Occupational Performance and Environment Analysis - Healthcare Study

This presentation analyzes occupational performance and its relationship with the environment, using the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework as a foundation. It explores how factors such as the physical and social environment, personal characteristics, and the chosen occupation influence an individual's performance. The presentation uses a personal experience of working in a warehouse painting doors as a case study, detailing the job requirements, the impact of the work environment, and the role of client factors. It also provides a historical overview of occupational therapy, including the evolution of its practice and the key components of the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework. The presentation emphasizes the importance of environment, occupation, and personal factors (F.I.T.) in determining performance levels, highlighting the significance of a positive work environment, safety measures, and adherence to workplace values. The author reflects on the experience, underscoring the value of practical experience and the impact of various elements on achieving optimal occupational performance.

Running head: OCCUPATIONAL PERFORMANCE AND ENVIRONMENT
Occupational Performance and Environment
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

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Slide 2
I would like to add here that the occupational therapy practice framework has been used here
as the concept takes into consideration both the physical as well as the mental aspects for the
assessment of the performance of an individual. This particular framework also takes into
consideration the role which the environment plays in the performance of an individual.
Slide 3
Painting is a traditional art and in the earlier times it consisted only of painting the portraits of
famous people. However, in the recent times it has been subjected to various changes and
presently, it encompasses the painting of buildings, doors, walls and others. I would like to
add here that since early childhood painting is something which has always fascinated me.
My parents seeing my interest in painting arranged for me to have painting lessons.
Therefore, during last year after the completion of my exams I decided to work in the
warehouse on a part-time basis. This job had a double advantage for me-firstly, it provided
me with an opportunity to gain some experience in the field of painting and secondly, it also
provided me with some valuable pocket money. Therefore, I would say that my short stint at
the warehouse was very fruitful for me. The major steps which the job require were to get the
surface of the door, to be painted ready, applying an initial coating to the surface of the door,
then following it up with a second coating to ensure that the surface is smoothly coated with
the paint.
Slide 4
I would like to comment here that the space and social demands had an impact on my
performance level. Furthermore, an effective interaction with the other workers was also

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necessary as that enabled me to learn about the job in a much better manner. The job also
required me to have an effective co-ordination between my senses and muscles.
Slide 5
Initially, when I joined the job it was on a part time basis as my exams were over and I had
nothing better to do. I would like to add here that although I joined the job on a part-time
basis yet I took the work very seriously. I wanted to gain some knowledge as well as
experience as a painter which I can reflect in my resume. The monetary aspect of the job was
not much of a big concern for me as I was doing it solely on a voluntary basis. Therefore, the
learning outcome of the job was more enticing to me.
Slide 6
It is to be noted that the earliest evidences of this therapy can be traced back to the ancient
times. In fact, back in the 100 B.C., Asclepiades, a Greek physician used to treat his patients
with mental illnesses through medicinal baths, music, exercise, message and various other
means (Taylor 2017). Then there are instances in the 18th century when reformers like
Philippe Pinel, Johann Christian Reil and others proposed to change the way patients with
mental problems were treated in the hospital (Taylor 2017). However, the real change came
with the establishment of the “American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)” in the
year 1917 (American Occupational Therapy Association 2013). It is to be noted that the
concept of “occupational therapy” began to be used by the medical practitioner after the
establishment of this association. The Occupation therapy practice framework consists of two
parts- domain and the process. The domain includes the physical environment, client factors,
level of motivation and others (American Occupational Therapy Association 2013). The
process, on the other hand, takes into consideration the actions or the measures taken by the

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therapist for the effective treatment of the patient (American Occupational Therapy
Association 2013).
Slide 7
The above figure provides an overview of the “Occupational Therapy Practice Framework”
used by the health care professionals.
Slide 8
Performance counts as one of the most important aspects of any job. The capability as well as
the character of a person is judged on the basis of his or her level of performance. However,
there are several factors which affect the performance of an individual. The primary factors
which affect the performance of an individual are environment, the occupation and the person
himself or herself (Wagman, Håkansson and Björklund 2012).
Slide 9
The above figure shows the various factors which affect the performance of an individual in a
workplace. The figure also gives a rough overview of the concept of “F.I.T.” which forms an
essential attribute of the performance level achieved by an individual in a particular work or
occupation. The performance of an individual depends on the several extrinsic as well as
intrinsic factors and also the occupation chosen by the individual.
Slide 10
Occupation forms an important aspect of the livelihood of the individuals. The profession
which I choose as I already mentioned was painting. The job worked out really well for me
for the short duration during which I was working at the warehouse. I was able to gain

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valuable professional experience as a painter and also a considerable amount of pocket
money.
Slide 11
Environment plays a very significant role in the performance of an individual (Schell et al.
2013). It is often seen that a positive work environment can boost the performance of an
individual whereas a negative environment can lower the performance of an individual. The
working environment at the warehouse was a very positive one because of which I was able
to perform in a much better manner. The support provided by my colleagues was valuable.
They actually helped me to perform my job in a much better manner.
Slide 12
The performance of a person depends very much on the personal character as well as the
personality of the person concerned. It is normally seen that a hard working and intelligent
person is likely to perform much better than a person who does not like to work hard no
matter how intelligent that person might be. According to Bill Gates, “Hard work beats talent
when talent does not work hard”. Therefore, hard work is an essential attribute of
performance.
Slide 13
It is often seen that the people hold a wrong notion that the performance of an individual
depends on the hard work and the dedication of that person (Schell et al. 2013). However, as
research works suggest the occupational performance of an individual depends on three
primary factors which can be broadly classified as environment, the person concerned and the
occupation (Hammell and Iwama 2012). The safety gloves provided by the warehouse were
really very helpful and enabled me to work with the peace of mind that I will not be

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damaging my hand through the paint. The warehouse also provided the workers with eye-
protectors.
Slide 14
The client factors also played an important part in my performance at the warehouse. I
needed to adhere to the core values as well as the beliefs of the warehouse in order to excel at
the work.
Slide 15
It is often seen that the people hold a wrong notion that the performance of an individual
depends on the hard work and the dedication of that person (Schell et al. 2013). However, as
research works suggest the occupational performance of an individual depends on three
primary factors which can be broadly classified as environment, the person concerned and the
occupation (Hammell and Iwama 2012). The safety gloves provided by the warehouse were
really very helpful and enabled me to work with the peace of mind that I will not be
damaging my hand through the paint. The warehouse also provided the workers with eye-
protectors.

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