The pan occupational paradigm: development and key concepts

Abstract

Background/Aim: Wilcock’s Occupational Perspective of Health (OPH) aligns with the profession’s re-discovery of its holistic, occupationally focused roots. Its dimensions of occupation–doing, being, becoming and belonging – resonate strongly with therapists on an intuitive, implicit level. However, its documented use in practice to date has been sparse, and several barriers to its implementation have been identified. The aim of this article is to present a renewal of the OPH - the Pan Occupational Paradigm (POP).

Method of development: POP was developed using critical analysis, reflection and a comprehensive literature review. Each stage of development is described in detail, including the POP's inherent assumptions.

Key concepts: POP retains the four dimensions of occupation, and shows their interdependent role within occupational entities (e.g. individuals, groups or communities). An entity can be approached by occupational therapy at any point and all the dimensions (either directly or indirectly) can be engaged. Occupational entities move along a continuum of wellbeing, and this movement can be in both positive and negative directions over a lifespan.

Conclusion and significance: POP is a distillation of occupational therapy’s unique way of knowing about occupation and the promotion of wellbeing. It is put forward as an updated paradigm for occupational therapy in the 21st century.

Keywords:

• Paradigm
• theory
• occupational therapy
• occupational perspective of health

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest