title: Occupational therapists as contributors to health promotion. Previously published in Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy 2014; 21: 82-89.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was undertaken to explore the views of occupational therapists concerning their competences in health promotion, and their perceptions of how they apply these competences in their daily work. The study also elicited their views on the contributions that occupational therapists could make to health promotion if given the opportunity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected in five focus-group discussions with 24 occupational therapists. These discussions were tape recorded and transcribed verbatim; data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The main findings are that the informants took an individualized salutogenic approach in their work and rarely engaged in health promotion on a systemic or societal level. They believed that their patients and collaborating partners, as well as public officials, remained unaware of their competences in health promotion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this study could enrich the discussion among occupational therapists on how they could make a more significant contribution to health promotion on a broader level.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Therapy Programme, Oslo University College , Norway.
authors.forename: Vigdis
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Holmberg
authors.forename: Karin C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Ringsberg
keywords: focus groups; occupational therapy; professional competence; qualitative content analysis; salutogenesis