Contextual factors in Occupational therapy
- OT aims of the KAWA model
The Kawa model is framework that is culturally relevant for
understanding and facilitating occupational performance and
participation, for clients from non-Western cultures. This model uses
the metaphor of a river to represent a person's life journey, with
various elements symbolizing different aspects of life, such as:
1. River Flow (Life Flow and Health): Represents the client’s life
flow and overall health.
2. River Banks (Environment): Symbolise the physical and social
contexts that shape and support the individual's life.
3. Rocks (Obstacles and Challenges): Represent life’s challenges
and difficulties that hinder the flow of the river.
4. Driftwood (Personal Attributes and Resources): Includes the
individual's personal attributes, skills, values, and resources,
which can either help navigate the river or create additional
obstacles.
Critique
The main goals fo this model are:
• Holistic Understanding: To help occupational therapists gain a
comprehensive and culturally sensitive understanding of a
client's life circumstances, including their environment, personal
strengths, challenges, and overall life flow.
• Person-centered Practice: Facilitates a person-centered
approach where the client's own perception of their life and
well-being is central to the therapy.
• Cultural Relevance: Provides a framework that is adaptable to
different cultural contexts, allowing for a more inclusive practice
that respects and integrates the client's cultural background and
experiences.
• Collaboration: To encourage collaboration between the
occupational therapist (OT), and the client in identifying barriers
and enablers to the client’s occupational performance and
participation, promoting mutual goal setting and problem-
solving.
By using the Kawa model, occupational therapists can better support
clients in enhancing their life flow and overcoming barriers, leading to
, improved participation in meaningful activities and overall quality of
life.
- Contextual factors
Virtual contexts
Virtual contextual factors significantly impact occupational
performance in mental health by influencing how Rofique interacts
with didgtal environment and to facilitate communication with friends
and family. Lack of access can limit opportunities for virtual
engagement, particularly with therapy sessions, continuing his
education and keeping in touch with his dad. Low digital literacy can be
a barrier to effective virtual participation.
Clinical reasosning
o OT can recommend appropriate, user-friendly,
communication tools or devices such as video call and
messaging apps to access telehealth services, as well as
virtual social network to reduce isolation, and enable him
communicate with his father. Signposting for training and
support for digital literacy skills acquisition to perform
tasks and improve occupational performance. This will
increase his ability to maintain social connections and
support systems. Prolonged virtual interaction can lead to
digital fatigue, affecting mental health and occupational
performance, so OT can advice on the importance of
balancing virtual and offline activities.
Implication on practice – Choose one/two from each factor.
o Quality of Information: Access to accurate, evidence-based
mental health information and resources online can
support self-care and informed decision-making.
o Online Support Groups: Participation in online support
groups and forums can provide valuable peer support and
shared experiences, enhancing mental health and
occupational performance.
o Digital Collaboration Tools: Effective use of digital
collaboration tools (project management software, shared
documents) facilitates teamwork and task completion.
- OT aims of the KAWA model
The Kawa model is framework that is culturally relevant for
understanding and facilitating occupational performance and
participation, for clients from non-Western cultures. This model uses
the metaphor of a river to represent a person's life journey, with
various elements symbolizing different aspects of life, such as:
1. River Flow (Life Flow and Health): Represents the client’s life
flow and overall health.
2. River Banks (Environment): Symbolise the physical and social
contexts that shape and support the individual's life.
3. Rocks (Obstacles and Challenges): Represent life’s challenges
and difficulties that hinder the flow of the river.
4. Driftwood (Personal Attributes and Resources): Includes the
individual's personal attributes, skills, values, and resources,
which can either help navigate the river or create additional
obstacles.
Critique
The main goals fo this model are:
• Holistic Understanding: To help occupational therapists gain a
comprehensive and culturally sensitive understanding of a
client's life circumstances, including their environment, personal
strengths, challenges, and overall life flow.
• Person-centered Practice: Facilitates a person-centered
approach where the client's own perception of their life and
well-being is central to the therapy.
• Cultural Relevance: Provides a framework that is adaptable to
different cultural contexts, allowing for a more inclusive practice
that respects and integrates the client's cultural background and
experiences.
• Collaboration: To encourage collaboration between the
occupational therapist (OT), and the client in identifying barriers
and enablers to the client’s occupational performance and
participation, promoting mutual goal setting and problem-
solving.
By using the Kawa model, occupational therapists can better support
clients in enhancing their life flow and overcoming barriers, leading to
, improved participation in meaningful activities and overall quality of
life.
- Contextual factors
Virtual contexts
Virtual contextual factors significantly impact occupational
performance in mental health by influencing how Rofique interacts
with didgtal environment and to facilitate communication with friends
and family. Lack of access can limit opportunities for virtual
engagement, particularly with therapy sessions, continuing his
education and keeping in touch with his dad. Low digital literacy can be
a barrier to effective virtual participation.
Clinical reasosning
o OT can recommend appropriate, user-friendly,
communication tools or devices such as video call and
messaging apps to access telehealth services, as well as
virtual social network to reduce isolation, and enable him
communicate with his father. Signposting for training and
support for digital literacy skills acquisition to perform
tasks and improve occupational performance. This will
increase his ability to maintain social connections and
support systems. Prolonged virtual interaction can lead to
digital fatigue, affecting mental health and occupational
performance, so OT can advice on the importance of
balancing virtual and offline activities.
Implication on practice – Choose one/two from each factor.
o Quality of Information: Access to accurate, evidence-based
mental health information and resources online can
support self-care and informed decision-making.
o Online Support Groups: Participation in online support
groups and forums can provide valuable peer support and
shared experiences, enhancing mental health and
occupational performance.
o Digital Collaboration Tools: Effective use of digital
collaboration tools (project management software, shared
documents) facilitates teamwork and task completion.
