Attitudes, Values and Orientation to Professional Practice: A Study of Australian Occupational Therapists

Abstract

In recent years, the biomedical approach in the delivery of health care has been challenged by the ‘new public health’ model which promotes a humanistic, holistic approach to health care. Whilst occupational therapy has traditionally embraced this latter approach, evidence suggests that within the profession there is concern that technical advances (for example, the introduction of increasingly sophisticated equipment) have eroded many of the characteristics of a humanistic orientation to therapy. The extent to which occupational therapists endorse this new model was addressed in a survey of attitudes of practising occupational therapists (n = 378). A 22-item questionnaire, including aspects of therapist's knowledge and techniques, client characteristics, client-therapist relationships and approaches to professional practice, was modified and adapted for use with occupational therapists. The findings indicated that attitudes reflecting the new public health model — emphasising client-therapist interaction, client responsibility and holistic attitudes toward health care — prevailed, together with the therapist's knowledge and skills. Age and years of professional experience yielded significant differences, with older (30 or more years of age) and more professionally experienced (6 or more years) therapists endorsing a humanistic approach to therapy to a greater extent and with a greater emphasis on promoting the resources of the client than their younger and less professionally experienced counterparts. Recommendations for the education of occupational therapists and for professional practice are made, together with suggestions for further research.