Fundamentals of Occupational Therapy: Global Social Issues

Pima Medical Institute OTA 110: Fundamentals of OT Study Notes

I. Current Global Social Issues

  • Discuss various examples of current global social issues.

  • Engage in class discourse to broaden understanding.

II. Current Healthcare Issues

  • Discuss various examples of current healthcare issues.

  • Engage in class discourse to broaden understanding.

III. The Future of OT and the Consideration for Occupational Justice

  • This section references an article from the American Journal of Occupational Therapy, titled:

    • “Justice and U.S. Occupational Therapy Practice: A Relationship 100 Years in the Making” (Published Jan/Feb 2017).

A. Background on Occupational Justice

  • The discourse surrounding occupational justice in occupational therapy is evolving.

  • Key Assertion:

    • “Since occupations are central to human existence, restrictions to participation in occupation are a matter of justice.”

  • Notable observation: There has been more global discourse on occupational justice than in the U.S.

  • Authors advocate for the integration of justice in U.S. OT education and practice.

  • In the past decades, occupational therapists have relied heavily on biomechanical models.

  • Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) have not significantly addressed the topic of occupational justice as a collective focus.

  • Views from scholars and practitioners highlight traditional practices in OT.

B. Rationale for Stronger U.S. Discourse

  • Authors posit that occupational therapy “…… enables occupations for people who face external barriers to participation in everyday life.”

  • Shifting focus toward occupational justice is viewed as a return to OT's foundational principles.

  • Critical inquiry: Should U.S. occupational therapy practitioners conceptualize their practices more strongly as justice-oriented endeavors?

C. Historical Context

  • Issues from the beginning of the 20th century and persisting today include:

    • War

    • Immigration

    • Industrialization

    • Exploitation of workers

    • Poor schooling systems

    • Inadequate medical care

D. The Future of Occupational Therapy

  • Anticipated growth in focus toward justice within the field.

  • Occupational justice is proposed as a core component in professional practices.

  • Emphasis on cultural humility as a necessary trait for practitioners.

  • Occupational therapists are deemed well-suited to emphasize justice in their practices over the next century.

IV. OT as a Global Healthcare Profession

  • Reference to an article from OT Practice, titled:

    • “OT Around the World: Profiles of Occupational Therapists in South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia” (Published Jan 2016).

V. World Federation of Occupational Therapists

  • Established in 1951

  • An international organization committed to:

    • Promoting occupational therapy worldwide.

    • Involvement of 101 countries.

    • Promoting international cooperation among national associations and therapists.

    • Facilitating international exchange of therapists and students.

  • Education and training resources are a key focus:

    • Disaster Management

    • Human Rights

    • Human Displacement

    • End of Life Care

  • Important Note: World OT Day is celebrated on Thursday, October 27th, 2023.