Theory: Model Of Practice Paper Coursework Example

Theory: Model of Practice Paper
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Theory: Model of Practice Paper
Several models have been developed by occupational therapy scholars to help in the assessment and intervention of individuals, groups, or communities as to develop or recover occupations or meaning activities. The models include models the occupational behavior model, model of human occupation (MOHO), the occupational adaptation model, the ecology of the human performance model, and the person-environment-occupation model (PEOM). As an occupational therapist, the Kawa model is a significant alternative to the contemporary models from the West as it focuses on the contexts that influence the realities of the client and the challenges they face in life. It, therefore, resonates most with the future occupational therapists.
The Kawa model applies client-centered theories and therefore becomes one of the most effective models in a modern society. When applying the model, the self is considered to be part of a larger whole rather than an individual. Hence, the self can participate actively during the therapy sessions thereby allowing the therapist understand their circumstances in context. Furthermore, the Kawa model utilizes a natural metaphor which is a river to illustrate an individual’s context and experiences. The metaphor takes the Kawa model to an abstract level to compare mechanical explanation of experiences and well-being and makes it unique having been developed in an Asian social context (Iwama, Thomson, and Macdonald 2009).

The model thus becomes the most resonating for future occupational therapists.
Occupational therapists encounter numerous barriers when implementing a client-centered occupational model thereby making the assessment, intervention, and treatment of patients unproductive. According to Carola et al. (2013), the main barriers to the implementation of the occupational therapy models are lack of knowledge, experience skills, and referrals. Also, the perceived lack of role models and support from colleagues is a significant barrier to the implementation of the models. For the Kawa model, some of its characteristics can also be considered to be barriers. For instance, the cognitive ability and abstract thought required by the client for the model to be successful is complicated, and most of them will not understand it. Most of the clients will just see a river but will not link it to their life experiences. The complexities of using the Kawa model in a clinical setting result from the client’s diagnostic influences as well as the client’s attributes. For instance, clients with limited education may not have the abstract knowledge to use the components of the model. Furthermore, some clients may be open to the application of the model while others may not be open. Thus, it is typical for the occupational therapist to encounter challenges when implementing the occupational therapy models.
The person, the occupational focus, and the environment are common in the occupational models. The models conceptualize the person as having layers of influencing systems and the social and psychological aspects are considered along with the person’s experience of dysfunction. The models pay attention to the person’s subjective experience as well as psychological concerns including identity. The emphasis is placed on goals extracted from a set of principles or beliefs regarding independence, the right to achieve the independence, and the manner in which an individual’s ability to perform occupations was affected by the independence. The environmental factors common in occupational therapy models include objects, spaces, social and cultural demands, and occupational forms. Regarding the occupational focus of the models, they all emphasis on the occupational performance of the persons.

References
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Carola, M. E. D., Maud, J. L. G., Marcel, G. M. R., Maria, W. G. S., & Myrra, J. F. J. V.-D. (November 07, 2013). Determinants for the effectiveness of implementing an occupational therapy intervention in routine dementia care. Implementation Science, 8, 131.
Iwama, M. K., Thomson, N. A., & Macdonald, R. M. (January 01, 2009). The Kawa model: Thepower of culturally responsive occupational therapy. Disability & Rehabilitation, 31, 14, 1125-1135.Bottom of FormBottom of Form