What does an Occupational Therapist do?

An Occupational Therapist (OT) is a medical professional who uses a variety of activities to help people maintain or learn the skills they need in order to live a productive and satisfying life.

Areas of focus may include:

• Self-care | Personal hygiene, getting dressed, eating, moving around
• Leisure | Gardening, social activities, sports, exercise
• Productivity | Contributing to the community, coping at work or at school

The application of specialised knowledge and skills ensures the right course of action is followed, whether this be preventative or corrective. OTs are trained to look at the patient from not only a physical aspect, but to also consider the psychological, emotional, and psychosocial implications that may affect overall health and function in everyday life.

They firstly assess the patient to determine their condition, then an intervention is tailored to suit the particular needs of the individual and best bring about the desired outcomes – which is someone who is productive
in daily life, independent, and contributes to the community.