Professional values: what does occupational therapy look like across the world?

Hi Everyone, what a wonderful idea!
Here are some humble thoughts of an OTs role in regional Australia.
1.What are the responsibilities of an occupational therapist ?
Very generally, To provide a safe and accepting service that is person-centred/ family- centred service to enable individuals and their loved ones to engage to the best of their ability in those activities and occupations they find meaningful and valuable.
Depending on the setting we can provide services to inpatients, outpatients, paediatrics in schools and the home, hand therapy, burns management, pressure care management, home mods and so on. In my current role I also service correctional facilities. We need to provide evidence based and inclusive services to all individuals.
In Australia we are required to uphold standards as set by our national Occupational therapy board.

2.What are the values of occupational therapy?
Integrity, cultural inclusivity and learning, excellence, collaboration etc.

3.What skills do occupational therapists have?
Clinically, many, especially as a regional/ rural therapist when you need to provide for many areas. However I believe in the main skills as OTs is to be flexible, creative and innovative. We can see challenges in peoples lives and come up with very individual and unique ways to help them feel more empowered and in charge of their lives.

4.How does culture influence occupation?
Our culture can influence which occupations we find meaningful, the way we go about them and our expectations for performance. There are always going to be changes in an individuals needs, even if they live in the same city, because of their belief systems. Culture can change the way we perceive independence, many western cultures promote the idea of being independent and this is their aim in therapy, however across cultures independence isn’t always the most important, especially when you are working in communities that are closely integrated and there is often more support within the community. Regardless of your own beliefs, it is important to truly listen and learn from others and provide services that the individuals wants and needs, not the service we think they need because of our own belief system.

Many thanks to Grace and Bill for your replies and taking your time to share information.
Very much appreciated.

Hello Everyone, my name is Evita I’m a first year student at Coventry University and I would like to have a discussion with registered OT/student OT from international countries about environmental dimension that they experiences as OT . Also their responsibilities, skills and values they must uphold as an OT in there country.
I have written a list of Questions, that I would appreciate voluntary answers to.

Do your cultural beliefs affect how you create an occupational activity for service users?

How does OT values influence your cultural beliefs?

What are you OT values?

What type of occupational responsibilities do you have?

What is your code of conducts?

How are you able to reflect on practice?

Is it mandatory to reflect as an occupational therapist where you are?

What type of occupational field are you in?

Where do you practice?

What are the core skills as an OT?

How long does it take to be a registered OT?

How do you get to practice?

Are there any environmental practice that affect you from being an OT?

Is being an OT a high regard profession within your environment?

What are your working hours?

Are you able to form social relationships within your practice (personal/professional) ?

Why did you want to be an occupational therapist?

Do you feel like occupational therapy gives you a sense of meaning?

Are there any deprivations that affect you from being an occupational therapist?

Thank You!

Hello, everyone. My name is Patricia and I’m an Occupational therapy student at Coventry university, first year. I’m hoping to connect with International OT students, and to get some information about OT practices in different countries. Please, what are the responsibilities, values and skills of OT services in your countries? Any insight about how culture affects your OT services? Looking forward to hearing from you all. Thanks.
Patricia.

1. As an OT , you are responsible for planning and providing appropriate treatment and activities for the client. You are also responsible that the clients well being will not be in in jeopardy.
2. The values of Occupational therapists commitment , consistency, efficiency as well as reliability.
3. The skills that Occupational therapists have range from patience to determination. OT’s have good team work skills as well as excellent communication skills.
4. Culture influences occupation in many ways. Ranging from which occupations our culture prohibits us from doing, to what our culture motivates us to do. Because of our culture, our occupations are influenced tremendously because it is what we are learned through our life , what is acceptable and what is not.

Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well and that your studies are progressing successfully.

My name is Haneem Rylands and I am from South Africa. I am a first-year OT student, studying at the University of the Western Cape. It is exciting to hear from OT students around the world and I will try to answer your questions as best as I can.

1. The responsibilities of an OT is to provide a service to clients and their family by successfully identifying what occupations are meaningful to the client, surveying their environments and to guide them in treatment and rehabilitation. An OT should always be sure that Ethics are followed and the clients’ rights are respected. The client should be comfortable with an OT. It is the responsibility of the OT to evaluate the clients, set goals for the client and create intervention plans to work on reaching that goals. An important responsibility should be OTs in collaboration with other healthcare professionals and other OTs. Aside from the client, the OT has a responsibility to educate the clients’ families and others.

2. OTs value each client as being unique, there is respect for their dignity and their rights. We value that each client has different backgrounds, environments, beliefs and cultures. We value what is meaningful to the client and we understand their life experiences. The most important value that an OT should have is that they are now a professional, they should value their work- before valuing and understanding a client. OTs value a code of conduct (includes altruism, justice, freedom, prudence, etc.) that was created to benefit themselves and and to ensure clients’ well-being.

3. Important skills that I think OTs should have is that they should remain altruistic- always have empathy, compassion, support the client and family, put others before themselves. An OT should have good communication and collaboration- work well with others in a team. As any other professional, OTs should have problem-solving and critical thinking skills. In situations, OTs should have the skills of being able to work under pressure, remain patient and professional. Certain activities would require an OT to have physical strength as a skill. Occupational Therapy is a very creative career, therefore an OT should have that type of skill.

4. On a macroscale, in South Africa, we have many many cultures. I am from Cape Town, on a microscale is a city which is known for our many cultures. This relates a lot to our history. I live in a little bubble so I can only imagine how many cultures I have not seen yet. Culture is very important when it comes to occupation. Culture is apart of who you are. Occupation are your activities that you engage in that gives your life meaning. Culture influences occupation by giving occupation its meaning. Occupation and culture are what connects us to people. Humans are social beings. What we learn from culture is how we approach daily living and our occupations. Learning from culture shapes our behaviour and thoughts which influences the type of occupation we choose. Our culture defines people’s expectations from us, therefore our occupations are influenced as well. Culture forms a part of our personality, values, manners, morals, traditions that influences the occupations we engage in. Culture gives you an identity, a way of thinking that influences you occupation. It gives us a sense of belonging and meaning within our occupations. Culture broadens our views towards diversity and we learn to appreciate other cultures and not to disrespect them.

I hope my answers were somewhat satisfactory. I look forward to hearing from you and potentially becoming pen pals!

#responsibility #values #skills #culture #occupation

Hello everyone!
I am a first year student at Coventry University. I am hoping to connect with an International OT/OT student to get an insight into what the role of an OT is like in other areas of the world. I am interested to hear about your culture along with the skills, values and responsibilities of an OT role in your country.
Connecting with other countries and understanding their cultures, values, skills and overall role as an OT is incredibly insightful and can provide some great learning.

I am also happy to answer any questions that you may have too. I look forward to hearing and speaking to you!

Thank you, Stacey