Core Values and Attitudes of

Occupational Therapy Practice

Introduction developed and reinforced throughout an individual's life

as a student and as a professional.
In 1985, the American OccupationaJ Therapy Association
Actions and attitudes reflect the values of the indi-
(AOTA) funded the Professional and Technical Role Anal-
vidual. An attitude is the disposition to respond positively
ysis Study (PATRA). This study had two purposes: to de-
or negatively toward an object, person, concept, or situa-
lineate the entry-level practice of OTRs ane! COTAs
tion. Thus, thet-e is an assumption that all professional
through a role analysis and to conduct a task inventory of
aCtions and interactions are rooted in certain core values
what practitioners actually do. Knowledge, skills, and atti-
and beliefs.
tude statements were to be developed to provide a basis
for the role analysis. The PATRA study completed the
Seven Core Concepts
knowledge and skills statements. The Executive Board
subsequently charged the Standards and Ethics Commis- In thiS document, the core ualues and attitudes of occu-
sion (SEC) to develop a statement that would describe pational therapy are organized around seven basic con-
the attitudes and values that undergird the profession of cepts - altruism, equality, freedom, justice, dignity, truth,
occupational therapy. The SEC wrote this document for and prudence. How these core values and attitudes are
use by AOTA members. expressed and implemented by occupational therapy
The list of terms used in this statement was originally practitioners may vary depending upon the environments
constructecl by the American Association of Colleges of and situations in which professional activity occurs.
Nursing (AACN) (1986) The PATRA committee analyzed A/truism is the unselfish concern for the welfare of
the knowledge statements that the committee had writ- others. This concept is reflected in actions and attitudes
ten and selected those terms from the AACN list that best of commitment, caring, dedication, responsiveness, and
identified the values and attitudes of our profession. This understanding.
list of terms was then forwarded to SEC by the PATRA Equality requires that all individuals be perceived as
Committee to use as the basis for the Cme Values and having the same fundamental human rights and opportu-
Attitudes paper. nities. This value is demonstrated by an attitude of fair-
The development of this document is predicated on ness and impartiality. We believe that we should respect
the assumption that the values of occupational therapy aU individuals, keeping in mind that they may have values,
are evident in the official documents of the American beliefs, or life-styles that are different from our own.
Occurational Therapy AsSociation. The official docu- Equality is practiced in the broad professional arena, but
ments that were examined are: (a) Dictionmy DeJinition is particularly im Il0rtant in day-to-day interactions with
of Occupational Therapy (AOTA, 1986), (b) The Philo- those individuals receiving occupational therapy services.
sophical Base of Occupational Therapy (AOTA, 1979), Freedom allows the individual to exercise choice and
(c) Essentials and Guidelinesfor an Accredited Educa- to demonstrate independence, initiative, and self-direc-
tional Program for the Occupational Tberapist (AOTA, tion. There is a need for all individuals to find a balance
1991a), (d) Essentials and Guidelines/or an Accredited between autonomy and societal membership that is re-
Educational Program for the Occupational Therapy As- flected in the choice of various patterns uf interdepen-
sistant (AOTA, 1991b), and (e) Occupational Therapy dence with the human and nonhuman environment. We
Code of Ethics (AOTA, 1988). It is further assumed thar believe that individuals are internally and externally moti-
these documents are representative of the values and vated toward action in a continuous process of adaptation
beliefs reflected in other occurational therapy literature throughour the life span. Purposeful activity plays a major
A value is defined as a belief or an ideal to which an role in develolling ancl exercising self-direction, initiative,
individual is committed. Values are an important part of interclependence, and relatedness to the world. Activities
the base or foundation of a profession Ideallv, these verify the individual's ability to adapt. and rhey establish a
values are embraced by all members of the profession and satisfying balance between autonomy and societal mem-
are reflected in the members' interactions with those bership. As professionals, we affirm the freedom of
persons receiving services, colleagues, and the society at choice for each individual to pursue goals that have per-
large. Values have a central role in a profession and are sunal and social meaning.

Tbe American Journat o/Occupalionat Tberapy 1085

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 jus/ice places value on the upholding of such moral value may change as one's professional career evolves
and legal principles as fairness, equity, truthfulness, and and as the unique characteristics of a situation unfold.
objeerivity. This means we aspire [Q provide occurational This evolution of values is developmental in nature. Al-
therapy services for all individuals who are in need of though we have basic values that cannot be violated, the
these services and that we will maimain a goaJ-c1ireered degree to which certain values will take priority at a given
and objeerive relationship with all those served Praeri- time is by the specifics of a situation and the
tioners must be knowledgeable about and have respect environment in which it occurs. In one instance dignity
for the legal rights of individuals receiving occupational may be a higher priority than truth; in another prudence
therapy services. 111 addition, the occupational therarY may be chosen over freedom. A5 we process information
praeritioner must understand and abide by the local, and make decisions, the weight of the values that we hold
state, and federal laws governing professional practice. may change. The practitioner faces dilemmas because of
Dignity emphasizes the importance of valuing the values and is required to engage in thoughtful
inherent worth and uniqueness of each person. This val- deliberation to determine where the priority lies in a
ue is demonstrated by an attitude of empathy and res peer given situation.
for self and others. We believe that each individual is a The challenge for us all is to know our values, be able
unique combination uf biologic endowment, sociocul- to make reasoned choices in situations of conflict, and be
tural heritage, and life experiences. We view human be- able to clearly articulate and defend our choices. At the
ings holistically, respecting the unique interaction of the same time, it is imr0rtant that all members of the profes-
mind, body, and physical and social environment. We sion be committed to a set of common values. This mutu-
believe that dignity is nurtured and grows from the sense al commitment to a set of beliefs and principles that
of competence and self-worth that is integrally linked to govern our practice can provide a basis for clarifying ex-
the rerson's ability to perform valued and relevant activi- pectations between the recipient and the provider of ser-
ties. In occupational therapy we emphasize the impor- vices. Shared values empowers the profession and, in
tance of dignity by helping the individual build on his or addition, builds trust among ourselves and with Others . .&
her unique attributes and resources.
Truth requires that we be faithful to facts and reality. References
Truthfulness or veracity is demonstrated by being ac- American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (1986). Essen-
countable, honest, forthright, accurate, and authentic in tials oj College and University Education jor Proj'essional
our attitudes and actions. There is an obligation to be Nursing Final report. Washington, DC: Author.
truthful with ourselves, those who receive services, col- American Occupational Therapy Association. (1986, April).
Dictionwy deji'nition oj occupational therapy. Adopted and
leagues, and society. One way that this is exhibited is
approved by the Representative Assembly to fulfill Resolution
through maintaining and upgrading professional compe-
#596-83. (Available from AOTA, 1383 Piccard Drive, PO Box
tence. This happens, in part, through an unfaltering com- 1725, Rockville, MD 20849-1725.)
mitment to inquiry and learning, to self-understanding, American Occupational Therapy Association. (1988). Occu-
and to the developmem of an interpersonal competence. pational therapy code of ethics. Americanjoumat ojOccupa-
Prudence is the ability to govern and discipline one- tional Therapy, 42, 795-796.
American Occupational Therapy Association. (1991a). Es-
self through the use of reason To be prudent is to value
sentials and guidelines for an accredited educational rrogram
judiciousness, discretion, vigilance, moderation, care, for the occupational therapiSt. American journal oj' Occupa-
and circumspection in the management of one's affairs, lional Therapy, 45, 1077-1084.
to temper extremes, make judgmems, and respond on American Occupational ThCl'apy Association. (19910). Es-
the basis of intelligent and rational thought. sentials and guidelines for an accredited educational program
for the occupational therapy assistant. American journal of
Occupational Therapy, 45, 1085-1092.
Summary American Occupational Therapy Association. (1979). The
rhilosophical base of occurational therapy. Americanjoumal
Beliefs and values are those intrinsic concepts that under- qj' Occupational Tberapy, 33, 785.
lie the core of the profession and the professional interac-
tions of each practitioner. These values describe the pro-
Prepared by Elizabclh Kanny, ,\L\. OTR. for the Standard, and EthiCS
fession's philosophy and provide the basis for defining Commh,ion (Ruth A. Hansen, PhD, OTR. FAOT,\. Chairperwn).
rurrose. The emphasis or priority that is given to each Approved by the Representative Assembly June 1993.

1086 Decemher 1993, Volume 47, Number 12

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