This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the role and work of the occupational therapist with regard to physical illness or disability. The text links OT theory with day-to-day practice. It presents OT as the application of a sound knowledge base of researched theory and clinical skills to individual patient needs. Structured to meet the needs of today's degree level student, it is also a very practical reference for the qualified OT. The book has been written in three parts: parts 1 and 2 provide a sound theoretical grounding which can then be drawn on when the need to address clinical problems is presented in part 3. The new edition has drawn on the comments of users of the second edition, and modified the structure and content of the book accordingly. Each part of the book is now introduced by one of the editors, summarising briefly the contents and relating it to the other parts of the book. The academic level has been closely monitored to make sure it is relevant to the needs of today's degree level students.Every effort has also been made to keep the chapter contributions as uniform in approach and as easy to read and learn from as possible. The terminology used in the book is reflected in Churchill Livingstone's other important occupational therapy texts. This will help students enormously when relating different ideas to their wider reading. More references and further reading are given in response to the requirements on today's OT students to read around the subject and to undertake research projects. Features: * written by highly respected teachers and practitioners of OT to an academic standard that is appropriate for degree level students * builds on the reviews and comments from the first edition to improve on structure and content, whilst offering improved reading lists and references * offers expansion on discussion of, and application of, OT theory base to daily OT practice * part 3 has 4 sections, each with an introductory chapter to help set what follows into context for the student