A professional position for occupational therapists in youth mental health

Abstract

Professional identity within mental health multidisciplinary teams is forever evolving. These roles are impacted not only by the needs of the client, but also by both professional and systemic change. The role and practice of occupational therapists (OT) in mental health has attracted attention over the last decade. An emerging area of practice is that of youth mental health, and the growing understanding of how occupational therapists contribute to youth mental health has highlighted a series of unanswered questions. Using a mixed method approach, this research project aimed to gain greater insight into the professional role and identity of occupational therapists within youth mental health, examining current positioning within the multidisciplinary team. Three separate yet interrelated studies were used to answer questions pertaining to the study aims. A Profile of Occupational Therapists in Youth Mental Health examined the scope of professional practice, providing initial evidence of the ambiguity and challenges faced by professionals working in this field. This study provides initial data exploring the current role for occupational therapists in youth mental health and uncovers significant issues with training and preparation for a role within this sector. Preparing for a Role in Youth Mental Health""The undergraduate occupational therapy experience further explored barriers and facilitators in undergraduate training. Through a series of interviews and a review of the curriculum, the study explored how students are prepared and what motivates them for a role in youth mental health, clarifying issues pertaining to the profession of occupational therapists. The final study of this project Working in Teams""The multidisciplinary perspective of occupational therapists in youth mental health, aimed to develop an in-depth perspective of the significance of the multidisciplinary team and to further explore the actual and perceived role of the occupational therapist. Collating the data from each study, this thesis identified key themes of professional identity, role development, positioning within the multidisciplinary team and maintaining boundaries within roles. Each study explored these issues and examines the overall impact on the professional role of the occupational therapist. The findings from this project identified the struggle many occupational therapists face in articulating and performing specific roles within the multidisciplinary team, a struggle that can raise questions about the relevance of the profession in this sector. This project developed a proposed map for practice, aiming to strengthen the occupational therapists' role and to provide clarity and confidence in the service provided. This map examined systemic issues that affect the profession and suggests that the profession prepare students for a role in this sector and provide incentives for working in this area. The map for practice focused on the organisational level, giving clarity to the professional practice of occupational therapists in youth mental health within the multidisciplinary team and examining how each team member can better value and understand the service occupational therapists provide. This project concludes that at this stage, the scope and practice of occupational therapy (OT) remains ambiguous and in light of current system changes, the future of the profession depends upon clarifying this ambiguity.

Date of Award	2011
Original language	English