About Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists focus on the occupations and tasks people do to live full, independent, quality lives:
- work or education
- eating, hygiene and self-care
- play and leisure
Our profession seeks to maximize a person's ability to achieve an individualized, self-determined balance of occupations throughout life, an important value in today's health care system.
Treating the Whole Person
Occupational performance is developed and enhanced by treating the "whole person" and attending to physical, psychological, emotional, social and cultural issues, as influenced by the environment.
Occupational therapy is provided in many settings: acute care, industrial rehabilitation, physical rehabilitation, mental health, long-term care, case management, consultation, school systems, early intervention, community service, education, disease prevention and health promotion.
Improving the Quality of Life
Occupational therapy practice is tied to these important concepts:
- quality of life
- productive function
- independent living
- full access
- social-political integration
- multiculturalism, and
- balanced lifestyles
Professional Leaders And Community Advocates
Graduates of this program must be able to evaluate emerging information, anticipate new practice opportunities, develop new knowledge, participate in research, guide professional decisions, and cooperate effectively with a variety of groups.
These competencies are the essence of occupational therapy service delivery and underscore the principles that guide this program.