The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF)

The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, the OTPF for short, is a summary of ideas and values that guide the OT Profession. The OTPF provides a positive perspective that focuses on a holistic approach of health and wellness of individuals. It is a go-to document for occupational therapists to seek guidance in the OT Process of evaluating, creating interventions, and assessing individuals. The OTPF is important because it has created a common language among therapists and establishes a scope of practice. By using the OTPF across all settings and states, we create a better sense of a community and expectations among all occupational therapists. This can ensure efficiency in billing, quality treatment across the board, and better communication the network of occupational therapists.

My Role- Knowledge Check 2/19

In this phase of life, my role is an occupational therapy student. Occupations are meaningful activities involved in fulfilling that role. An obvious but important occupation that is associated with being a student is studying. Whether it be Anatomy, Foundations, EBP, or Leadership, there is almost always something that I can be reviewing and studying after class. One activity that I frequently use to in studying is quizing myself on a whiteboard. There are several tasks involved in this review activity. I need to be able to grip the expo marker, visually shift my focus from my textbooks to whiteboard,  tear off paper towels to clean the board, and wipe the board clean for a new topic.

Knowledge Check February 12

In listening to the Era Projects presented in class, I observed that the core values and goals of occupational therapy have remained the same since the profession began. Throughout history, the education, target areas of practice, and innovations have changed for occupational therapists. However, the core of occupational therapy lies in the desire to motivate and assist individuals be the best version of themselves. Occupational therapy, throughout the ages has met each client where they are and walked them through the journey to independence. Beginning in the 1940's the role of occupational therapists was to assist the wounded and mentally traumatized soldiers to function independently and integrate back into society. In the 1980's, occupational therapists focused on using assistive technology to help individuals. Today, occupational therapists goal is to increase individuals abilities to function independently. With changes in education requirements, doctorate mandates, OTA's, Centennial Visions, and legislation, the core values and client centered approach of occupational therapy has remained the same.