Occupational formulation: A three-part structure

Abstract

Occupational formulation is a process of making sense of someone’s circumstances that is informed by occupational theories and concepts. This opinion piece presents occupational formulation as a stage in the occupational therapy process that emerges from professional reasoning. A three-part formulation structure is proposed: occupational influences, occupational presentation and occupational focus. A narrative approach to formulation is recommended which holds occupation at its core and incorporates a client’s subjective perspective. We believe that the proposed formulation approach has the potential to reflect constructs from a range of occupational therapy models to suit the breadth of occupational therapy practice.