| Abstract: | The aims of this paper are first, to differentiate between education and training, emphasizing the importance of the former in the professional education of occupational therapists; and second, to outline some of the possible threats to professional autonomy. A focus on training may result in a level of education that cannot sustain professional autonomy. However, the establishment of proscribed and detailed, nationally controlled educational standards may also limit a profession. The latter may occur when cost‐containment is a major societal concern, focusing educational standards on training and measurable outcomes of professional practice. Copyright © 2000 Whurr Publishers Ltd. |
