Introduction
The article “Weaving the Warp and Weft” analyzes the occupational therapy in both artistic and scientific ways. The metaphor has been applied to show where occupational therapy lies currently and where it will lie in the future. The occupational therapy is defined in both artistic and scientific ways involving direct individuals participating in designated responsibilities to regain, strengthen, and improve performance (Wood, 1995). Two convictions, the warp, and weft are applied to give the best definition of occupational therapy regarding the professional view. The warp of occupational therapy refers to the philosophical beliefs that individuals hold and that impact health. The weft of occupational therapy stands for an individual’s humanistic worth. Therefore, occupational therapy has been developed and applied in health care throughout the century.
Analyzing Wood’s definition of occupational therapy guides persons in doing the meaningful and important duties surrounding their health. It leads them to engage in beneficial occupations. The definition incorporates the art and scientific view of occupational therapy in the health profession. However, I think Wood underscores the professional importance in practicing occupational therapy. Featuring the 19th century profession of occupational therapy, the community-secluded individuals with disabilities, mental illnesses and sometimes the patients were subjected to poor treatment as well as standards of living (Wood, 1995). However, practitioners have come up with theories that seek to explain the occupational theory in the clinical appliance. One of the theories is the integrative theory, which reviews professional behavior in the occupational theory. The occupational theory is used to induce and establish the science in occupation as a discipline that seeks individuals to understand the meaning and concepts used in the occupational theory. Some scientists remained in the old view of occupational theory. They focused on commodity quality, applying the arts and crafts as chastely digression tasks.
However, I find the differences contributed to the individuals in the health profession embrace the medical theory of practice. The application of arts and crafts in the occupational theory proceeds even in the modern world. Some practitioners used painting and art to communicate activities based on treatment as examples of arts and crafts used in occupational theory. Research indicates that skills development for participating in occupation, the establishment of the day-to-day activities and an increase in self-expression are evident due to specialists’ incorporation of art-based practices in the treatment. In addition, there exist occupational theory schools that incorporate arts and crafts into their curriculum regarding health. A discussion on arts and crafts in occupational theory is in progress especially in the areas of geriatric, mental health, and the pediatric field.
The observation of art and science of OT in my profession
In my profession as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, (OTA), I have observed the art and science of the occupational theory. The art and science help an assistant to aid the development of premature children. It helps an assistant to be creative in providing activities to build self-efficacy in teens especially during the rehabilitation from substance use. In a case where an elder is unable to dress, for instance, putting on the socks with an adaptive tool, art and science in occupational theory are used. The OTAs use art and science when presenting activities for mentally ill individuals to revive the relevance of their relations with others. In the near future, the job market for the occupational theory assistants is bound to increase (Wood, 1995). It is because there is increased demand in the advances regarding medicine. The cost of the therapy will decrease if the occupational therapy assistants work together with the clients under therapist instructions.
Changes regarding the perspective and practice of OT as both an art and a science
Significant changes regarding the perspectives and practices of occupational theory in both art and science are evident in the past 20 years. The occupational therapists were responsible for treating the mental and physical illnesses thus, the need for qualified therapists increased. The existing occupational therapists were not enough and needed a backup. Therefore, this contributed to the certification of the position for an occupation therapy assistant, who had their responsibilities such as training individuals to use a wheelchair, and educate people how to use the programs. The occupational therapy extended into the public schools where the Act of Education of the Handicapped was passed. The schools had the responsibilities to employ the assistants. Later, a shift was noted since occupational therapists had many choices of education such as the doctoral programs for the occupational therapists.
In the modern society, the occupational therapy aims at improving the patients’ lives by engaging technology in the field. The innovation of various therapies is evident and the patients have increased their independence. According to the Statistics in Bureau of Labor, in 2020, OTA jobs are expected to rise by 43%. (Townsend & Polatajko, 2007). It points the essentials used in working evidence in the occupational therapy.
The value and importance of the information in the article
The occupational value is significant due to a large number of individuals living with disabilities. Practitioners in occupational theory are recommended to apply the occupational therapy to individualize the treatment, which is important to the patients. The researchers involved in the clinical reasoning to try to ensure that the patients exercise honesty when telling stories concerning their problems. Occupational therapist colleagues from other professional disciplines urge the occupational therapists and patients involved to create an environment that is important for everyone to acquire a chance of telling their personal information. The occupational therapists need to execute full control over the treatment procedure. The value of occupational therapy in the occupational therapy field is significant since it gives the opportunity of incorporation of art and science to give treatment to mentally and physically ill individuals. The workforce in the occupational therapy should learn to work as a team to give a supportive surrounding of their activities.
Conclusion
The occupational therapy end goal is to ensure that every individual can live without depending on other people regardless their age, illness, mental problem or injury. The occupational therapists use recreational activities and work of self-care for a successful result. According to the article, the occupational therapists should induce the outstanding obtainable scientific signs that link with the clinical experience. Occupational therapists should put into consideration their clients’ views and expectations to make sound decisions. In this case, the clients feel valued because of the opportunity that they get to give opinions about their health. Occupational therapists should be conversant with the modern technology to search for literature, skills and the knowledge regarding occupational therapy. They should give a critical analysis of the literature before employing it in their profession. The employees have different skills due to different educational backgrounds. Therefore, occupational therapists should be given the chance to obtain knowledge within a framework where proper professional development and competence exist. Therefore, occupational therapy stands out to be an important field that should be put into account up to date.
References
Wood, W. (1995). Weaving the warp and weft of occupational therapy: An art and science for all times. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 49, 44-52.
Townsend, E. A., & Polatajko, H. J. (2007). Advancing an occupational therapy vision for health, well-being, and justice through occupation. Ottawa, ON: CAOT Publications.
