OCTH 622: Contexts of Service Delivery
Prerequisite: Successful completion of OCTH 610, 612, 614 and 616 or permission of
the Chair
Credit Hours: (3)
A survey of the environments in which occupational therapists practice, with particular
attention to community-centered practice. Investigation of the social, economic,
political, geographic and demographic factors that affect service delivery in medical,
school and community settings. Students work with others to design a new occupation-based
program for a rural community.
Detailed Description of Content of the Course
Topics will include:
- The meaning of place
- Social and health policies affecting individuals with disabilities and their families
- Social/occupational justice
- The role of the occupational therapist in health promotion and advocacy
- Service delivery models/settings including medical, educational and community
- Legislation and reimbursement systems influencing practice in each service-delivery
model/setting
- General systems theory as a way of thinking about community practice
- Identifying trends and assessing the need for services in the community
- Designing and planning a new occupation-based program
- Evaluating the outcomes of a community-centered program
- Examples of occupation-centered community programs
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Lecture and discussion may be supplemented by visits to community agencies which provide
services for persons with special needs and their families. Students will work in
teams to design and plan an occupation-centered program for a community agency that
does not currently provide occupational therapy services.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
At completion of this course, students will:
- Demonstrate knowledge of global social issues and prevailing health and welfare needs;
- Demonstrate knowledge and appreciation of the role of sociocultural, socioeconomic
and diversity factors affecting participation in occupation;
- Analyze and discuss the influence of sociopolitical climate on practice;
- Discuss current policy issues and the social, economic, political, geographic and
demographic factors that influence the various contexts for occupational therapy practice;
- Differentiate among medical, educational, social and community contexts for the practice
of occupational therapy;
- Explain how the various practice settings affect the delivery of occupational therapy
services;
- Describe and discuss the impact of contextual factors on the management of occupational
therapy services;
- Articulate trends in models of service delivery and their potential effect on occupational
therapy practice;
- Describe the systems and structures that create federal and state legislation and
regulation and their implications for practice;
- Demonstrate knowledge of various reimbursement systems (federal, state, third-party,
private-payer);
- Explain the responsibility of the practitioner to address and effect changes in service
delivery policies, and to identify opportunities in emerging practice areas;
- Discuss the role of occupation in improving the quality of life for individuals and
groups in rural communities;
- Develop and promote the use of appropriate community programming to support participation
in all contexts relevant to the client;
- Understand when and how to use the consultative process with groups, programs, organizations
and communities.
Assessment Measures
Tests, participation in discussions and community visits, and a graded program development
project may be used to evaluate the outcomes of the course.
Other Course Information
Review and Approval
February, 2009