Occupational therapy and the local context: Exploring opportunities for occupational therapy practice and education with stakeholders in Metropolitan Cebu

Abstract

Occupational therapy is seen as a versatile profession able to deliver occupational therapy services for a variety of practice settings in promoting health. Currently, the majority of Filipino occupational therapy practice is concentrated in private paediatric practice. Recognising the significance of stakeholders as partners and recipients of occupational therapy services, thirty individuals from stakeholder groups representing the different sectors in Metropolitan Cebu were engaged in focus group discussions. Issues and opportunities for occupational therapy were identified in four sectors: (1) Health and Advocacy, (2) School, (3) Work and Industry, and the (4) Clinic Settings. Fostering collaborative efforts in tackling the prevailing needs of the local context is seen as opportunities wherein occupational therapists can provide services to a wider clientele and can increase the profession’s visibility. In order to push the profession forward, occupational therapists should emphasise the value of the local context in shaping the education and practice of the profession.