Doing well-doing right TOGETHER: A practical wisdom approach to making occupational therapy matter

Résumé fourni par la source

The readers are invited on a full circle journey of what I hope to be 'Maramatanga Hou - Fresh Perspectives' of occupational therapy looking anew at, or valuing, and appreciating our profession differently. I will start by situating myself, offering an account of a diversity of experiences that shaped this paper's views, arguments and proposals. Next, an 'occupational diagnosis' of our world and the profession will be conducted, addressing the questions: 'how are we (as a world) doing?' and 'how are occupational therapists doing in response?' which points to the need to find innovative ways to raise our and society's occupational consciousness (Ramugondo, 2012). A practical wisdom approach to making occupational therapy matter is then explored. This involves a critical reflexive analysis of values and power, aimed at increasing our capacity and that of individuals, organizations and society to foreground thinking and acting in value-rational vis-a-vis instrumental-rational (theoretical and technical knowledge) terms. Dominant, traditional perspectives of occupational therapy will be juxtaposed against emergent, alternative views of how, as health agents, occupational therapists can contribute to society's responses to global-local socio-sphere and eco-sphere challenges. Possible applications of a practical wisdom approach will be illustrated through three examples of collective occupations-based practices from Europe and Africa. I close with some reflections on the paper's title 'Doing Well-Doing Right TOGETHER' and offer a 21st Century interpretation of the late Dr. Mary Reilly's oft-quoted hypothesis upon which our profession was founded.