occupational therapy practice framework domain and process - nibis

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Final Text Prior to Publication
September 2002
• Body structures—“anatomical parts of the body such as organs, limbs, and their
components” (WHO, 2001, p. 10). (See Appendix, Table 6.) Occupational therapists
and occupational therapy assistants under the supervision of an occupational therapist
apply their knowledge about body structures to determine which body structures are
needed to carry out an occupation or activity.
The categorization of client factors outlined in Table 6 is based on the International
Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health proposed by the WHO (2001). The
classification was selected because it has received wide exposure and presents a common
language that is understood by external audiences. The categories include all those areas that
occupational therapists and assistants address and consider during evaluation and intervention.
Process
The Process of Occupational Therapy: Evaluation, Intervention, and Outcome
Many professions use the process of evaluating, intervening, and targeting intervention outcomes
that is outlined in the Framework. However occupational therapy’s focus on occupation
throughout the process makes the profession’s application and use of the process unique. The
process of occupational therapy service delivery begins by evaluating the client’s occupational
needs, problems, and concerns. Understanding the client as an occupational human being for
whom access and participation in meaningful and productive activities is central to health and
well-being is a perspective that is unique to occupational therapy. Problems and concerns that are
addressed in evaluation and intervention are also framed uniquely from an occupational
perspective, are based on occupational therapy theories, and are defined as problems or risks in
occupational performance. During intervention, the focus remains on occupation, and efforts are