Priority 6 from the Occupational Therapy PSP

UNCERTAINTY: How can occupational therapy services be more inclusive of both mental and physical health? (JLA PSP Priority 6)
Overall ranking	6
JLA question ID	0100/6
Explanatory note	A core belief of occupational therapy is that mental and physical heath and overall well-being are interlinked. This holistic view of people means that both mental and physical health are included as key components of the curriculum when studying to become an occupational therapist. However, it can be challenge to maintain this holistic view in different practice settings that do not necessarily support such an integrated approach. This question aims to explore how occupational therapy services can be organised and delivered to ensure that they identify and address the physical and mental health needs of the people accessing those services.
Evidence	Other than a few discussion papers, there is no clear evidence addressing this question. This is an area of uncertainty.
Health Research Classification System category	Generic Health Relevance

Extra information provided by this PSP
Original uncertainty examples	Why is occupational therapy separated into physical and mental health still? I think there needs to be more recognition that occupational therapists are holistic and therefore can work with ALL people to make a difference. ~ Can one OT effectively address a range of problems a person might have if they have both mental health and physical health difficulties (invariably services are not set up in a way that allow an OT to work in this way with individuals). ~ Does occupational therapy as an intervention equally contribute to mental as well as physical health outcomes?
Submitted by	Occupational Therapists, Service Users, Carers, Students

Extra information provided by this PSP

Original uncertainty examples

Why is occupational therapy separated into physical and mental health still? I think there needs to be more recognition that occupational therapists are holistic and therefore can work with ALL people to make a difference. ~ Can one OT effectively address a range of problems a person might have if they have both mental health and physical health difficulties (invariably services are not set up in a way that allow an OT to work in this way with individuals). ~ Does occupational therapy as an intervention equally contribute to mental as well as physical health outcomes?

Submitted by

Occupational Therapists, Service Users, Carers, Students

PSP information
PSP unique ID	0100
PSP name	Occupational Therapy
Total number of uncertainties identified by this PSP.	66 (To see a full list of all uncertainties identified, please see the detailed spreadsheet held on the JLA website)
Date of priority setting workshop	27 July 2020