Introduction/Rationale: While implicitly woven into the OT through concepts like community mobility, travel is often overlooked as a distinct occupation. This neglects its unique challenges and opportunities for occupational performance. This poster explores travel's value as an occupation, examining its dynamic relationship with health management, social participation, and other performance areas. In our globalized society, travel is crucial for accessing healthcare, employment, social connections, and leisure.
Objectives: Attendees will be able to: 1) Articulate the interconnectedness of health management and other occupational performance areas during travel. 2) Describe practical strategies and resources to support clients in navigating diverse environments and engaging in meaningful occupations while traveling.
Methods/Approach: This poster synthesizes literature on health, disability, and travel, highlighting gaps in practice and the need for greater OT involvement. It explores occupations co-occurring with travel (e.g., medication management, sleep hygiene, social participation, leisure) and unique client needs, including accessibility and medical emergencies. A framework for creating client-centered travel plans will be presented.
Results/Practice Implications: Travel presents unique challenges, demanding increased cognitive flexibility, robust executive functioning, and resourcefulness. This poster offers practical strategies and resources to empower clients to maintain health routines and generalize skills across novel travel contexts. It emphasizes addressing health disparities and promoting safe, equitable, and inclusive travel.
Conclusion: Recognizing travel as a crucial context for occupational performance allows OTs to provide more comprehensive services. By incorporating travel considerations, OTs can empower clients to engage more fully in desired activities, broaden their horizons, and enhance quality of life. This poster encourages OTs to advocate for accessible travel and contribute to supportive resources.