Leadership in Occupational Therapy

Running head: LEADERSHIP IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Leadership in Occupational Therapy
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1LEADERSHIP IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Occupational therapy can be considered an allied healthcare domain which provides
significant assistance in providing holistic care to different patients. It has to be mentioned that
the population of United States is undeniably becoming increasingly richer with cultural
diversity and ethnicity. Hence the occupational therapy workforce will also have to mirror the
demographic changes (Braveman, 2016). This assignment will focus on the need for diversified
and inclusive leadership within the occupational therapy workforce.
According to the Fleming-Castaldy and Patro (2012), diversity within a professions like
occupational therapy can only be facilitated if a more inclusive environment can be developed.
Occupational therapy leadership has become one of the basic necessities in the present day
scenario where a diverse workforce is the only option available to provide care that is patient
centered and with meaningful client provider relationship. It has to be mentioned in this context
that different ethnic backgrounds have different mindsets and perception of health and wellbeing,
similarly the traditional understanding of healing gives rise to unique needs and believes in the
diverse client groups. Without a diverse workforce within occupational therapy, it is impossible
to address each and every unique need of the ethnically diverse client population.
According to the Lopez and Wong (2018), diversified workforce is facilitated in the
hands of a culturally diverse and compassionate leader. Cultural safety has compassion and
respect for each and every cultural background as fundamental elements. Hence the American
Occupational Therapy Association has identified the need for a heartfelt compassionate leader in
order to diversify the occupational therapy workforce. According to the Stoffel (2016), it is
primal that the leadership of occupational therapy workforce provides every member shared
decision making and compassion in order to build on the individual strengths of different