Occupation, and its relationship with health and well-being, is very complex. It can be described in many different ways by the profession within which it is so central that it provides its name. A simple way to talk about occupation that appears to appeal to a wide range of people is as a synthesis of doing, being and becoming. In the present paper I reflect on how a dynamic balance between doing and being is central to healthy living and wellness, and how becoming whatever a person, or a community, is best fitted to become is dependent on both. Doing is often used as a synonym for occupation within our profession and is so important that it is impossible to envisage the world of humans without it. Being encapsulates such notions as nature and essence, about being true to ourselves, to our individual capacities and in all that we do. Becoming adds to the idea of being a sense of future and holds the notions of transformation and self actualization. It is a concept that sits well with enabling occupation and with ideas about human development, growth and potential. Occupational therapists are in the business of helping people to transform their lives through enabling them to do and to be and through the process of becoming. In combination doing, being and becoming are integral to occupational therapy philosophy, process and outcomes, and some attention is given as to how we may best utilize these in self growth, professional practice, student teaching and learning, or towards social and global change for healthier lifestyles.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1046/j.1440-1630.1999.00174.x

Reflections on doing, being and becoming*

Background. This paper describes an ongoing, international dialogue about the relationship between occupation, justice, and client-centred practice, prompted by the question: How do occupational therapists work for justice? Methods. The authors critically reflect on their own dialogue and culturally situated interests, dialogues with workshop participants, and a literature review. Results. Four cases of occupational injustice are proposed: occupational alienation, occupational deprivation, occupational marginalization, and occupational imbalance. The naming of these occupational injustices suggests four occupational rights: to experience meaning and enrichment in one's occupations; to participate in a range of occupations for health and social inclusion; to make choices and share decision-making power in daily life; and to receive equal privileges for diverse participation in occupations. Practice Implications. Since silence implies compliance with the status quo, the authors encourage occupational therap...

Occupational justice and client-centred practice: A dialogue in progress

Occupational deprivation is a relatively new term which describes a state in which people are precluded from opportunities to engage in occupations of meaning due to factors outside their control. ...

Occupational Deprivation: Global Challenge in the New Millennium

Occupational science uses various concepts to denote occupation as residing within the individual. That is, despite recognizing the role of a context for the individual and her or his occupation, occupational scientists have continued to implicitly or explicitly create a dualistic view of person and context (environment). The dualism creates a problem for understanding occupation as well as the relationship of person and context. In this paper we present occupationally‐focused case studies of two individuals and assert that existing concepts of occupation in the discipline cannot encompass the situations represented by these cases. We propose the Deweyan concept of transaction as an alternative perspective for understanding occupation. The relational perspective of transactionalism means that occupation is no longer seen as a thing or as a type of self‐action or inter‐action arising from within individuals. In this view, occupation is an important mode through which human beings, as organisms‐in‐...

Occupation as Transactional Experience: A Critique of Individualism in Occupational Science

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF; World Health Organization, 2001) provides an international and interprofessional scientific basis for understanding and studying health. The concept of participation plays an important role in the classification and has become a central construct in health care, rehabilitation, and in occupational therapy. The aim of this paper is to provide a critical analysis of the concept of participation in the ICF. As background, the origins and current presentation of the ICF are presented. The use and function of the ICF and the contemporary discussions regarding the classification are reviewed. An occupational perspective on participation in the ICF reveals major shortcomings regarding the subjective experience of meaning and autonomy. Furthermore, the ICF has limitations in capturing different kinds of participation in a single life situation. Following these analyses we discuss the advantages and shortcomings of using the ICF, and how an occupational perspective can contribute to an ongoing discussion about the development of the ICF.

An occupational perspective on the concept of participation in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health--some critical remarks.

A significant and core text in occupational therapy for more than 8 years, Dr Ann Wilcock's revolutionary "An Occupational Perspective of Health" has been updated and enhanced into a much-anticipated Second Edition This unique text that examines the relationship between occupation, health, and ill-health explores the occupational experience within populations and offers more information critical to the practice of occupational therapy Based on extensive studies of human history and occupation, Dr Wilcock takes a holistic approach of health in line with that of the World Health Organization, examining the necessity for occupational therapists and their role in promoting health and well-being for all people "An Occupational Perspective of Health" uncovers a different way to understand health by exploring the physical, social, mental, environmental, and spiritual dimensions that lead to or result from occupation Dr Wilcock takes a global perspective by approaching health from this angle, rather than just considering medical or social factors The text considers the growth, development, and enhancement potential of involvement This valuable resource supports and explains the historical and rational foundations of the advancing field of occupational therapy, by showing the link between occupation and existence Addressed in this edition are: a conceptualization of health in the past, present, and future; the role of occupation in human life, health, and survival; occupation as a positive or negative influence on well-being; the potential contribution of occupational therapy to current WHO public/population health objectives; and possible action for OTs to become recognized as health-promoting professionals at population levels Clinicians and students of occupational therapy, as well as other professionals working in public health, will benefit from and relate to this admired and essential text

Ann Wilcock PhD DipCOT BAppSCiOT GradDipPH

Papers

An Occupational Perspective of Health