The influence of conceptual models on work in occupational therapy history

The concept of work has been close to the core of occupational therapy theory and practice since the foundation of the profession in the early part of this century. The way in which occupational therapists have dealt with this area of occupational performance, however, has been quite diverse. Current work programs in occupational therapy practice have evolved from struggles characterized by the influence of holistic and reductionistic thinking. The holistic view inherited from moral treatment formed the very base upon which the emerging profession was built. The external world in which occupational therapy grew demanded reductionism for validation due to the influence of the medical model in all areas of practice. This struggle contributed to the separation of pre-vocational training as the domain of Occupational Therapy, and vocational training as the domain of Vocational Rehabilitation. This article describes the struggle that resulted from this separation and chronicles the profession's attempt to keep holism in this area of practice.