Occupational balance from a clinical perspective

• BACKGROUND: Occupational balance is a central concept in occupational therapy and is commonly defined as an individual's perception of having the right amount and variety of occupations in daily life. This individualistic and subjective nature of occupational balance brings with it certain challenges when applied in practice. The aim of this discussion paper is to highlight the challenges associated with the lone application of individualistic occupational balance in practice situations, and propose some way forward.METHODS: The Meleis' Theory to Practice to Theory strategy was used. Practice-based vignettes were used as a point of departure to discuss these challenges. This was followed by theorising the importance of including the others' perceptions of a person's pattern of daily occupations.CONCLUSION: Besides a goal of increasing a person's occupational balance in clinical practice, striving towards creating a suitable pattern of daily occupations from a community perspective also seems to be a relevant goal.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Arbetsterapi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Occupational Therapy (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Community

external perceptions

occupational patterns

occupational therapy

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)