Occupational balance from a clinical perspective

Abstract

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.

Keywords:

• Community
• external perceptions
• occupational patterns
• occupational therapy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library.