From the Guidelines
Occupational therapy is a healthcare profession that enables people to participate in daily activities they need or want to do, with the primary aim of optimizing occupational performance by enabling people to participate in the activities that they want, need, or are expected to do. According to the most recent study 1, the primary aim of occupational therapy is to optimize occupational performance, and one of the theoretical models is the person-environment-occupation model, which portrays the relationship between the capabilities and characteristics of the person—the physical, social, and cultural environment—and the target occupation.
Key Aspects of Occupational Therapy
- Occupational therapists work with individuals who have physical, sensory, cognitive, or developmental conditions that impact their ability to function independently 1.
- They create personalized treatment plans to improve skills for daily living, work, and leisure activities, with a focus on enabling people to participate fully in their lives despite challenges or limitations 1.
- Treatment typically involves a comprehensive evaluation followed by intervention sessions that can last weeks to months depending on individual needs, and may include modifications to the environment and task to enhance safety and enable the patient to complete desired and needed daily activities 1.
- The core philosophy of occupational therapy is that meaningful activities promote health and wellbeing, and therapists might help patients develop fine motor skills, adapt environments to accommodate disabilities, teach compensatory strategies, or recommend assistive devices 1.
Intervention Strategies
- Modifications to enable independence, such as self-care, cooking, cleaning, financial management, and yard and home maintenance 1.
- Modifications to enable participation in valued leisure and social activities to decrease risk for depression and isolation 1.
- Training in strategies and modifications to enable safe and accurate medication management and devices used to monitor medical conditions 1.
- Visual-skills training to enhance the ability to compensate for vision loss and use remaining vision more effectively for daily activities 1. The level of evidence for some outcomes is considered “moderate”, with a number of high quality RCTs supportive of improvements in activities of daily living (ADL), quality of life and reductions in problem behavior 1.
From the Research
Definition of Occupational Therapy
- Occupational therapy is a field that focuses on enabling individuals to participate in daily activities and occupations despite physical, cognitive, or mental disabilities 2, 3, 4, 5.
- It involves the use of assistive technology and other interventions to promote independence, productivity, and overall well-being.
Key Components of Occupational Therapy
- Assistive technology is a crucial component of occupational therapy, as it provides individuals with the tools and devices needed to perform daily tasks and activities 2, 3, 5.
- Occupational therapists work with individuals to identify their needs and develop strategies to overcome barriers to participation in occupations 4.
- The Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) model is a framework used in occupational therapy to understand the complex relationships between individuals, their environments, and their occupations 4.
Education and Training in Occupational Therapy
- Occupational therapists require training in assistive technology and other areas to provide effective services to individuals with disabilities 3, 5.
- There is a need for ongoing education and professional development in occupational therapy to ensure that practitioners are equipped to address the complex needs of individuals with disabilities 3, 5.
- Studies have highlighted the importance of accessible and affordable training for occupational therapists, particularly in areas such as funding, collaboration with families and service providers, and accessing reliable vendors 5.