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

Area of Science:

• Occupational Therapy
• Community Mental Health
• Healthcare Process Analysis

Background:

• The occupational therapy process is frequently described but seldom critically examined.
• This study focuses on a critical reflection of the occupational therapy process within an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team.

Observation:

• An instrumental case study approach was employed.
• Monthly interviews were conducted with one occupational therapist-client dyad over nine months.
• Occupational therapy chart notes were reviewed to identify topical concerns and foreshadowed problems.

Findings:

• Five key concerns emerged: the influence of a medical model perspective, implicit occupational therapy theories, defining appropriate occupational therapy goals, the intricate nature of occupational goals, and unacknowledged emotions and relationships.
• These findings highlight challenges in applying a client-centered approach within ACT settings.

Implications:

• The case study methodology facilitated a critical examination of the occupational therapy process.
• The insights gained may inform the development of occupation-based, client-centered services in similar community mental health settings.