‘This is the type of profession that is never boring’: Bariatric care researcher discusses impact, contributions of occupational therapy

Did you know that October is Occupational Therapy Month? 

Many people are still not sure what exactly occupational therapy is—is it kind of like physical therapy? Does it help people with their occupations? 

The truth is that occupational therapy is a diverse, exciting profession that allows health-care professionals to work in many various areas—schools, hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation and mental health facilities, academia and more.

Mary Forhan, chair and associate professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine provides some insight on just what occupational therapy is, the impact the profession has, and how and why she chose her career path.

What does occupational therapy mean to you?
Occupational therapy means an opportunity to work with a highly trained individual occupational therapist or a team of occupational therapists to find ways to engage in or re-engage in their life roles. These are life roles that are essential and personally meaningful to the individual. We can help by addressing factors within the person and the built or social environment that get in the way of people or communities reaching their full potential.

How does your research/work fit into the broader definition of OT?
The research I do focuses on reducing the disability experienced by persons living with obesity. My team and I do this by reducing weight bias and stigma in health-care professionals. We also assist with designing health-care spaces that are accessible for persons living in large bodies and influencing policies that restrict participation in life roles in areas like education, employment, health care and community.

What impact does/will your research/work have?
The research that I lead and am involved with has raised awareness about what occupational therapy is and how occupational therapists contribute to meeting the bariatric care needs of clients. Advocating for policy changes to address the factors that contribute to the disability individuals living with obesity experience is a big part of that. Over the past five years, occupational therapy perspectives and services have been included in the Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines and position statements about childhood and adult obesity published by the World Health Organization. They have also influenced the use of person-first language for change in the area of obesity by high impact organizations in Canada, the United States and, most recently, Europe.

What inspired you to pursue OT as a career?
I came across the occupational therapy program description when I was exploring options for a university education in the area of health sciences. I had never heard of occupational therapy until then. After reading the program description and learning more about what occupational therapists do I applied for the program and, fortunately, was accepted. I knew immediately that my interest in the human mind and body, and my values in the areas of social justice were a great fit. One of the best decisions I’ve made in the last 35 years!

What do you like most about working in OT?
This is the type of profession that is never boring, never stagnant. There are so many areas to work in and ways to contribute to individuals, communities, organizations and society. I love the diversity of options and the people I’ve had the privilege to work with and for.

What is something few people know about OT?
I find that very few people know about OT and what exactly it is. This is something I hope to have some influence on.