Conceptual Foundations of Occupational Therapy.

The intent of this text is to examine the conceptual foundation of occupational therapy by proposing a method of thinking about how occupational therapy can best organize its knowledge and by proposing a structure for this organization.

The beginning chapters are concerned with occupational therapy's relationship to society and the changing health care system. Analysis of the history of paradigm development and the author's perception of the emerging paradigm of occupational therapy complete the introductory portion of the text.

The middle section of the text presents a conceptual model of occupational therapy, and the subsequent eight chapters develop the author's perception of current models of practice. One chapter of the text is devoted to each model. The eight models described are the biomechanical model, the cognitive disabilities model, the cognitive-perceptual model, the group work model, the model of human occupation, the motor control model, the sensory integration model, and the spatiotemporal adaptation model. Each chapter includes a discussion of the interdisciplinary base of the model, theoretical arguments, technology for application, current research related to the model, a general discussion, and brief summary. Each chapter ends with definitions of terms specific to the model discussed and a list of references.

The concluding chapters of the text offer a reflection on the paradigm of occupational therapy and the eight models, with an analysis of the state of the art of model development. An examination of the relationship between the models and the emerging paradigm of occupational therapy, including a look to the future of knowledge development in occupational therapy, ends the text.

This book provides an overview of occupational therapy and surveys the field's entire knowledge as well as specific topics. The book would be most useful as an introductory text in occupational therapy or as a reference for physical therapists who would like a "bird's eye view" of occupational therapy.