Download Occupational Therapy from 1940-1969

Occupational Therapy from 1940-1969
(Genevieve Cyrs, Claire Kelly, Allie Taylor, Patricia Wong)
Occupational Practical
Transition
-In the 1940’s, self-repair through
activity was discounted in favor of
applications that had more of a
base in psychology, physiology
and anatomy.
-By the 1950’s, the assimilation of
Medical Model ideals into
occupational therapy practice
became the Mechanistic Paradigm
-Practice of splinting and
prescribing adaptive devices
flourished as well as discrete
analysis of requirements needed
for activity
-Emphasis was placed on the
patient returning to healthy
functioning and therapy treatments
were meant to evoke subconscious
feelings to resolve issues
-Knowledge of how internal
processes and body structure
informed disability and function
expanded
-By the end of the 1960’s, the
changes in therapeutic approach
had thrown practice into conflict.
A realization that the profession
needed to ameliorate its
differences was recognized
General Changes in
Occupational Therapy
-Stricter guidelines for
occupational therapy schools
-Moved away from the Arts and
Crafts Movement and focused on
attitudes toward work
Social Context
-World War II initiates increase of
occupational therapy schools,
gives military status to
occupational therapists, &
promotes OT recognition
-Civil Rights Movement: equality
among races
-Women’s Liberation: women in
the workforce
-Baby Boom: huge population
growth that contributes to senior
population in near future
-Polio epidemic leaves many baby
boomers paralyzed
Medical Model
-The practice of medicine
compartmentalized, encouraging
the dehumanization of patients by
reducing illness into measurable
units, comparing malfunction with
broken parts that needed
replacement
-Emphasis on the application of
sophisticated technical knowledge
to identify and eliminate or contain
disease or trauma to the individual
-Pros: scientific forefront,
association with medicine,
common language with medical
professionals
-Cons: reductionist, how do you
treat long-term problems?
Medical Advances
-Introduction of antibiotics on
mass scale (penicillin,
streptomyocin)
-Vaccinations (polio) eradicate
many diseases
-Federal regulations regarding
delivery of health care & funding
for medical research
-Better sanitation in health care
facilities
-Longer life expectancy results
World Federation of
Occupational Therapists
-Established in 1952
-Mission: to spread knowledge of
the field & promote international
cooperation of occupational
therapists
-Five program areas include:
education & research, standards &
quality, international cooperation,
executive programs, and
promotion & development
Important Figures
-Wilma West: founder of
American Occupational Therapy
Foundation, advocated for OTs as
“health agents”
- Helen Willard & Clare
Spackman: publish the first
occupational therapy textbook
-Howard Rusk: promoted
awareness of importance of
rehabilitation
-Mary Reilly: re-evaluation of
Mechanistic Model, wanted an
interdisciplinary approach
-A. Jean Ayres- developed sensory
integration approach
-Elizabeth Yerxa: advocate of
client choices in purposeful
activities
-Gail Fidler: advocated that
occupational therapists should
learn concepts rather than just
technical skills,
Implications for Practice Today
-Baby boomers are reaching old
age
-Deinstitutionalization of mental
hospital integrates former patients
into society
-Occupation based therapy
-Empowerment movements of
time informed and led to concepts
of client-centered therapy
-Association with medicine/
science based practice
-Specializations in occupational
therapy
-Increased use of assistive
technology