ABSTRACT

Objective : The purpose of this study was to present a curriculum that will enhance the professionalism of community-based occupational therapists who intervene with people suffering from dementia. To do so, the duties and tasks of the occupational therapists who are working in dementia care centers have been analyzed. This study will help to set the roles and professionalism of occupational therapists. Methods : The data were collected by utilizing a survey questionnaire and a discussion questionnaire from August to November of 2012. The questionnaires were constructed by analyzing documents containing working group meeting minutes and the duties of occupational therapists working in regional dementia care centers located both domestically and abroad. As a result, a curriculum that will enhance the professional role of a community-based occupational therapist in terms of dementia care emerged. Results : The findings from the duty analyses showed that the priorities are in the following order: 1) administrative paper work, 2) occupational therapy intervention, 3) other work, 4) supporting projects, and 5) assessments. The rank of execution frequency is 1) paper work, 2) other work, 3) occupational therapy interventions, 4) supporting projects, and 5) assessments. Analyses of the meeting minutes revealed that education regarding an understanding of the work of other fields is needed to enhance the level of professionalism and allow therapists to effectively conduct their own work. Moreover, visiting treatment and caretaker education are also needed for professionalism in community-based occupational therapy. Conclusion : Research related to a systematic job analysis should be conducted periodically to identify the important duties and tasks of community-based occupational therapists. This will provide a professional role for community-based occupational therapists working in the area of dementia intervention.