Occupational Therapy Reflection Paper

Introduction Occupational therapy is often times defined as the combination of both scientific and artistic principles. This is evident by which occupational therapy incorporates scientific knowledge, research, and philosophies in its practice alongside the use of personal experiences, beliefs, and values within its treatment. In the article, Weaving the Warp and Weft of Occupational Therapy: An Art and Science for All Times, Woods states that occupational therapy consists of two distinct fundamental principles: the warp and weft (Woods, 1997). The warp is referred to occupational therapy’s philosophy in occupation improving health, and the weft refers to our humanistic value of respect for the person (Woods, 1997). When both concepts are

What is most important from this article is that the principles must be intentionally utilized. Because I work in a pediatric setting, I apply the principles of science and art secondary to my personality. I am usually animated, creative, and spend a lot of time getting to know my clients on a personal level. I also love to incorporate art in every aspect of my life and I do so unintentionally in my work performance. However, although it is second nature for me to apply these principles, what is important is that it is done intentionally. This article has provided a sense of clinical obligation in me to always apply the warp and weft of occupational therapy in my future as a therapist because we must take our treatments more seriously than we generally do (Wood,

We, as health care practitioners, are to use the principles of art and science described in the article in order to individualize treatment and have a deep empathy for who the client is (Wood, 1995). For instance, a nurse may utilize these principles to perceive a client of theirs as more than their diagnosis and list of symptoms, but more of a person with values, beliefs, and a soul, in order to provide a more holistic treatment approach (Turpin, 2007). For occupational therapists, this article is relevant because it will allow for reflection into their own way of practice and begin a dialogue between occupational therapists to discuss their utilization of art and science as a major principle in their treatment. It is important for us as occupational therapists to take a break and truly analyze where we have been and where we would like to see our profession in the near future. In doing so we can take a more critical perspective towards our own professions to develop a more holistic perspective in order to see a client as a whole person (Turpin, 2007). The more we see the client as a whole, the better we can understand the therapeutic encounter as a