Distinguishing between Occupation, Purposeful Activity and Activity, Part 2: Why is the Distinction Important?

Abstract

Part 2 of this article stresses the importance of noting the distinctions between the terms occupation, purposeful activity and activity. Both occupational therapists and occupational therapy students need to be able to articulate to others exactly what they do in their individual work settings. This includes acknowledging both shared core skills and unique core occupational therapy skills. It is important that occupational therapists employ these unique core skills in their day-to-day work to highlight their distinction from other health care professionals, who may legitimately use activity within their own interventions. Additionally, if purchasers are negotiating contracts for services from multidisciplinary teams, they need to be able to discern the differences between the input of the different health care professionals. In light of this, current political influences within health care and professional concerns are briefly explored.