Occupational therapists work in a variety of specialities and locations:
Stroke / neurology - helping people who have had a stroke to regain movement and live independently. They address the physical, cognitive and psychological challenges brought on by stroke. They work with inpatients and outpatients.
Medical - helping with the assessment and treatment of physical challenges brought on by a medical condition. They work both in the hospital and in patients’ own homes.
Frailty - helping older people to continue doing the daily activities that are important to them.
Dementia - providing effective rehabilitation for patients with dementia. This includes memory services to minimise problems with remembering and improving their environment to compensate for impaired memory, learning and reasoning skills. Therapists can provide help and training in undertaking daily living activities such as dressing, bathing and eating. They may also give advice to carers on how to support someone living with dementia.
Orthopaedics - providing assessment and education for patients before coming in for joint replacement surgery. They see these patients and others who have had fractures, once they are in hospital and assess them in all their activities of daily living. They then teach them new ways of managing following their surgery. They also work with patients in their own homes so they can be discharged from hospital earlier.
Hand injuries - working with patients who have suffered an injury or had surgery to their hand. Hand therapy uses physical methods such as splinting, scar management, retraining and advice on activities of daily living. Occupational therapists also provide emotional and psychological support for their patients.
Rheumatology - aiming to help patients improve or maintain skills for day-to-day activities and wellbeing. They work with their patients to identify important and valued activities that are difficult to do because of their arthritis.
Rapid response - working in the Emergency Department (A&E) where patients may present with social issues and require minimal medical input. Occupational therapists play a key role in determining whether a patient is safe to be discharged or requires admission to a hospital ward.
Surgery - working with patients who require assessment and rehabilitation following surgery.
Cardiac rehabilitation - working as part of a cardiac rehabilitation course, occupational therapists help patients maximise their physical, emotional, cognitive and social functioning with a focus on long term management skills.
