title: The growth of the profession of occupational therapy.
abstract: Occupational therapy is a frequently unknown and misunderstood profession. However, occupational therapy practitioners have a rich history in the US Army, from the inception of the profession to current challenges. The article is a chronicle of historical highlights of occupational therapy which discusses how this history is harmonious with that of occupational therapy in the US Army. In researching this topic, several concepts emerged: (1) occupational therapy grew from a belief that people need occupation, or activity, to remain healthy; (2) people learn the best through purposeful activity; (3) the number of occupational therapists in the US Army decreases during peacetime, but in time of war the benefit of this profession is recognized and its numbers increase; (4) although models of health care change, the primary focus of occupational therapy remains constant; and (5) there is a direct correlation between the philosophy of occupational therapy and the philosophy of treating Soldiers with combat stress reactions, a "go-to-war" mission of Army occupational therapy practitioners. As such, the management of these Soldiers is enhanced by the unique skills offered by this profession.
authors.affiliation: 85th Medical Detachment, Combat Stress Control, Fort Hood, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Newton
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000266:history* / Q000639:trends; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000266:history* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000266:history* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D024382:Professional Role; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000517:prevention & control; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy*; D014481:United States; D014857:Warfare