Role of an occupational therapist
"Occupational Therapy is a process of facilitating change in order to improve an individual's quality of life through the use of graded occupation"
(Curriculum Framework Steering Group 1998)
Occupational therapy is a profession allied to medicine and involves a creative problem- solving process in which people experiencing physical, mental health or learning difficulties are enabled to reach an optimum level of functioning, independence and quality of life. Service users are viewed holistically in terms of their physical and psychological abilities and their social, cultural and environmental context. Service users and occupational therapists collaborate in defining needs and goals, which will enable and empower them to take control of their lives to achieve a personally meaningful lifestyle. The fundamental values of occupational therapy include:
- a regard for the productive potential of each individual and the need for participation in occupation;
- an understanding of the relationship between occupation and health and well-being;
- a recognition of the requirements for a balanced life style between work, play and self care;
- a belief in the ability of the individual to take responsibility for his/her own life.
The practice of occupational therapy is concerned with enabling people to perform the occupations in which they participate throughout their daily lives such as personal care (getting dressed, cleaning teeth, shopping); productivity (paid or unpaid work, housework or school); leisure (sport, games, hobbies, social life); and in overcoming barriers. Occupational therapy practice aims to:
- promote occupational health and well being
- prevent decline of abilities in the performance of occupations
- maintain or improve abilities in the performance of occupations
- compensate for decreased ability in the performance of occupations.
Thus practice can range from adapting household products so people can use them, to teaching those with mental health problems different coping strategies, to helping children with learning difficulties to participate in social activities.
The role of an occupational therapist is dynamic and can lead into diverse fields of work. No longer are they employed only in hospitals; the work can take an occupational therapist into the public, private and voluntary sectors eg. primary health care, social services, schools, prisons, industry, retail and commerce, private consultancies and private practice, research and education. The challenges of the 21 st century for health care will ensure that new opportunities will continue to develop in the field of occupational therapy.