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Research Article  |   July 1994
Dreams, Dilemmas, and Decisions for Occupational Therapy Practice in a New Millennium: An American Perspective
Elizabeth J. Yerxa
Author Affiliations
  • Elizabeth J. Yerxa, EdD, LHD (Hon.), OTR, FAOTA, is Distinguished Professor Emerita, University of Southern California, Route 1, 196 Columbine, Bishop, California 93514. This paper was presented at a plenary session of the 73rd Annual Conference of the American Occupational Therapy Association, June 1993, Seattle, Washington
Article Information
Health and Wellness / Special Issue on CAN/AM 1994 – The Joint Annual Conference of AOTA and CAOT
Research Article   |   July 1994
Dreams, Dilemmas, and Decisions for Occupational Therapy Practice in a New Millennium: An American Perspective
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, July 1994, Vol. 48, 586-589. doi:10.5014/ajot.48.7.586
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, July 1994, Vol. 48, 586-589. doi:10.5014/ajot.48.7.586
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Abstract

This article presents the assumption that the 21st century will have characteristics that are important to occupational therapists and the persons they serve. These characteristics include increases in chronicity, knowledge of human purpose, complexity of living, emphasis on personal power, awareness of demands from the environments where persons live and work, and a new conceptualization of health as persons’ capacities to achieve goals through a repertoire of skills. The 21st century can lead into the millennium of occupation because occupational therapists can help persons become their own agents of competency, remove social barriers to their self-definition, and thrive in their environments.