Harness the Power of Occupation
Theory & Evidence Joining to Support Occupational Therapy Practice
What is occupation?
Occupation is the everyday doing that people want, need, or have to do that is organized, and given value and meaning by individuals and culture. Occupations have purpose allowing people to look after themselves, enjoy life, and contribute to the social and economic fabric of their communities (Law et al., 1997; Wilcock & Townsend, 2014).
What is occupation-based practice and why is it so important?
Occupation-based practice is the intentional use of meaningful doing in practice as the foundation for assessment and intervention to reach occupational outcomes (Fisher, 2013; Psillas & Stav, 2021). This approach to occupational therapy practice is inclusive of both concepts proposed by Gray (1998); occupation as means and occupation as ends. Using occupation in practice is important because it secures our services as unique and valuable to the healthcare team, it stems from our core philosophical belief in the reciprocal relationship between occupation and health, and occupation-based practice yields better client and health outcomes.
“The wide and gaping chasm which exists between the complexity of illness and the commonplaceness of our treatment tools is, and always will be, both the pride and the anguish of our profession.”
--Mary Reilly, 1961
Occupational Revolution
The tide of occupation is coming in. We are at a point of intentionality, advocacy, and empowerment. We are entering an "occupational revolution." ​
-- Wendy Stav, 2023
Features
Guidelines
Watch a video of administration of the OBPA Individual and Group Intervention Scales.
Related Concepts
Other researchers are generating valuable concepts also for use in practice. Check out the The OT Lifestyle Movement and the Burn In model.
