11005025 OT6054 MSc Occupational Therapy (Professional Qualification) (OT 6054) Student number: 11005025 Occupational Therapy Project 4. Module Leader: Dr Judi Pettigrew Word count: 4987 nd 22 April 2013 0 11005025 OT6054 To construct a timeline of significant events in Dr. Eamonn O’Sullivan’s life time, particularly relevant to Occupational Therapy practice. Author: Ciara Faughnan and Dr. Katie Robinson Abstract Background: Documenting history in health care practice such as occupational therapy has become increasingly important to highlight the philosophical foundations of the profession. Much is known about pioneering occupational therapists in other countries; however the contribution of Dr. Eamonn O’Sullivan (1897-1966) to date has been completely unrecognised. Dr. O’Sullivan was one of the philosophical founders of modern occupational therapy in Ireland and worldwide publishing the first known occupational therapy book of its kind in Europe, ‘Textbook of Occupational Therapy with Chief Reference to Psychological Medicine’ in 1955. Objective: To construct timeline and narrative account of Dr. O’Sullivan’s lifetime with particular emphasis on significant events, relevant to occupational therapy describing practice and development during the twentieth century. Methods: Historical research of inquiry relevant to Dr. O’Sullivan using primary sources of; personal biographical transcripts, records of events, photographs and secondary data sources of; newspaper articles, published books, and internet searches. Results: Comprehensive biographical account of Dr. O’Sullivan was obtained from data sources. Dr. O’Sullivan is widely acknowledged for his contribution to Gaelic Athletic Association. This research emphasises his contribution to psychiatry, mental health practice and his involvement in the evolution of occupational therapy practice during his 37 years working at Killarney Mental Hospital. Conclusion: Evidence based research has highlighted the importance and value of occupational therapy. A comprehensive and detailed biographical account of Dr. O’Sullivan and key events are presented in chronological order. The analysis presented explores influences on Dr. O’Sullivan and details his contribution to occupational therapy. 1 11005025 OT6054 Introduction Dr. Eamonn O’Sullivan (1897-1966), one of the philosophical founders of modern occupational therapy in Ireland and worldwide, was a psychiatrist, visionary, practitioner, pioneer and a ‘man before his time’ (Fogarty 2007). Dr. O’Sullivan is well known for his contribution to Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) when he trained the Kerry team to win eight All-Ireland championships. He is less well known as a founder of occupational therapy in Ireland. During his 37 years working at Killarney Mental Hospital, Dr. O’Sullivan made a vast contribution to the treatment of those with mental illness through his development of psychiatry and occupational therapy. His achievements are astounding when considered against the economic challenges, negative attitudes and the lack of supports available to the treatment towards the mentally ill. Literature Review Why history is important. “The roots of occupational therapy lie deep in the soil of political, social, and artistic ideals prominent at the turn of the 20th century” (Friedland 2003, p.211). In 1981 Bing highlighted that occupational therapy had neglected to document its history (Bing 1981). Since then numerous occupational therapists have made significant contributions to researching the evolution of occupational therapy internationally (Reitz 1992; Yerxa 1992; Frank 1992; Mayers 2000; Wilcock 2001; Hocking 2007; Sedwick et al 2007; Friedland 2007; Molke 2009). History is a valuable tool in occupational therapy which enables the profession to develop and offers critical perspectives on current practice (Schwartz and Colman 1988; Lusk 1997; Canadian Nurses Association 2007). Occupational therapy is a unique health profession due to the fact that philosophy came first; therefore the profession was founded on sound theoretical underpinnings (Dunton 1919; Meyer 1977; O’ Sullivan 1955). Although founded on the premise that occupation is central to health in the mid Twentieth Century occupational therapy became increasingly reductionist due, in part, to alignment with the medical model (Reilly 1962; Yerxa 1992). This led to a theoretical crisis within the profession and prompted the development of occupational science and a refocusing on the founding principles to the profession (Clark et al 1990; Yerxa 1990; Clark 1993; Molineux 2004). Identity crises of the profession and a struggle to communicate the core concepts of occupational therapy have been reported for decades (Wilcock 2001; Molke 2009). Documenting and analysing occupational therapy history allows critique and scrutiny of the professional philosophy (Reilly 1962) and 2 11005025 OT6054 connects us to the original principles and concepts that inspired the inception of occupational therapy (Sedgwick et al 2007; Schwartz and Colman 1988). History of Occupational Therapy Occupational therapy is based on philosophical foundations built over many decades by those dedicated to the profession including founders and pioneers (Sedgwick 2007; Hocking 2007). Treatment of the mentally ill transformed as a result of the ‘Moral Treatment’, ‘Arts and Crafts movement’, and later ‘Mental Treatment Act 1821 (Bing 1981; Levine 1987). The term ‘occupational therapy’ was first used during the early 20th century in New York by a disabled architect named George Barton (Bing 1981). The National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy (NSPOT) now known as the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) was founded by six individuals from multiple disciplines in 1917 (Peloquin 1991). The six founders included; William Rush Dunton, George Edward Barton, Eleanor Clarke Slagle, Susan Cox Johnson, Isabell G. Newton and Thomas Bessell Kidner, all of whom continued to contribute to the development of the profession (Peloquin 1990; Peloquin 1991; Meyers 2000; Schwartz 2003) through their belief that engaging in occupation could affect the health and well being of individuals (Harvey-Krefting 1985; Schwartz 2003). Role of psychiatrists The importance of occupation for mental health was a strong theme in the conceptual and practical development of the profession (Harvey-Krefting 1985; Yerxa 1998; Reitz 1992; Ion and Beer 2003). The foundation of the profession was influenced by a number of key psychiatrists working within institutions who pioneered the use of therapeutic occupation (Ion and Beer 2003). Dr. William Rush Dunton Jr. (1868-1966), an American psychiatrist, used occupation therapeutically with his patients and advocated at large for occupation as a means of treatment for the sick through his academic publications including; "Reconstruction Therapy (1917)", and "Prescribing Occupational Therapy," (1928). “Occupational therapy serves many purposes, such as keeping the mind occupied, awakening new interests, directing the patients from delusions and hallucinations (Dunton lecture notes 1911, p.193 cited in Schwartz 2003). Another notable psychiatrist who was influential in the development of occupational therapy was Adolph Meyer (1866-1950), a psychiatric professor at John Hopkins University. Meyer mentored Dunton and Slagle. Meyer contributed to an understanding of treatment of mental problems that were concerned with time use and work “habit-deterioration of the mentally ill through systematic engagement of interest, and concern about the actual use of time and work” (Meyer 1977, p4.) 3 11005025 OT6054 Meyer was the first to use therapeutic occupations with group and argued Occupational Therapy was not a prescription but rather opportunities (Schwartz, 2003). Psychiatry in Ireland / Asylums In 1840 there were eleven asylums in Ireland (Finnane 1981; Grimsley-Smith 2011 Walsh and Daly 2004). Conditions of public asylums were reported to be appalling. The Lunacy Act 1821 and subsequent Irish Office of Lunacy (1846) and Dangerous Lunatics Act (1838) led to involuntary admission and the construction of a new wave of institutions in the mid C19 (Robins 1986; Kelly 2008; Prior 2012). The Great Irish Famine (1845-1849) led to increased numbers entering asylums, by 1958 there were in the region of 21,000 Irish people residing in asylums (Walsh and Daly 2004; Prior 2012). Those deemed to be mentally ill otherwise labelled as insane, lunatics, idiots, epileptics or mad went under minor judgement procedures to verify insanity (Grimsley-Smith 2011). During this time psychiatry was non-existent as medical practice, it wasn’t until 1885 when there was a serious shift in treatment for mental illness. The Killarney Mental Hospital presently known as St. Finan’s Hospital opened its doors in 1852 on 30 acres in Killarney, Kerry (Dwyer 2002). Dr. Eamonn O’ Sullivan In 1925 Dr. Eamonn O’Sullivan became assistant Medical Officer at Killarney Mental Hospital where he transformed psychiatry and the treatment methods used (Fogarty 2007). Dr. O’Sullivan trained the Kerry senior football team from 1925-1962 winning eight of nine All-Ireland Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) games. He was immensely involved in various leisure activities and sport committees. Dr. O’Sullivan was a pioneering occupational therapist developing an occupational therapy unit in Killarney Mental Hospital in 1938 after visits to other European Hospitals (Fogarty 2007; Dwyer 2002). In his retirement Dr. O’Sullivan wrote (1935-55) and