Occupational performance analysis is a way of observing a person perform an occupation to determine what is supporting or hindering them being able to participate to his/her desired level. An occupational performance analysis is structured, detailed and always placed in the context of the occupations a person wants or needs to perform (Chard and Mesa, 2017 ).
You observe and do occupational performance analyses to help you understand the people (what they do, why they do it, how they do it), the places where they do their occupations (e.g. home, workplace, school or community) and how aspects such as a person’s health, physical, social, societal, economic or political restrictions can impact on his/her roles and way of life (Chard and Mesa, 2017). An occupational performance analysis will assist you to gather sufficient and relevant details to support your reasoning for interventions.
An activity analysis (or some might call it ‘task analysis’) involves breaking down an activity into the components that influence how it is chosen, organised and carried out within the environment in which it might be typically performed (Creek, 2010[DK2] ). We use activity analysis to identify the inherent demands, requirements and meanings of activities to determine what is ‘fixed’ (i.e. can’t be changed) and what is ‘flexible’ (i.e. could be changed) (Creek, 2010; Mackenzie and O’Toole, 2011[DK3] ). This helps us not only in thinking about intervention potential, but it also can assist us in considering potential areas of risk which we need to be aware of as we move through the occupational therapy process.
An occupational profile (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2014[DK4] ) of our client develops as we gather information about the occupational strengths, needs, wishes and circumstances of the person (Fisher, 2009[DK5] ). This is often undertaken via interview with the person, his/her family and significant others, along with a review of documentation such as case notes, medical records and previous reports
Chard G, Mesa S (2017) ‘Analysis of occupational performance: Motor, process and social interaction skills’. In: M Curtin, J Adams, M Egan, eds, Occupational therapy for people experiencing illness, injury or impairment: Promoting occupation and participation. 7th edn. Edinburgh: Elsevier, pp. 217–243.
[DK2]Creek J (2010) The core concepts of occupational therapy: A dynamic framework for practice. London, UK: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
[DK3]Mackenzie L, O’Toole G (2011) Occupation analysis in practice. West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.
[DK4]American Occupational Therapy Association (2014) ‘Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process (3rd edition)’. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68, S1–S48.
This is not the most recent version
[DK5]Fisher AG (2009) Occupational therapy intervention process model: A model for planning and implementing top-down, client centred, and occupation-based interventions. Fort Collins, CO: Three Star Press.
You observe and do occupational performance analyses to help you understand the people (what they do, why they do it, how they do it), the places where they do their occupations (e.g. home, workplace, school or community) and how aspects such as a person’s health, physical, social, societal, economic or political restrictions can impact on his/her roles and way of life (Chard and Mesa, 2017). An occupational performance analysis will assist you to gather sufficient and relevant details to support your reasoning for interventions.
An activity analysis (or some might call it ‘task analysis’) involves breaking down an activity into the components that influence how it is chosen, organised and carried out within the environment in which it might be typically performed (Creek, 2010[DK2] ). We use activity analysis to identify the inherent demands, requirements and meanings of activities to determine what is ‘fixed’ (i.e. can’t be changed) and what is ‘flexible’ (i.e. could be changed) (Creek, 2010; Mackenzie and O’Toole, 2011[DK3] ). This helps us not only in thinking about intervention potential, but it also can assist us in considering potential areas of risk which we need to be aware of as we move through the occupational therapy process.
An occupational profile (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2014[DK4] ) of our client develops as we gather information about the occupational strengths, needs, wishes and circumstances of the person (Fisher, 2009[DK5] ). This is often undertaken via interview with the person, his/her family and significant others, along with a review of documentation such as case notes, medical records and previous reports
Chard G, Mesa S (2017) ‘Analysis of occupational performance: Motor, process and social interaction skills’. In: M Curtin, J Adams, M Egan, eds, Occupational therapy for people experiencing illness, injury or impairment: Promoting occupation and participation. 7th edn. Edinburgh: Elsevier, pp. 217–243.
[DK2]Creek J (2010) The core concepts of occupational therapy: A dynamic framework for practice. London, UK: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
[DK3]Mackenzie L, O’Toole G (2011) Occupation analysis in practice. West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.
[DK4]American Occupational Therapy Association (2014) ‘Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process (3rd edition)’. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68, S1–S48.
This is not the most recent version
[DK5]Fisher AG (2009) Occupational therapy intervention process model: A model for planning and implementing top-down, client centred, and occupation-based interventions. Fort Collins, CO: Three Star Press.