THE CLUBHOUSE MODEL – A METHOD IN HARMONY WITH OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY THEORY?

Background: Clubhouse is an international movement aimed at facilitating work and vocational rehabilitation for persons who have, or have a history with, mental health problems. With a growing number of Clubhouses in Norway,... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Clubhouse is an international movement aimed at facilitating work and vocational rehabilitation for persons who have, or have a history with, mental health problems. With a growing number of Clubhouses in Norway, there is also a growing need for research and development concerned with their practices and effects. The present work aimed at exemplifying the standards for Clubhouse programs, and to discuss how these standards and derived practices may be related to occupational therapy theory (1).
Theoretical underpinning:
We have limited our discussion to using the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) as our analytic framework (2). Clubhouse standards and practices are discussed with a view to MOHO theory related to the importance of the person’s occupational engagement (3), and to the strategies by which therapists can facilitate this engagement (4).
Assessment / Intervention/ Technique:
There are 36 Clubhouse standards, relating to eight different domains. These domains are membership; relationships; space; work-ordered day; employment; education; functions of the house; and funding, governance, and administration (5).
Evaluation of outcome:
We have discussed Clubhouse standards and practice in view of occupational therapy theory, and have demonstrated a good harmony between Clubhouse standards and practice, and the MOHO principles.
Application to practice:
Clubhouses can be an appropriate work arena for occupational therapists. In the future, specific examples of practice within Clubhouses are needed. In addition, the significance and effects of these practices for Clubhouse members and staff, for the Clubhouse communities, and for the society need further examination.