Which area of OT?

Hello @stefdOT, We've collated a few comments that others posted across our social media network, in response to your question. We've asked them to come over to share their thoughts here, but just in case not, see below:

• "Neuro OT for me. It is the full works, a real holistic approach and one you can see progress too"
  

• "Stroke specialism for me, I completed a rotation in neuro too and loved it, but the opportunity to progress came in stroke for me"
  

• "It is interesting to read this as I too had this exact thought when I was still a student OT. I was fortunate enough to experience different areas of practice as a student: orthopaedics, general medicine, adolescent mental health, stroke and general neurology. They were all in acute/sub-acute care units. At some point, I noticed that my classmates chose to work in areas where they mostly spent time as students. I felt that we were pigeonholed into specific specialties even though that was not our school's intention. I'm sharing this because this might be close to what you are currently experiencing. It was scary, but I chose to swim against the tide and dove right into doing travel therapy work assignments instead of working in acute care. It gave me the ability to try different areas I was unable to experience before such as community, assisted living, and skilled nursing facilities. The surprising thing was, the least likely area I thought I'd do well in was the area that I now want to specialise in: paediatric early intervention. So, if you are willing to step out of your comfort zone and are brave enough to try other areas you have never experienced, I suggest that you give travel therapy a shot. I never would have found working with babies and toddlers to be as rewarding as I have now. You might surprise yourself like I did. Best of luck to you!"
  

• "I have worked in Mental health for 11 years now as that was where my first post was. I love it but thought it would be good to get some physical experience as well, so have now moved to older people mental health. Still keeping my first love but now getting physical health included in the same job."
  

• "I can recommend Palliative care, this is an area with lots of crossover, mental and physical, rehab and group work, I love it!"
  

Hope these thoughts are helpful to you! The OT Hub Team

On behalf of our social media followers (Facebook and LinkedIn)

Hi there @stefdOT! I'm a little biased as I love the specialism, but have you considered stroke? Community-based rehab for stroke starts shortly after the incident itself, providing the patient has rehab potential. Evidence shows that engaging in therapy quickly increases chances of functional, mobility and range of movement gains. It's such a holistic form of occupational therapy - working on physical, sensory, emotional/mental, social and expressive/receptive ability. It's an area I certainly hope to specialise in, in future...

Why not take a look at a few Therapy Blogs I wrote, whilst part of an early supportive stroke discharge team: www.theOThub.com/blog/case-study-stroke-rehabilitation-assessment-and-upper-limb-intervention and

www.theOThub.com/blog/case-study-stroke-rehabilitation-constraint-induced-movement-therapy-cimt (strong evidence-base for CIMT - constraint-induced movement therapy). Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any questions. Jamie Occupational Therapist (Currently working in urgent care, in a Rapid Response Team)

Very good question Stef! One many of us occupational therapists may arrive at, at points in our career. Are you happy for us to share this post across our social media network? This should get the attention of fellow Members quicker, to come and help you out! All the best, The OT Hub Team hubteam@theOThub.com