Occupational Therapy Essay

This assignment will provide information needed to introduce a new service user to the occupational therapy service. Firstly, an overview of what occupational therapy is, the role of the occupational therapist and the occupational therapy process relating to the new service user will be discussed. The use of relevant examples and references from various sources will be encompassed. Occupational therapy is based around core concepts, values and philosophy. occupational therapy is a health care profession that aims to improve the life of an individual who may have physical, psychological or social health conditions. Occupational therapy enables the service user to fulfil the basic needs in life such as eating, dressing and washing and

Stephen Hawking suggests; “based upon two arbitrary elements: first that humans are occupational beings and, second, that engagement in occupation is a major evolutionary mechanism for health” (Creek, J. 1998 p.3). Occupational therapy looks at the individual as a whole being by using the holistic approach. The holistic approach is vital within any healthcare profession as the individual as a whole is the main focus within the process “occupational therapy in a holistic sense is a thorough understanding of the balance of occupational functioning, and the characteristics and determinants of that balance” (McColl, Mary Ann 1994) Occupational therapy is based upon values and core concepts that integrate with philosophy, the individual is the main priority within the process. Philosophy is the view of what every being does, thinks and behaves. Empowerment is also a part of the process whereby the individual’s inner ability and resources will be used to adapt to achieve the goal of living a successful life, Meyer states. “there was a rhythm of human life that helped to organize behaviour and maintain health. He identified the elements of this rhythm as work, play, rest and sleep and suggested that individuals required balance of these elements in order to maintain health” (Punwar. Alice J, 1994.