The aim of this study was to examine how occupational therapists define their role in a community mental health setting, within a framework of current concern about a lack of knowledge and recognition of the profession among both other health professionals and the general public, including clients of the service. Nineteen practising occupational therapists were interviewed by telephone and invited to give their definitions of occupational therapy.
The main finding was that there was a lack of a uniform definition of occupational therapy in community mental health settings. The need for the development of agreed definitions of occupational therapy is discussed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
ChakravortyBG (1993) Occupational therapy services: awareness among hospital consultants and general practitioners. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 56 (8), 283–86.
2.
College of Occupational Therapists (1990) Occupational therapy definition. SPP140. London: COT.
3.
CreekJ (1992) Why can't occupational therapists say what they do?Conference Proceedings, Hong Kong International Occupational Therapy Conference. Hong Kong: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic, 17–25.
4.
CrosbieD (1985) The roles of occupational therapists in social services area teams. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 48 (12), 367–69.
5.
FormanDJonesIMorleyJ (1994) Shared management learning at the University of Derby. Journal of Inter-Professional Care, 8 (3), 275–78.
6.
HagedornR (1995) The Casson Memorial Lecture 1995: an emergent profession — a personal perspective. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 58 (8), 324–31.
7.
HarriesPCaanAW (1994) What do psychiatric inpatients and ward staff think about occupational therapy?British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 57 (6), 219–23.
8.
JenkinsMBrothertonC (1995) In search of a theoretical framework for practice, part 1. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 58 (7), 280–85.
9.
KaurDSeagerMOrrellM (1996) Occupation or therapy? The attitudes of mental health professionals. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 59 (7), 319–22.
10.
LycettR (1991) ‘Well, what is occupational therapy?’ An examination of the definitions given by occupational therapists. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 54 (11), 411–14.
11.
MaddenA (1984) Explaining occupational therapy: an art in itself?British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 47 (1), 15–17.
12.
National Health Service and Community Care Act (1990) London: HMSO.
13.
NewmanJDonoghueKReesC (1988) Community mental handicap: the role of the occupational therapist. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 51 (8), 273–76.
14.
PunwarAJ (1994) Occupational therapy: principles and practice. 2nd ed.Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins.
15.
SpashettEM (1981) What role OT — luxury or necessity?British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 44 (9), 288–91.
16.
WilmotS (1995) Professional values and inter-professional dialogue. Journal of Inter-Professional Care, 9 (3), 257–65.
