This ground-breaking text provides a comprehensive guide to the
occupational therapy profession in Australia, from the profession's role
in the health care system to the broad scope and nature of its practice.
The book is organised into three sections: the Australian context;
professional issues and practice issues. Contributions from 80
Australian occupational therapists working in education, research,
policy and practice bring together the most relevant and up-to-date
information in this essential book. The authors begin the Australian
environment section with an overview of the Australian health care
system, a history of occupational therapy in Australia and the role of
Australian occupational therapy professional associations and regulatory
bodies. The values and philosophy of occupational therapy, ethical and
legal aspects of practice and the role of occupational therapy in
population health and health promotion are considered next. The
professional issues covered in the book include using effective
communication skills, client-centred practice principles and a
strength-based approach when working with individuals, families, groups,
communities, organisations and populations. Additional topics, including
occupational science, the education of occupational therapists, research
in occupational therapy, evidence-based practice clinical reasoning and
occupational therapy models of practice, are also covered in the middle
section of the book.
Occupational Therapy in Australia: Practice and Process Issues is
established as the essential practice reference for students,
practitioners and educators in Australia. This second edition has been
revised and updated throughout and includes new chapters on
communication skills, environmental aspects of occupational therapy
practice and decolonising occupational therapy through a strength-based
approach to practice.
