Occupational therapists work in a huge variety of healthcare settings to help people who face everyday challenges due to psychological, physical or social disabilities. For example, they will assist Total Hip Replacement (THR) patients to regain and optimise their mobility and understand how to enter a car without putting too much strain on their new joint.
Treating a diverse range of children and adults of all ages, occupational therapists seek to understand each individual’s needs and lifestyle in order to devise appropriate treatment. They will work with patients whose difficulties have been present since birth, or the result of an accident, illness, ageing or lifestyle.
By devising individual treatment programmes, occupational therapists increase their clients’ ability to carry out activities or occupations independently, and with more confidence. Treatment programmes can vary greatly according to individual needs and may involve environmental modifications or special equipment. Occupational therapists review treatment periodically, evaluate progress and modify the treatment as appropriate. Typical work activities include
- Advise on wheel chairs, toilet seat modifications and other specialist equipment that simplifies or assists with typical daily activities
- Develop a rehabilitation programme to help re-build lost skills and restore lost confidence
- Advise on home and workplace environmental modifications, such as adaptations for wheelchair access
- Teach anxiety management techniques
- Assist people to return to work
- Coach people with learning difficulties or poor social skills, e.g. in handling money and social interaction
- Mentor people on how to control their own behaviour
- Liaise with a wide variety of other professionals, such as doctors, physiotherapists, social workers, equipment suppliers and architects, as well as patients’ families, carers and employers
- Write reports and attend multidisciplinary case meetings to plan and review ongoing treatment
- Organise support and rehabilitation groups for carers and clients
- Train students and supervise the work of occupational therapy assistants
- Manage a caseload, prioritising needs, and completing administrative tasks such as patient and budgetary records.
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