Activity Use in Occupational Therapy: Occupational Therapy Students' Fieldwork Experience

Abstract

This article explores the results of a small quantitative study conducted with 54 occupational therapy students. The data, gathered using a purpose-designed questionnaire, were based on respondents' reports of the 662 activities seen during their fieldwork education. These were categorised using headings from the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (Law et al 1994). The findings showed that client-related leisure activities were the most frequently seen in all practice settings (physical disability, mental health and learning disability). The activities seen most often consisted of those in the ‘quiet recreation’ category. Activities aimed at productivity, and particularly at household management, were also widely spread. Such activities formed a smaller but consistent percentage of those seen in all fields of practice. Self-care, and in particular personal care, activities were most prevalent in physical disability settings, but formed a lower percentage of the activities seen elsewhere. This article discusses these findings in relation to previous research in the field and considers the continuing place of activity in occupational therapy and in undergraduate occupational therapy education.