Implementing a health promotion strategy in occupational therapy education and practice

In response to the growing emphasis on health promotion, this article addresses four major questions: 1) How is occupational therapy's client-centered philosophy reflected in the principles outlined by the World Health Organization (1984)? 2) What are the roles of occupational therapy in health promotion? 3) How will occupational therapy education foster this development? 4) How will the practice of occupational therapy respond to the challenges and implement the strategies outlined in "Achieving Health for All: A Framework for Health Promotion"? Despite similarities between occupational therapy's client-centered approach and the health promotion framework, the need for occupational therapy education to reflect the developments in health promotion and prevention is very evident. A four part model is proposed, and the implications for graduate education as well as continuing professional education are outlined. Recommendations for practice, education, research and development are discussed.