INFLUENCE OF THE US MILITARY AND OCCUPATIONAL-THERAPY RECONSTRUCTION AIDES IN WORLD-WAR-I ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL-THERAPY

The development of occupational therapy was heavily influenced by an e arly evolved relationship between orthopedists and reconstruction aide s during the first World War. Orthopedists were largely responsible fo r both the presence of occupational therapy ii the uni and the eventua l acceptance (by army personnel) of women fulfilling this military fun ction. As a result of gender issues of that time-characterized by a de arth of employment opportunities for women and by a general resistance to women in military roles-this affiliation with orthopedists in Worl d War I served to promote occupational therapy within the military env ironment. This affiliation also marked an early willingness by occupat ional therapists to accept the medical model as one guide for clinical practice.