This module intends to encourage and enable students to examine the sociological concept of professionalism and to relate these to the theory of occupational science and occupational therapy in an in depth way. It will enable students to analyse their own view of the theory base of occupational therapy and how occupational science relates to that as well as investigate the practical application of these theories.      

• Critically analyse the underpinning theories and current philosophy of Occupational Therapy service provision, showing an understanding and synthesis of their historical origin and current practical influence
• Critically appraise key occupational science theories
• Develop a critical understanding of human occupation and its impact on health and well-being
• Critically analyse occupations and occupational analysis utilising key theoretical perspectives and frameworks
• Evaluate the potential application of current theory to the professional status of Occupational Therapy
• Evaluate research methods appropriate to the investigation of occupational science and occupational therapy
• Critiquethe current theories of evaluation prevalent in Occupational Therapy
• Systematically and creatively critique the relative merits of Occupational Therapy’s use of theory in practice
• Synthesise the practical application of professional theory within practice
• Critically discuss how Occupational Therapists retain a professional identity within the interdisciplinary setting
• Demonstrate critical thinking in relation to professional and clinical reasoning skills
• Synthesise in an in depth way the knowledge of professional status with the theory of Occupational Therapy

Within the notional learning time of 300 hours, each student will receive 72 contact hours (12 days). As well as the 72 contact hours, students will be expected to undertake approximately 228 hours of self-study

Module content will be delivered via:

• Lectures to outline key theories of the sociology of professions, professional development and occupational science
• Individual peer teaching of current theories of occupational therapy
• Small group discussions to critically appraise the relevance and practical application of this theory
• Seminars where students can present, appraise and evaluate occupational therapy theory research papers and evaluation methods prevalent or possible within the profession
• Student-led presentations where students present assignment plans and receive peer feedback
• Tutorials to  address students’ individual learning needs

• Practice and develop skills in critically appraising relevant theory and research relating to occupational therapy, evaluation and occupational science as theory concepts
• Develop skills in analysing occupation and occupational therapy models and their associated tools
• Practice and develop skills in presenting information and ideas to others, verbally, using IT or other media.
• Develop and hone skills of evaluation
• Develop and hone reflective skills and reflective writing

The module will be assessed via one formative and two summative assessments:

Formative:

An oral presentation of an analysis of a chosen occupation for a particular individual (formative). The presentation will give students the opportunity to present their plan for the written assignment and receive peer and tutor feedback prior to its completion.

Summative assessment one: A 3,000 word written presentation of that analysis (summative).The assignment should demonstrate an understanding and in-depth critique of the theory of occupation and occupational analysis together with the ability to justify, use and evaluate an occupational analysis framework

Summative assessment two: A 3000 word written presentation of the students views of the use of a chosen model for Occupational Therapy as a potential method of evaluating occupational therapy at three levels: client, self and service. The assignment should demonstrate an understanding and in-depth critique of the theory of occupational therapy together with the ability to justify the use of a model of the profession to evaluate practice.

Type of assessment                         Written (CW)

%Contribution                                   50

Title                                                    A critical analysis of a chosen occupation for a particular individual

Duration                                            3000 words
(if applicable)

Approx. date of Assessment         November

Type of assessment                         Written (CW)

%Contribution                                   50

Title                                                   A critique of the use of a model of the profession for evaluating occupational therapy practice

Duration                                            3000 words
(if applicable)

Approx. date of Assessment         December

Theories of occupational science

The history of occupational science and its relationship with occupational therapy

Human adaptation through occupation

The relationship between occupation, health and well-being

Temporal and socio-cultural aspects of occupation

Occupational balance

Occupation and identity

Occupational justice

Theories of evaluation

Theories of reflection

The use of reflection in practice

Professional and clinical reasoning theory

Self- evaluation theory

Investigation of the concept of evaluation

Critique of the theory of evaluation methods

Analysis of the evidence base for the use of models within occupational therapy

Theories underpinning professions

Definitions of professions

Occupational Therapy's growth as a profession

Critique of definitions of professions

Theories underpinning the Occupational Therapy Profession – existentialism, humanism, social views of disability and the ICF and Ottawa Charter

Occupational analysis

Task analysis

Skill analysis

Environmental analysis

Occupational analysis frameworks (D)

Theories underpinning models

Holism v reductionism

Humanism and Occupational Therapy

Human development theories

Influences on the study of the environment

Models of Occupational Therapy

Major theorists of models and the development of Occupational Therapy

Historical analysis of the dichotomy between Occupational Therapy's theoretical base and that of medicine

Study of current use to which models are put

Multi disciplinary working and role blurring

Monism v pluralism

Models and evaluation

Methods of researching occupational science and occupational therapy

The appropriateness of qualitative and quantitative methods

Phenomenology

Ethnography

Narrative

Time diaries

Bennett S. and Bennett J.W. 2000. The process of evidence-based practice in occupational therapy: Informing clinical decisions. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal.47(4), pp 171–180

Boniface, G.E. and Seymour, A. 2012. Using Occupational Therapy Theory in Practice.Oxford. Wiley Blackwell

Christiansen, C. and Townsend, E. 2013. (eds) Introduction to Occupation: The Art and Science of Living. 2^nd ed. Upper Saddle River NJ: Prentice Hall

Cole M.B. and Tuffano R 2008 Applied Theories in Occupational Therapy. A Practical Approach.Thorofare NJ. Slack Inc

Creek, J., Ilott I., Cook S., and Munday C. 2005. Valuing Occupational Therapy as a Complex Intervention. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68(6), pp. 281-284

Duncan A.S. (ed). 2012. Foundations for Practice in Occupational Therapy. 5^th ed.  Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone

Freidson, E. 2001 Professionalism: the Third Way. Oxford: Polity Press.

Hasselkus B R. 2011. The Meaning of Everyday Occupation. 2nd ed. Thorofare NJ: Slack

Hocking, C. 2009. The challenge of occupation: describing the things people do. Journal of Occupational Science,16(3),pp140-150.

Kantartzis, S. & Molineux, M. 2011. The Influence of Western Society's Construction of a Healthy Daily Life on the Conceptualisation of Occupation. Journal of Occupational Science, 18(1), pp 62-80.

Kramer P Hinojsa J Royeen C B. 2003. (eds) Perspectives in Human Occupation Participation in Life Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Iwama M.K. 2006 The Kawa Model: culturally relevant occupational therapy Philadelphia: Churchill Livingstone

Kielhofner G 2008 A Model of Human Occupation. 4^th ed. BaltimoreLippincott,Williams and Wilkins

Kielhofner G and Forsyth K. 2006. Activity Analysis in Duncan A.S. Skills for Practice in Occupational Therapy. Oxford Churchill Livingstone Elsevier p 91 -103

Kronenberg, F., Pollard, N. and Sakellariou, D. (eds). 2011. Occupational Therapies without Borders - Volume 2: Towards an ecology of occupation-based practices. Oxford: Churchill Livingstone.

Law M, Cooper B, Strong S, Stewart D, Rigby P and Letts L. 1996. The Person-Environment-Occupation Model: A transactive approach to occupational performance Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy .63(1), pp 9-23

Pollard, N. and Sakellariou, D. (eds). 2012. Politics of occupation-centred practice. London: Wiley-Blackwell.

Townsend, E.A. & Polatajko, H. J. 2007. Enabling Occupation II: Advancing an Occupational Therapy Vision for Health, Well-being & Justice through Occupation. Ottawa, ON: CAOT ACE

Turpin M and Iwama M.K. 2011 Using Occupational Therapy Models in Practice Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier

Whiteford and Hocking, C. 2012. Occupational science: society, inclusion, participation. London: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Wilcock A A. 2002. Occupation for Health Volume 1: A Journey from Self Health to Prescription London: British Association and College of Occupational Therapy

Wilcock A A. 2002. Occupation for Health Volume 2: A Journey from Prescription to Self Health London: British Association of Occupational Therapists

Wilcock A. 20015.  An Occupational Perspective of Health. 3rd ed. Thorofare NJ: Slack

Please see Essential Reading List.