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Occupational therapy is a profession concerned with promoting health and well being through occupation. The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life.
Occupational therapists achieve this outcome by enabling people to do things that will enhance their ability to participate or by modifying the environment to better support participation.
Occupational therapists have a broad education that equips them with skills and knowledge to work collaboratively with individuals or groups of people who have an impairment of body structure or function due to a health condition, and who experience barriers to participation.
Occupational therapists believe that participation can be supported or restricted by physical, social, attitudinal and legislative environments. Therefore, occupational therapy practice may be directed to changing aspects of the environment to enhance participation.
World Federation of Occupational Therapists, 2004
WHERE DO OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS WORK?
Occupational therapy is practised in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, health centres, homes, workplaces, schools, reform institutions and housing for seniors.
Many occupational therapists work in private practice and as educators and consultants.
Occupational therapists work with all age groups and in a wide range of physical and psychosocial areas.
Clients are actively involved in the therapeutic process, and outcomes of occupational therapy are diverse, client-driven and measured in terms of participation or satisfaction derived from participation.
THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PROCESS
Assessment
The occupational therapy process is based on initial and repeated assessments. The occupational therapist together with the person seeking help will focus on individual and environmental abilities and problems related to activities in the person's daily life. Assessment includes the use of standardised procedures, interviews, observations in a variety of settings and consultation with significant people in the person's life.
Planning
The results of the assessment are the basis of the plan which includes short and long-term aims of treatment. The plan should be relevant to the person's development stage, habits, roles, life-style preferences and the environment.
Intervention
Intervention focuses on programs that are person oriented and environmental. These are designed to facilitate performance of everyday tasks and adaptation of settings in which the person works, lives and socialises.
Examples include teaching new techniques and providing equipment which facilitate independence in personal care, reducing environmental barriers and providing resources to lessen stress.
Cooperation
Occupational therapists recognise the importance of teamwork. Cooperation and coordination with other professionals, families, caregivers and volunteers are important in the realisation of the holistic approach.
Many people can benefit from Occupational Therapy
Infants and children, adolescents, adults and the elderly may benefit from Occupational Therapy.
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OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IN AUSTRALIA
Following is an overview of the Occupational Therapy workforce in Australia. This information is based on national Census data (2001), statistics from the OT registration boards in South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, as well as information gained from members of OT AUSTRALIA.