occupational performance
The ability of an individual to choose, organize, and perform meaningful activities of daily life, including self-care, productivity, and leisure.
Full Definition
Occupational performance is a core concept in occupational therapy within rehabilitation, referring to the dynamic interaction between a person, their occupation (meaningful activities), and the environment in which those activities take place. It encompasses self-care (e.g., dressing, grooming), productivity (e.g., work, education), and leisure occupations. Assessment tools such as the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) are designed to capture patient-reported change in occupational performance over the course of rehabilitation. Editors should note that 'occupation' in this context does not mean employment alone; it is a broader term encompassing all purposeful human activity. The phrase is not hyphenated.
Usage
Usage note: Remind editors that 'occupation' in OT literature encompasses all meaningful human activity, not only paid employment. Do not substitute 'occupational performance' with 'ADL' as ADL is a subset.
In Context
- "The COPM was administered to identify the patient's priorities for improving occupational performance post-stroke." — Occupational therapy initial assessment
- "Gains in occupational performance were documented across self-care, domestic tasks, and community participation domains." — Inpatient rehabilitation progress report