Overcoming Problems with Generic Working for Occupational Therapists Based in Community Mental Health Settings

Abstract

This report presents details of the design, delivery and evaluation of a short course aimed at enhancing occupation-focused practice among occupational therapists working in community mental health settings. The course was offered in response to concerns about an increasing amount of generic working that a number of therapists were undertaking. Consequently, it was felt that their professional role was being eroded within their multidisciplinary teams. The course had two broad learning aims: to explore and understand the issues and problems of generic working practices and to understand how Kielhofner's (2002) occupation-focused model of practice could be used to help occupational therapists to strengthen their professional role. A single-cohort pre/post test design was employed to assess the impact of the course. Questionnaires were distributed at the start of the course and directly following its completion. The findings revealed that the course was well received by the participants. Most felt that it had enhanced their understanding of the issues and problems of generic practice. It was also felt that the course had provided the participants with the confidence to begin addressing the problems of generic working within their respective teams.