The Theory of Occupational Therapy
- Author:
Norah A. Haworth, M.A.(Cantab.),
M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., D.P.M., and E. Mary Macdonald, Principal, Dorset House School of Occupational Therapy. Foreword by Sir Robert Stanton Woods, M.D., F.R.C.P. Baillifere, Tindall & Cox. 6s.
This book is written by two experts who have happily combined their respective knowledge and experience?Dr Haworth as a psychiatrist and Miss Macdonald as an experienced Occupational Therapist.
The preliminary chapters give a summary of this form of treatment from very early times and also stress some important points in the rationale ?f more modern methods. It is indicated that lhe aim of Occupational Therapy is primarily *he restoration of function?in orthopaedic cases the function of joints and muscles, in mental ‘Uness the disordered functions of mind. In the ‘atter case this is done by helping the patient to resume contact with reality, by restoring self- confidence and by developing lost initiative. In all cases, both mental and physical, the greatest benefit is obtained from the diversion of the patient’s thought from his own disability into channels which are interesting and useful.
Throughout the book it is made obvious that in order to give the treatment its full value there must be perfect co-operation between the trained therapist who directs the department and doctor, matron and nursing staff. Ideally, the doctor himself should be conversant with the various handicrafts and their application to. different forms of illness ; he is then in a position to send to the therapist a prescription for each patient, indicating in a general way the type of work required and the capacity of the patient. The nursing staff, too, should have special training in the theory and practice of the treatment. It is most essential that each patient’s work should be constantly capable of re-adjustment in order to prevent its becoming either too easy and therefore monotonous, or too difficult and therefore fatiguing. This is particularly the case in acute and convalescent cases.
Chapter 2 gives a clear and helpful description of the more common forms of mental disorder, with the type of work best suited to each. There are also some excellent practical suggestions as regards organization and equipment. Under this heading more emphasis might have been laid on the importance of environment in a room designed for handicrafts. However, this is well illustrated in Plate II, which depicts the type of room required.
Chapters 3 and 4 deal with Occupational Therapy as applied to tuberculosis, cardiac disease and orthopaedic and surgical cases. These chapters should prove of great assistance to nurses, masseuses and others who are at present engaged in the treatment of war casualties.
Finally, there are several pages devoted to such considerations as finance, equipment, the purchase of apparatus and tools, and the ways in which an Occupational Therapy department can be self-supporting without in any way defeat- ing the main object of the treatment, namely, the patients’ welfare. In this connection some very good hints are given on the use of waste materials which can be converted into useful and artistic articles. The book will be welcomed by many as a comprehensive and reliable guide to the practice of a branch of treatment which is of the utmost significance and interest. A.M.
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