I believe that I am a well-qualified candidate for a position within the field of occupational therapy predicated upon several interests in my life that have held imperative value: a strong awareness of how the body and mind tie together to comprise the human experience, a desire to utilize patient-centered care while promoting independence for individuals across the lifespan, and a drive to engage in scientific inquiry through research.
What initially influenced my decision to pursue a career in occupational therapy was the notion that treatment within this profession is holistic; essentially, it encompasses the mind and body whilst so many other health professions fail to do so. Occupational therapy practitioners ensure adequate therapeutic outcomes for their patients by naturally and artistically integrating all aspects of the human experience. Consequentially, the importance of this holistic approach struck me the most while studying human anatomy within a cadaver laboratory. This was a course in which I was engrossed in learning the intricate structures of every bone, muscle, and organ. Notwithstanding the rigors of the course itself, the most inspiring experience it offered me was the opportunity to hold a human brain in my hands for the first time. At that moment, I was able to tangibly appreciate this intricate piece of anatomy that I had learnt so much about within my social science classes. However, the brain was so much more than just pristine matter - it was the human experience at my fingertips; it contained that particular person’s memories of their children or spouse, and it was the processing center behind that person’s sensory perception of the world. With such a strong background within the field of psychology, I was able to combine my knowledge of cognition, neuroscience, and human behavior in order to further refine my anatomical reference skills. Furthermore, this course offered me a unique perspective on the mind-body connection that I had not been previously exposed to, and I am determined to apply this knowledge within my work as a well-rounded and compassionate therapist. I highly value the biopsychosocial model as a guideline for treatment within occupation-based practice, and I have found that patient-centered care embodies the all-inclusive philosophy of this model. Consequently, I was able ignite a passion for patient-centered care within my work as a resident aide for elders with Alzheimer’s Disease at Covenant Village of the Great lakes. This was an exceptional experience in which I had the opportunity to examine how this disease impacts both psychological and behavioral functioning; nonetheless, I was able to facilitate skill development and independence for residents through the use of purposeful activity. For instance, I assisted residents with memory games in order to preserve their cognitive skills, thus allowing for enhanced social interaction with their family members. My involvement as a resident aide significantly improved my interpersonal skills while inevitably shaping my understanding of the fundamentals of patient-centered care. It was this experience in particular that inspired me to pursue a minor in aging and adult life, in which I have been able to develop my knowledge of the biological and psychosocial effects of aging throughout the human life cycle. My long-term goal as an occupational therapist is to serve as an advocate for patient-centered care, which will be especially necessary for the growing geriatric population and their increased need for medical services in the future. Furthermore, I have been motivated to learn about the process of scientific inquiry in preparation for a Graduate-level program. With this motivation in mind, I pursued several opportunities to engage in psychological research. As a research assistant, I …show more content…
“This profession is a beautiful blend of art and science,” she professed. This quote is an intelligible, exemplary definition of occupational therapy; moreover, it completely embodies the reason why I chose to pursue this career. While taking into account my passions for creativity, psychological theory, and the human body, occupational science illustrates a perfect combination of my most valued interests. I am in pursuit of a program that aligns with my morals and goals, as well as facilitates my growth as a scholar and patient advocate. The next step in achieving my immediate goal of obtaining a degree in occupational therapy is to fully immerse myself within graduate study, enabling mastery of the profession that motivates and inspires me day after
What initially influenced my decision to pursue a career in occupational therapy was the notion that treatment within this profession is holistic; essentially, it encompasses the mind and body whilst so many other health professions fail to do so. Occupational therapy practitioners ensure adequate therapeutic outcomes for their patients by naturally and artistically integrating all aspects of the human experience. Consequentially, the importance of this holistic approach struck me the most while studying human anatomy within a cadaver laboratory. This was a course in which I was engrossed in learning the intricate structures of every bone, muscle, and organ. Notwithstanding the rigors of the course itself, the most inspiring experience it offered me was the opportunity to hold a human brain in my hands for the first time. At that moment, I was able to tangibly appreciate this intricate piece of anatomy that I had learnt so much about within my social science classes. However, the brain was so much more than just pristine matter - it was the human experience at my fingertips; it contained that particular person’s memories of their children or spouse, and it was the processing center behind that person’s sensory perception of the world. With such a strong background within the field of psychology, I was able to combine my knowledge of cognition, neuroscience, and human behavior in order to further refine my anatomical reference skills. Furthermore, this course offered me a unique perspective on the mind-body connection that I had not been previously exposed to, and I am determined to apply this knowledge within my work as a well-rounded and compassionate therapist. I highly value the biopsychosocial model as a guideline for treatment within occupation-based practice, and I have found that patient-centered care embodies the all-inclusive philosophy of this model. Consequently, I was able ignite a passion for patient-centered care within my work as a resident aide for elders with Alzheimer’s Disease at Covenant Village of the Great lakes. This was an exceptional experience in which I had the opportunity to examine how this disease impacts both psychological and behavioral functioning; nonetheless, I was able to facilitate skill development and independence for residents through the use of purposeful activity. For instance, I assisted residents with memory games in order to preserve their cognitive skills, thus allowing for enhanced social interaction with their family members. My involvement as a resident aide significantly improved my interpersonal skills while inevitably shaping my understanding of the fundamentals of patient-centered care. It was this experience in particular that inspired me to pursue a minor in aging and adult life, in which I have been able to develop my knowledge of the biological and psychosocial effects of aging throughout the human life cycle. My long-term goal as an occupational therapist is to serve as an advocate for patient-centered care, which will be especially necessary for the growing geriatric population and their increased need for medical services in the future. Furthermore, I have been motivated to learn about the process of scientific inquiry in preparation for a Graduate-level program. With this motivation in mind, I pursued several opportunities to engage in psychological research. As a research assistant, I …show more content…
“This profession is a beautiful blend of art and science,” she professed. This quote is an intelligible, exemplary definition of occupational therapy; moreover, it completely embodies the reason why I chose to pursue this career. While taking into account my passions for creativity, psychological theory, and the human body, occupational science illustrates a perfect combination of my most valued interests. I am in pursuit of a program that aligns with my morals and goals, as well as facilitates my growth as a scholar and patient advocate. The next step in achieving my immediate goal of obtaining a degree in occupational therapy is to fully immerse myself within graduate study, enabling mastery of the profession that motivates and inspires me day after