Stay rooted & take flight Dr M Clare Taylor Bournemouth University

Stay rooted – but rooted in what?

 History  Knowledge  Skills  Evidence  Philosophy

A stroll through the history of OT  What are the origins of OT?  When did OT start?  Where did OT start? and  What about OT at Coventry University?

 Occupational Therapy was first observed to be taking place during the French revolution as basket weaving became highly fashionable with the working classes. They competed with each other to create the most decorative baskets for the aristocrats’ heads to fall into.  Many people were more interested in the basket weaving that the actual beheadings, much to the consternation of the guillotine technicians who felt their role was not being taken seriously.

A stroll through the history of OT  The Age of Enlightenment [1700s]  Pinel  Tuke  Moral treatment  The Arts & Crafts movement

A stroll through the history of OT  The power of meaningful occupation as a means of therapy

 How does occupation effect a cure? … One thing is certain, that the coated tongue, the obstinate constipation. The diminished secretions, the sallow complexion and the other symptoms of ill health that very stubbornly resist other methods of treatment gradually disappear when patients are engaged in suitable occupation, and we can nearly always look forward with confidence for a marked improvement in mental condition Moher (1907) Occupation in the treatment of the insane, JAMA, 158:1666

The medical model The occupational therapist carries out her treatment on prescription from the medical officer only. No case should be dealt with without this prescription. Howarth & MacDonald, cited in Turner, 1996

Rediscovering occupation  Occupational therapy is a profession concerned with promoting health and well being through occupation.

A stroll through the history of OT OT education in the UK  When did it start?  Where did it start?  What about Coventry?

A stroll through the history of OT  Actually - Wolverhampton

Knowledge … … I know nothing

Models & FoR

Occupational Science

A skills or 2

Think about the skills you’ve developed doing research  developing a question  finding literature  reviewing literature  collecting data  understanding data analysis  synthesis & analysis  presentation skills  problem solving  time management  writing

Evidence-based what …

Let’s philosophise …

 ‘Man (sic), through the use of his hands, as they are energized by his mind and will, can influence the state of his own health’ Reilly(1962): 1  Occupation as means & occupation as ends

Take flight – but where to?

Where to from here …  Band 5 OT

Where to from here …  Specialist practitioner  Consultant therapist  Research OT  Head OT  Lecturer  Chair of COT Council  Renowned author  Leader of the profession  …???

The world of OT is your oyster  enjoy