Language, identity and representation: occupation and occupational therapy in acute settings.
OBJECTIVE
This article presents findings from a participatory action research study into the experience and use of occupation, theory and evidence in the everyday practice of a group of occupational therapists working in a large metropolitan hospital delivering a range of acute services, in Melbourne, Australia.


RESULTS
Narrative data gathered from 11 individual interviews and 10 group discussions were analysed through numerous iterative cycles to explore research issues and evaluate research actions. This article discusses why the participating occupational therapists chose to change the language they used to describe their practice from a focus on 'function' to a focus on 'occupation'. This change improved the therapists' levels of confidence, strengthened their professional identities and provided for a sense of renewed empowerment within the organisation.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that occupational therapists in acute settings can utilise language more effectively to augment their ability to promote the vital and unique contribution that occupational therapy has to make. Such small, yet powerful changes can empower occupational therapists to address long-standing dilemmas of representation and enable transformative practices.
Wilding
Clare
C
School of Community Health, Charles Sturt University, Albury, Australia. cwilding@csu.edu.au
Whiteford
Gail
G
D000328:Adult; D000739:Anecdotes as Topic; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014739:Victoria