Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy (O.T.) is a vital healthcare profession that combines art and science to help individuals engage meaningfully in daily life. It enables people to perform necessary tasks for their health and well-being despite challenges posed by illness, injury, or disability. O.T. professionals work in diverse settings—including hospitals, schools, and community centers—using strategies like teaching, coaching, and equipment prescription to promote independence. Through a tailored approach, occupational therapy fosters self-care, productivity, and leisure, ultimately contributing to a just and inclusive society.
Occupational Therapy
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Presentation Transcript
Occupational Therapy Patricia Creighton H.B.K., MSc O.T. O.T. Reg. (Ont.)
What is O.T.? • Occupational therapy is the art and science of enabling engagement in everyday living, through occupation; of enabling people to perform the occupations that foster health and well-being; and of enabling a just and inclusive society so that all people may participate to their potential in the daily occupations of life (Townsend& Polatajko, 2007, p. 372). • Allied Health Professional
Definitions • Occupation refers to everything that people do during the course of everyday life. • Self Care, Productivity & Leisure • Occupations describe who we are. • Can be: roles, tasks, activities • Goal of an O.T. is to assist in enabling a person to perform such tasks, despite illness, injury or disease process, facilitate independence. • This can be achieved through teaching, coaching, prescribing equipment, educating
For example: • Prescribe equipment or assistive technology to enable a young man live independently after sustaining a SCI • Teach people who have had an elective THA or hip fracture to dress independently within hip movement precautions • Consult in schools to assist children overcome fine motor, gross motor difficulties or prescribe sensory management strategies. • Recommend home modifications to allow an older couple live in their home. • Teach relaxation strategies or coping skills
Where do O.T.s work? • Settings can include hospitals, schools, community health centres workplaces, a client’s home (community practice) • In each setting, O.T. has a different role, practice can look different with same guiding principles. • Multi-Disciplinary Team ** • Physical or Mental Health focus • Can be an employee, independent practitioner, consultant
Educational Requirements • 2010 Master’s level entry • Undergraduate degree with post graduate master’s program – length can vary according to specific school program • Part of education is 1000 hours of supervised fieldwork experience – Placements • After graduation - CAOT Certification Exam • Registration with Provincial Regulatory body (COTO) Professional Organizations
O.T. Programs in Canada • University of BC, Vancouver • University of Alberta, Edmonton • University of Manitoba, Winnipeg • University of Western Ontario, London • McMaster University • University of Toronto • University of Ottawa • Queens University, Kingston • McGill University, Montreal • Laval University, Quebec City • Dalhousie University, Halifax
Want more info? • www.caot.ca • www.otworks.ca • www.osot.ca • pcreighton@kdh.on.ca
Resources • Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists. (2007). Profile of occupational therapy practice in Canada. Ottawa, ON: CAOT. • Townsend, E.A. & Polatajko, H. J. (2007). Enabling occupation II: Advancing an occupational therapy vision for health, well-being & justice through occupation. Ottawa, ON: CAOT
