The Dr Elizabeth Casson Memorial Lecture 2019: Shifting our focus. Fostering the potential of occupation and occupational therapy in a complex world

Abstract

Challenges to health promoting occupation are experienced by many people in the UK today. It is suggested that the way we currently think about and so organise our practice may make it difficult to address some of these occupational needs. An alternative lens is proposed, drawing on the work of P. Cilliers and his discussions of the implications of thinking in terms of complex systems. Taking on an ‘attitude of complexity’ allows us to reconsider our work within the systems we are part of and encourages us not only to acknowledge but also to embrace the richness and diversity of our complex world. The discussion will focus on how occupational therapists can become part of, or strengthen their existing part, in change within these systems, developing their contribution as experts in occupation. This lecture is about ‘shifting our focus’, about fostering the potential of occupational therapy and contributing to individual and social transformation through occupation that will support the health of the population.