Frames of reference that address the impact of physical environments on occupational performance

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Caren A. Whedon,

Affiliations: Boston University, Boston, MA, USA

Note: [] 269 Pleasant Street, Marblehead, MA 01945, USA. Tel.: +1 781 631 9755

Abstract: A frame of reference is the mechanism for linking theory to practice. It may be the most practical and important tool a professional uses. As the practice of occupational therapy has evolved, so has the basis of information, or theories, on which it is grounded. From the theories, models have been developed that typically view occupational performance as a transaction between the person, occupation and environment. Occupational therapy practitioners use many frames of reference. Not all of them address all areas of occupational performance identified within this overarching model. Often the area of the environment does not receive attention. To do their jobs thoroughly, occupational therapy practitioners need frames of reference for thinking about the environment. The purpose of this paper is to identify and explore frames of reference that may be useful to occupational therapy practitioners when they are taking into consideration the physical environment. Included are the following frames of reference: ergonomics, industrial hygiene, environmental psychology, accessibility and feng shui. A case study is presented to illustrate the unique perspective of each frame of reference.

Keywords: ergonomics, industrial hygiene, environmental psychology, accessibility, feng shui

Journal: Work, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 165-174, 2000