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Epistemological transformation in occupational therapy: Educational implications and challenges

Publication ,  Journal Article
Hooper, B
Published in: OTJR Occupation, Participation and Health
January 1, 2006

An epistemological analysis of occupational therapy's history opens a novel perspective on the field's evolution and on important changes facing education and practice. Kegan's theory of epistemological transformation (e.g., how ways of knowing evolve) was used as an analytic tool to reexamine mostly secondary and some primary historical sources. Although the profession's history is often portrayed in terms of large and sweeping changes, this analysis suggests that little change occurred in occupational therapy's epistemology, making it difficult for the profession to become self-defined or easily adopt occupation, participation, and health as a focus for practice, education, and research. It is also suggested that recent developments in the field are at their core epistemological developments and serve as indicators that a new way of knowing has emerged in occupational therapy that is making new demands of practitioners and educators. Further, epistemological developments can help evaluate common educational assumptions and frame new educational approaches.

Duke Scholars

Published In

OTJR Occupation, Participation and Health

DOI

ISSN

1539-4492

Publication Date

January 1, 2006

Volume

26

Issue

1

Start / End Page

15 / 24

Related Subject Headings

  • Rehabilitation
  • 4201 Allied health and rehabilitation science
  • 1117 Public Health and Health Services
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences
 

Citation

APA
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ICMJE
MLA
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Hooper, B. (2006). Epistemological transformation in occupational therapy: Educational implications and challenges. OTJR Occupation, Participation and Health, 26(1), 15–24. https://doi.org/10.1177/153944920602600103
Hooper, B. “Epistemological transformation in occupational therapy: Educational implications and challenges.” OTJR Occupation, Participation and Health 26, no. 1 (January 1, 2006): 15–24. https://doi.org/10.1177/153944920602600103.
Hooper B. Epistemological transformation in occupational therapy: Educational implications and challenges. OTJR Occupation, Participation and Health. 2006 Jan 1;26(1):15–24.
Hooper, B. “Epistemological transformation in occupational therapy: Educational implications and challenges.” OTJR Occupation, Participation and Health, vol. 26, no. 1, Jan. 2006, pp. 15–24. Scopus, doi:10.1177/153944920602600103.
Hooper B. Epistemological transformation in occupational therapy: Educational implications and challenges. OTJR Occupation, Participation and Health. 2006 Jan 1;26(1):15–24.

Published In

OTJR Occupation, Participation and Health

DOI

ISSN

1539-4492

Publication Date

January 1, 2006

Volume

26

Issue

1

Start / End Page

15 / 24

Related Subject Headings

  • Rehabilitation
  • 4201 Allied health and rehabilitation science
  • 1117 Public Health and Health Services
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences