A critical reflection on occupational therapy within one Assertive Community Treatment team

The generic process of occupational therapy is often described but is rarely the topic of critical analysis.

To critically reflect on the occupational therapy process within one Assertive Community Treatment team.

Using an instrumental case study approach, we interviewed one occupational therapist-client dyad from an Assertive Community Treatment team monthly over the course of nine months and reviewed occupational therapy chart notes. Data were analyzed for topical concerns and foreshadowed problems related to the process of occupational therapy.

Five topical concerns were identified. These related to the impact of the use of a medical model lens, unarticulated occupational therapy theory, acceptable occupational therapy goals, the complexity of occupational goals, and invisible emotions and unexamined relationships.

Our research method allowed us to critically reflect on the occupational therapy process within one setting. This reflection may have implications for occupation-based, client-centred services in other areas.