Occupational justice health questionnaire: reflections on its application

Abstract

Introduction Occupational justice concept is defined as the equal access and participation in all occupations, including the resources required for participation and opportunities for social inclusion. Occupational justice not only remains conceptually ambiguous for occupational therapy practice but also lacks critical examination of its applicability to non-Western cultures. Objective This article describes the reflexive process exercised by the researchers during and after using the Occupational Justice Health Questionnaire (OJHQ) as an occupational therapy tool in a substance addiction rehabilitation setting in the Philippines. Method This qualitative study gathered transcriptions from field notes and focus group discussions of the authors. These transcriptions were characterized by the authors’ reflections on their experiences using the OJHQ on four distinct periods: 1) OJHQ translation, 2) pilot testing, 3) OJHQ-Filipino version administration, and 4) project conclusion. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis. Results Qualitative data revealed four themes: tool usefulness; administration guidelines; contextualized use of the tool; and nuances of occupational injustices in substance addiction and rehabilitation setting. Conclusion Findings expanded OJHQ’s purpose to enhance clinical reasoning, promote justice-oriented health care, activate reflective practice, and recognize the interweaving and evolving nature of injustices. This article offers an understanding of how reflections can facilitate cultural adaptation of practice tools used in occupational therapy and justice practice.

Occupational Concepts: An Underutilized Resource to Further Disabled People and Others Being Occupied: A Scoping Review

“…"Occupational justice" is about equitable access to meaningful occupation [47,78]. Occupational justice recognizes "unique sets of occupational needs and capacities within particular environments" [18] (p. 418) and is seen needed "as part of a fair and empowering society" [48] (p. 212) (citing [47]).…”

“…Occupational justice is the equalization of opportunity to ensure that everyone has access to all occupations and the resources needed to engage in them [78]. EDI policies try this very thing, namely generating occupational justice for EDI-deserving groups.…”

Is occupational therapy an ableist health profession? A critical reflection on ableism and occupational therapy

“…In other words, underpinned by Western ideas and ways of thinking, when occupational justice is uncritically examined and applied, it can reproduce forms of understanding and practices that deny other worldviews outside the colonising world (Córdoba, 2020). Whilst efforts to bridge occupational justice conceptualisations and OT practice are underway, it is imperative that OT practitioners carefully consider the cultural contexts (e.g., social determinants of health, language use, meaning, traditions, and beliefs, among others) of not only the service users but also the practice settings where an occupational justice perspective is to be employed (Sy et al, 2021).…”