Pros And Cons Of Occupational Therapy

Introduction
In history, occupation was regarded as work and used as an intervention in healthcare (Townsend & Polatajko, 2013). Today, occupation is used in therapy globally and can be defined as any task or activity that provides structure, organises time and has meaning and value to an individual and culture (Crepeau, Cohn, & Boytt Schell, 2009; Townsend & Polatajko, 2013). Occupational therapy helps people participate in occupation by adjusting activities to match the individual or groups abilities and by modifying the environment to suit the client or community (Cohn & Lew, 2015). Sound physical, mental and environmental surroundings define good health, not only the absence of illness (World Health Organisation [WHO], 2018). Occupation

Client facilities, training and equipment were available for recovery in the hospital and rehabilitation centre (Eegeeful, 2013). Yet, a shortfall in client-centred practice by health workers made Emma’s emotional and physical recovery difficult (Eegeeful, 2013). Emma found that a majority of the focus was placed on functional motor achievement rather than emotional and occupational support (Eegeeful, 2013). Therefore, Emma’s motivation to achieve targets set by health teams was reduced as she found no meaning in the therapy (Eegeeful, 2013). An occupational therapist could have bridged the gap by building rapport, acknowledging strengths and collaborating with the client to pursue goals that could be achievable and relevant to their environment (Cohn & Lew, 2015). Without individualised care and psychological support consisting of goal reorientation during the early stages of stroke intervention, recovery can be lengthened (Ekstam et al., 2011). It was not until Emma recognised her potential for improvement in the pool and other activities that she was able to progress rapidly with physical and mental growth (Eegeeful, 2013). Acknowledging the client’s interests and strengths in evaluation maximises occupational performance in the intervention process (Cohn & Lew, 2015). Overall occupation is vital to client health and well-being and brings meaning to life (Ekstam et al.,

Townsend and Polatajko (2013) state that occupation connects people to their environment, allows self-identity and expression and is essential for health and well-being. When occupation is lost value for life can also disappear (Eegeeful, 2013) Emma states how she “went from being a young, sport-loving, professional woman and full-time therapist, to being a helpless, dependent nonentity” (Gee et al., 2016, p. 1). Emma’s reflection on her activities before and after surgery identified the correlation between occupation, environment and health and well-being (Gee et al., 2016). The deprivation of occupation can result in negative outcomes, however, meaningful participation in occupation can benefit development and fulfilment (Hemmingsson & Jonsson, 2005). Emma notes that through her rehabilitation she was able to find satisfaction in occupation, which brought meaning to her life (Eegeeful, 2013). Although dramatic changes in occupational loss can cause mental, physical and environmental strain on an individual Emma Gee has become an inspirational speaker, author and educator with a purpose to live and demonstrate her idiosyncratic occupations to the world (Gee et al.,