This is an AOTA article on oncology and how OT impact it in every way. It also explains the ways we would treat, and also settings too. I love how the article is focused on OT. It is very important to understand that we may be treating individuals who are on all different levels, including newly diagnosed, undergoing treatment, receiving hospice or palliative care, or who are in the survivorship phase of care.
This on-line edition of Occupational Therapy in Oncology and Palliative Care edited by Jill Cooper does an excellent job explaining in layman terms the different aspects of cancer to include tumor classification, etiologies, symptoms, diagnosis and treatments. It then discusses the different reasons some OTs decide to work in this specialty and how the OT can better deal with the stresses they encounter in treating those with cancer. I would definitely read this in its entirety if I chose to work with cancer patients.
Oncology is described as an emerging practice area in the world of OT, and currently not many OT/As are working with people with cancer and their families. There are certainly efforts to change this, but for right now many people - both within and outside the profession - are very unfamiliar with how occupational therapy can help cancer patients.
Our occupational therapists aim to make your job easier and better. We define your "job" as anything you do to occupy your time, and which you feel is important to your quality of life.( Cancer Treatment Center of America)
The role of occupational therapy in oncology is "to facilitate and enable an individual patient to achieve maximum functional performance, both physically and psychologically, in everyday living skills regardless of his or her life
expectancy" (p. 75).2
According to AOTA, almost 1 in 5 people over the age of 65 have survived cancer. Lymphedema, a secondary problem caused by cancer, is often not addressed by physicians. However, occupational therapy can address this issue and improve quality of life for these individuals. Just another very important way that occupational therapy can make a difference.
The growing number of people with cancer has increased the need to services such as lymphedema therapy, hospice, and palliative care. OT can help in so many ways. Who needs help "living life to the fullest" each and every day more than someone with such a grim prognosis?
This article talks about how cancer care and oncology is an emerging practice for OT. We help clients get control of their lives back by helping them gain or maintain function in their daily lives. Their lives aren't just about existence (fighting cancer) but about living.
The OT in the video allows the viewer to understand how it would be if they were in an oncology ward. I liked this video because I tend to only have sad thoughts on this particular subject, however, I like how positive the OT is in this video because that is the type of mind set an OTA would need if they were working with a client under these circumstances. Also, the video goes over what an OTA would be focusing on for treatment.
Occupational therapy practitioners have the knowledge and expertise to modify activities and environments to allow individuals to do the things they want and need to do to maintain quality of life. The role of occupational therapy in oncology is to facilitate and enable an individual patient to achieve maximum functional performance, both physically and psychologically, in everyday living skills regardless of his or her life expectancy.
Read article that related about the occupational therapists role in cancer rehabilitation . Here we will discuss about Cancerrelated pain: the role of occupational therapy in. 10 occpational therap now volme fffi introduction: the context of cancer pain in oncology, the contribution of occupational therapists is starting.
Occupational Therapy play a very important role with patients dealing with a cancer diagnosis. OT can help with energy conservation issues, pain, weakness, psychosocial, and physical impairments. Quality of life and independence are key. OT can be of service to people newly diagnosed, in cancer treatment, or in hospice. What I needed reminding of was that OT can help those that have survived, especially the psychosocial aspect.
This article discusses the specific areas and goals that occupational therapists may address with cancer patients. I thought the writer did a great job explaining what occupational therapy is and why the field is so important. This would be a good resource for later on if I ever go on to interview for a job in oncology, would be a nice review of how impactful OT can be.
Since many of the oncology patients an OT practitioner would treat experience fatigue, I thought it would be appropriate to post an article related to energy conservation. I found this one to be particularly interesting because the writer interviewed real people who are incorporating energy conservation techniques into their own lives. I realize it is naïve of me, but I never really thought about the resistance that a patient might have to slowing down and the emotional response this might create. This article gives an interesting perspective.