Postmodernism and beyond in occupational therapy

Throughout its history, occupational therapy has been shaped by ideologies characterising the cultures in which it has been practised. The profession has evolved during successive periods of modernist and postmodernist thought and has been influenced substantially by both perspectives. Like all eras, postmodernism will eventually exhaust its influence and occupational therapy will be reformed by a new approaching age. This study describes the current influence of postmodernism on the profession and considers a future beyond the postmodern era that embraces both reductionist and occupation‐focused approaches to practice, as well as the area in between.