Exploring concerning the Virtue of Occupational Therapist as Profession

Abstract

  The purpose of this study was to clarify the virtues of an occupational therapist. It is important for occupational therapists to build and continue relationships with clients.

  The author performed a focus group interview at the conference room of a university with author’s office in the beginning of November 2016. Two male and two female occupational therapists, with experience as clinical educators, participated in this focus group interview and held the discussion for approximately 60 minutes. The theme of the interview was “What virtues should occupational therapists have?” The author acted as the moderator for the focus group interview. The author analyzed the recorded interview using qualitative content analysis.

  The author extracted 14 cords from the voice record of the interview. Next, the author extracted 5 subcategories from the cords. Finally, the author extracted 2 categories from the subcategories. One category was one’s own normative attitude as a professional. The other category was building and deepening relationships with clients.

  The author considered that one’s own normative attitude as a professional requires reflection for clinical practice, and building and deepening relationships with clients requires the element of caring.