The OT Practice Framework
The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process, 4th ed. (OTPF-4) is an official AOTA document that represents the core concepts of what occupational therapy practitioners know (domain of knowledge) and do (process of evaluation, intervention, and outcomes). Ultimately, the central goal of occupational therapy is to assist clients in “achieving health, well-being, and participation in life through engagement in occupation” (AOTA, 2020, S5).*
Notes about language:
Client refers to persons, groups, and populations
Occupational therapy practitioner is inclusive of occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants
Domain of Occupational Therapy
The domain of occupational therapy represents the areas in which occupational therapy practitioners have expert knowledge. These include: occupations, contexts, performance patterns, performance skills, and client factors. Occupational therapy practitioners provide a distinct contribution because of their ability to understand how these areas interact dynamically to promote health and wellness.
Cornerstones
The occupational therapy practitioner is the facilitator of the domain and process, and relies on the following cornerstones to support practice:
Core values and beliefs rooted in occupation
Knowledge of and expertise in the therapeutic use of occupation
Professional behaviors and dispositions
Therapeutic use of self
Process of Occupational Therapy
The process of occupational therapy represents the actions that an occupational therapy practitioner takes to promote engagement and participation in occupation. The process includes involve evaluation, intervention, and outcomes.
*These OT Practice Framework summaries with Related ICE Videos and Questions were created by Amanda K. Giles. Julie Dorsey has updated the wording contained in these pages to reflect the Fourth Edition of the OT Practice Framework.
Amanda K. Giles, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA is an Associate Professor in the Division of Occupational Therapy at the Medical University of South Carolina.
Julie Dorsey, OTD, OTR/L, CEAS, FAOTA is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy, Ithaca College.