In 1993, Florence Clark was chosen to be the lecturer for the highly honored Eleanor Clarke Slagle Award. As found on the American Occupational Therapy Association ([AOTA], 2014) website, this esteemed distinction is based on an AOTA member’s influential and marked addition to the field of occupational therapy. Her lecture, Occupation Embedded in a Real Life: Interweaving Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy was based on her personal and professional interactions with a friend and tied in how the study of occupational science could progress occupational therapy rather than take away from a field that at times can struggle with its identity. Clark (1993) described Penny as an influential educator, a woman who lived to experience nature …show more content…
The medical model was predominant when most therapists were becoming educated so many practitioners may have continued to have that mindset while practicing (Gilfoye, 1984) (Reed, 1986) (Reed & Peters, 2008). As Reed and Peters (2008) voiced in their article about professional identity, some therapists continued to professionalize the field of occupational therapy, however by the late 1980's only a selection continued with the fight for a professional identity. Other therapist reverted back to former ways. This left the world of rehabilitation with a distinct division. As a result, Penny experienced firsthand the prevalent identity confusion. Clark (1993) mentioned Penny's descriptions of her therapy included words like, “aimlessly”, “disempowered”, “not quite human”, “dutifully perform[ing] the routines”, and “being inserted into a line of wheelchairs to reexperience waiting her turn”. This type of meaninglessness may be a risk when using the medical-model and is counter-productive to the purpose of a client-centered therapy. This is what Mary Reilly (1962) noted upon in her Slagle Lecture, that “science knowledge is a means for the application of our service and not an end in itself”. This idleness that Penny was subjected to is exactly what Reilly was hoping we would avoid. Instead, as Reilly (1962) mentioned, each individual should be given the …show more content…
Narratives are inexpensive, put the client first, and can be meaningful as they can be applied to any context. However, the author wonders if the use of occupational science may present another identity crisis for occupational therapy. As Reed and Peters (2008) stated, there had been what seemed as a delegation of research duties to other scientific fields during the early years of occupational therapy. Eventually, therapists learned to conduct their own research, consequently strengthening the field. This was what our founders had wanted for the field, they wanted therapists to partake in “engagement in scientific research in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of occupational therapy and establish its legitimacy” (Schwartz, 2009). We rose to this ideal and as Schwartz (2009) conveyed, we went from receiving research from other sectors to actively pursuing our own. Now, with the emerging field of occupational science, are we giving up a part our identity that we fought so hard to attain? Based on historical readings, the field of occupational therapy has struggled since inception to find itself within the world (Christiansen & Haertl, 2014). Today, it seems as though we are closer to a culture that values knowledge, individualism and intuition (Gilfoyle, 1984). If we give up the scientific study
The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework defines an occupational profile as “the initial step in the evaluation process that provides an understanding of the client’s occupational history and experience, patterns of daily living, interests, values, and needs (2014).” During this process the client’s problems and concerns about daily occupations are identified then the client’s main concerns are determined (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2014). Occupational Therapists strive to be holistic and client-centered, and the occupational profile is one method to ensure treatment takes on these characteristics. During the occupational profile the clients share their priorities based on what is important to them, and the therapist
Occupational therapy is also known as the dynamic and developing healthcare profession that deals with people in ways of regaining their skills required for the every days of life. For a very long time I have always had the desire to achieve my dreams in becoming an occupational therapist. I am very well equipped with creativity, flexibility and the ability to aid people in solving their every day’s life challenges they get involved in. Occupational therapy is quite involving and needs good strategies and skills for one to be successful in the program.
While growing up I had many ideas of what professional career I wanted to obtain, although until recent years, occupational therapy was not even a thought. It was not until my grandmother had a stroke that I even knew what occupational therapy was or entailed. I watched my grandmother participate in therapy leading her to learn how to tie her shoes again, and the things I thought were so simple as to dress herself again. It was during that time as high school graduation was approaching that I realized I wanted to be apart of that. I wanted to have a role helping others learn and exceed as she did because I seen how much joy it brought her. This experience opened my eye to the things we so often take for granted, that some people lose the ability of doing or lack the ability of doing. Throughout her journey of facing and overcoming these problems, it led me to a yearning to pursue this
My initial exposure to the field of Occupational Therapy was not until my Junior year of college. While sitting in an auditorium for an Intro to Health Professions course, listening to a licensed occupational therapist describe her daily work tasks, I began visualizing myself in her position to see if this career would be fitting for me. Because of my life long interest in science coupled with my natural empathy towards people, I had known for a long time that I wanted to be in the health field but struggled to settle with the career choices I had initially been presented. As I imagined myself being an occupational therapist, my mind began to flood with ideas and aspirations of what I could accomplish in this field using the strengths I had been developing over the past 22 years of my life
Occupational therapy strives to help individuals across the lifespan with and without disability live their life to the fullest by enabling them to do things they want or need to do. Occupational therapy is a holistic profession that aims to promote health and prevent, maintain, or improve live with a disability, illness or injury. Occupational therapy falls under public health because it looks at public health issues that impact patients and advocate for changes that can benefit copious individuals. The profession is also actively participating in health promotion by enabling people to increase control over their own health and work to improve health. Through engagement in occupations, everyday activities that are meaningful and purposeful
Occupational therapy made its first appearance in a modern-day setting during the 18th century; however, occupational therapy dates back to 100 BC. The United States medical system adopted occupational therapy in the 19th century. In 1910, occupational therapy became a realized profession. Then, the main focus was working with individuals to get them to a fully functional state. Around 1930, standards of practice were developed for occupational therapists (OT’s). The career continues to evolve and change as new illnesses and disabilities arise. Even with all the changes, the main focus remains intact: helping people.
When I was 15, my grandmother suffered from a severe stroke and was advised to go to a rehabilitation center. At that time I had not ever heard of the profession called occupational therapy. Upon visiting my grandmother, I had the opportunity to witness several health care professionals working together to help rehabilitate her. I have always wanted to engage in a career in which I could attribute to helping people, and at first I thought physical therapy would best compliment my natural abilities but then I encountered the occupational therapist. So as I watched her work with my grandmother diligently I realized that I had found exactly what I was looking for.
Occupational therapy was based off of psychology; we evolved from treating mentally ill patients with isolation as an efficient treatment plan. We must never forget we are known to be “the art and science of helping people do the day-to-day activities that are important and meaningful to their health and well being through engagement in valued occupations” (Crepeau, Cohn, & Schell, 2008). To other professional disciplines this article explains the difference between each of us, yet can also express our relation to one another. The basic goal of all therapeutic disciplines is to better our clients life, through physical, speech or occupational therapy. Every discipline targets different goals, may it be body mechanics, reducing a stutter or buttoning a shirt, at the end of the day our clients well being may it be through science, art or both is all that matters. To the occupational therapy field this article means progress for what we do. Reading this article today in the year 2015 did not seem like old information to me, it is still relevant, I am proud that our field is not only evolving with contemporary time but it is also maintaining its
...e-based knowledge to inform the therapy practice. It also assists with furthering the therapist’s knowledge of humans as occupational beings as well as the relationship between occupation and health.(Yexer ,1993) introduced occupational science as a fundamental science supporting occupational therapy, with an aim to refocus the provision of therapy back to occupation. Hence, occupational science provides the therapists with support, justifies the meaning and uniqueness of the profession and distinguishes occupational therapy from other professions. In addition (Wilcock, 2001), also emphasises that occupational science might be another way to avoid the possible failure of the occupational therapy as a practice. With a strong research background, occupational therapists could make a contribution to medical science, which may challenge it from a different standpoint.
Primary Care involves environmental contexts such as social, cultural, and economic that is universally known. Most individuals recognize a primary care provider as a physician or nurse. The objectives of a primary care provider are to evaluate current health problems of individuals and educate them about these complications. In 2012, Metzler, Hartmann, and Lowenthal's article Defining Primary Care: Envisioning the Roles of Occupational Therapy (2012) discusses how primary care is only assessable through a physician or nurse. But what about Occupational Therapist (OT)?
In practice, occupational therapists must take an active role to promoting engagement. This begins with how an occupational therapist views a situation. While the ICFDH takes into account the environment and the global and local influence of the environment on health, it leaves out the subjective experience of the individual (Hemmingsson & Jonsson, 2005). Vik et al. (2008) and Van de Velde et al.
St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. Parsons, H. (2014). Occupational therapy’s role in the excellence in mental health. OT practice, 19(19), 6-7. Retrieved from https://ezproxy.southtexascollege.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/1618146077?acountid=7069.
Cole, M. B., & Tufano, R. (2008). Applied theories in occupational therapy: A practical approach. Thorofare, New Jersey, United States of America: Slack Inc.
Within this aspect of occupational therapy the therapist will work towards addressing issues of occupational injustice, which particularly affects those individuals who are members of vulnerable
The realization of how important the value of occupation and health is in my own life inspires me to help others. I work on maintaining my own health by staying active and productive everyday. Being able to participate in occupations and activities I enjoy is what allows me to live a fulfilling and satisfying life. Occupational therapy appeals to me because it helps people overcome different obstacles, allow them to accomplish their goals, and participate in activities that are meaningful to them. Along with the physical component of Occupational Therapy, I have also observed the emotional, mental, and behavioral aspect of it. I have always been fascinated with the holistic approach Occupational Therapy takes when providing someone with individualized treatment. I believe physical and mental health is integrated, and it’s essential to look at the whole person in order to understand the needs of an