Application of KAWA Model to Client

Application of KAWA Model to Client

by: Samantha Mack & Christopher Yang

Clinical Implications

• The KAWA model is very useful for occupational therapists because this model stresses the importance of recognizing that a diagnosis and condition may not change but that the person can change in response and that will lead to a more fulfilling life.

References

American Occupational Therapy Association. (2008). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process (2nd ed.). Am Jrl of Occu Ther 62, 625–683.

Iwami, M (2006). The Kawa Model: Culturally Relevant Occupational Therapy. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, Philadelphia PA

Whitney, R. (2012). Translating the kawa model for families raising children with disabilities. TodayinOT.com, Retrieved from http://ce.todayinot.com/course/ot16/cultural-perspective/

Discussion

• The right issues were solved because these were the main issues that the client mentioned impeded his daily routine.
• The KAWA model emphasizes that disability isn't something that needs to be cured, but rather acknowledged and incorporated into the client's daily life.

Ryuboku (Driftwood)

Interventions

• Represents the subject's personal attributes and resources, such as values, character, personality and other traits that can both either positively or negatively influence the person's life flow.

Virtual Chess

Bathroom Hook

Bathroom Cart

Pen with built up handle

Notepad

Torimaki (River wall and bottom)

• These represent the client's environment and are the most important factors in determining social and physical contexts.
• For example: friends, family, and peers characteristics of river walls and bottoms.

Iwa (Rocks)

Personalized KAWA Model

• Rocks represent obstacles or negative issues to one's life.
• Rocks include physical, mental and other disorders.
• More rocks may obstruct ones life flow.

Lives alone

Senior living

Skilled gardener & golfer

Learning Objectives

RA

Family

Honesty and professionalism

OA

Background

• To provide a contextual intervention for the client.
• By modifying the context and environment, it will be easier for the client to engage in meaningful activities and activities of daily living.
• The interventions aim to address at least 2 of the 6 contexts listed in the OTPF: cultural, personal, physical, social, temporal and virtual.

Mizu (water)

Rocks

• The river symbolizes life force and according to the KAWA model, an optimal state of well being is represented by a strong, unobstructed flow.

Chronic Pain

COPD

• The KAWA model is an innovative conceptual model of practice for occupational therapists that uses the metaphor of a river to describe a person.
• The river represents the life force and essence of the person.
• Rocks (Life circumstances), walls and bottoms (environment), driftwood (assets and liabilities) are all interconnected themes in KAWA.