Is occupational therapy an ableist health profession? A critical reflection on ableism and occupational therapy / Terapia ocupacional é uma profissão da saúde capacitista? Uma reflexão crítica sobre capacitismo e terapia ocupacional

Abstract Introduction There is a need to engage in critical reflection and reflexivity to deconstruct ableist conceptualisations and practices in occupational therapy. Objectives: 1) to discuss ableism as a social construction within a practice system, 2) to deconstruct ableist mechanisms employed within occupational therapy practice, and 3) to propose inclusive and justice-oriented practices that can improve patterns of practices within the occupational therapy profession. Method Online discussions and reflective writing, producing critical reflections, were done to curate our experiences and insights based on our personal and professional experiences, thoughts, and observations as Filipino occupational therapy practitioners. Critical reflexivity was seen both as process and output to address the research objectives. Findings Despite the efforts of scholars, educators, and practitioners in employing inclusive and justice-oriented occupational therapy practices, ableism continues to proliferate through overt and covert mechanisms within professional practices. Conclusion As the occupational therapy profession continues to evolve, practitioners are expected to be critically reflective and reflexive to mitigate discriminatory practices and promote inclusive and participatory practices today and beyond. This article hopes to serve as an eye-opener for occupational therapy practitioners and reconsider their doings, knowings, and sayings in their present and future practice.

Resumo Introdução Há uma necessidade de se engajar em uma reflexão crítica e em reflexividade para desconstruir conceituações e práticas capacitistas em terapia ocupacional. Objetivos 1) discutir o capacitismo como uma construção social dentro de um sistema de prática, 2) desconstruir mecanismos capacitistas empregados na prática em terapia ocupacional e 3) propor práticas inclusivas e orientadas para a justiça que possam melhorar os padrões de práticas dentro da profissão de terapia ocupacional. Método Foram feitas discussões online e escrita reflexiva, produzindo reflexões críticas, para selecionar nossas experiências e insights, pensamentos e observações pessoais e profissionais como praticantes de terapia ocupacional nas Filipinas. A reflexividade crítica foi vista tanto como processo quanto como saída para abordar os objetivos da pesquisa. Resultados Apesar dos esforços de acadêmicos, educadores e profissionais em empregar práticas de terapia ocupacional inclusivas e orientadas para a justiça, o capacitismo continua a proliferar por meio de mecanismos abertos e encobertos nas práticas profissionais. Conclusão À medida que a profissão de terapia ocupacional continua a evoluir, espera-se que os profissionais sejam criticamente reflexivos para mitigar práticas discriminatórias e promover práticas inclusivas e participativas hoje e além. Este artigo espera contribuir como um alerta para terapeutas ocupacionais reconsiderarem seus fazeres, saberes e dizeres em sua prática presente e futura.

The dark side of occupation within the context of modern-day beauty pageants.

BACKGROUND: The desire to be physically beautiful is inherent among human beings. In particular, some women who participate in modern-day beauty pageants tend to spend more time, energy, money and emotional resources to alter their natural body and looks to fit socially and culturally constructed standards of beauty. OBJECTIVE: The authors frame beauty pageants as the context where diverse occupations are at play with the purpose of becoming a 'beauty queen'. This commentary aims to discuss the origins and culture of beauty pageants, the different perspectives on pageantry work, and essential and hidden occupations performed within the context of this form of performing art. APPROACH: Using the conceptual lens of the dark side of occupation, hidden occupations are characterised by the doings of pageant hopefuls that are less explored and acknowledged because they are perceived as health-compromising, risky, dishonest, illicit, and socially or personally undesirable. CONCLUSION: Furthermore, this commentary calls for the exploration of occupations beyond the conventional scope of its understanding and the acknowledgment of hidden occupations intertwined into people's everyday doings specifically in the context of desiring to be 'beautiful'.

Age-Friendly Cities During a Global Pandemic.

Age-friendly cities optimize opportunities for health, participation, and security to enhance quality of life as people age. The Age-Friendly Cities framework evaluates eight evidence-based domains, including: outdoor spaces and buildings; transportation; housing; social participation; respect and social inclusion; civic participation and employment; communication and information; and community support and health services. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted each of these domains, necessitating reconsideration of opportunities to promote safety, wellness, and empowerment for older adults and persons with disabilities in this new reality. This qualitative descriptive study provides perspectives of gerontologists, senior service providers, and diverse older adults. Participants identified emerging issues and concerns related to the eight age-friendly domains, as well as highlighted best practices and potential solutions. The findings provide direction for gerontological nurses in practice and research who aim to address social determinants of health while promoting aging in place for older adults. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 46(12), 7-13.].

Dullard-mediated Smad1/5/8 inhibition controls mouse cardiac neural crest cells condensation and outflow tract septation.

The establishment of separated pulmonary and systemic circulation in vertebrates, via cardiac outflow tract (OFT) septation, is a sensitive developmental process accounting for 10% of all congenital anomalies. Neural Crest Cells (NCC) colonising the heart condensate along the primitive endocardial tube and force its scission into two tubes. Here, we show that NCC aggregation progressively decreases along the OFT distal-proximal axis following a BMP signalling gradient. Dullard, a nuclear phosphatase, tunes the BMP gradient amplitude and prevents NCC premature condensation. Dullard maintains transcriptional programs providing NCC with mesenchymal traits. It attenuates the expression of the aggregation factor Sema3c and conversely promotes that of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition driver Twist1. Altogether, Dullard-mediated fine-tuning of BMP signalling ensures the timed and progressive zipper-like closure of the OFT by the NCC and prevents the formation of a heart carrying the congenital abnormalities defining the tetralogy of Fallot.

Enabling Work: Occupational Therapy Interventions for Persons with Occupational Injuries and Diseases: A Scoping Review.

Purpose This review aims to map the scope of published research on occupational therapy (OT) interventions and pertinent work and work-related outcomes for persons with occupational injuries and diseases. Methods The scoping review adapted Arksey and O'Malley's framework. Six electronic databases were searched. Ancestral search was also done on five systematic reviews. The search was conducted from September 2015 to October 2015. Interventions and outcomes were coded using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Set for Vocational Rehabilitation to plot trends. Results Forty-six articles were included in the review. The top five intervention approaches included: acquiring skills (12.27%), health services, systems, and policies (10.43%), products and technology for employment (9.20%), handling stress and other psychological demands (7.98%), and apprenticeship (6.74%). The top five outcomes targeted included: remunerative employment (15.71%); sensation of pain (10.99%); emotional functions (5.76%); handling stress and other psychological demands (5.76%); economic self-sufficiency (4.71%); muscle endurance functions (4.71%); exercise tolerance functions (4.71%); undertaking multiple tasks (4.19%); acquiring, keeping, and terminating a job (4.19%); and looking after one's health (4.19%). Conclusion The trend in interventions show the use of activities and environment facilitators which are attuned to the conceptual nature of OT. Furthermore, the trend in outcomes show that there is substantial evidence that supports the use of OT to target work. This review may provide a platform for collaboration with other professionals and also help identify research directions to strengthen the evidence base for OT in work-related practice.