Topic 2: OT CORE VALUES
OT profession in the United Kingdom has no
publication relating to the core values of Occupational Therapy. (I could well be corrected on this)
There is, however, a publication regarding
Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct(COT 2010)
I do not know if OT who trained in the United Kingdom
are taught of OT core values. I, in my
personal and professional experiences, have embraced Occupational Therapy as a
vocation rather than a profession.
Embracing OT as a vocation means
embracing the core values of Occupational Therapy.
My daily actions are governed by these values and
any actions away from these values are actions that I would consider
unprofessional.
The core values and attitudes of occupational
therapy are organized around seven basic concepts--altruism, equality, freedom,
justice, dignity, truth, and prudence. How these core values and attitudes are
expressed and implemented by occupational therapy practitioners may vary
depending upon the environments and situations in which professional activity
occurs.
Altruism is the unselfish concern for the welfare of
others. This concept is reflected in actions and attitudes of
commitment, caring, dedication, responsiveness, and understanding.
Equality requires
that all individuals be perceived as having the same fundamental human rights
and opportunities. This value is demonstrated by an attitude of fairness and
impartiality. We believe that we should respect all individuals, keeping in mind
that they may have values, beliefs, or life styles that are different from our
own. Equality is practiced in the broad professional arena, but is particularly
important in day-to-day interactions with those individuals receiving
occupational therapy services.
Freedom allows
the individual to exercise choice and to demonstrate independence, initiative,
and self-direction. There is a need for all individuals to find a
balance between autonomy and societal membership that is reflected in the
choice of various patterns of interdependence with the human and nonhuman
environment. We believe that individuals are internally and externally motivated
toward action in a continuous process of adaptation throughout the life span.
Purposeful activity plays a major role in developing and exercising
self-direction, initiative, interdependence, and relatedness to the world.
Activities verify the individual's ability to adapt, and they establish a
satisfying balance between autonomy and societal membership. As professionals,
we affirm the freedom of choice for each individual
to pursue goals that have personal and social
meaning.
Justice places
value on the upholding of such moral and legal principles as fairness, equity,
truthfulness, and objectivity. This means we aspire to provide occupational
therapy services for all individuals who are in need of these services and that
we
will maintain a goal-directed and objective relationship with all those served.
Practitioners
must be knowledgeable about and have respect for the legal rights of
individuals receiving occupational therapy services. In addition,
the occupational therapy practitioner must understand and abide by the local,
state, and federal laws governing professional practice.
Dignity
emphasizes the importance of valuing the inherent worth and uniqueness of each
person. This value is demonstrated by an attitude of empathy and respect for
self and others. We believe that each individual is a unique combination of
biologic endowment, sociocultural heritage, and life experiences. We view human
beings holistically, respecting the unique interaction of the mind, body, and
physical and social environment. We believe that dignity is nurtured and grows
from the sense of competence and self worth that is integrally linked to the
person's ability to perform valued and relevant activities. In occupational
therapy we emphasize the importance of dignity by helping the individual build
on his or her unique attributes and resources.
Truth
requires that we be faithful to facts and reality. Truthfulness or veracity is
demonstrated by being accountable, honest, forthright, accurate, and authentic
in our attitudes and actions. There is an obligation to be truthful with
ourselves, those who receive services, colleagues, and society. One
way that this is exhibited is through maintaining and upgrading professional
competence. This happens, in part, through an unfaltering commitment to inquiry
and learning, to self-understanding and to the development of an interpersonal
competence.
Prudence is the
ability to govern and discipline oneself through the use of reason. To
be prudent is to value judiciousness, discretion, vigilance, moderation, care,
and circumspection in the management of one's affairs, to temper extremes, make
judgments and respond on the basis of intelligent reflection and rational
thought.
Summary
Beliefs and values are those intrinsic concepts
that underlie the core of the profession and the professional interactions of
each practitioner. These values describe the profession's philosophy and
provide the basis for defining purpose. The emphasis or priority that is given
to each value may change as one's professional career evolves and as the unique
characteristics of a situation unfold. This evolution of values is
developmental in nature. Although we have basic values that cannot be violated,
the degree to which certain values will take priority at a given time is
influenced by the specifics situation and the environment in which it occurs.
In one instance dignity may be a higher priority than truth; in another
prudence may be chosen over freedom. As we process information and make
decisions, the weight of the values that we hold may change. The practitioner faces dilemmas because of
conflicting values and is required to engage in thoughtful deliberation to
determine where the priority lies in a given situation. The challenge for us all is to know our
values, be able to make reasoned choices in situations of conflict, and be able
to clearly articulate and defend our choices. At the same time, it is
important that all members of the profession be committed to a set of common
values. This mutual commitment to a set of beliefs and principles that govern
our practice can provide a basis for clarifying expectations between the
recipient and the provider of services. Shared values empowers the profession
and, in addition, builds trust among ourselves and with others.
source: AOTA/willard and spackman
