OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ISSUES AND FACTORS

Occupational Therapy Issues and Factors:

The American Occupational Therapy Association and UK National Health Service
Rosemary Barnitt, Darryl Austin
University of Southhampton and Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ISSUES AND FACTORS

Abstract
It is a challenge to pursue a career in occupational therapy because of certain issues in
todays world. A few ethical dilemmas or issues that continues to affect occupational
therapists are difficult and dangerous behavior in patients for example sexual relationship
between patients, and risky patients who want to be discharged but fear their behavior in
public and also unfair allocations and lack of resource. Although there will always be
difficulties with patients, occupational therapist should always try to instill to the patient
hope and progress that one can feel that he can reach a goal through effort and practice.
More issues with occupational therapy are products being sold to clients for their health
and treatment, must be in compliance with the rules and regulations such as product
safety. An example of a financial issue with OTs is a therapist who part owns medical
equipment company and gets patients to buy his items but doesnt tell the client of her
financial holdings in the company, or lists any other company. The client finds out and
that the OT forced the client to make an informed decision, which is supported by the
code of ethics and standards. However sometimes financially, this emphasis has led to
greater opportunities for OT practitioners to sell both goods and services to recipients of
their services. One big challenge facing the profession is that occupational therapists are
underused and not working to their full scope of practice. For example, occupational
therapists often carry large caseloads, resulting in circumscribed client consultations and
a restricted number of visits. This approach to client care results in a fractured approach
to intervention, rather than providing solutions. It can be argued that if occupational
therapy were presented as an intervention to support health system transformation,
maximizing the role of occupational therapy in Canada and U.S would offer new

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ISSUES AND FACTORS

opportunities to achieve value for money in the health system. In conclusion, there are
many issues concerning the career occupational therapist, but occupational therapy
provides solutions that go beyond the traditional medical model. Working toward health
services delivery through both inter-professional models of practice and the recognition
of occupational therapys value as an autonomous health profession can open up a world
of possibility for a health system that requires change.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ISSUES AND FACTORS

Kate Rexe, Brenda M. Lammi, Claudia von Zweck. (Healthcare Quarterly Vol. 16 No.1
2013). Occupational Therapy: Cost-Effective Solutions for Changing Health System
Needs. Retrieved from http://www.acotup-acpue.ca/PDFs/OT%20-%20Cost-Effective
%20Solutions%20for%20Changing%20Health%20System%20Needs.pdf

Rosemary Barnitt. Journal of Medical Ethics 1998. Ethical Dilemmas in Occupational

Therapy and Physical Therapy: A Survey of Practitioners in the UK National Health
Service. Retrieved from http://jme.bmj.com/content/24/3/193.full.pdf.

Darryl Austin. American Occupational Therapy Association 2010. Ethical

Considerations When Occupational Therapists Engage in Business Transactions With
Clients. https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/Practice/Ethics/Advisory/ecadvbiz.ashx