Benefits of OT
in the Rehabilitation Process
“A therapeutic team that includes the skills of an occupational therapy practitioner will provide the client with the most successful rehabilitation and prosthetic training” (Gulick, 2016).
Benefits provided by occupational therapy services...
Psychosocial
Impact
*Acceptance of limb loss and new body image
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*Providing a new sense of normality
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*Implement coping strategies to influence adjustment periods and promote satisfaction with life
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*Address role changes when returning to work
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*Improve overall mental health
Physical
Impact
*Improve independence in functional activities - self-care, meal preparation, home management, driving, childcare
*Address pain
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*Training for work-related tasks, public transportation, community mobility
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*Implement adaptive equipment, modifications, and compensatory methods
Economic &
Long-Term Impact
*Addressing management of other health issues
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*Decrease hospital return rates
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*Decrease device abandonment
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*Achieve satisfaction in occupational performance
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*Improve self-confidence and eagerness to participate in life activities
Occupational therapy is essential to success in functional independence and achieving a high quality of life.
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Ultimately Occupational Therapy shows benefits in improving
Quality of Life * Occupational Participation * Reaching Full Potential
(Armstrong-James, 2015; Latour, 2015; Gulick, 2016)
REFERENCES
Armstrong-James, L. (2015). Body image and psychosocial adjustment following the amputation of a limb. Journal of Aesthetic Nursing, 4(6), 288–289.
Latour, D. (2015, May 4). Series: Upper Limb Prosthetics. [On-Demand Webinar]. OccupationalTherapy.com https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/ot-ceus/course/upper-limb-prosthetic-series-2441
Gulick, K. L. (2016). Fact sheet: The occupational therapy role in rehabilitation for the person with an upper-limb amputation. American Occupational Therapy Association. https://www.aota.org/About-Occupational-Therapy/Professionals/RDP/upper-limb-amputation.aspx