Leaders & Key Organizations
Who led AOTA during the Great Depression (1930-1938)?
Dr. Joseph C. Doane
What major economic event led to unemployment, hospital budget cuts, and reduced OT services?
The Great Depression
Name one major change made to OT education in the 1930 Minimum Standards revision.
- Program length increased from 12 to 18 months
-9 months of classroom instruction
-9 months of supervised hospital training
-required 165 hours of coursework plus 1,000 hours of occupational training
What were the two largest OT practice areas during the 1930s?
Mental Health and Tuberculosis care
What organization partnered with AOTA to develop the "Essentials of an Acceptable School of Occupational Therapy" in 1935?
Roosevelt's New Deal legislation created federal budget cuts through what act?
National Economy Act of 1933
What publication listed the names, training schools, and experience of occupational therapists? What year was it released?
The National Directory, first released in 1932.
Name one medical condition commonly treated by occupational therapists during the 1930s.
-Cerebral Palsy
- Poliomyelitis
- cardiac conditions
- industrial injuries
- chronic illness
What was the name of the community organization that supported occupational therapy in the 1930s, and how did it contribute to the profession?
The Junior League — it helped fund OT programs, trained volunteers, and created networking and educational opportunities for occupational therapists.
How did the outbreak of war in Europe in 1939 create new opportunities for occupational therapists?
It increased the future need for rehabilitation services for injured military personnel during World War II.
Why was the National Register created?
How did OT practice change during the 1930s compared to its earlier focus?
OT expanded beyond primarily mental health settings to include pediatrics, orthopedics, and chronic medical conditions.