Reflections on Power and Justice in Enabling Occupation

Abstract

Background. This descriptive paper offers reflections on power and justice associated with occupational therapy's client-centred practice, now described as the practice of enabling occupation. Framed as a contribution to the sociology of professions, the questions addressed are: How do power and justice work in occupational therapy today? What vision of power and justice guides the profession in implementing the client-centred practice of enabling occupation? Method. The paper opens with an overview of the analytic framework for reflections. Two sources for reflections are highlighted: the development of the Canadian guidelines and, client/consumer and occupational therapy perspectives. To illustrate the discussion of power and justice, two contrasting diagrams are presented, one on late 20th century power relations and the other on potential power relations. Results. Recommendations for research, education, practice, and guidelines development are offered prior to a conclusion that acknowledges the dissonance facing occupational therapists who struggle to focus on occupations in client-centred practice. Practice Implications. The paper offers insights and strategies for addressing power and justice as issues in implementing the client-centred practice of enabling occupation. The analysis may be used in raising awareness and guiding the strategic development of institutional change toward social inclusion and enabling occupation.