What is Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists believe that there is aoccupational performance may well become disrupted
relationship between occupation, health and well-being.or impaired when he becomes unwell, either physically
Findings from studies over the years indicate thator psychologically. We work with these individuals who
occupation has an important influence on health andexperience some difficulty in their daily life functioning 2.
well-being. Ranging from physiological to functionalImportance of being active -- through being active it is
outcomes, it is clear that the performance in everydaybelieved that we learn about ourselves, develop skills
occupations is an important part of everyday life.and maintain out physical/mental health 3. Therapeutic
Withdrawal or changes in occupation for a personuse of activities -- occupational therapy is premised on
have a significant impact on a person’sthe idea that purposeful activity can be therapeutic and
self-perceived health and well-being. There are manycan be used to improve individual’s functioning. We
definitions of occupational therapy: The Worldapply activities in the treatment process valuing the
Federation of Occupational Therapists (1989) statesactivities inherent properties, the experience of
that: Occupational therapy is the treatment of physical‘doing’ the activity and the end-product.
and psychiatric conditions through specific activities toOccupational therapists employ two main types of
help people to reach their maximum level of functionactivities, activities of daily living (cooking) and
and independence. Definitions of occupational therapyspecifically orientated therapy activities (such as
do not cover the scope of the profession.groupwork). Treatment involves grading and adapting
‘Occupational therapy is concerned with thethe activity to enable the patient to achieve an
individual and the roles, occupations, activities andoptimum level of performance and satisfaction. 4.
interactions within the individual’s personalProblem-solving process -- the occupational therapy
environment. Occupational therapy enables andprocess (assessment - treatment plan --
empowers the individual to be a competent andimplementation of treatment -- evaluation) is primarily a
confident performer in his or her daily life, andproblem-solving process. 5. Holistic gaze -- occupational
enhances his or her well-being. Occupational therapytherapists aim to view and treat individuals as complex,
uses activities creatively and therapeutically to achievewhole beings, whereby attending to emotional,
goals which are meaningful to the individual and tocognitive, social and physical aspects of the person 6.
reduce the effect of dysfunction. Occupational therapyUnique individuals -- all individuals are seen as unique
requires the individual to engage actively in the processand the implication this carries for occupational therapy
of therapy and to be a partner with the therapist inis that each person requires his or her own
designing and directing this process’ (Hagedornindividualised treatment programme, containing aims,
1997). Professional goal The major goal of occupationalobjectives and goals. Occupational therapists central
therapy is to enable the client to achieve a satisfyingconcern with occupation and activity provides us with
and productive life through the development of skillsa unique focus and role. Core skills * The use of
that will allow him to function at a level satisfactory topurposeful activity and meaningful occupation as
himself and others. Occupational therapy is focusedtherapeutic tools * The ability to enable patients to
upon enabling the individual to achieve what isexplore, achieve and maintain balance in daily living
important to him rather than aiming for normality,tasks and roles * The ability to assess the effects of,
conformity or desired professional opinions. * Assessand then to manipulate, physical and psychosocial
the patients needs in terms of the occupations whichenvironments to maximise function and social
are important to him * Identify the skills needed tointegration * The ability to analyse, select and apply
support those occupations * Remove or minimiseoccupations as specific therapeutic media Legitimate
barriers to successful occupational performance *tools * Purposeful activity -- the activity is both
Assist the client to develop, relearn or maintain skills topurposeful and meaningful to the patient to enable the
a level of competence that will allow him to performpatient to reach their goal * The environment -- the
occupations to his own satisfaction * Help the patientgoal of intervention maybe to help the patient to adapt
to achieve a satisfactory balance of activities in histo his environment, or to adapt the environment to suit
daily life, i.e., self-care, productivity and leisure. Thethe patients needs and abilities, e.g., equipment
focus of intervention is always the patient and hisprescription and provision (perching stool, grab rails,
goals, rather than the problem or the method ofbath board, kettle tipper). * The therapeutic use of self
intervention (Creek 1997). The following six elements-- this is the therapists ability to relate effectively to
reflect a consensus in the profession: 1. Occupationalpatient, which will determine the success of the
performance -- occupational therapists are centrallyrelationship between the therapist and the patient, e.g.,
concerned with how individuals function in their work,empathy, flexibility, self-awareness.
leisure and domestic/personal self-care. A person’s