This article explains the different roles each health professional provides a client with dysphagia. The OT's role is to provide treatment and adaptive equipment. Treatment would involve strength and function of the trunk and upper body which effect swallowing safely. A restorative program is also set in place once client is ready to go home.
This was a great article about a woman who is an OT and her insight to working with people with UE Amputations. The article had great information about what OT is all about and how she and her team helps those with UE amputations.
This article touches on several different issues related to occupational therapy. The article on burns is interesting, because it combines two different areas that we have studied, telehealth and burn rehabilitation. The OT in the article, along with other healthcare team members, discover the benefits of using telehealth to check in with patients who cannot make weekly visits to the hospital, like burn victims.
I am finding myself more interested in cardiopulmonary care as my grandma was in the hospital over 5 weeks and received NO occupational therapy. I think it would be beneficial to spread awareness that this is in fact within our scope of practice. This is a brief description of how OT can be involved as part of a treatment team within a hospital. It is just one example of how and who all is involved in care of cardiac/lung patients at a hospital.
A very interesting article about OT and treatment of burns. In her case OT started after the patient was stable and able to do therapy every day. She states that the healing process can take years for the patient. Scar care, compression therapy, skin lubrication, splinting, ROM, and strengthening were all discussed. It was noted that scar tissue and adhesions are very painful. A very important point was the planning for discharge and taking in all aspects of independence.
This article was written by a therapist working in acute rehabilitation. She talks about compression therapy, skin lubrication, splinting and why it's important, stretching for range of motion and strengthening.
"OT in the Burn Unit" is an article written by Sarina Piergrossi which outlines her first experience as an OT with a burn victim. She describes the process she underwent to insure proper treatment for this patient in the different stages of care required by burn victims. The different treatment types described include compression therapy, skin lubrication, splinting, ROM/strengthening and conditioning exercises, and then planning for discharge. Another service offered at Kessler Institute (where this therapist worked) is they allow the patients to travel out into the community with a therapist in order to assess future needs with ambulation, wheelchair mobility, etc. It was very interesting to know that this OT felt at a little anxious about receiving her first burn victim as I am feeling the same sense of anxiety regarding treating patients for the first time as we head out into our field work.
Many oncology patients also experience burns. OT works with these patients as well as other burn trauma patients. I'm finding that I really like this website as I have used it for several other bookmarks. In this article, an OT practitioner breaks down specific intervention techniques that an OT may do with a burn victim as well as planning for discharge. She also discusses how she co-treated with a PT practitioner on her first burn patient which was interesting to read about a treatment team working together.
Burn care is a highly specialized field. It can be intimidating. There is a lot to learn and be aware of. Read this article to see how a young therapist treated his first burn victim. This is also an example of co-treating with PT. I personally love the idea of co-treatment. Two are usually better than one.
This is an excellent article detailing OT's involvement in the treatment of burns. Different settings and invention techniques are outlined. Great resource for anyone working with burns.
This article gives information about the cycle of treatment (entering acute rehab, compression therapy, skin lubrication, splinting, ROM, strengthening & conditioning, and planning for discharge) for burn patients in acute rehab.
UC San Diego Health System provides comprehensive rehabilitation services for burn survivors. A physical and/or occupational therapist will work with you through the complete recovery phase. The goal of the rehabilitation team is to facilitate your return to the highest possible functional level of independence.
I know that you are probably wondering what hoarding has to do with OT, but after reading this article on the topic I can see that there is a definite need for OT practitioners. Therapy can include education on increasing home safety by reducing clutter (and tripping hazards) and removing detritus to reduce likelihood of health hazards such as mold and household pests. Since the psychology of hoarding is oftentimes complex, the OT can also work with a team of other professionals to help the client address the underlying issues causing the hoarding. Even the removal of the clutter can be part of therapeutic activity and can be used to train the client on energy conservation as well as frustration tolerance.
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