Background: Perspectives that individualize occupation are poorly aligned with socially responsive and transformative occupation-focused research, education, and practice. Their predominant use in occupational therapy risks the perpetuation, rather than resolution, of occupational inequities. Aim: In this paper, we problematize taken-for-granted individualistic analyses of occupation and illustrate how critical theoretical perspectives can reveal the ways in which structural factors beyond an individual’s immediate control and environment shape occupational possibilities and occupational engagement. Method: Using a critically reflexive approach, we draw on three distinct qualitative research studies to examine the potential of critical theorizing for expanding beyond a reliance on individualistic analyses and practices. Results: Our studies highlight the importance of addressing the socio-historical and political contexts of occupation and demonstrate the contribution of critical perspectives to socially responsive occupational therapy. Conclusion and significance: In expanding beyond individualistic analyses of occupation, critical perspectives advance research and practices towards addressing socio-political mediators of occupational engagement and equity.

Lack of access to healthcare services for people living in the Circumpolar North may have important consequences for their health and well-being, both in terms of the actual treatment and other possible health-related consequences intertwined with their life situation. The aim of the present study was to identify the specific challenges to healthcare service delivery and access for populations in the Circumpolar North that are addressed in contemporary literature. A scoping review of literature published between 2005 and 2016 was conducted and 43 articles were selected for inclusion into the review. The review findings address 4 main themes identified in the literature: (1) the influence of physical geography, (2) healthcare provider-related barriers, (3) the importance of culture and language and (4) the impact of systemic factors. The review of the literature enabled us to identify existing gaps in both health service access and issues discussed in the available literature, particularly for informing healthcare services in the Circumpolar North, as well as point towards opportunities for future research. The thematic findings drawn from interdisciplinary and international literature inform understandings of the impact of health system barriers on healthcare services and the opportunities for Northern residents to support their own health.

Both occupation and place are recognised as having reciprocal relationships to identity, in that each can be drawn upon to develop and convey who one is and in turn, engagement with both occupation and place are shaped by identity. When people migrate, however, their occupations and sense of place shift. It is therefore vital to consider the intersections of occupation, place and identity when studying migration from an occupational perspective. This article draws together Goffman's work related to the performative aspects of identity and Bourdieu's notion of habitus, to propose the idea of ‘doing identity’ in relation to place. It argues that this concept will enhance conceptualisation and study of the inter‐relationships between occupation, place and identity, and suggests research exploring how identity is situated by habitus and performed in social interaction through occupation.

This paper highlights and discusses key questions for the continued development of occupational science, contending that reflexivity and dialogue addressing these questions are essential to achieve complex understandings of occupation. The questions, which relate to disciplinary identity, the relation between science and practice, relevance, interdisciplinarity and internationalization, evolved from dialogue amongst the authors who collectively worked towards a shared vision for occupational science in the context of a doctoral course. This paper does not seek to build consensus around this vision, but rather identifies issues vital to consider as occupational science continues to evolve. Disciplinary culture is proposed to be a useful starting point for dialogue, as this encompasses the values, assumptions and beliefs that shape what we seek to know about occupation and how we seek to know. The paper also calls for further consideration of pluralism in relation to occupational science.

Reasons were sought for low-vision service nonuse in a group of Canadian seniors with self-reported low vision. Audio-recorded semistructured interviews were completed with 34 seniors with low vision: age range (70 to 94 years; mean: 82 years); 16 urban dwellers (12 women); 18 rural dwellers (14 women). Qualitative content analysis and template analytic techniques were applied to transcriptions. Informant nonuse of low-vision services involved: insufficient knowledge, managing for now, and practitioner behavior (inadequate rehabilitation education and management). Underlying seniors’ attitudes that shaped their self-presentation and service nonuse included a strong need for independence, a contextualization of vision loss relative to other losses, and an acceptance of vision loss in life. Service delivery strategies should consider not only knowledge access and healthcare practitioner behavior but also senior self-presentation strategies (e.g., viewing aids as counterproductive to independence). Subtle rural-urban attitudinal differences may further delay access for rural seniors; further research is advised.