An Overview of Occupational Therapy in the Context of the American Influence on the Profession: Part 1

Abstract

This article presents an overview of the genesis of the beliefs and values about occupational therapy as they emerged in the USA, reviews some of the factors associated with these developments, and questions the professional relevance of the concept of occupation as promulgated in the model of human occupation. Part 1 provides the background: it offers an historical outline of the beginning of occupational therapy in the USA, reflects on the meaning of occupation, and evaluates the concept of occupation as therapy. Part 2 considers the scientific aspects of occupation from a paradigmatic perspective, and concludes with suggesting that the concept of competence, rather than occupation, has provided and will continue to provide the philosophical underpinning for occupational therapy.