Occupation-based Reflection

One word that has changed meaning to me throughout my entire coursework and journey
in the occupational therapy program is occupation. It is what appears to be a simple word at first
glance, but is filled with so much meaning. My coursework involved extensive activity analysis,
identifying activities that are most meaningful to individual clients, and ensuring occupation as a
means and as an end was incorporated into my intervention planning. This helped engrain the
significance of occupation-based practice in my mind as well as in my behaviors. Putting
occupation-based practice into action for both coursework and fieldwork allowed my
understanding of occupation to evolve rather than simply change.
My first semester helped me identify the detail that is involved in a persons daily routine
through completion of an occupational analysis. My psychology courses in undergraduate school
involved analytic observation of behaviors, however without an understanding of the body
systems I did not the reasoning skills to identify potential problem areas. Therefore, this
assignment was the first time I was able to observe an individuals behaviors through the lens of
occupational therapy. From that assignment my definition of occupation evolved from an
understanding of activities and roles a client fulfills to an understanding of what physically and
cognitively are required to fulfill them.
The progression of the program afforded me the opportunity to explore occupations as a
means and end when learning about the adult and older adult populations. I utilized this concept
when doing the occupational profile and intervention plan assignments based on my Level I
fieldwork experience at Valley Hospital in third semester and Complex Care in fourth semester.
This assignment in both semesters allowed me to expand on the knowledge I have gained at
Touro University Nevada (TUN) on the core theme of occupation-based practice and how to

implement the concept in various clinical settings. As I begin my journey as an entry level
practitioner, I will incorporate all I have learned about occupation-based practice at the facility I
chose to work for.