Who Needs a Theory of Occupational Therapy? Do You?

Abstract

A group of Melbourne based occupational therapy educators and clinicians question the need for a paradigm for occupational therapy. They claim that professional status is more dependent upon expert organization (formal and informal) of the profession and its external relations than on conceptual and theoretical consensus. Identification of the state‐of‐the‐art of occupational therapy is held to be an important first step in the move towards better organization and relations with other health professions. Occupational therapists Australia‐wide are asked to assist in the identification process.

The Perceived Status of Occupational Therapy: Myth Versus Reality

“…This review, together with an examination of a number of models put forward in support of contemporary practice (Clark, 1979;Mosey, 1981;Reed, 1984), generated considerable debate. As the authors (Alexander et al, 1985, p. 105) explain, after a few meetings the group decided that it would:…”

“…Do You?" by Alexander, French, Graham, King and Timewell (1985), as a supplement in the centre fold of the journal. Its presence was marked by its different colour (blue).…”

“…A review of the literature confirmed that the reasons advanced to explain this crisis included a developing professional affiliation with a reductionist medical model, and the dislocation of occupational therapy from its original activity-oriented base (Diasio, 1971;Shannon, 1977; Kielhofner and Burke, 1977; Gillette and Kielhofner, 1979).This review, together with an examination of a number of models put forward in support of contemporary practice (Clark, 1979;Mosey, 1981;Reed, 1984), generated considerable debate. As the authors (Alexander et al, 1985, p. 105) explain, after a few meetings the group decided that it would:…”

Professional Literature: One View of a National Perspective

“…Such theoretical foundations as occupational performance (Reed and Sanderson, 1983), sensory integration (Ayres, 1972), human occupation (Kielhofner, 1983, p. 85) are being researched. Basing practice and research upon theoretical postulates led to some differences of opinion in the AOTJ (Alexander, French, Graham, King &Timewall, 1985 andCusick, 1985). Dunkin's (1965) article also referred to the role of education.…”

The eye of the beholder: Models in occupational therapy

“…In particular, the value of broadly accepted professional models in unifying professional thought and direction is contentious, with some writers advocating a more idiosyncratic approach (Alexander, French, Graham, King & Timewell, 1985). In particular, the value of broadly accepted professional models in unifying professional thought and direction is contentious, with some writers advocating a more idiosyncratic approach (Alexander, French, Graham, King & Timewell, 1985).…”