Strategic planning: positioning occupational therapy to be proactive in the new health care paradigm

Strategic planning can be a powerful tool for occupational therapists seeking to position themselves to be leaders in the rapidly changing health care environment. The philosophical base and values of occupational therapy are consistent with those embraced by the emerging health care paradigm. However, occupational therapy staff at Victoria Hospital, an acute care university-affiliated health care institution, identified obstacles to seizing the opportunities offered by this shift in health care. In reviewing the literature, it was discovered that these obstacles were not unique to one particular facility, but were in fact common issues faced by the profession. The strategic planning process described in this paper provided a framework for addressing the identified barriers and positioning occupational therapists to play a proactive role in the evolving health care paradigm.