Medicus, Vol. 13 No. 1_Depresija, 2004.
Review article
Occupational Therapy in Psychiatry
Dubravka Šimunović
Dijana Škrbina
Abstract
In addition to medical diagnosis, a more
precise definition of the illness and its effect on everyday life
in patients with mental health problems is the prerequisite
for planning the rehabilitation intervention and helping these
patients use their potentials, reintegrate into everyday life
and improve its quality. The occupational therapists play the
main role in this process. They believe that there is a strong
connection between occupation (i.e. everyday activities),
health and well-being. The intensity of occupational impact
on health depends on the person-environment-occupation
interaction and the individual balance of self-care, productivity
and leisure time.
In planning the intervention in depressed persons, the occupational
therapist uses various techniques and media. The
occupational assessment, including the occupational interview,
is the basis for planning the occupational therapy intervention.
As a health-team member, the occupational therapist
has to observe the activities in depressed people along
with their type and frequency. His observations serve as a
guideline for choosing the occupational therapy model and
define further approach to occupational therapy intervention.
In patient assessment, the occupational therapist uses various
methods, depending on the area of assessment (e.g.
Vast Occupational Assessment Scale, Check List of Interest,
Occupational Questionnaire). The occupational therapy is still
not sufficiently used in the Croatian healthcare system.
Keywords
occupational therapy/therapist; occupation/ activity; depression; occupational therapy intervention; occupational therapy assessment
Hrčak ID:
19812
URI
Publication date:
26.1.2004.
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