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First published April 1996

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Development of an Occupational Therapy Practice Perspective in a Homeless Shelter: A Fieldwork Experience

Joanne Heubner and Joyce TryssenaarView all authors and affiliations

Volume 63, Issue 1

https://doi.org/10.1177/000841749606300104

Abstract
References
Biographies

Abstract

Abstract

This paper describes the lived experience of a student occupational therapist at a homeless shelter. This phenomenological experience was captured through journal entries, used initially as a communication tool with the supervising therapist. Retrospective content analysis of the journal revealed a dual search for meaning: by the residents, as they sought for meaning in their chaotic lives; and the student as she searched for meaning in the role of the occupational therapist. Key themes included the importance of rapport, and the residents' innate drive towards purposeful activity. The student developed activity opportunities for people identified as lower functioning, with concommitant psychiatric difficulties. The restraints of the physical setting did not discourage people with significant dysfunction from involvement. Positive changes in psychosocial functioning also were observed. This lived experience indicates the potential of occupational therapy as an ideal profession for addressing the myriad of problems associated with the shelter population.

Résumé

RÉSUMÉ Cet article décrit l'expérience vécue par une étudiante en ergothérapie dans un refuge pour sans-abris. Cette expérience phénoménologique a été consignée dans un journal prévu initialement comme outil de communication avec l'ergothérapeute superviseur. Lanalyse rétrospective du contenu du journal a démontré une double recherche de signification : celle des résidents sur le sens de leur vie chaotique et celle de l'étudiante sur le rôle de l'ergothérapeute. Les thèmes principaux font éétat de l'importance de la relation et l'urgence innée des résidents chercher une activité significative. Létudiante a élaboré des activités pour un groupe de personnes identifiées comme fonctionnant à un niveau inférieur et présentant des difficultés d'ordre psychiatrique. Les contraintes dues à l'aménagement physique des lieux n'empêchent pas la participation des personnes atteintes de dysfonctions graves. Des changements positifs d'ordre psycho-social ont aussi été observés. Cette expérience vécue démontre le potentiel de l'ergothéarapie comme profession idéale pour prendre en charge la kyrielle des problèmes associés à la population des sans-abris.

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References

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Biographies

Joanne E. Heubner, B.H.Sc.O.T., O.T.(C) is Staff Occupational Therapist, University Nursing Care Centre, 1311 Southwest 16th St. Gainesville, Florida, U.S.A. 32608. At the time of writing, she was a student occupational therapist in her final year at McMaster University, Hamilton, ON

Joyce Tryssenaar, M.Ed., B.Sc.O.T., O.T.(C) is Assistant Professor in the School of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, McMaster University, Northern Studies Stream, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON. P7B 5E1

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