Occupational therapists as object users: A critique of Australian practice 1954–1995

Abstract

This research sought to identify the conventions and expectations that guide Australian occupational therapists' use of objects, and to critique these against professional beliefs and values. A history of ideas methodology was used to analyse the content of a sample of issues of the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, spanning 42 years, This revealed that therapists have been strongly influenced by mechanistic thinking, with a resultant focus on biomechanical, neurological and functional aspects of object use, which has excluded consideration of the client's subjective experience of using objects and the symbolic meaning of the objects used. The centrality of assistive devices, splints and formal assessments to occupational therapists' identity and professional development is also identified. Current practices are critiqued as inconsistent with respecting clients' dignity and worth. K E Y W 0 R D S object use, occupation, occupational therapy practice, professional identity.

Using Museum Objects to Improve Wellbeing in Mental Health Service Users and Neurological Rehabilitation Clients

“…While occupational therapists have traditionally used objects as tools to enhance mental and physical capacity, museum objects have not been widely used. Hocking and Wilcock (1997) showed therapists to be strongly influenced by the neurological and functional aspects of object use, but to the exclusion of considering subjective responses by clients. Occupational therapists do not traditionally consider subjective responses to objects, which is unlike the situation in museum research -where personal responses and symbolic interpretation are often considered (Lanceley et al 2011).…”

Gatekeepers or advocates? Occupational therapists and equipment funding schemes

“…The profession of occupational therapy has a long history of prescribing, selecting and creating assistive devices to enhance the occupational performance of people with disabilities. Historical reviews of occupational therapy practice throughout the twentieth century describe the prominence of equipment prescription as a therapeutic approach and the complexity and integration of information needed in the prescription of equipment (Anderson & Bell, 1988; Hocking & Wilcock, 1997).…”