The Practice of Occupational Therapy in World War One

Background: World War One was a pivotal era in the development of occupational therapy (Wilcock 2002). As part of the war time Reconstruction Movement the United States government recruited Occupational Therapy and... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
World War One was a pivotal era in the development of occupational therapy (Wilcock 2002). As part of the war time Reconstruction Movement the United States government recruited Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Reconstruction Aides in 1917. Occupational Therapy Reconstruction Aides worked in hospitals in the US and in France engaging injured soldiers in activities to increase motor function, divert their minds from pain, disability and depression and to prepare them for future vocations (Bloom Hoover 1996; Linker 2011). In 1918, twenty eight year old Occupational Therapy Reconstruction Aide Lena Hitchcock was sent to France. Lena recorded her experiences in her unpublished memoir, titled, ‘The Great Adventure’.
Methods:
Historical documentary research methods were used incorporating a case study approach. Primary and secondary sources were consulted, for example, the published history of Base Hospital Nine (Brown 1920) where Lena was stationed. The documents were analysed using thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke 2006).
Results:
Three central themes emerged: (i) therapeutic activities and interventions used by the Aides; (ii) relationships with patients; (iii) relationships with other professionals, especially Physiotherapy Reconstruction Aides.
Conclusion:
This research contributes to an understanding of the early practice of Occupational Therapy during a key era in its professional development. It provides insight into early therapeutic relationships between Occupational Therapists and patients as well as relationships with professional colleagues.
Application to practice:
By understanding the historical development of Occupational Therapy, current approaches and interventions in practice can be contextualised. This may provide insight for the future development of Occupational Therapy.