Occupational therapists in outpatient practice
Who they are, what they do and which devices they use: a research-based profile for recruiting this target group for MedTech and pharma projects.
Overview
Occupational therapists in outpatient practice work with people of all ages whose ability to act is impaired or at risk due to accident, illness, developmental disorder or mental health reasons. They assess the ability to act, draw up matching therapy plans and train physical, cognitive, emotional and social skills. The focus is on relearning everyday activities in self care, work, household, school and leisure. The work includes selecting, developing and making splints, assistive devices and adaptations to everyday objects, the home or the workplace. Fields of application range from the upper extremity, neurological conditions, children and adolescents and older people to mental health and vocational integration. Counselling of clients, relatives and employers is also part of the role.
Profession by country
Fields of use and typical tasks
ambulante Praxis
Evidence from: DE, AT, CH
- Individual and group treatment in the practice based on a therapy prescription from general practitioners or specialists (evidence: leaflet of one practice)
- Home visits on medical prescription, also in residential facilities and senior centres (example of one facility)
- For children and adolescents: training of gross, fine and graphomotor skills, sensory integration, socio-emotional and cognitive training, school-related skills
- For adults and older people: training of fine and gross motor skills and mobility, sensitivity training, cognitive and memory training
- Training of daily activities and advice on assistive devices
- Counselling and training of parents and relatives, parent coaching (example of one facility)
Specializations
Devices and systems they use
Who they work with
- Physicians (prescribing general practitioners and specialists)
- Physiotherapists
- Speech and language therapists
- Psychologists
- Nurses
- Social workers
Frequently asked questions
Who provides splints and assistive devices in occupational therapy?
According to the association source, occupational therapists themselves select, develop and make splints, assistive devices and adaptations for everyday objects, the home or the workplace.
Which patient groups does this profession work with?
With people of all ages. The fields of application in the professional profile are upper extremities, neurological conditions and injuries, children and adolescents, older people, mental health and vocational integration.
How does occupational therapy treatment start?
It starts with an assessment of the ability to act and an analysis of individual needs. This is followed by a tailored therapy plan and targeted interventions.
Whom do occupational therapists advise besides patients?
Relatives, employers, groups and institutions, including on health promotion and prevention. They also write expert reports.
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Related target groups
Same work area
Same specialty
Sources
- Ergotherapie, Ergotherapie-Verband Schweiz (EVS) (CH)
- Berufsprofil, Ergotherapie-Verband Schweiz (EVS) (CH)
- Patientenfolder Ergotherapie (Fassung 2017), Ergotherapie Austria, Bundesverband der Ergotherapeutinnen und Ergotherapeuten Österreichs (AT)
- Ergotherapeutische Praxis (Faltblatt), Alexianer ViaNobis PuraVida, Aachen (DE)
- FAQ zu Ergotherapie (Beschäftigungs- und Arbeitstherapie), Kassenärztliche Vereinigung Bayerns (KVB) (DE)
- Patientenfolder Ergotherapie (Fassung 2020), Ergotherapie Austria, Bundesverband der Ergotherapeutinnen und Ergotherapeuten Österreichs (AT)
- Ergotherapie, Öffentliches Gesundheitsportal Österreichs (gesundheit.gv.at) (AT)
- Selbstständigkeit, Ergotherapie-Verband Schweiz (EVS) (CH)
- Hinweise zum neuen Verordnungsformular für Ergotherapie, Ergotherapie-Verband Schweiz (EVS/ASE), bereitgestellt über paraplegie.ch (CH)
- Charakteristiken von Ergotherapeut*innen in der Schweiz (Zeitschrift Ergotherapie 12/23), ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften, Institut für Ergotherapie (CH)
- Hand and Arm Therapy, Outpatient Rehabilitation, The University of Toledo Medical Center (UToledo Health) (US)
- Occupational Therapists, Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (US)
- Occupational Therapy, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Center for Rehabilitation (US)
- What Is Occupational Therapy?, American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) (US)
- Hand Therapy, Outpatient Rehabilitation Services, Shenandoah Memorial Hospital, SeniorNavigator (Versorgungsverzeichnis, Virginia), Angaben der Einrichtung Valley Health Shenandoah Memorial Hospital (US)