one another.
A model of practice enables therapists to describe practice, give an overall view of the profession and is a useful tool for evaluation and a guide for intervention.

Conceptual models unfortunately have many limitations and do not answer all the questions as to how occupational therapy should be viewed and practiced. (Reed & Sanderson, 1999). Models are only “guidebooks” and cannot direct practice (Reed & Sanderson, pg 198). If we are to believe in the uniqueness of each individual than these models cannot form a solution to every problem. There is no such thing as a model where “one size fits all” (Reed & Sanderson, 1999, pp

Often if something does not fit into an existing model then it may be viewed as beyond the area of practice in occupational therapy. In contrast occupational therapy should be inclusive, not exclusive and respond to people’s needs rather than to the limitations of a model (Reed & Sanderson, 1999).The language in conceptual models can also be quite challenging and complicated to understand, detaching therapists from their client’s world (Duncan, 2009).

Commonly used conceptual models are MOHO (Model of Human Occupation) and CMOP-E (Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement).
The model of Human Occupation (MOHO) is a client centered, evidence based conceptual model which focuses in particular on occupation and how motivation and performance of occupations are intertwined (Cole & Tufano, 2008). In particular it looks at:
People’s motivation for occupation (volition), occupational life pattern (habituation), performance skills (performance capacity) and the influence of the environment on occupational performance (Kielhofner, 2004).

This model was developed by Kielhofner as the first occupation- focused model of its kind.
The model conceptualizes the idea that humans are made up of three elements- volition, habituation and performance capacity (Kielhofner,