ABSTRACT

Objective: This study proposes guidelines for occupational therapists to identify and clarify the scope of their main work and practice, based on legislative evidence. Main: Clear identification of their scope of practice can reduce confusion occurring during clinical practice. In addition, continuous promoting and education are needed to allow actual task performance to reflect the related regulations. The scope of occupational therapy practice aims to recover physical and psychological dysfunctions. In order to achieve this goal, occupational therapists utilize objects or instruments used in daily life as a means of practice. The unique tasks and roles of occupational therapists enable an individual to participate in the rehabilitation process through their own volition and capacity, and to live without disability. The expected performance of occupational therapists involves sensory activity training, occupational daily living training, cognitive rehabilitation treatment, dysphagia rehabilitation treatment, production and training of assistive devices for upper extremities, occupational performance analysis and evaluation, and some additional therapeutic-occupational training and treatment. Conclusion: The revised scope of occupational therapy practice may provide a positive contribution toward the development of insurance fees and to bring about positive changes in the policy of occupational therapy for public health in the future.