The Influence of Occupational Therapy on Society - Research Paper Example

Introduction The society is considered as a dynamic existence of different individuals and forces that affect the overall existence and relationship between human beings. Societal change is alterations or changes that are witnessed in beliefs, actions and cultural values of people within a specific society. As a dynamic existence of human, societies change from time and again and this leads to the creation of lasting effects on the cultural beliefs and practices of the people. A number of factors are known to initiate societal changes including political, economic factors and changes in ideological beliefs and exposure (Donnelly, 2013). Occupational therapy (OT) is one common event or activity that has been shown to cause significant change in the societal beliefs, values and cultural practices. In occupational therapy, different treatment approaches are used to enable individuals incapacitated by certain physical and mental conditions to maintain a normal livelihood. Through different approaches of OT, individuals learn new ways of living their lives independently and working despite the challenges they face from the physical and mental conditions. Through the intellectual process of occupational therapy, an individual is given the skills and training to enable him/her learn how to adapt to the current environment and become important people in the society (Black, 2002). History of occupation therapy (OT) Understanding the contributions of occupational therapy to the social changes that are witnessed requires an in depth appreciation of the history and chronological development of this art. Occupational therapy as a branch of science begun in the United States in 1917 as the society for the promotion of occupational therapy which later changed its name to the American occupational therapy association. While agitating for the formation of this profession, the pioneer founders believed that the human profession possessed unique curative power that could help an individual develop into a worthy person through occupational therapies. To develop this profession further, the pioneer occupational therapists targeted mental and psychological centers in the United States from where it developed a curriculum for the profession. Upon receiving professional training on occupational therapy, the professionals were registered by the American occupational therapy association and allowed to practice in different states of the United States. However, the 1940s saw the introduction of a degree course in the United States targeting professionals in this area making it mandatory for the practitioners to possess a baccalaureate degree in the area (Donnelly, 2013). Different other levels developed and by early 90s, doctoral and post-doctoral degrees were available on occupational health making the profession a full-fledged course in the United States. By the 80s, occupational therapy diversified its areas of focus and worked with different educational and health institutions to ensure the development of screening and health development programs in the county. It is during this period of OT development that the notion of ‘quality of life’ was developed as a way of highlighting their overall goals in the society (Brown, 2013). Principles of occupational therapy The practice of occupational therapy has progressed significantly as demonstrated in the historical timeline provided and this has resulted into the emergence of different principles and applications of occupational therapy. Through the practices of occupational therapy, collective and client based services are provided which enable the patients develop an occupation that suits their life difficulties (Vaughan, 2004). An occupational therapist has specific roles that define the success of his/her work in establishing a career for the patient. As described by a number of journals, occupational therapy has three processes that when conducted conclusively establishes a career for the patient. As a result, systematic evaluation of the patient to identify the weaknesses and strengths of the patient is the first process in occupational therapy. This is followed by the development of informed intervention programs that highlights the facts identified by the evaluation process. Upon the implementation of proper intervention protocols, the desired outcomes are visible and these translate into the development of an occupation for the patient in question (Donnelly, 2013). Occupational therapy has applications in different areas and this has contributed to its massive presence within the social setting and in different parts of the globe. The American occupational therapy association categorizes the practice of occupational therapy into different groups and the same categorization has been used in different parts of the globe by practitioners in different parts of the world. Occupational therapy is categorized into physical, mental and community practice that touches on the core community and societal functions which is attribute to the impacts of occupational health that has so far been witnessed. The classification of occupation therapy is thus influenced by the specific population and society that it serves at any given time (Black, 2002). The development of pediatric and teenage OT has contributed to the development of positive attitude and significant development in a number of children and youths who are incapacitated by different conditions. Such therapist targets toddlers and young children found within homes, nursing hospitals and even clinics and provide the best approach that suits their conditions after the analysis of their conditions. Young children and teenage youths are currently exposed to different psychological conditions that may affect their personal development, career growth and education (Black, 2002). This makes occupational therapy to children and young adults an important area that seeks to arrest developmental problems before they acquire chronic status. The development of children and youth occupational therapies has adopted a multi-formed approach that addresses different areas in the life of the children. Programs such as the promotion of children’s wellness in schools have contributed to decreased obesity and overweight cases in children (Black, 2002). One current and emerging area of occupational health is the development of programs targeting children and young adults suffering from a number of mental and psychological conditions. Considered as one of the most prevalent forms of disability in the United States, an approach that seeks to establish a proper life and occupation for this group has formed the basis for a number of OT conventions as the stakeholders attempt to develop approaches of providing occupational therapy to those affected. This has thus led to the development of occupational therapy services to patients within their homes, hospitals and other mental facilities in the country. Through their three tier approaches, occupational therapists have enabled mentally unstable children and youths to develop skills to enable them cope with the current world scenario. Through these skills and trainings, the number of mentally unstable youths and adults who are engaged in different employment and job positions in the United States has increased significantly (Vaughan, 2004). Apart from the youths and children with different incapacitating difficulties, occupational therapists target the elderly who have been incapacitated due to the advancements in their age. The elderly are thus trained to engage in different productive activities as ways of diverting their attention from their current conditions. Most of these elderly people in the homes and hospitals suffer from different conditions that prevent them from living their normal lives as they used to previously do. Occupational therapy has thus enabled the provision of quality and productive life to the elderly thus enabling them to live a more fulfilling life at their old age. Global occupational therapy practice The discovery and development of occupational therapy has led to its development in major parts of the world apart from the United States. Among the countries with advanced curriculum and occupational therapy practice are Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom. These countries have witnessed the massive benefits of occupational therapy within their boundaries and thus created significant career options for those with physical or mental difficulties. According to the Canadian association of occupational therapist, the increased relevance of occupational therapy practice in the country has significantly contributed towards the development of better alternatives for the aging population (Pereira, 2002). Statistics Canada projects an increase in the proportion of the elderly in the country and this will increase the overdependence on the working age group. However, the current contribution of occupational therapists has led to the emergence of new careers for the aging population and this has made it possible for the country’s economy to grow significantly. The provision of home care based occupational therapy services will improve the economic position of the aging population and thus relax the strain that the pension depending group has on the economy. Through the applications of occupational therapy doctrine, there has been significant decrease in the time spent in hospital by mental and physical health patients. The German health department attributes this to increase in the development of occupational therapy in the country. The management of complex disease has also been made easier within the community through the application of occupational therapy practices. Occupational therapists have cut a niche for themselves in the provision of primary care services to patients (Brown, 2013). Social influence of occupational therapy The development of occupational therapy as a career has created significant social impacts in different countries in the world. This has contributed to the emergence and growth of this new field as it develop new and more needy areas like the management of chronic diseases and care for the elderly. The development of eclectic approaches targeting the elderly has created a new role for the elderly in the society and this has capped the change attributed to this profession (Hooper, 2002). Eclectic therapies involve the application of a number of therapies and activities aimed at providing more responsibility to the elderly despite their age disadvantages. Within this approach, the elderly are given a chance to learn new approaches of life that fits their age and thus increasing self-independence. Before the application of this medical practice to the elderly, the senor population depended on other working and strong population for physical, financial and psychological support. However, this option has provided an opportunity for the elderly to move from home based care to self-care thus reducing societal burden. Primary care plays an essential role in the care for the sick in hospitals and at home due to the health complications that such people are faced with. The development and infiltration of occupational therapy into different areas of PHC has facilitated the entire process and enhanced the result from the patients at any given point. The emergent application of occupational health in primary health care has deviated from the traditional norms when such professionals will be confined to mental facilities and the facilities for the elderly. This was so due to the financial constraints that existed as the Canadian association of occupational therapy received no funding from the government or from any arm of the government (Hooper, 2002). The impacts of the profession in primary health care has increased the direct funding to these associations as the government and other bodies continue to appreciate the role of occupational therapist in family and primary care. The traditional place of occupational therapist within the rehabilitation center has changed and the society today considers the profession as one integral field that facilitates integration of different people into normal societal life and pressures (Hooper, 2002). In the recent past, a large number of the American military members have retired either physically or emotionally incapacitated that their chances of serving in the forces have reduced to zero. These war heroes take a direct nose dive from being great military men with strong muscles and active mind to people confined in wheelchairs or other rehabilitation facilities. The society has also changed its initial perception it had on the war heroes who served the great nation and are now viewed as a nuisance and people who create more burdens (Pereira, 2002). However, the advancement of occupational therapy has created a role for the elimination of this attitude towards the former soldiers as they are capable to learn new skills, roles and techniques to enable them become independent. Occupational therapy in Canadian military has also grown and this has been attributed to the growth of sports associations, clubs and teams dominated by physically disabled ex-servicemen. These heroes have been given a better way to increase self-reliance and become productive members of the society despite their emotional and physical disabilities (Vaughan, 2004). Conclusion The development of occupational therapy has created room for the change of societal views and perception towards certain members of the society as the health discipline has given them more reason to live. Different individuals in the society today have more than one reason to continue living a normal life irrespective of their physical, mental and emotional challenges. Within rehabilitation centers, convicts, drug addicts and mentally challenged individuals have been given an alternative profession and career to increase their self-dependence and make them important members of the society (Royeen, 2003). When these people are taken back into the society, they have different abilities and skills that enable them to perform different roles thus changing the overall perception that the society had on them. References Black R. (2002). Occupational therapy's dance with diversity. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 56(2), 140-148. Brown, H. (2013). The Meaning of Occupation, Occupational Need, and Occupational Therapy in a Military Context. Physical Therapy, 93(9), 1244-1253. Donnelly, B. (2013). The integration of occupational therapy into primary care: a multiple case study design. BMC Family Practice 4, 60. Hooper, W. (2002). Pragmatism and structuralism in occupational therapy: the long conversation. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 56(1), 40-50. Pereira R. (2002). The potential of occupational therapy services for students with disabilities within tertiary education settings. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 59(5), 393-396. Royeen, B. (2003) The 2003 Eleanor Clarke Slagle lectures. Chaotic occupational therapy: collective wisdom for a complex profession. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 57(6), 609-624. Vaughan, J. (2004). Establishing a place: occupational therapy involvement within special education in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Occupational Therapy, 51(2):11-16. Read More