Do occupational justice concepts inform occupational therapists' practice? A scoping review

Abstract

Background.: Occupational justice and related concepts can inform practices directed at injustice and the lack of rights in daily life. Brazilian ideas about social occupational therapy seem to be similar to these concepts about inequality.

Purpose.: This study aimed to answer the questions, "Do occupational justice concepts inform occupational therapists' professional actions?" and "How are occupational justice concepts connected to Brazilian ideas about social occupational therapy?"

Method.: A secondary analysis was undertaken of a scoping review using occupational justice and related concepts as keywords. Descriptive and categorical analyses were used to classify the extract data.

Findings.: We selected 42 articles that specify occupational therapy practices, classified as individual approaches (n = 13), individual-integrated-with-social approaches (n = 22), and social approaches (n = 7). It was found that occupational justice concepts have informed individual approaches and that the second and third approaches can be connected with social occupational therapy.

Implications.: Dialogue for sharing knowledge, concepts, and practices of occupational therapy worldwide can be inspired by this review.

Keywords: Droits sociaux; Ergothérapie; Ergothérapie sociale; Groupes vulnérables; Occupational therapy; Participation sociale; Social occupational therapy; Social participation; Social rights; Vulnerable populations.