OCCUPATIONAL BALANCE: PERSPECTIVES OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS NORTH WEST LONDON

Background: Occupational balance is an interdisciplinary concept with no consensus on its definition. Literature demonstrates different perspectives on applying this concept in practice and its link to other concepts such as... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Occupational balance is an interdisciplinary concept with no consensus on its definition. Literature demonstrates different perspectives on applying this concept in practice and its link to other concepts such as health and well-being. This study focused on occupational therapists' perception and experience of use of the concept of occupational balance with their clients.

Method:
A qualitative method was employed. Fourteen occupational therapists volunteered for the study. Nine occupational therapist practitioners were interviewed individually and five attended a focus group. Thematic analysis was applied for analysing the data.
Results: Six themes identified as follows: concept of occupational balance: what is it?, how do people develop the concept of occupational balance?, subjective and objective representation of occupational balance, factors related to occupational balance, what disrupts/affects occupational balance, occupational balance/imbalance and occupational therapy practice.
Conclusion:
- Occupational balance-imbalance is a relative and dynamic process of life
- The right occupational balance for each individual should be decided based on their values but with consideration of the principal of no harm for others
- The intervention should be based on the occupational therapists – patient dialogue and interaction
Application to Practice:
Occupational balance is a process that can be planned towards. In practice the interaction of the occupational therapist and client helps to develop an understanding of what the right occupational balance is for the client.