WHAT IS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (O.T.)?

Why do some people need Occupational Therapy (OT)?

• People's ability to perform their every day tasks may be affected by an illness, accident, injury or the process of aging.
• Occupational Therapists help people develop and maintain their skills to carry out their everyday tasks or "occupations".
• These may include self care (bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, feeding), household and community (cooking, cleaning, shopping), work/school, and leisure/recreational activities.
• Being able to participate in these everyday tasks helps people fulfil their roles such as worker, parent, spouse, sibling and friend.

The Occupational Therapist assists people to gain the skills and confidence to complete activities and tasks that are meaningful and useful to the person.

How do Occupational Therapists work?

Meeting patients' needs usually involves 3 steps:

Evaluation: The abilities and skills of the patient are assessed including their overall ability to perform relevant everyday tasks. This is done while taking into account the patient's family and social situation, general lifestyle, cultural background, home environment and most importantly the patient's future goals.

Consultation: To develop a treatment programme, the Occupational Therapist talks with the patient, family members and other professionals who may be closely involved.

Treatment: The goal is to maximise the patient's skills for living and overall ability to participate in their everyday tasks and life roles.

The occupational therapist also assists the person to return home from hospital by arranging community supports and resources required.

The above activities may take place in the hospital ward, the OT Department, at the patient's home or on visits into other community settings.

For more detail about RAH Occupational Therapy Services, select a topic from the drop-down box at the top of this page.

How are they trained?

• The 4 year degree, 2 year graduate entry masters and post graduate training courses are based at the University of S.A. (North Terrace) ph: 08 8302 2484. The Professional Association is O.T. Australia - S.A. branch ph: +61 8 8239 1422.

How does the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) OT Department work?

• The RAH Occupational Therapy Department is located across the North Terrace and Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre campuses (For Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre services see Occupational Therapy at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre). Staffing is outlined on our staffing page.
• Occupational Therapists work as part of health care teams across a variety of clinical areas catering for inpatients and outpatients.
• The Department has a close relationship with the school of O.T, University of S.A.
• The specialist nature of much of the work means that the department acts as a resource for professional enquirers from around Australia.

The Department is committed to:

• ongoing quality improvement.
• staff professional development (training).
• training of students (undergraduate, graduate entry and other disciplines).
• evidence based practice.

Where is the O.T. Department located at RAH?

Allied Health Building Level 5 (2nd floor) enter via nothern end of building

When is it open?

8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday
For further information, please call +61 8 8222 4980 or email us at: