Occupational Science and Therapy Practice

Occupational science is the systematic investigation of human engagement in meaningful activity, examining how occupations—understood as culturally and personally significant tasks—shape health, identity and participation. Occupational therapy applies these insights in clinical and community settings to promote functional independence and wellbeing across the lifespan. Research in this field spans conceptual analyses of occupational identity and justice, the influence of social and physical environments on participation, pedagogical approaches to professional formation and the design of interventions that address structural barriers to engagement. Emphasis on holistic, client-centred practice has evolved to encompass social determinants of health, equitable access to occupations and advocacy for policy change. Interdisciplinary collaboration with psychology, sociology, public health and rehabilitation sciences continues to refine theoretical models and evidence-based practices, ensuring that interventions are tailored to diverse populations and contexts. Globally, this research underpins programmes that enhance quality of life, support inclusion and inform workforce education, demonstrating the practical impact of occupational science on health systems and community resilience.

Research from Nature Portfolio

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Occupational Science and Therapy Practice publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in occupational science and therapy practice across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Occupation: A culturally and personally meaningful activity or task in which individuals engage.

Occupational engagement: The active involvement in occupations that contribute to health and wellbeing.

Occupational science: The interdisciplinary study of occupation and its relationship to human behaviour and health.

Professional identity: An individual’s internalised sense of self as a member of the occupational therapy profession.

Role-emerging setting: A practice environment where occupational therapy services are not already established, requiring initiation of new roles.

References

1. Analysis of Occupational Therapy Students’ Pedagogical Practices for the Forging of Professional Identity and Development of Professional Intelligence: A Scoping Review. Journal of Intelligence (2023).
2. Occupational therapy students' perceptions of their experience in a role-emerging Level II fieldwork within higher education student services. BMC Medical Education (2024).
3. The Conceptual Analysis of Collaboration in the Occupational Therapy by Combining the Scoping Review Methodology. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2023).