The Occupational Therapy Student Guide to Understanding Identity

What every occupational therapy student needs to know about diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.

Critical consciousness and empathy are at the heart of effective healthcare, but how can this be applied in practice? This essential resource answers that question, guiding OT students on key concepts within DEI. Stepping beyond theory, learn how key concepts can be applied via enlightening case studies, reflective exercises and practical tools.

This innovative, hands-on guide explores the essential role of diversity and inclusion in occupational therapy education and practice. The book centres on the contrasting experiences and challenges faced by two occupational therapy students, Allie and Gemma, highlighting the systemic inequalities often faced by marginalised groups in healthcare education. Through their journeys, readers are able to learn about and integrate key concepts such as cultural humility, implicit bias, and allyship within wider occupational therapy education.

Through detailed case studies, reflective exercises, and theoretical frameworks, students, educators, and practitioners are equipped with the tools needed to apply the empathy and critical consciousness that is fundamental to ethical and effective healthcare practice.

The guide is also supplemented with reflective activities, which includes role-playing scenarios, debate exercises, and action-oriented tasks, transforming theoretical concepts into practical tools for professional growth.