Occupational therapists' perception of their practice: A phenomenological study

International literature seems consistent in reporting that occupational therapists value their methods. However, little empirical evidence has been generated supporting the basic system of belief for occupational therapy. Few studies have explored the nature of the occupational therapists' experiences and thoughts about their use of occupation as means and ends, and which strategies they use to implement their tools in their current practice. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to explore how occupational therapists understood and presented their practice and interventions.

A sample of six occupational therapists graduated in different decades, from diverse client populations and health-care settings was selected to participate in a semistructured interview.

Three main themes were developed: 'To make the client's potentials visible', 'reaching a position one values' and 'looking with other eyes'. Whatever their specialities, the participants were unanimous in the way they described their role. Their common focus was 'activities of daily living'. However, they had problems describing their therapeutic tools, and were not able to clearly articulate the 'common sense aspects' of their own methods. The participants were engaged in constructing their professional identities, and stressed the need to construct professional boundaries relevant to their particular work.

The occupational therapists perceived their practice and interventions as distinctly different from other team members, thus, they provided a 'counterpoint'. The participants used various ways of marketing their perspectives. While the novices tended to go along with the team, the experienced therapists tended to assert their own special contribution.