April is National Occupational Therapy (OT) month, which offers occupational therapy professionals a chance to celebrate what we do, learn from one another, and be recognized for the contributions the profession makes to society. Every April, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) holds its annual conference and expo. This year’s theme is “Inspire.” It is in this context that I offer some reflections on behalf of the developing PNWU School of Occupational Therapy .

Occupation is the defining concept of the profession and differentiates occupational therapy from other health professions. Occupations are the everyday activities one engages in — what people ‘do’ with their time and energy. Occupations reflect and support one’s identity and sense of self as well as one’s connection to others and environments, and they help individuals meet their basic needs and self-actualize.

Occupational therapists have long debated whether the profession’s use of the term ‘occupation’ does more harm than good, because the concept can be confused with job or work. For able-bodied individuals without significant health issues, occupations often go unnoticed. However, when one’s capacities or context changes in such a way as to disrupt either the performance (the “doing” of the occupation) or participation (how one is involved in life situations), one suddenly becomes aware of how central occupations are to life, health, and wellbeing.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have experienced changes in our daily occupations. For example, how we procure food and supplies has changed, as has how we engage in work, leisure, and play. In some cases, we can no longer perform valued occupations. In other cases, the way we participate has changed drastically. The stress, distress, and isolation often felt during the last year as a result of those changes provides a mere glimpse into how life may change when, due to illness or disability, one cannot engage in meaningful and valuable occupations, or at least not in the way one would like.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also laid bare the gross inequalities in our society. Specific to the occupational therapy profession, we have been reminded, yet again, that opportunities for safe and meaningful occupational engagement are not equitably distributed. Occupational engagement is a human right and a social determinant of health (AOTA, 2020). Occupational therapy professionals continue to advocate for the rights of all individuals to participate in occupations that have meaning and value for their lives.

Occupational therapy is the skilled and innovative use of meaningful occupation to promote health, well-being and life quality (AOTA, 2020). Occupational therapists use knowledge of the person together with our understanding of occupations (obtained through occupational analysis) and the opportunities and constraints afforded by the particular situation to facilitate occupational performance and participation.

Nearly every health condition or disability has roots in, or implications for, everyday occupations. As such, nearly every problem has the potential to benefit from OT intervention, either as a means of prevention or treatment.

Nonetheless, occupational therapists are underutilized in many settings, in part because healthcare providers and the general public are not fully aware of all that occupational therapy can offer. Certainly, therapists work with acutely injured and ill people across a range of practice settings, but occupational therapists can help with many other problems as diverse as chronic homelessness, obesity, end of life, and so much more. As one small step towards highlighting what occupational therapists do, and can do, for clients, I offer the resources below as a starting point.

“Nearly every problem has the potential to benefit from OT intervention...”

The developing School of Occupational Therapy at PNWU aims to produce future OTs who are leaders, advocates, clinician-scholars, and change agents prepared to revolutionize community health. Our future students will inspire their clients to achieve great things and live more fulfilling lives.

This April, I hope you are inspired to learn more about occupational therapy and how it can make a difference for the clients and communities we serve.

PNWU's Developing school of occupational therapy

OT Month Resources

Occupational Therapy’s Role with Mental Health Recovery

Occupational Therapy’s Role with Diabetes Self-management

Occupational Therapy’s Role in Bariatric Care

Occupational Therapy’s Role in Pain Rehabilitation

Occupational Therapy’s Role with Breast Cancer Rehabilitation

Occupational Therapy’s Role in Inclusion and School Routines

Occupational Therapy’s Role in Sleep

For many more resources, please visit www.aota.org.