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Membership Poll 2024 Shaped by Members, The Occupational Therapy Hub is your global community of practice. So, to focus efforts in developing resources and content most useful to you , please submit opinions and feedback. We will upgrade a random participant's account for free, regardless of answers. The poll will close on Sunday 30th June 2024. Thank you in advance for your time! The Occupational Therapy Hub Team Contact the Hub The Occupational Therapy Hub Online platform and mobile app (iOS/Android) This poll takes a few minutes to complete. Questions with an asterisk (*) require a response. As a reference, to help you select answers, please click here to open a duplicate Hub webpage. Which of the following best describes you? Please choose an option How did you hear about/first come across the Hub? Please choose an option How long have you been using the Hub for? Never/Just started About a month 2-12 months Over a year Over 5 years How often do you access the Hub (platform/app)? Every day Most days Weekly Monthly Rarely Which subject material(s) are you most interested in? Acute and primary care Community or inpatient rehabilitation Equipment and manual handling Geriatrics / Older people Hand therapy Housing and adaptations Leadership and development Learning disability and neurodiversity Mental health and wellbeing Neurology Paediatrics / Young people Public health Research / Academia Theories / Models of practice Trauma and orthopaedics Vocational rehabilitation Other subject(s) [type into a text box below] Which free resource(s) do you most use? Therapy Articles Therapy Videos Podcast Portal Resources + Services Portal Therapy Forum / Student Spaces / The OT Journal Club What is Occupational Therapy? A Career in Occupational Therapy Access Occupational Therapists Member Directory OT Events OT Books: Buy & Sell Hub Store (free-to-access; individual purchases) Which word(s) do you feel best describe The OT Hub app? Convenient Easy-to-use Useful learning tool Helpful community support Difficult to use Too slow Lacking certain content Other [type into a text box below] N/A - I have not yet used the app [Plus+ Members]: Which Plus+ resource(s) do you most use? OT CPD Courses Research Portal 3.0 OT Updates OT Downloads OT Webinars OT Interventions Case Studies [Non-upgraded Members]: What might draw you to Plus+? A lower monthly/annual price Additional plan or payment options A greater volume of exclusive resources Something else [type into a text box below] [Plus+ Members]: How do you feel about the upgrade cost? Too cheap (could be higher) Good value for money Not good value for money Too expensive Please rate your overall satisfaction with the Hub's resources, support and experience Very dissatisfied A bit dissatisfied Pretty satisfied Satisfied Very satisfied How could we improve your experience? / What would you like to see more (or less) of? Any feedback not covered above? (e.g. navigation, technical aspects, design/visuals) Final thoughts? First name Your email address * Last name (optional) Submit Thank you very much for taking part! We always seek to improve and will review every submission. You can expect changes in the months ahead. The Membership Poll 2024 is now closed for submissions. Thank you for your interest. To share further feedback or suggestions, please contact us . Interested in being a more active part of the global occupational therapy community? Get involved!

occupation We believe in the power of for health & wellbeing Your global occupational therapy community The platform and app run by Occupational Therapists. Shaped by 20,400+ Members , in 195 countries. News + Latest Free Membership Membership Plus+ Passionately empowering clinicians, students and those they support The Mission To show the world the value of our health and social care profession . ​ To share knowledge and resources, across an international community. To provide a community of practice, reducing geographical and professional isolation. On upgrading to Membership Plus+ : "I'm really looking forward to getting stuck in to the resources, as they look fantastic. Thank you for your hard work on The Occupational Therapy Hub." ​ ​ Carina (email, 2024) Testimonials Community dashboard Josette Caivano May 11 Middle/High School Supports anna.norbiato150201 May 10 Study on caregiver of patientes with SM Catherine Lipinskis Apr 30 Dissertation support Colette Montgomery May 05 Research support Aarti Brahmbhatt Apr 23 OT placement Verity Jones Mar 21 Research with Paediatric Occupational Therapists Amy Patterson Apr 20 Children & Young People with Chronic Pain Gill Court Jan 19, 2022 OT practitioners working in Domestic Abuse - making connections? ek.dawson Apr 15, 2022 OT and early intervention in psychosis (EIP) - UK help please!? Latest OT CPD Courses (Plus+) Sleep: An Occupational Therapy Domain 2 Plans Available Join ADHD and Occupational Therapy 2 Plans Available Join Therapy Article Highlights Clinical Reference Using Yoga to complement Occupational Therapy Reflective Journals Reflections on the Rebirth of an Artist A Day in the Life 'Drawing back the covers' on the OT role in sleep: An article and podcast Hub News Hub News Poll So, what do you think? Shaped by Members every day, the Hub is your global community of practice. So, to focus our efforts in developing OT resources that are most useful to you , we ask you to consider submitting opinions and/or constructive feedback in 2024's Membership Poll . We will upgrade a random participant's account for free, regardless of their answers or ratings given. The poll takes just a few minutes. It will close on Sunday 30th June . In advance, thank you for helping to make this the best occupational therapy community possible! 28/04/2024 Membership Poll 2024 Plus+ Dementia in Australia: Clinical recommendations post-diagnosis (2024) Over 400,000 Australians are thought to be living with dementia; this number is expected to double by 2058. The recommendations in this research can help individuals, families and healthcare providers to navigate this difficult time. Upgraded to Plus+ ? Read the 2024 discussion paper now, within the Development and Ageing theme of the Research Portal. 27/04/2024 Research Portal (Plus+) Plus+ Research: The i mpact of assistance dogs on the occupational engagement of children with autism and their families ‘Having the dog as part of our family gives us hope’. Assistance dogs reportedly progressed children from community ‘isolation' to freedom. Plus+ Members c an learn about the three identified themes and explore the 2024 study's findings, within the Neurodiversity section of the Research Portal. 22/04/2024 Research Portal (Plus+) Free New article: Reflections on the Rebirth of an Artist This story of 'S', who had a spinal cord injury, exemplifies the transformative impact of rehabilitation and the strength of the human spirit. As healthcare professionals, it is our privilege and responsibility to empower such individuals, to reclaim their independence and pursue their passions - irrespective of the challenges they may face... Read this and other educative and reflective articles here - or via The OT Hub app . 14/04/2024 Therapy Articles Free Watch: Perinatal Occupational Therapy What is perinatal mental health and how can occupational therapists help both mums and dads over this testing transition period? Watch a TV interview with OTR/L Hayle to find out! Access this (and other) educative and informative videos right here - or on-the-go, via The OT Hub app . [Video credit: ND Today]. 10/04/2024 Therapy Videos Plus+ Researcher Seeks to Improve Motor and Cognitive Function in Children with Autism "OT interventions can be effective in changing brain performance... We rewire the brain by utilising strategies that enable it to process sensory information in a more functional manner... Strategies can be specifically designed to motivate and engage children, while addressing their unique sensory-motor, psychosocial and cognitive-behavioural needs." Access the latest news and stories from the profession worldwide, with Membership Plus+ . 06/04/2024 OT Updates (Plus+)

Research Portal 3.0 OT Your gateway to read and showcase occup ational therapy research Exclusive to Membership Plus+ Research Themes > Submit / Feedback Editorial Editorial We have made further improvements to the Research Portal. In version 3.0, journal articles and infographics are categorised into a breadth of 'Themes', streamlining your route to relevant papers. The type of research continues to be highlighted . ​ "You can contribute to the Portal, by suggesting topics, papers, research and authors that are relevant to evidence-based practice in occupational therapy. Month by month, we can together build a solid collection of references to improve our practice and critical thinking as occupational therapy practitioners. Our profession has been supporting the world for over a hundred years. In all these years, occupational therapy had different paradigms - built under the umbrella of knowledge, culture, clinical experience, values and ethical behaviours. Despite being an extensive topic, subject to corrections, some authors call those sum characteristics 'professionalism'. Speaking about professionalism seems unnecessary in the Research Portal; common sense dictates that if you are a professional, you are going to act with professionalism. But sometimes we may not understand how intrinsic its importance is for advancing the profession, since professionalism is 'an essential component of a value-based practice, which is a complement to an evidence-based practice' (Lecours, 2021). So, despite the cultural, social and geographical differences, professionalism in occupational therapy crosses the frontiers and gives us a collective and unique professional identity. Morrison (1998) highlights that 'Occupational therapy holds together as it develops a praxis that strengthens its development.' Following his line, the author says: 'the exercise of the profession, in any of its spheres, becomes as diverse as the subjects of care, or the issues to be addressed allow it, as well as the development of its scientific knowledge.' In short, two principle factors that make our profession solid and develop a positive identity are: paradigms and evidence. So, let us keep walking hand-in-hand with value-based practice and evidence-based practice." ​ Erica Juliboni - Occup ational Therapist in São Paulo, Brazil; Research Lead 2021-23 Editorial References > ​ Research Themes Themes Arthritis Behaviour and Conflict Chronic Conditions Creative Occupations Development and Ageing Education and Research Environmental Adaptation Mental Health / Wellbeing Neurodiversity Neurology Occupational Balance Occupational Science Paediatrics Productivity and Work Sensory Considerations Sex and Relationships Sleep Spirituality Staff and Patient Safety Telehealth Workforce Research Submission / Feedback Submit Subm ission Have you produced r esearch, individually or as a team? Share it with a global audience.​ ​ Format options: PDF docum ent, presentation, website link, video summary Full ownership of work maintained by research author Submit research Feedback If you would like the Hub Team to pass o n feedback to research authors, complete the form below. Feedback Thank you. We have received your feedback and will pass it on to the author(s). Send feedback Editorial Themes Submit Feedback

< Specialisms Resources + Services Portal Professional Bodies + Useful resources and services, for your care and career. This is an expanding directory and community suggestions are not definitive. K now of a resource or service that should be featured? Suggest an entry All India Occupational Therapists' Association (AIOTA) All India Occupational Therapists Association (AIOTA) is the founder council member of World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT). It is a registered body under Bombay Public Trust Act, Mumbai 1950-E-1118. The AIOTA regularly organises annual national conferences, to update members on recent advances and research in the areas of vivid interest. The Indian Journal of Occupational Therapy (IJOT) is published three times a year - in April, August and December - by the AIOTA. The Journal publishes original scientific research papers, case reports, preliminary articles and information on all aspects of occupational therapy. ​ [INDIA PROFESSIONAL BODY] Visit > American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) represent the interests and concerns of occupational therapy practitioners and students of occupational therapy and to improve the quality of occupational therapy services. ​ [US PROFESSIONAL BODY] ​ Visit > Asociación Argentina de Terapistas Ocupacionales (AATO) The Argentine Association of Occupational Therapists maintains a registry of the country's occupational therapy graduates and promotes their work. It promotes the growth of the Association of Occupational Therapists in the Argentine Republic, establishing relations with similar domestic and foreign associations. ​ The AATO ensures professional ethics and intervenes in the defence of professional interests, before national, provincial, municipal authorities and associations. It promotes joint interdisciplinary actions and the possibility of associating with federations and confederations. ​ The AATO offers its partners: ​ Legal and accounting advice A large agenda of specific activities for Occupational Therapists and those related to interdisciplinary issues It manages discounts and scholarships in training courses, seminars, conferences, congresses, etc. Organises spaces for meetings, thematic coffees, courses, seminars and face-to-face or virtual workshops It provides the most comprehensive bibliographic OT material in Argentina, through its own library ​ [ARGENTINA PROFESSIONAL BODY] Visit > Asociación Profesional Española de Terapeutas Ocupacionales (APETO) Asociacion Profesional Espanola de Terapeutas Ocupacionales - The Spanish Professional Association of Occupational Therapists - is a state-wide association created in 1967, that brings together graduates of occupational therapy. It aims, as a central body, to ensure the interests of OTs, graduates and students. ​ Since 1972, APETO has been an active member of WFOT - and founding member of the COTEC (Council of Occupational Therapists for the European Countries), since its creation in 1986. Both organisations are non-governmental members of the World Health Organisation. They are primarily engaged in maintaining the quality and professional ethics of Occupational Therapists, the training standards and the implementation and extension of occupational therapy services worldwide. For occupational therapy we plan and perform: • National conferences and international congresses of occupational therapy and rehabilitation • Home-based rehabilitation programs and services • Leisure time programs • Health education programs • Design of occupational programs (training/work) • Planning and management of rehabilitation resources ​ [SPAIN PROFESSIONAL BODY] Visit > Asociación Profesional de Terapeutas Ocupacionales de Canarias (APTOCA) APTOCA contributes to fostering the development of professional identity, the empowerment of the profession and professional responsibility towards society. It was born as a tool for work, communication and participation in the Canaries. ​ Vision To be a reference in the field of occupational therapy in the Canary Islands for professionals and society, entities and public administrations. To promote the profession in a changing environment, so that Occupational Therapists are considered as prestigious professionals, both in areas of traditional and non-traditional performance, committing ourselves to the principles of social welfare. ​ Values Focus on partners and society Ethics, transparency and legality Cooperation, teamwork and good professional environment Quality, innovation and service ​ [CANARY ISLANDS PROFESSIONAL BODY] Visit > Association Nationale Francaise des Ergotherapeutes (ANFE, France) For more than 50 years, ANFE has been the main representative body for occupational therapists in France. ANFE is an independent community of exchanges and encounters, that brings together occupational therapists, regardless of their field of practice. It acts on major social projects, through its participation in ministerial plans, work of agencies, observatories and high state authorities. ​ The association was created in 1961, by Jacqueline Roux, to promote Occupational Therapy in France. It represents more than 10% of occupational therapists in France. ANFE represents the profession at the HCPP (Haut Conseil des Professions Paramédicales) and more generally at all ministerial, territorial, political and associative bodies. It participates and contributes to reflections, studies and reforms concerning health and the development of services. ​ [FRANCE PROFESSIONAL BODY] Visit > Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland (AOTI) The Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland is the only professional body for Occupational Therapists in the Republic of Ireland. The AOTI provides national leadership to its members and works on behalf of its members with the best interest of the profession and service users in mind. ​ The AOTI is the organisation that promotes the profession on behalf of all occupational therapists in Ireland. It is reliant entirely on the voluntary efforts of its members. ​ The AOTI considers current practice in Ireland and abroad, working at both a strategic and operational level to advance the profession in Ireland, ensure appropriate governance and optimise communication with the public and our members. ​ [IRELAND PROFESSIONAL BODY] Visit > Associazione Italiana dei Terapisti Occupazionali (AITO) AITO is the representative association of Occupational Therapists in Italy and has, as its organisational goal, the constant search for members' participation. This means developing and consolidating competition of ideas, building visibility and traceability of decision-making paths. The association aims to pursue many objectives, including: ​ to contribute to the valorisation and protection of professionalism, expectations and image of Occupational Therapists promoting and encouraging the establishment of schools for Occupational Therapists to directly develop the continuing training of occupational therapists by means of meetings, congresses, courses, ethics debates, etc. evaluate, through the Italian Occupational Therapy Society, the quality of training courses for Occupational Therapists provide scientific and technical information and advice to those who are interested in occupational therapy and, more generally, establish and coordinate relationships with affiliated national or international disciplinary associations or societies ​ [ITALY PROFESSIONAL BODY] Visit > Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) is the national organisation that supports the more than 16,000 occupational therapists who work or study in Canada. ​ [CANADA PROFESSIONAL BODY] Visit > European Network of Occupational Therapy in Higher Education (ENOTHE) ENOTHE is a non-profit organisation, funded by annual subscription membership and is concerned with the standards and quality of professional education of occupational therapists across Europe. One of the primary aims is to ensure that there is a robust educational system for European occupational therapists, which demonstrates comparability, high quality and flexibility to respond to changes in health and societal issues, policy and practice. Visit > National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) is a US regulatory body. It provides services for the public, students, certificants, and educators. Visit > National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides national guidance and advice to improve health and social care. ​ NICE's role is to improve outcomes for people using the UK's NHS and other public health and social care services. We do this by: Producing evidence-based guidance and advice for health, public health and social care practitioners Developing quality standards and performance metrics for those providing and commissioning health, public health and social care services Providing a range of information services for commissioners, practitioners and managers across the spectrum of health and social care ​ [UK ORGANISATION; GUIDELINES APPLICABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > Occupational Therapy Australia Occupational Therapy Australia is the peak professional body representing the interests of occupational therapists across Australia. It strives to ensure that members consistently receive quality, responsive services that add significant value to their careers. ​ [AUSTRALIA PROFESSIONAL BODY] Visit > Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand (OTBNZ) Fostering faith and confidence in the profession. The Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand (OTBNZ) is a health regulatory authority. We ensure the safety of consumers using occupational therapy services. We do this by making sure all Occupational Therapists meet the specifications of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003. ​ [NEW ZEALAND REGULATORY BODY] Visit > Occupational Therapy New Zealand (OTNZ) / Whakaora Ngangahau Aotearoa Our mission is to support members to excel professionally and promote occupation by providing resources, education and representation. Our vision is that occupational therapy should be accessible and valued by all. ​ Underpinning values:- ​ Occupational justice: Fair access to resources to enable occupation / He huarahi ki nga taonga tukuiho he pumautanga o te mahi Biculturalism: Equity between the tangata whenua (Māori) and the tangata tiriti (non Māori) / Te nohoanga nga tahitanga o te tangata, ko te kii tuhono mo ake tonu Integrity: The quality of being honest and following our principle / Te rangatiratanga o te tika, me te whai ake ra o nga mātāpono Professionalism: High standards that characterise behaviour / Ko te taumata i whaia ko te ahua i wawatatia Collaboration: Work together in mutual effort and partnership towards goals / He ringa raupa, ka eke nga hiahia, ka tutuki nga wawata i tumanakotia Transparency: Visibility or accessibility of information / Te kitenga ake, te huarahi hoki, o te mohiotanga ​ [NEW ZEALAND PROFESSIONAL BODY] Visit > Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) Occupational therapists improve lives and save money for the health and social care services on a daily basis. We're making the case for occupational therapy in the UK. We work to ensure the profession's rightful place in health and social care delivery and encourage our members to play an active role as ambassadors for the profession. ​ [UK PROFESSIONAL BODY] Visit > Toimintaterapeuttiliitto Ergoterapeutförbundet (TOI) Toimintaterapeuttiliitto Ergoterapeutförbundet - The Finnish Occupational Therapy Association (more commonly known as TOI) - was founded in 1965. The Occupational Therapy Association is the Akava Trade Union and the only advocate of Occupational Therapists and students of the profession in Finland. ​ The task of the Occupational Therapy Association is to influence Occupational Therapists in matters of working life and to supervise and develop Finnish Occupational Therapist training. [FINLAND PROFESSIONAL BODY] Visit > Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS - UK) Our services support young people making choices after their GCSEs, as well as those applying for undergraduate and postgraduate university courses. ​ UCAS is an independent charity providing information, advice, and admissions services to inspire and facilitate educational progression. ​ [UK SERVICE] Visit > World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) WFOT promotes occupational therapy as an art and science internationally. The Federation supports the development, use and practice of occupational therapy worldwide, demonstrating its relevance and contribution to society. ​ [INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL BODY] Visit >

< Specialisms Resources + Services Portal Traumatic Brain Injury + Useful resources and services, for your care and career. This is an expanding directory and community suggestions are not definitive. K now of a resource or service that should be featured? Suggest an entry Lightbridge App The Lightbridge App is empowering Occupational Therapists who are helping individuals regain their independence in all areas of their lives. Lightbridge is a mobile app that focuses on promoting health and well-being through individualised routines. Enabling people to participate in the everyday occupations of life, such as self-care activities, including showering, dressing, preparing food; productive activities, such as education, work, volunteering; leisure/social activities, such as being part of a community group. We are honored to support Occupational therapists who play a particularly crucial role in enabling people experiencing disability to identify and implement methods that support their life and independence! Visit > MEB Neurohabilitación MEB was born of the desire to find solutions for a better life. We are a group of professionals who come from the field of neurological rehabilitation - occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists and other professionals from the health and social sector. We transfer to the clinic the current knowledge offered by neuroscience and social health research. From a clinical point of view, we bring our experience and specialisation of the nervous system, based on a constant updating of knowledge during the last twenty years. During this time, our objective has always been to find the best solutions to the unique circumstances of each patient, each person. ​ Our intervention is aimed at people affected by acquired brain damage, neurodegenerative diseases, spinal cord injury, dysfunctional states of the nervous system and all those who, for any reason, have lost their level of autonomy. Visit > The IAD Company The IAD Company are Architectural and Interior Design consultants practicing across England and Wales with experience designing environments for children and adults with additional mental and physical needs. IAD’s involvement can be anything from simple floor plans through to fully considered interior design layouts with colour schemes, electrical plans, furniture layouts and anything else that may be required. IAD provide a package following the OT assessment in conjunction with the OT who produced the report. We do not provide a one-size-fits-all package and will adapt our service to supplement the OT’s in whatever way is most beneficial to the project. ​ [UK-BASED ORGANISATION; SERVICES AVAILABLE ACROSS ENGLAND AND WALES] Visit >

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< Specialisms Resources + Services Portal Autistic Spectrum Condition + Useful resources and services, for your care and career. This is an expanding directory and community suggestions are not definitive. K now of a resource or service that should be featured? Suggest an entry Garry Burge - Asperger Syndrome and Autism Advocacy Offering personal experience, through trial and error, to help raise awareness. Garry Burge was born in Brisbane, Australia in August 1972 and was diagnosed as having Asperger Syndrome in July 1998. Being diagnosed has helped him to understand who he is as a person and explained why he was different from other people and the world around him. ​ His diagnosis helped to answer some of the following questions: ​ Why it was difficult for him to make friends His constant obsessions in trains, pocket watches, orchids and history The difficulty in not being able to fit into and adjust to the school environment Why he was bullied and teased within secondary school Experience of having depression and social isolation earlier in his life Not having a lighter side Seeing things and taking comments from other people very literally Unemployment issues and not being able to find employment Visit Garry Burge's website to find out more and learn from his experiences. This includes autism and employment, Asperger Syndrome advocacy, links and support. ​ [AUSTRALIA-BASED; INSIGHTS RELEVANT WORLDWIDE] Visit > Look Hear Australia Look Hear Australia focuses on bringing the top resources and resource pages, on children with complex and additional needs, together under one site. Our motto is "it's not hard to make it easy" and we strive to make the search for quality information, programs, equipment and resources easy. [AUSTRALIA-BASED RESOURCE; INFORMATION APPLICABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > National Autistic Society (UK) The leading UK charity for autistic people (including those with Asperger syndrome) and their families. Providing information, support and pioneering services, and campaign for a better world for autistic people. ​ [UK-BASED; INFORMATION APPLICABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > Special Supplies Special Supplies was founded with a goal to address the difficulty parents and educators encounter when attempting to find reliable, safe and effective tools for children with special needs. We discovered that, by doing our due diligence to ensure that our products were effective and safe, we were taking a load off the shoulders of those most invested in the well-being of these children. All of our products are selected by a team of parents and experienced therapists, which helps us ensure we provide the very best in Oral Motor, Fine Motor, Gross Motor, Daily Living, School and Sensory products. Our team is dedicated to providing customers with the best selection of products for children and adults with special needs. Our passion is not only to raise awareness about the issues facing those with autistic and sensory integration needs, but to offer a therapeutic solution at an affordable price. ​ [US-WIDE SERVICE] Visit > The IAD Company The IAD Company are Architectural and Interior Design consultants practicing across England and Wales with experience designing environments for children and adults with additional mental and physical needs. IAD’s involvement can be anything from simple floor plans through to fully considered interior design layouts with colour schemes, electrical plans, furniture layouts and anything else that may be required. IAD provide a package following the OT assessment in conjunction with the OT who produced the report. We do not provide a one-size-fits-all package and will adapt our service to supplement the OT’s in whatever way is most beneficial to the project. ​ [UK-BASED ORGANISATION; SERVICES AVAILABLE ACROSS ENGLAND AND WALES] Visit >

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< Specialisms Resources + Services Portal Learning (Intellectual) Disabilities + Useful resources and services, for your care and career. This is an expanding directory and community suggestions are not definitive. K now of a resource or service that should be featured? Suggest an entry 'Confidential Enquiry into Premature Deaths of People with Learning Disabilities' (CIPOLD) Report (Heslop, et al. 2013) This report follows Death By Indifference, also listed on this page. This confidential enquiry looks further into to why people with learning disabilities sometimes live shorter lives than other people - and what we can do to change this. ​ [UK CHARITY REPORT; INFORMATION APPLICABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > 'Death By Indifference' (Mencap, 2007) This report will set out why we believe there is institutional discrimination within the NHS, and why people with a learning disability get worse healthcare than non-disabled people. We present the stories of six people who we believe have died unnecessarily. We do so because healthcare professionals need to realise the serious - even fatal - consequences of their lack of understanding. We do so to point out that these professionals must work to ensure that such tragedies can never happen again' (Mencap, 2007). ​ ​ Easy read PDF ​ [UK CHARITY REPORT; INFORMATION APPLICABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > 'How Social Care Staff can use Reasonable Adjustments to support the health of people with Learning Disabilities' (Public Health England 2017) Reasonable adjustments are the changes the law says people or services must make so disabled people can use services as easily as everybody else. Putting reasonable adjustments in place can help people with learning disabilities get better healthcare and live longer. This document lays out some tips and advice about how we can ensure individuals with learning disabilities have the reasonable adjustments they need in order to access healthcare safely and effectively. ​ [UK GOVERNMENT DOCUMENT; INFORMATION APPLICABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > 'Improving Healthcare Access for People with Learning Disabilities' This link provides access to copies of government guidance to support your practice and build your skills. This includes information around common health needs, reasonable adjustments, mental capacity act, hospital admissions, pain management, dementia and palliative and end of life care for people with learning disabilities. ​ [UK GOVERNMENT WEBSITE; INFORMATION APPLICABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > 'Occupational Therapy for People with Learning Disabilities: Findings from a research study' (2010) Authors:Lillywhite, A. and Haines, D. (2010) Published by:(Royal) College of Occupational Therapists This highlights key points from research undertaken by the (then) College of Occupational Therapists' 'Specialist Section: People with Learning Disabilities'. The research was commissioned with the aim of exploring and documenting the nature of occupational therapy with people with learning disabilities across the United Kingdom, from the perspectives of occupational therapists and support workers. [UK PROFESSIONAL BODY; PDF INFORMATION APPLICABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > 'Valuing People Now: a new three-year strategy for people with learning disabilities' (Department of Health, 2009) Valuing People Now was published in 2009 as the UK Government's three-year strategy to improve and promote the rights, choice, inclusion and independence of individuals with learning disabilities. ​ Easy read report (PDF) ​ [UK GOVERNMENT REPORT; INFORMATION RELEVANT WORLDWIDE] Visit > A Picture Of Health (NHS South of England) Easy read information that can help people with learning disabilities better understand health, illness, lifestyle and treatments. This website has easy read information about lots of different health conditions. ​ [UK NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE WEBSITE; INFORMATION APPLICABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > Beyond Words Empowering people through pictures. ​ Beyond Words provides books and training to support people who find pictures easier to understand than words. Whether supporting somebody with a learning disability or communication difficulty, their products empower people through pictures. ​ [UK-BASED SERVICE; SERVICES AVAILABLE INTERNATIONALLY] Visit > Brandon Trust Our charity exists to enable children, young people and adults with learning disabilities and autism to live life in the way they choose. We do that by providing high-quality, individualised support that focuses on enabling people to achieve their dreams and truly live free. Visit > British Institute of Learning Disabilities (BILD) Professor Gerry Simon set up BILD in 1971, because he was convinced there could be better support in the community for people with disabilities. They’ve been championing the rights of people with disabilities ever since. BILD uses its skills, knowledge and experience to turn policy into practice, solve problems and improve support. In working with Government departments, local authorities, health trusts, service providers and mainstream organisations, our aim is to improve the quality of the lives of people with disabilities (BILD 2017). The BILD website has a range of resources for service users, family, carers, support workers and professionals around how to effectively support and work with individuals with learning disabilities. ​ [UK CHARITY; INFORMATION APPLICABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > Care Farming UK Up-to-date website that allows you to search for your nearest Care Farm, by postcode. Visit > Challenging Behaviour and Learning Disabilities: prevention and interventions for people with learning disabilities whose behaviour challenges (NICE Guidelines, 2015) This guideline covers interventions and support for children, young people and adults with a learning disability and behaviour that challenges. It highlights the importance of understanding the cause of behaviour that challenges, and performing thorough assessments so that steps can be taken to help people change their behaviour and improve their quality of life. The guideline also covers support and intervention for family members or carers. ​ [UK PUBLIC BODY GUIDELINES; INFORMATION APPLICABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > Communicating with people with a learning disability (Mencap) This information is designed to provide a brief introduction to communication and the problems faced by someone with a learning disability. It also contains tips on how you can be a better communicator, and how you can help someone with a learning disability get their message across. ​ [UK CHARITY; INFORMATION APPLICABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > Down's Syndrome Association The only organisation in the UK focusing solely on all aspects of living successfully with Down’s syndrome. ​ [UK CHARITY; INFORMATION APPLICABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > Easy Health This website has lots of easy read resources around health, food and exercise and videos that are accessible for use when working with individuals with learning disabilities. ​ [UK WEBSITE; INFORMATION APPLICABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > Easy-Read Information about Mental Health (Peter Bates) Some people with learning disabilities need to use mental health services, but can find that these services are not well informed about how to support them. One part of good support is the provision of easy read information about mental health services, human rights and psychiatric treatment. ​ [UK WEBSITE; INFORMATION APPLICABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities Our aim is to ensure that people with learning disabilities continue to get better lives. We do this by gaining knowledge, improving practice and influencing of policy through our work directly with people with learning disabilities. We believe that people with learning disabilities should have the same rights and the same choices as everyone else in society” (Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, 2017). The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities work in the following key areas: Employment and education Family, friends and community Rights and equality Health and Well Being Getting the right support Changing service delivery ​ [UK CHARITY; INFORMATION APPLICABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > Learning Disability England Learning Disability England is a charity and membership organisation working to make life better for people with learning disabilities and their families. Learning Disability England brings together people with learning disabilities, families and friends and organisations so that we can do more and shout louder. ​ [UK-BASED CHARITY] Visit > LearningDisability.co.uk We aim to provide information, education, resources, advocacy and services for those working with adults with learning disabilities. ​ We are committed to the social inclusion for all people with a learning disability into mainstream society. This can be achieved through the wider education and training of all communities in understanding learning disabilities, it’s impact upon the individual, the family and equality of life. ​ [UK-BASED ORGANISATION; INFORMATION APPLICABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > Look Hear Australia Look Hear Australia focuses on bringing the top resources and resource pages, on children with complex and additional needs, together under one site. Our motto is "it's not hard to make it easy" and we strive to make the search for quality information, programs, equipment and resources easy. [AUSTRALIA-BASED RESOURCE; INFORMATION APPLICABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > MyLiferaft MyLiferaft is an online place for an individual’s health and well-being information that helps to connect them to you and others in their care circle. All their information is stored safely and easily, allowing only those that they choose to be able to access it. It’s not just about the facts and figures; they can store information such as “I love a cup of tea with my medication!” or “I’m scared of injections!” This allows those that care for them to know what helps them to feel better, and their care circle to feel better informed to support them. ​ [UK: SOUTHAMPTON-BASED SERVICE; AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE] Visit > NICE Guidelines and Quality Standards (Learning Disabilities) NICE Guidelines - Review the evidence across broad health and social care topics: Care and support of people growing older with learning disabilities Challenging behaviour and learning disabilities: prevention and interventions for people with learning disabilities whose behaviour challenges Learning disabilities and behaviour that challenges: service design and delivery Mental health problems in people with learning disabilities: prevention, assessment and management Quality Standards - Set out priority areas for quality improvement in health and social care: Learning disabilities: challenging behaviour Learning disabilities: identifying and managing mental health problems ​ [UK-BASED ORGANISATION; INFORMATION APPLICABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > RCOT Specialist Section: People with Learning Disabilities We organise educational events, act in an advisory and consultative capacity and provide updates on developments in national policies affecting learning disability services. We support each other's professional development and work cooperatively to shape and influence learning disability national policy. Our networks create links between occupational therapists and students who have an interest in people with learning disabilities (Royal College of Occupational Therapists 2017). ​ [UK PROFESSIONAL BODY; PAID MEMBERSHIP LOG IN REQUIRED] Visit > Safeguarding: Easy-read leaflets (Newham London) Some easy read leaflets about hate crime, keeping safe at home and keeping safe while out and about, to support individuals with learning disabilities to better understand these issues, and how they can stay safe. [UK BOROUGH COUNCIL WEBSITE; INFORMATION RELEVANT WORLDWIDE] Visit > Scottish Commission for Learning Disability The Scottish Commission for Learning Disability (SCLD) is the lead strategic partner to the Scottish Government in the delivery of learning disability strategy and policy. Visit > Sensory World Sensory world was set up as a tool to support individuals with learning disabilities to learn to use computers and to fill a gap in provision of an accessible website for adults with learning disabilities. Sensory World is designed to be a fun place to learn, with a wide range of stimulating and appropriate activities. [UK WEBSITE; INFORMATION APPLICABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > The Learning Disabilities Elf The Learning Disabilities Elf aims to bring you the latest learning disabilities evidence that is published each week. ​ We scan the most important websites, databases and journals and select evidence that is relevant to health and social care professionals with an interest in learning disabilities. ​ [UK-BASED ORGANISATION; INFORMATION APPLICABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > The Learning Disabilities Mortality Review The Learning Disabilities Mortality Review (LeDeR) programme was established to support local areas to review the deaths of people with learning disabilities, identify learning from those deaths, and take forward the learning into service improvement initiatives. Visit > Yellow Submarine (Oxford) Yellow Submarine is an award-winning Oxfordshire charity, that believes people with learning disabilities and autism deserve to live life to the full. ​ We tackle the problem that many people with learning disabilities leave school with limited life skills and as a result poor life chances. This often leads to isolation and being marginalised. Our projects start working with young people in community settings from the age of 11 onwards, to build their social skills, confidence, independence and ultimately their employability. ​ [UK: OXFORD-BASED SERVICE] Visit >

< Specialisms Resources + Services Portal Neurology + Useful resources and services, for your care and career. This is an expanding directory and community suggestions are not definitive. K now of a resource or service that should be featured? Suggest an entry MEB Neurohabilitación MEB was born of the desire to find solutions for a better life. We are a group of professionals who come from the field of neurological rehabilitation - occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists and other professionals from the health and social sector. We transfer to the clinic the current knowledge offered by neuroscience and social health research. From a clinical point of view, we bring our experience and specialisation of the nervous system, based on a constant updating of knowledge during the last twenty years. During this time, our objective has always been to find the best solutions to the unique circumstances of each patient, each person. ​ Our intervention is aimed at people affected by acquired brain damage, neurodegenerative diseases, spinal cord injury, dysfunctional states of the nervous system and all those who, for any reason, have lost their level of autonomy. ​ [SPAIN-BASED; INFORMATION APPLICABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > Occupational Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease For most individuals with Parkinsons disease, they will receive a multidisciplinary treatment plan including occupational therapy. The main role of OT is to increase performance and engagement in activities within the home or community that are valued by the individual. The aim of this is to improve functionality and overall quality of life.' Visit > Ocupatea Occupational therapy and intervention for people with neuro-developmental disorders. A blog, documents and materials, with a focus on autism. Created by Sabina Barros, university lecturer in Spain. ​ Website language: Spanish [SPANISH RESOURCE; INFORMATION APPLICABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > Raising Superstar Kids with ADHD In this guidebook on parenting children with ADHD, you'll discover: Game-changing strategies to make everyday life with ADHD easier for both you and your child A closer look at ADHD and how it affects the brain How to make sure you get the right diagnosis and the disorders commonly mistaken for ADHD Methods to help your child manage their symptoms long-term with medical and non-medical ADHD interventions How to help your child make friends and improve social skills, including how ADHD impacts your child’s social development Techniques to help your child manage intense emotions without tantrums - plus tips on expressing gratitude, building pride, and extending compassion for others The ADHD superpowers your child has, and how you can nurture these qualities in them The crucial role of routines in your child’s daily life - including a sample routine you can easily follow and apply How to set your child up for school success - and why it’s important to get teachers and classmates involved Visit > Stroke Core Competencies - Stroke Training and Awareness Resources (STARS) This e-learning resource provides a learning tool for health and social care staff to enable them to become more knowledgeable and skilful in the challenging area of stroke care. The resource is based on the Stroke Core Competencies which were published by NHS Education for Scotland (NES) in 2005. ​ The website provides a multidisciplinary resource which focuses on a wide range of core knowledge and skills required by all staff when delivering stroke care. The Core Competencies provide an interactive way of learning with quizzes, animations, video clips, and case scenarios. ​ + Stroke Advancing Modules > ​ [UK TRAINING RESOURCE; AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit >

< Specialisms Resources + Services Portal Accessing Therapists + Useful resources and services, for your care and career. This is an expanding directory and community suggestions are not definitive. K now of a resource or service that should be featured? Suggest an entry Enable Therapy Services Promoting the use of rehabilitation and early intervention. Our services are delivered by our UK-wide network of over 120 highly qualified Occupational Therapists, working together with our dedicated office based clinical coordinators – providing rehabilitation and vocational case management. All ETS Occupational Therapists have the knowledge and experience to provide a wide range of rehabilitation reports, assessments and rehabilitation case management. Our wide range of rehabilitation services provide our referrers with one point of contact to ensure continuity of the rehabilitation process; from early intervention until clients reach their optimal recovery, in activities of daily living, social, leisure and return to work. Our comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services are dovetailed with each client’s rehabilitation programme, so that they are supported with advice and guidance throughout their return to work. ​ [UK: LEEDS-BASED; SERVICES AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE] Visit > NHS 24 NHS 24 is the national provider of digital and telephone based health and care services for Scotland. We provide people with access to information, care and advice through multiple channels including telephone, web and online. We work in collaboration with partners, the public and our people to co-design services using technology and a digital first approach to sustainable service development and delivery. ​ Our Services 111; Health Information and Support Services (NHS inform ; Care Information Scotland ; Quit Your Way ); Scheduled Care Services (including MSK telephone advice and triage service ); Scottish Emergency Dental Service; Breathing Space ; NHS Living Life . Visit > OT360 Professional Supervision Royal College of Occupational Therapists, the Health and Care Professions Council and the Care Quality Commission and all agree: expert supervision is essential for all registered care providers. So if you chose to have supervision how will we work together? That is largely up to you. I have years of experience of supervising OTs, building great working relationships and working hard to tackle your issues, dilemmas or problems. I understand the need to be flexible, so we will work together to find a pattern of meetings that works for you. And, of course, after every session you will receive a summary and action plan, as well as evidence of each HCPC standard, so you are always ready for the HCPC audit. How often we meet is up to you. Most people find that one or two hours a month works well. We can meet monthly, bimonthly or whatever works. Simply email me and suggest dates and times, and we can make arrangements. And of course we can talk in person or on the phone. Have a look at my website, read about who I already work with, and what they say about my work. ​ Margaret Spencer MA Consultant Occupational Therapist and Senior Lecturer ​ [UK-BASED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST] Visit > OTCoach OTCoach inspiring and supporting OTs to develop creative and courageous OT practice. OTCoach has been working with individual OTs, OT services and educators since 2005, during which time we have seen the amazing power of a “coach approach.” Interest in coaching in occupational therapy continues to grow, as both professions aim to help people live their lives with balance and purpose. We “coach” OTs themselves and also help OTs develop a coaching approach to their work. ​ Twitter: @OTCoachUK Facebook: facebook.com/OTCoach Linked In: linkedin.com/in/jengash Purchase our OTCoaching book [BRISTOL/SW ENGLAND BASED; COACHING AVAILABLE UK-WIDE] Visit > Seirrah Occupational Therapy Based in our clinic in Cardiff, South Wales, Seirrah OT is a private provider of occupational therapy services for individuals aged 0 to 25 years of age with developmental challenges in their movement, play, learning, and behaviour. As part of our wider services we also work across the UK in homes, schools, and community settings to provide assessment, advice, treatment, and training. Each individual we work with receives a tailored programme according to his or her needs with our treatment programmes being fun and engaging. Our team enable each individual person overcome difficulties they are experiencing by increasing their motivation and adopting a “there’s no limits” approach. ​ [S.WALES-BASED; UK-WIDE] Visit > Solutions for Living - Entwistle Power Occupational Therapy Solutions for Living works proactively and compassionately with disabled and injured people to help them improve their functional independence in important life roles. At home, work, in the community or during leisure pursuits, our Mission is to provide people with disabilities solutions for living. In this way, they can have hope for a better future, are empowered towards independence, and succeed in pursuing functional goals. Our Vision is that occupational therapy becomes recognised for all that it is and all that it can offer as a comprehensive and cost-effective health care solution. Further, our firm, driven by caring, passion and integrity, will lead in the delivery of these services across Ontario. ​ [CANADA: ONTARIO SERVICE] Visit > The OT Practice The OT Practice has the largest team of independent occupational therapists in the UK, specialising in providing high quality services nationwide to private, statutory and business clients. Our practice is based on our reputation for building trusted relationships with our clients, and we are always looking for talented individuals to join our team. ​ Whether you are thinking about taking the first steps into private practice or are an experienced private practitioner, working with us could be just the answer. If you aren’t sure where to start, we can guide you through the process and provide tools to help manage your workload. Our office-based client management team help find, allocate and administer cases, leaving you time to focus on providing clients with the highest level of care. ​ [UK: HAMPSHIRE-BASED; SERVICES AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE] Visit >

< Specialisms Resources + Services Portal Nutrition + Useful resources and services, for your care and career. This is an expanding directory and community suggestions are not definitive. K now of a resource or service that should be featured? Suggest an entry AJOT: Nutritional Support and the Occupational Therapist’s Role Nutrition, although important, is often overlooked during hospitalization. At Grant Hospital of Chicago, a nutritional support team is trained in recognizing, assessing, and managing nutritional disorders. The occupational therapist member of this team works to enhance patients’ functional independence physically and emotionally. Knowledge of nutrition is necessary for all health professionals when dealing with the total person. Visit > NHS: New brain diet 'slows mental decline' "Eating food rich in vitamins and minerals keeps the brain younger," reports the Daily Express. The headline was prompted by a US study of a new diet called MIND, which appeared to slow down ageing of the brain. The MIND diet was developed specifically to help improve brain function and reduce dementia, and is a combination of the Mediterranean diet and the blood pressure-lowering DASH diet . Both of these diets have previously shown positive effects on cognitive decline. The researchers wanted to see if they could narrow down which elements were the most important. Visit > Nutritank A nutrition and lifestyle medicine community with the very best educational resources at your fingertips empowering medical students, healthcare professionals and patients alike Visit > Occupational Therapy for Adults with Overweight and Obesity: Mapping Interventions Involving Occupational Therapists Worldwide obesity rates are increasing. The effectiveness of occupational therapy in overweight and obese adults has not yet been clarified. Objectives . The scoping review aimed at examining the evidence on interventions involving occupational therapists in the treatment of adults with overweight and obesity. Methods . Data on interventions involving occupational therapists and reporting on lifestyle-related outcomes in overweight and obese adults was extracted from the databases Cochrane, PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase, including hand and reference search. The scoping review methodology of Arksey and O’Malley was used. Conclusions were based on numerical and narrative analysis. Visit > The Role of Occupational Therapy in Diabetes and Lifestyle Interventions by Ryan Osal I started to pursue training in health and wellness coaching because of my interest in food and nutrition. That opened up my idea of the preventive part of OT and our important role in diabetes and lifestyle modification. Visit > The application of an occupationaltherapy nutrition education programme for children who are obese The aim of this study was to evaluate an occupational therapy nutri-tion education programme for children who are obese with the use of two interactive games. A quasi-experimental study was carried out at a municipal school in For-taleza, Brazil. A convenient sample of 200 children ages 8–10 years old participated in the study. Data collection comprised a semi-structured interview, direct and struc-tured observation, and focus group, comparing two interactive games based on the food pyramid (video game and board game) used individually and then combined. Both play activities were effi cient in the mediation of nutritional concepts, with a preference for the board game. In the learning strategies, intrinsic motivation and metacognition were analysed. Visit > holisticot.org: Do You Eat Well? Part of the OT scope of practice is helping people eat healthy food, meal plan, and shop for and prepare well-balanced nutritional meals.1 However, given the variety of information and new studies that seem to contradict older ones, many wonder, “What should I eat?” Nutrition and Health According to Dean Ornish, MD, “Currently, over 75% of the $2.8 trillion in health care costs are due to chronic diseases, such as coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes, that can be largely prevented by making comprehensive lifestyle changes. We don’t need to wait for a new drug or laser or high-tech breakthrough; we simply need to put into practice what we already know.” Visit >

< Specialisms Resources + Services Portal Dementia + Useful resources and services, for your care and career. This is an expanding directory and community suggestions are not definitive. K now of a resource or service that should be featured? Suggest an entry 'Study: Memories of music cannot be lost to Alzheimer's and dementia' Some music inspires you to move your feet, some inspires you to get out there and change the world. In any case, and to move hurriedly on to the point of this article, it's fair to say that music moves people in special ways. ​ If you're especially into a piece of music, your brain does something called Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR), which feels to you like a tingling in your brain or scalp. It's nature's own little "buzz", a natural reward, that is described by some as a "head orgasm". Some even think that it explains why people go to church, for example, "feeling the Lord move through you", but that's another article for another time. ​ [INTERNATIONAL RESOURCE; AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > Connecting People, Connecting Support: Occupation Matters Designed to help you embed health promoting activities into your daily routine. Whether you are visiting because you have been told that you have mild-cognitive impairment, have been given a diagnosis of dementia, or want to keep well by taking steps to maintain good brain health, there is something here for everyone. The resources and activities have been tried, tested and recommended by people with dementia. The website was created by occupational therapists and design researchers, who are passionate about the role of occupation and meaningful activity, in enabling individuals to live well and continue to do the things that are important to them. [UK-BASED RESOURCE; AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > Seniors Flourish Seniors Flourish helps OT practitioners and students be the best they can be when working with older adults. We do this through: The Learning Lab Membership: helping you be skilled, creative, current & have the resources you need with hundreds of treatment idea videos, lists and links to patient handouts, tools, assessments, and evaluations, a journal club, exclusive community forum and fun bonuses - just for being a member! Seniors Flourish Podcast: showcasing relevant interviews, answering questions, current articles and hot topics, but also to getting OT practitioners excited about working with older adults, give actionable ideas that listeners can take and use in their own practice and have some fun along the way! OT Resources: find the CEU discounts, e-books, handouts, forms and products that you have been looking for to ramp up your practice! Blog: free treatment ideas, education and resources to learn, relate and grow as an OT practitioner and student. Connect with Seniors Flourish via email: mchamberlain@seniorsflourish.com , or social media: Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter. ​ [US-BASED RESOURCE; AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit >

The Occupational Therapy Hub Team We passionately empower clinicians, students and those they support. Our team of occupational therapists spans cultures and skillsets. Click our faces to find out more. Jamie Grant Founder / Managing Director Abigail Brown Therapy Articles Lead Ainun Meutia ('Tia') Paediatrics Lead Claire Davies Gaunt Company Secretary Jamie Grant - Team J amie Grant Founder and Managing Director Specialist Neu rological Occupational Therapist in Bristol, UK Contact Jamie With a decade of experience in hospitality, media and television production, Jamie took a new direction. After a year as a mental health support worker, he decided that a career in healthcare better matched his values. Jamie relocated from London to Bristol, to train as an Occupational Therapist at the University of the West of England (UK). Jamie works clinically as an Specialist Neurological Occupational Therapist, providing outpatient rehabilitation. He integrates neuro-technology and traditional functional rehab methods, to maximise outcomes for adults. Previously, he worked for a community paediatric disability service and before that in a brain injury rehabilitation unit. Other past experiences include being a rotational OT (in acute NHS hospitals) and working within an urgent care rapid response team. Jamie also completed placements within stroke rehabilitation and at a young persons' mental health charity. The Occupational Therapy Hub has been Jamie's labour of love, since he first launched the platform in 2017. He enjoys collaborating with occupational therapists and healthcare staff around the world. He has a bold vision for the Hub. By sharing knowledge and breaking down information and international barriers, Jamie believes that his team can make a valued contribution to health and social care. He strives to bring a global community together. In doing so, The Occupational Therapy Hub can directly empower clinicians and students, indirectly supporting patients and clients. Abigail Brown Therapy Articles Lead Occupational Therapist in Hereford, UK Contact Abigail Abigail graduated in 2017 with an MSc in pre-reg Occupational Therapy from Plymouth University, UK. She has worked in community adult mental health and learning disabilities as a mental health practitioner; supporting people in their own homes through the recovery model. Abigail found a passion for empowering this client group, focusing on skill development and increasing independent living skills. Through working with those who have a learning disability, Abigail has developed a passion for advocating for the rights and choices of those who are vulnerable. A large part of the job involves supporting communication and making reasonable adjustments through best practice. Working in a generic role, Abigail valued the challenge of weaving her OT skills into practice to promote the benefits of OT across mental healthcare. Abigail has a passion for learning and gaining new experiences in the world of OT. She has an interest in research and promoting the value of the profession, through evidence based practice. In her spare time, Abigail enjoys exercising at the gym and cycling, reading and going to the beach with friends and family. Ainun Meutia ('Tia') Paediatrics Lead Occupational Therapist in Jakarta, Indonesia Contact Tia Tia is a school-based occupational therapist, with more than 10 years’ experience. Since graduating from the University of Indonesia, Tia has been working in the school setting; teaching and coaching have always been her passion. She is also a guest lecturer for the occupational therapy major at her alma mater. Tia loves iced coffee as much as she loves sharing her knowledge and experiences in parenting classes, talking about attachment and child development. Currently she is interested to learn more about the occupation of sleep. Claire Davies Gaunt Company S ecretary Based in Kent, UK Contact Claire Graduating from Sheffield University with a degree in Law, Claire is currently also working at a digital scheduling company. Past roles include Paralegal and Office Manager in the London office of a well-known Belgian chocolate company. Claire brings many years of knowledge of the legal sector and has previously been an EA for a charity start-up and a policy officer at City Hall, in the Mayor's office. Outside of work, Claire enjoys everything Kent and London have to offer. But she loves to escape to the mountains as many times as possible in the winter, to get back on the skis! Ainun Meutia - Team Abigail Brown - Team Claire Davies Gaunt - Team

Resources + Services Portal + Useful resources and services, for your care and career. Search and contribute to the global occupational therapy directory. Suggest new entry Specialisms Accessibility + Adaptation Activity Clubs Anatomy + Physiology Assistive Technology Autistic Spectrum Condition Career Development Carer Support Charities + Social Enterprises Coronavirus Cultural Considerations Dementia Fatigue Management Green + Outdoor Care Guidance, Laws + Acts Health Promotion Housing Learning Disabilities Manual Handling manual handling Mental Health Models + Outcome Measures Music Therapy Music Therapy Networking Neurology Nutrition Occupational Science Older People Other OT Platforms Paediatrics Posture, Seating + Wheelchairs Professional Bodies More Specialisms > Suggest an entry Suggest entry The Occupational Therapy Hub currently knows of resources and services within the specialisms listed. This is not a definitive list and the database is regularly expanded. If you know of a resource or service that you believe should be showcased, suggest one here. Thank you! Suggestion submitted. Submit suggestion

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< Specialisms Resources + Services Portal Vocational Rehabilitation + Useful resources and services, for your care and career. This is an expanding directory and community suggestions are not definitive. K now of a resource or service that should be featured? Suggest an entry AJOT: The Role of Occupational Therapy in the Vocational Rehabilitation Process This paper identifies the roles and responsibilities of occupational therapy to individuals involved in the vocational rehabilitation process. Visit > BSRM: Vocational Rehabilitation: The Way Forward This document has been produced in the hope that it will contribute to the debate on work (within government, the health professions and other interested bodies) and lead to improvement in services for those for whom accident, illness or disability has led to temporary or permanent loss of work. Better practice within the National Health Service (NHS) and liaison with other agencies can prevent unnecessary sickness absence and job loss in view of the number of bodies involved in vocational rehabilitation. This report is wide-ranging in the hope that it may act as a resource for those entering the field without detailed knowledge of all the agencies involved. Visit > British Association for Supported Employment The British Association for Supported Employment is the national trade association for the supported employment sector. Our purpose is to support, promote and develop the principles and provision of supported employment. BASE aims to: Assist people with disabilities by encouraging the provision of support into employment Endorse and promote quality standards in the delivery of supported employment Nurture and encourage the setting up of new supported employment services Promote the training of supported employment personnel throughout the UK Provide regular, detailed information including an advisory and development service to association members Liaise and negotiate with national and international government and non-government organisations, to promote the aims of the Association Visit > Healthy Working Lives Find out about the basics you must have in place to manage health and safety in your organisation. Why supporting the mental health of your employees is important and ways to do this. Visit > Personnel Today: Return to work through vocational rehabilitation A vocational rehabilitation model using occupational therapists challenges traditional OH approaches Visit > RCOT: RCOT awarded funding to run occupational therapy-led vocational clinics in GP surgeries The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) is delighted to announce that it has been successful in its bid for support from the Challenge Fund, to run occupational therapy led vocational clinics based in GP surgeries. Visit > RCOT: Vocational Rehabilitation Fact Sheet Occupational therapists have key skills that can help people with developmental, physical or mental health conditions to overcome barriers in order to engage in meaningful occupation and commence, resume or retain employment. They are trained to assess the complex interplay between the person’s skills and limitations, the social and physical environment and the demands of the task, in order to offer individualised intervention plans that can enable people to reach their goals. Visit > The OT Practice : A professional’s guide to Vocational Rehabilitation This guide has been produced to assist case managers in understanding the place of vocational rehabilitation in occupational therapy. ​ Vocational rehabilitation has been thoroughly explored in professional and academic literature and some suggestions for further reading are provided at the end of this guide. The present writer has been able to draw not only from that literature, but also from years of practical, clinical experience in the field, which itself sits at the very heart of occupational therapy. Visit > UK Rehabilitation Council The UK Rehabilitation Council is a community of rehabilitation associations, rehabilitation providers, clients and other stakeholder groups. Our common goal is to ensure access to high quality medical and vocational rehabilitation services in the UK. ​ Acting as an umbrella organisation for this broad community, the Council has been established to provide a united voice on issues of importance to us. The Council seeks to coordinate the efforts of its members, in order that our combined efforts have the greatest possible impact. Visit > Vocational Rehabilitation Association The VRA is a multi-disciplinary UK-wide organisation supporting and promoting all those working in vocational rehabilitation whether in the public, private, voluntary or third sector. Visit > Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Employment Outcomes for People with Disabilities: A United States Study By Alo Dutta, Robert Gervey, Fong Chan, Chih-Chin Chou, Nicole Ditchman. This study examined the effect of vocational rehabilitation services on employment outcomes of people with sensory/communicative, physical, and mental impairments in the United States. Visit > Vocational Rehabilitation: NHS Network This network was developed as a result of a two year research project "Mapping Vocational Rehabilitation Services for People with Long Term Neurological Conditions", led by Dr Diane Playford, Institute of Neurology, University College London and Dr Kate Radford, University of Central Lancashire. The study was set up to find out more about specialist vocational rehabilitation services currently available in England. It also provides guidance to commissioners and providers about the barriers and facilitators to establishing successful vocational rehabilitation services. Visit > Vocational rehabilitation: scientific evidence review The aim of this review was to provide an evidence base for policy development on vocational rehabilitation, which is defined as, ‘whatever helps someone with a health problem to stay at, return to and remain at work’. It focused on: adults of working age the common health problems that account for two-thirds of long-term sickness work outcomes The review found a strong scientific evidence base for many aspects of vocational rehabilitation - and a good business case for it. Visit > Work Matters Booklet Work matters: vocational navigation for occupational therapy staff is the result of a collaboration between the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and the National Social Inclusion Programme . It is aimed at occupational therapists and other allied health professionals and provides good practice guidance to support their work with people on their journeys to employment. It outlines some of the barriers and how occupational therapists can work with people to identify and tackle these. It also introduces some ideas on engaging with people around work issues and signposts readers to useful sources of information and potential partner organisations. Visit >

< Specialisms Resources + Services Portal Virtual Reality + Useful resources and services, for your care and career. This is an expanding directory and community suggestions are not definitive. K now of a resource or service that should be featured? Suggest an entry 'Advances in Occupational Therapy Technology: Rehab Week 2017' - The future of OT (OT Potential) There is no better place to take in emerging technology in occupation therapy than Rehab Week. I had the opportunity to attend the 2017 conference in London and I am excited to update you on the technology advances that are coming to rehabilitation. Whether you are looking to invest in new rehab tech or simply feel inspired, this post is for you.' ​ Author: Lauren Sheehan, OTD, OTR/L OT Potential > OT Blog - 14th September 2017 ​ [US-BASED WEBSITE; BLOG AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > 'All aboard! The VR bandwagon' (The Naked Physio) So some of you that might be reading this (and that know me) are familiar with my fascination of the use of Virtual Reality within a persistent pain setting. I am the first person to admit it is very cool and it is something that I am exploring more clinically. However, I want to put the brakes on, stop and reflect on whether physiotherapists (come on let’s face it, it’s always physiotherapists) will be too quick to jump onto another bandwagon...'​ ​ Author: thenakedphysio.com (19th October 2017) ​ [ARTICLE AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > 'How virtual therapy can lead to real-world healing' (Newsy.com) How virtual therapy can lead to real-world healing ​ Virtual reality s promise doesn't end with games and movies. Researchers and doctors are turning to VR for everything from neuroscience, to psychiatry, to occupational therapy. Virtual reality headsets and cameras can supplement - and in some cases even improve - occupational therapy... Author: Evan Thomas Newsy.com - 19th May 2017 ​ [US-BASED WEBSITE - ARTICLE + VIDEO AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > 'I build games for survivors' - Dr Rachel Proffitt (A Stroke Focus Podcast) Episode 14:Develop VR Games For Stroke Survivors, Interview With Dr Rachel Proffitt In this interview, Dr Proffitt shares her work and the experience that led her to become a passionate “game nerd” working for survivors. A Stroke Focus Podcast - Episode 14 [PODCAST RECORDED IN THE US - AVAILABLE TO LISTEN WORLDWIDE] Visit > 'Incorporating the Wii into Occupational Therapy Treatment' (My OT Spot + Grant Mitchell) Effective implementation of virtual reality (VR) as a treatment modality needs to be practical, accessible, and affordable to the client. The Nintendo Wii and Xbox Kinect are two examples of systems that demonstrate those traits comparatively to the high-end VR products that can cost upwards of $75,000.' ​ Read more > ​ Author: Grant Mitchell - Millennial OT A guest blog on My OT Spot ​ [US WEBSITE; BLOG AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > 'Learning from experience: shared constructs in virtual reality and occupational therapy' (IJTR) Rehabilitation professionals have long accepted the belief that engagement in meaningful activity contributes to human development and can enhance health and wellbeing. More recently, theorists have begun to discuss the importance not only of engagement in such activities, but the experience one has while engaging in them. With this shift, it is important for scholars of rehabilitation, in particular occupational therapy theorists and clinicians, to develop better ways to describe and measure occupational experience. Considering how an understanding of occupational experience can be enhanced by taking up constructs in virtual reality theory that are similar to those in occupational therapy and occupational science, such as immersion, presence, flow, and embodiment. Correspondingly, the growing field of virtual reality can benefit from occupational therapists' and occupational scientists' work on occupational presence, therapeutic occupation, and the adaptation of contexts (including virtual contexts) to fit individual needs.' ​ > To read more, log-in to IJTR with your institution's account - via OpenAthens or Shibboleth - to access the full text. ​ Author: Amanda C Foran International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation (IJTR) - 16th August 2013 ​ [AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > 'The Use of Virtual Reality to Facilitate Mindfulness Skills Training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder: A Case Study' (Frontiers in Psychology) Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe mental disorder characterised by a dysfunctional pattern of affective instability, impulsivity and disturbed interpersonal relationships (American Psychiatric Association, 2013 ). People with BPD are at increased risk of self-harm, suicidal behaviours, completed suicides and often have co-occurring disorders, such as depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and eating disorders (Lieb et al., 2004 ). BPD has been conceptualised as a disorder of the emotion regulation system (Linehan, 1993 ; Crowell et al., 2009 ). Even when they try to modulate their own emotions, people with BPD have high negative emotions as their baseline emotional state, they are unusually sensitive, respond intensely, and are slow to calm down (Linehan, 2015 )...' '...Immersive VR is proving useful as a new tool clinical psychology therapists can use to enhance the effectiveness of cognitive-behaviuor therapy to treat many psychological disorders. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy using VR exposure therapy has been shown to be efficacious in the treatment of anxiety disorders (Opris et al., 2012 ), like spider phobia (Garcia-Palacios et al., 2002 ; Hoffman et al., 2003 ), fear of flying (Rothbaum et al., 1996 ; Krijn et al., 2004 ), social phobia (Kampmann et al., 2016 ), small animal phobia (Botella et al., 2016 ), and claustrophobia (Botella et al., 1999 )...' Read more > Authors: Maria V. Nararro-Haro, Hunter G. Hoffman, Azucena Garcia-Palacios, Mariana Sampaio, Wadee Alhalabi, Karyn Hall and Marsha Linehan. Frontiers in Psychology - November 2016 - Volume 7, Article 1573 (Case Report) Visit > 'VR brings dramatic change to mental health care' (Forbes Tech) VR brings dramatic change to mental health care. Author: Charlie Fink Forbes online > Tech > Medicine - 25th October 2017 ​ [US-BASED WEBSITE - ARTICLE + VIDEOS AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > 'Video game developed at USC lets patients play their way through rehab' (USC News) Video game developed at USC lets patients play their way through rehab' Clinicians and game developers at USC are teaming up to advance and validate video games for rehabilitation, a segment in the games-for-health industry that is helping stroke patients, paraplegics and others regain their dexterity through play. Mystic Isle tracks the coordinates of players’ movements, giving therapists valuable data on progress and future sessions. Author: Tanya Abrams University of Southern California (USC) online > Health > Social Impact - 16th April 2015 ​ [US-BASED WEBSITE - ARTICLE + VIDEO AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > 'Virtual reality in your OT practice' - The future of OT (OT Potential) Virtual reality in your OT practice. I think we can safely assume that we are only beginning to see the potential that VR has for transforming occupational therapy (as well as physical therapy and speech therapy)... Author: Lauren Sheehan, OTD, OTR/L OT Potential > OT Blog - 22nd June 2017 ​ [US-BASED WEBSITE - BLOG AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > 'Virtual reality therapy is just as effective as physical rehabilitation for stroke patients, study finds' (Daily Mail online) Virtual reality therapy for stroke patients is just as effective as standard physical therapy, a new study found. Researchers discovered that virtual reality therapy improved arm, hand and finger movement after a patient had lost muscle control due to a stroke... ​ Read more > ​ Author: Kayla Brantley DailyMail.com - 15th November 2017 ​ [UK-BASED WEBSITE - ARTICLE + VIDEO AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > 'Virtual rehabilitation with video games: A new frontier for occupational therapy' (Occupational Therapy Now - CAOT) Virtual rehabilitation with video games: A new frontier for occupational therapy' Author: Jonathan Halton Occupational Therapy Now - January/February 2008 - Volume 10, Issue 1 [CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS - JOURNAL ARTICLE] Visit > RAPAEL Smart Glove (Neofect) RAPAEL Smart Glove is a high-tech rehab device. Starting the training is as simple as wearing the glove, connecting to the “RAPAEL” app and proceeding to play the rehabilitation games. Neofect 'We will build hope for healthier lives as we provide opportunities of rehabilitation through technological innovation to anyone. ​ [US-BASED COMPANY - SERVICES AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > Rachel Proffitt - Games4Rehab (Twitter) Rachel Proffitt, Occupational therapist, assistant professor, stroke researcher extraordinaire, video game nerd. Designing and testing customised video games for rehabilitation.' Follow Rachel Proffitt on Twitter > ​ [US: MISSOURI-BASED OT - TWITTER ACCOUNT AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > Special Effect - The gamers' charity Special Effect, Levelling the playing field for people with disabilities. ​ We put fun and inclusion back into the lives of people with physical disabilities, by helping them to play video games. By using technology ranging from modified joypads to eye-control, we're finding a way for people to play to the very best of their abilities. But we're not just doing it for fun. By levelling the playing field, we're bringing families and friends together and having a profoundly positive impact on therapy, confidence and rehabilitation. How we can help ​ If you have a physical disability that limits or stops you from playing video games, get in touch. We have a range of accessible gaming equipment to try out in our Games Room in Oxfordshire, and there’s also the option of a home visit if your disability limits your ability to travel. We may also be able to loan you equipment following an assessment, so you can try before you buy. We’ll do our best to help you play the games you want to play - and if your needs change, we’ll come back to look at alternative solutions that will keep you going to the best of your abilities. There’s no charge for any of our help, so if you think we might be able to assist, get in touch. ​ [UK: OXFORDSHIRE-BASED CHARITY] Visit >

< Specialisms Resources + Services Portal Older People + Useful resources and services, for your care and career. This is an expanding directory and community suggestions are not definitive. K now of a resource or service that should be featured? Suggest an entry AccessAble The UK's leading provider of access information. Providing independence and choice. On our website you'll find detailed access information to thousands of venues across the UK and the Republic of Ireland: shops, pubs, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, railway stations, hotels, universities, hospitals and more. ​ Our mission is to maximise independence and choice for disabled people in accessing their local area and the places we all want to visit. We work on behalf of Local Authorities, top Universities, NHS Trusts and private sector organisations to publish detailed access information on well over 125,000 places of interest across the UK and the Republic of Ireland. We also have a number of prominent strategic partnerships, particularly in the travel and tourism sector, with organisations such as Visit England, Visit London (London & Partners/Greater London Authority), Tourism For All and Open Britain. Developed by disabled people, for disabled people . ​ ​ We go the extra mile because disabled people have told us: a venue which self-reports its access can all too often miss, overlook or fail to appreciate the reality of the access they provide the majority of venues do not have the expertise or the time to go into the detail that many disabled people need to have to make an effective judgement about the suitability of access. Finally because what’s accessible for one person is not necessarily accessible for another, our independence means “we say as we see it”, providing the facts so you can make an informed choice. ​ [UK SERVICE] Visit > Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia Alzheimer Scotland is the leading dementia organisation in Scotland. We campaign for the rights of people with dementia and their families. We provide a wide range of specialist services, community activities, information and advice - for people with dementia and their carers, at every stage of the dementia journey. ​ [UK SERVICE; AVAILABLE ACROSS SCOTLAND] Visit > Beyond Accessibility Beyond Accessibility is created by a team of therapists who specialise in how people live in the home environment. We create and publish home modification information for OTs, healthcare professionals, home owners and contractors. We are passionate about finding practical solutions to everyday problems at home that go beyond making environments accessible. Our goal is to connect people with quality resources to improve how people live by implementing customised solutions to everyday problems at home. We are a US-based resource, but the majority of our content is appropriate worldwide. Visit us online: beyondaccessibility.com Facebook: facebook.com/beyondaccessibility/ Email: beyondaccessibility@paigehays.net [US-BASED; RESOURCES APPLICABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > Bristol Older Peoples Forum BOPFs aim is that every older person in the city is an equal, valued, participating member of the community who can influence the decisions which affect their lives. (Read more on the About Us pages). Our manifesto , launched in 2016, sets out the priorities in achieving our aim through influencing key providers and decision makers in the city, and by working with others. It is fully supported by Mayor Marvin Rees, Kerry McCarthy MP, many councillors and others. Please read it and let us know what you think – it belongs to all older people in the city. Visit > CareFlex CareFlex offers an expert, free, no-obligation assessment service, to ensure the client gets the right chair to meet their needs; considering the key criteria: posture and stability, functionality, pressure relief and, of course, comfort. Our chairs are custom built in Devon, by a workforce that has a strong sense of responsibility to provide well-made chairs that will last. We are an ethical company - not solely profit focused - and we want to make a difference. Through providing pioneering, high quality products and education, we want every individual to have access to the best possible posture and pressure management product for them – to improve their quality of life and provide reassurance for their care providers. ​ In recent clinical trials by the University of Salford, our chairs were found to be comfortable and to aid occupation and feelings of wellbeing. Our WaterCell Technology® - which is at the heart of our seating - proved to be effective. It provides a reliable and continuous low-pressure solution, for people at medium to high risk of pressure damage. Remember, 95% of pressure ulcers are preventable, which can save considerable pain and anguish for patients - and save the NHS literally billions of pounds a year. ​ [UK-BASED; SERVICES AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > Enabling activity in palliative care: focus groups among occupational therapists BMC Palliative Care (Open Access) ​ Authors : Tavemark, S., Hermansson, L.N. and Blomberg, K. Published : 7 February 2019 ABSTRACT ​ Background Activity participation may support clients in palliative care to maintain dignity and quality of life. Literature and policy documents state that occupational therapists should be part of the team in palliative care but provide limited guidance on how interventions should be employed. Thus, the aim was to describe occupational therapists’ experiences of enabling activity for seriously ill and dying clients. ​ Methods In a descriptive, qualitative study, three focus groups with occupational therapists (n = 14) were conducted. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. ​ Results The findings showed that occupational therapists enabled activity in clients in palliative care while considering the client’s individual preferences. Motivation was seen to facilitate activity, while environmental restrictions were thought to act as barriers. The occupational therapists wanted to bring activities physically closer to the clients and felt a need for more client contact to enable activity. ​ Conclusions Occupational therapists’ interventions in palliative care include prioritising and planning activities according to clients’ preferences and capacities. The individual nature of these activities makes it impossible to create standardised protocol for interventions, but the study results can be used to describe occupational therapists’ strategies and to guide their work, especially for occupational therapists without experience in palliative care. Visit > Mental Capacity Act - e-Learning course (SCIE) This resource from the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) explores the UK's Mental Capacity Act 2005. It includes best interests decision-making, and how to support people to make their own decisions. The course is for everyone who looks after or cares for someone, for example, doctors, nurses, care assistants, social workers, and family members. ​ [UK ORGANISATION; E-LEARNING COURSE RELEVANT WORLDWIDE] Visit > Muggi Muggi is an innovative new product which enables hot and cold drinks to be carried safely in any environment. This unique tray enables up to four mugs to be carried safely in one hand, leaving the other hand free to support the user. Muggi also fits on to walking frames and can be conveniently placed on the lap of wheelchair users. It catches unwanted spillages and features non-slip rubber feet; finger and thumb holds make it easy to carry for young or old hands. An increasing number of occupational therapists, sufferers of Parkinson’s, arthritis and wheelchair users are finding muggi invaluable in their daily lives. Made from lightweight, but extremely tough Polypropylene, muggi comes in seven vibrant colours blue, grey, red, purple, green, pink, a black recycled material. Visit > MyLiferaft MyLiferaft is an online place for an individual’s health and well-being information that helps to connect them to you and others in their care circle. All their information is stored safely and easily, allowing only those that they choose to be able to access it. It’s not just about the facts and figures; they can store information such as “I love a cup of tea with my medication!” or “I’m scared of injections!” This allows those that care for them to know what helps them to feel better, and their care circle to feel better informed to support them. ​ [UK: SOUTHAMPTON-BASED SERVICE; AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE] Visit > OT Flourish OT Flourish helps OT practitioners and students be the best they can be when working with older adults. We do this through: The Learning Lab Membership: helping you be skilled, creative, current & have the resources you need with hundreds of treatment idea videos, lists and links to patient handouts, tools, assessments, and evaluations, a journal club, exclusive community forum and fun bonuses - just for being a member! OT Flourish Podcast: showcasing relevant interviews, answering questions, current articles and hot topics, but also to getting OT practitioners excited about working with older adults, give actionable ideas that listeners can take and use in their own practice and have some fun along the way! OT Resources: find the CEU discounts, e-books, handouts, forms and products that you have been looking for to ramp up your practice! Blog: free treatment ideas, education and resources to learn, relate and grow as an OT practitioner and student. Connect with OT Flourish via mchamberlain@seniorsflourish.com , or social media. [US-BASED RESOURCE; AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > Seating Matters Together with a team of clinicians, engineers and designers, Seating Matters have designed the world’s leading range of specialised seating, to improve comfort and quality of life for those with postural and pressure management needs. Martina Tierney - Occupational Therapist and Clinical Director - has specialised in seating throughout her career. However, she struggled to find chairs to meet the clinical and functional needs of her patients. Martina realised that her patients needed pressure care chairs which were designed to properly fit the patient’s size and were easily adjustable in order to meet their long term needs. She and her team design and produce therapeutic chairs that meet pressure management, posture, comfort, mobility and functional requirements. ​​ Her sons have created a person-centred organisation that has the patient at the heart of every decision. To change the world of healthcare seating, Seating Matters are increasing the knowledge available and sharing it freely, to improve patient care and encourage evidence based practice. [IRELAND-BASED; SERVICES AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > Sheffield Shamblers Do you enjoy walking but want to do this at a leisurely pace? Fed up with walking groups that want to beat the clock over the distance of the walk? Or maybe you are new to walking and fear that you won't be able to keep up with experienced walkers? Then come and join the Sheffield Shamblers walking group! Health walks are an ideal introduction to walking for those who haven't been walking before, are bored at home, or perhaps recovering from an illness or operation. We are a group of people of all ages, from every walk of life, who enjoy walking and having a good time. Pleasant company and a good sense of humour is essential on all our walks. If you are looking for formal walks organised with military precision and strict codes of conduct, then this club is not for you! Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on a lead at all times. ​ [UK: SHEFFIELD ORGANISATION] Visit > Stroke Core Competencies - Stroke Training and Awareness Resources (STARS) This e-learning resource provides a learning tool for health and social care staff to enable them to become more knowledgeable and skilful in the challenging area of stroke care. The resource is based on the Stroke Core Competencies which were published by NHS Education for Scotland (NES) in 2005. ​ The website provides a multidisciplinary resource which focuses on a wide range of core knowledge and skills required by all staff when delivering stroke care. The Core Competencies provide an interactive way of learning with quizzes, animations, video clips, and case scenarios. ​ + Stroke Advancing Modules > ​ [UK TRAINING RESOURCE; AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > Tir Coed Tir Coed is a charity and social enterprise that engages people with woodlands, through volunteering, training and bespoke activities that develop skills and improve woodlands for the benefit of everyone. ​ Vision: Thriving sustainable rural communities integrated with the natural environment. Mission: To unlock the potential of woodlands to provide a community facility, educational and health activities, and to create job opportunities for disadvantaged individuals in rural Wales. With the aim to make positive lasting change. ​ Over the past 16 years Tir Coed has developed a comprehensive engagement model that supports people as they develop, from first step engagement through to employment. All of the work carried out by volunteers and trainees improves the health of the woodland and its accessibility for the benefit of the whole community. ​ [UK: WALES ORGANISATION] Visit >

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< Specialisms Resources + Services Portal Social Media + Useful resources and services, for your care and career. This is an expanding directory and community suggestions are not definitive. K now of a resource or service that should be featured? Suggest an entry 3 Ways Social Media Revolutionized Medical Care Social media has inarguably taken the world by storm. From Twitter to Facebook, users worldwide are more connected now more than ever, and the healthcare industry has not been left out. People are actively discussing health issues on social media, sharing experiences and engaging with healthcare professionals. Visit > ACOTRO: Social Media for Occupational Therapists Social media use by healthcare professionals » Benefits and risks of healthcare professionals using social media » Ontario Survey of Social Media use by OTs » Principles for Good Social Media Use in OT practice » Story of Successful Social Media in Practice Visit > Current Opinion in Psychology: Online, social media and mobile technologies for psychosis treatment: A systematic review on novel user-led interventions Social Media and Body Image Concerns: Current Research and Future Directions Visit > Current Opinion in Psychology: Social media and applications to health behavior • Social media presents an unprecedented opportunity to change health through online influence. • Of all the platforms available, Facebook features most commonly in health behavior change research. • Twitter , online communities and apps are increasingly appearing in health research. • Randomized controlled trials investigating the efficacy of social media for health are rare. • Continued research is required to refine the application of social media for better health. Visit > Current Opinion in Psychology: Social media, big data, and mental health: current advances and ethical implications Most AYA cancer survivors use social media, yet scholarly efforts to examine utility for supporting AYA survivors have only emerged recently. In addition to intervention development, research must consider prominent online communities (e.g., Facebook Groups) devoted to cancer-related needs. Innovative observational methods (e.g., NLP assisted data mining) complement traditional approaches to help understand actual use of social media communities for AYA survivors Visit > Current Opinion in Psychology: Using Facebook for health-related research study recruitment and program delivery There is much potential for use of Facebook in health-related research and program delivery We review studies that have used Facebook to recruit diverse samples and deliver programs Facebook studies have generally reported success with recruitment Recommendations for researchers interested in using Facebook are discussed Visit > Forbes: Can Social Media Have A Positive Impact On Global Healthcare? There really isn’t an area where social media hasn’t had an impact. People use social media to share opinions, seek information, and share stories about their experiences. Healthcare hasn’t been excluded from this in any way. In fact, 60% of doctors see social media as an avenue for delivering better healthcare to patients. Of course, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t concerns. For instance, the ways that people choose to use Facebook can lead to negative outcomes. Visit > Healthcare Weekly: Healthcare Social Media Strategy: 5 Ways to Build Trust As customers increasingly take to social media, healthcare organizations should follow their lead. ​ Social media in healthcare refers to the various tactics healthcare organizations, payers and providers leverage to connect & engage with their patients in order to improve quality of care and decrease readmission rates. Visit > How to Use Social Media in Healthcare: A Guide for Health Professionals Modern lives are going digital, and healthcare is no exception. Social networks have become an important health resource, and not just for millenials. Nearly 90 percent of older adults have used social media to seek and share health information. It can be hard to know how to navigate the healthcare social media rules. Providers, agencies, and brands need to create informative, engaging social content. At the same time, you need to follow industry rules and regulations. In this post, we look at the many benefits of using social media in healthcare. We also provide some tips on how to keep your social channels compliant and secure. Visit > P&T: Social Media and Health Care Professionals: Benefits, Risks, and Best Practices Many social media tools are available for health care professionals (HCPs), including social networking platforms, blogs, microblogs, wikis, media-sharing sites, and virtual reality and gaming environments.1 –8 These tools can be used to improve or enhance professional networking and education, organizational promotion, patient care, patient education, and public health programs.3 ,5 –10 However, they also present potential risks to patients and HCPs regarding the distribution of poor-quality information, damage to professional image, breaches of patient privacy, violation of personal–professional boundaries, and licensing or legal issues Visit > RCOT: Introduction to social media Guidance from the RCOT on good practice by Occupational Therapists on the use of social media. Visit > Schizophrenia Research Social media use is consistently and positively associated with negative body image Longitudinal studies suggest that this association may strengthen over time Brief exposure to Facebook does not appear to negatively impact body image Appearance comparisons are important in the link between social media and body image Research on more diverse samples and other social media platforms is needed Visit >

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< Specialisms Resources + Services Portal Networking + Useful resources and services, for your care and career. This is an expanding directory and community suggestions are not definitive. K now of a resource or service that should be featured? Suggest an entry Independent Living Scotland Scotlands largest event designed for healthcare professionals, members of the public, carers and trade visitors. This free event has been created to cater for the learning and knowledge requirements of healthcare professionals and the needs of those living with a disability or long-term condition. ​ ILS 2018 26th - 27th September, 10am - 4pm SEC Centre, Exhibition Way, Glasgow G3 8YW, UK ​ Free tickets via ILS website. Visit > Occupational Therapy Adaptation Conference (OTAC) The UKs only FREE Occupational Therapy Adaptations Conference and Exhibition Event. The conference focuses on bringing suppliers and OTs together in one place - in different venues across the UK - with one aim: to improve the industry as a whole and provide better value to the end user. ​ Who should attend? Occupational Therapists, occupational therapy assistants and support staff, commissioners, people working within housing (surveyors, architects and technicians), occupational therapy students and charities and charitable organisations. ​ The list of exhibitors we have exhibiting with us is endless. For instance:- The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), Handicare, Guldmann Hoists, Kingkraft, SensoryKraft, Capia PIP, Careflex, FRANKE, Clos-o-Mat, Impey, Safespaces, Triton showers, Geberit, Mangar, Langham GE, AKW, DLF, Otolift...and many more. ​ You can see the full details and listings on our website. Our event is a FREE Event for Delegates and we include refreshments throughout. Each venue holds around 500 Delegates and tickets are available for all of them on our website or via Eventbrite. ​ [UK-WIDE CONFERENCES] Visit > SPOTeurope - Student Platform Occupational Therapy Europe A place for the future OT. SPOTeurope aims to encourage and increase OT student connection across Europe. You can connect with other students to exchange experiences, opportunities, knowledge and ideas, all through SPOTeurope! The idea was developed at the European Network of Occupational Therapy in Higher Education (ENOTHE) Congress and since then has made huge progress! SPOT currently provides a blog (with news about the OT world), a forum (in which students can connect and ask questions), country representatives (who can answer OT questions in their country), Twitter, Facebook and more. Join in the discussion! Facebook: www.facebook.com/spoteurope Twitter: www.twitter.com/SPOTeurope ​ [EUROPEAN NETWORKING] Visit > The Occupational Therapy Show The Occupational Therapy Show 2018, 21st and 22nd November. Venue: NEC Birmingham, B40 1NT, UK Visitor cost: Free Join the UK's largest, free-to-attend, dedicated event just for OTs! This CPD education and trade show will be taking place at Birmingham’s NEC over a two day period. Don't miss out! Benefit from: Access over 100 OT focused and interactive lectures, seminars and practical workshops View the conference programme by clicking here Gain over 80 hours accredited CPD education Learn from world-renowned speakers and experts Update and refresh your learning across physical, mental health and learning difficulties, children and families, neurology in practice, housing and innovation, plus many more hot topics, specialist areas and new research relevant to OTs in practice Research and source new products and services, through a network of over 270 trade exhibitors and suppliers. Providing information and advice for all your questions and need The Occupational Therapy Show is dedicated to informing, inspiring and investing in all Occupational Therapists. This truly is an event not to be missed! ​ [BIRMINGHAM, UK; NATIONWIDE, ANNUAL TRADE SHOW/CONFERENCE] Visit >

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Get involved! Let's grow, together. ​​​ The Occupational Therapy Hub is a global community of practice, shaped by Members. Getting involved helps to grow content for all - whilst contributing towards your CPD! As a thank you, we upgrade dedicated contributors to Me mbership Plus+ . ​ ​​ Contact the Hub Start or join a conversation... Your Therapy Forum facilitates learning, questions and debate, in a moderated professional environment. Why not read and contribute to occupational therapy-related discussion? A great additional tool for your CPD! Therapy Forum (Free) Get writing! Your eyes into occupational therapy. Including educative discussion topics, insightful reflections and case studies. Are you an OT, OTA, student or other healthcare professional? Contact us to become a Writer. Therapy Articles (Free/Plus+) Collaborative Professional Development We invite you to engage in our two-part programme. Learn from others, be an active part of the occupational therapy community and receive a certificate. Hub CPD (Free) Share content or host an OT CPD Course Our short continuing professional development (CPD) courses allow therapists, assistants, students and the public to learn from others and receive a certificate on completion. Share content and we will upgrade you to Plus+ for free. OT CPD Courses (Plus+) Submit a resource to OT Downloads Home to assessments, documents, presentations, graphics and clinical and reflective tools. New content is added regularly . Share item(s) here and we will upgrade you to Plus+ Membership for free. OT Downloads (Pus+) Host The OT Journal Club! We have regular discussions on clinical applicability of articles, to enhance evidence-based practice and support your CPD. Why not host your own two-month Journal Club on the Hub? The OT Journal Club (Free) Help grow the global resource directory This portal contains useful resources and services for a clinician's care and career. All visitors can search expanding specialism categories. We need a collective input; what other resources or services should be included? Resources + Services Portal (Free) Add to the voices of occupational therapy We feature podcasts from around the world, for Members' ears to enjoy in one place. If you know of a podcast series that you think should be featured, let us know! Podcast Portal (Free) Highlight professional news and stories We collect online articles from around the world, signposting occupational therapy updates to Members. Bring one to our attention and be part of this collective effort. OT Updates (Plus+) Submit a resource to the Hub Store The Store is home to assessments, documents, presentations and clinical and reflective tools - all created by practising occupational therapists. Share your resource here and we'll upgrade you to Plus+ Membership for free. Hub Store (open-access) Be a more visible Occupational Therapist! Are you an independent OT? We want the public to easily find you and benefit from your support. Get in touch if you would like the Hub to showcase what you offer. Access Occupational Therapists (Free) Disseminate your research Research Portal is your gateway to showcase occupational therapy research with a global audience. Why not share infographics, original research, a literature review, opinion piece or a presentation? Research Portal (Plus+) Share an event worth knowing about Our community hosts, exhibits, partners and promotes events worldwide. If you know about a conference, seminar or networking evening worth sharing, let us know! OT Events (Free) Film or share video insights Members watch short films related to occupational therapy, all in one place. Wherever you are in the world, you can contribute videos for others to learn from. Share existing content with the community, or create your own! Therapy Videos (Free) Host an OT Webinar Plus+ Members access pre-recorded webinars, run by experienced clinicians. If you would like to host a v ideo presentation, interview, discussion or practical demonstration, w e want to hear from you! OT Webinars (Plus+) Share your feedback about the Hub The Occupational Therapy Hub constantly seeks to better the support we give, the resources you access and the experiences you have here. Help us grow and improve your global platform, with constructive criticism or positive feedback. Share your feedback Get involved! (Contact form) Contact us to get involved Thank you! We'll be in touch with you soon. Send

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< Specialisms Resources + Services Portal Promoting Independence + Useful resources and services, for your care and career. This is an expanding directory and community suggestions are not definitive. K now of a resource or service that should be featured? Suggest an entry AccessAble AccessAble is here to take the chance out of going out. To give you the information and detail you need to work out if a place is going to be accessible for you. We've surveyed 10,000s of venues across the UK and Ireland, including shops, pubs, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, railway stations, hotels, universities, hospitals and more. AccessAble is Your Accessibility Guide. Download our free App to use AccessAble on the go. ​​ [UK-WIDE SERVICE] Visit > Beyond Accessibility Beyond Accessibility is created by a team of therapists who specialise in how people live in the home environment. We create and publish home modification information for OTs, healthcare professionals, home owners and contractors. We are passionate about finding practical solutions to everyday problems at home that go beyond making environments accessible. Our goal is to connect people with quality resources to improve how people live by implementing customised solutions to everyday problems at home. We are a US-based resource, but the majority of our content is appropriate worldwide. Visit > Branch Properties Are you having problems finding an accessible property to rent or purchase for your client? We provide a personal, specialist service designed for those requiring accessible homes and can offer advice and project manage adaptions or modifications. Let us do the hard work, so you don’t have to. ​ [UK: LONDON-BASED; SERVICES AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE] Visit > Enable Therapy Services Promoting the use of rehabilitation and early intervention. Our services are delivered by our UK-wide network of over 120 highly qualified Occupational Therapists, working together with our dedicated office based clinical coordinators – providing rehabilitation and vocational case management. All ETS Occupational Therapists have the knowledge and experience to provide a wide range of rehabilitation reports, assessments and rehabilitation case management. Our wide range of rehabilitation services provide our referrers with one point of contact to ensure continuity of the rehabilitation process; from early intervention until clients reach their optimal recovery, in activities of daily living, social, leisure and return to work. Our comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services are dovetailed with each client’s rehabilitation programme, so that they are supported with advice and guidance throughout their return to work. ​ [UK: LEEDS-BASED; SERVICES AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE] Visit > Have Wheelchair Will Travel Surely we cant be the first people to do this? I kept asking our travel agent, the airline and our therapists. We certainly are not the first family with a disabled child to travel to America, but at times it felt that way. That was when the idea for this website came to me. Why not share all my research and great discoveries with others who are either, planning a trip, or are feeling nervous about giving it a go.' ​​ Julie Jones combines her skills as an ex-travel consultant with her experiences travelling with her family, including her son who lives with cerebral palsy. Have Wheelchair Will Travel has an engaged community with a range of backgrounds, including people living with a disability, therapists, educators, teachers and tourism representatives. This brings a wealth of information and experience to the website and Facebook page. - Bupa Travel Blog Award: Winner - Ausmumpreneur Heart & Edge Award: Winner - ASTW Best Travel Blog: Finalist Email us: havewchairwilltravel@gmail.com Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/havewheelchairwilltravel ​ [AUSTRALIA-BASED; INFORMATION APPLICABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > Independent Living Scotland Scotlands largest event designed for healthcare professionals, members of the public, carers and trade visitors. This free event has been created to cater for the learning and knowledge requirements of healthcare professionals and the needs of those living with a disability or long-term condition. ​ ILS 2018 26th - 27th September, 10am - 4pm SEC Centre, Exhibition Way, Glasgow G3 8YW, UK ​ Free tickets via ILS website. Visit > Institute for Sex, Intimacy and Occupational Therapy We are an education business with a mission to help guide occupational therapy professionals to becoming more competent and confident addressing sexuality and intimacy in their clinical practice. We offer educational webinars to help clinicians translate knowledge into clinical practice. Through the Institute for Sex, Intimacy and Occupational Therapy, we are building a coalition of sex and intimacy OT champions, to dismantle the restrictive norms around discussing sexuality and intimacy. Join us! ​ [US-BASED RESOURCE; INFORMATION APPLICABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > Jacqueline Webb As Britain’s No.1 provider of Care and Occupational Therapy Expert Reports, we provide detailed opinion on the long-term needs of the claimant as a result of catastrophic injury, as part of a personal injury or clinical negligence claim. Occupational Therapists are best placed to make these recommendations and we encourage them to explore this exciting professional development opportunity. To find out more visit our website below. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook . ​ [UK: WILTSHIRE-BASED; SERVICES PROVIDED NATIONWIDE] Visit > Lightbridge App The Lightbridge App is empowering Occupational Therapists who are helping individuals regain their independence in all areas of their lives. Lightbridge is a mobile app that focuses on promoting health and well-being through individualised routines. Enabling people to participate in the everyday occupations of life, such as self-care activities, including showering, dressing, preparing food; productive activities, such as education, work, volunteering; leisure/social activities, such as being part of a community group. We are honored to support Occupational therapists who play a particularly crucial role in enabling people experiencing disability to identify and implement methods that support their life and independence! Visit > Muggi Muggi is an innovative new product which enables hot and cold drinks to be carried safely in any environment. This unique tray enables up to four mugs to be carried safely in one hand, leaving the other hand free to support the user. Muggi also fits on to walking frames and can be conveniently placed on the lap of wheelchair users. It catches unwanted spillages and features non-slip rubber feet; finger and thumb holds make it easy to carry for young or old hands. An increasing number of occupational therapists, sufferers of Parkinson’s, arthritis and wheelchair users are finding muggi invaluable in their daily lives. Made from lightweight, but extremely tough Polypropylene, muggi comes in seven vibrant colours blue, grey, red, purple, green, pink, a black recycled material. Visit > MyLiferaft MyLiferaft is an online place for an individual’s health and well-being information that helps to connect them to you and others in their care circle. All their information is stored safely and easily, allowing only those that they choose to be able to access it. It’s not just about the facts and figures; they can store information such as “I love a cup of tea with my medication!” or “I’m scared of injections!” This allows those that care for them to know what helps them to feel better, and their care circle to feel better informed to support them. ​ [UK: SOUTHAMPTON-BASED SERVICE; AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE] Visit > Occupational Therapy Adaptation Conference (OTAC) The UKs only FREE Occupational Therapy Adaptations Conference and Exhibition Event. The conference focuses on bringing suppliers and OTs together in one place - in different venues across the UK - with one aim: to improve the industry as a whole and provide better value to the end user. ​ Who should attend? Occupational Therapists, occupational therapy assistants and support staff, commissioners, people working within housing (surveyors, architects and technicians), occupational therapy students and charities and charitable organisations. ​ The list of exhibitors we have exhibiting with us is endless. For instance:- The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), Handicare, Guldmann Hoists, Kingkraft, SensoryKraft, Capia PIP, Careflex, FRANKE, Clos-o-Mat, Impey, Safespaces, Triton showers, Geberit, Mangar, Langham GE, AKW, DLF, Otolift...and many more. ​ You can see the full details and listings on our website. Our event is a FREE Event for Delegates and we include refreshments throughout. Each venue holds around 500 Delegates and tickets are available for all of them on our website or via Eventbrite. ​ [UK-WIDE CONFERENCES] Visit > Remap Remap is a national charity that works through local groups of skilled volunteers. We help disabled people achieve independence and a better quality of life by designing and making equipment for their individual needs. This tailor made equipment helps people to carry out essential daily tasks without having to ask for help, or helps them take part in leisure occupations or sports that would otherwise be impossible.​ ​ Our focus at Remap is to give people independence because we know how important this is. Many people have a physical impairment of some sort. But your life changes if you have to rely on others all the time. By making a piece of equipment specifically for an individual, tailored to their needs, we can often help them become that bit more independent. Remap gives disabled people the joy of independence.​ ​ We are pleased to give people our equipment free of charge. This is because we are a charity and are not trying to make money. All our running costs are covered by donations and support from charities and our volunteers give their time for free. ​ [UK-WIDE SERVICE] Visit > Solutions for Living - Entwistle Power Occupational Therapy Solutions for Living works proactively and compassionately with disabled and injured people to help them improve their functional independence in important life roles. At home, work, in the community or during leisure pursuits, our Mission is to provide people with disabilities solutions for living. In this way, they can have hope for a better future, are empowered towards independence, and succeed in pursuing functional goals. Our Vision is that occupational therapy becomes recognised for all that it is and all that it can offer as a comprehensive and cost-effective health care solution. Further, our firm, driven by caring, passion and integrity, will lead in the delivery of these services across Ontario. ​ [CANADA: ONTARIO SERVICE] Visit > St Wilfrid's Centre A day centre open to all homeless, vulnerable and socially excluded adults aged 18-65 years old. We are open Monday to Friday (10am-4pm), with a skilled staff team that offer basic Welfare services, as well as Personal Development activities to promote wellbeing and independence. Hygiene services - showers, hairdressing, laundry, clothing repair and clothing bank Hot meals and snacks Finding accommodation Somewhere safe to go regularly and meet others Advice, advocacy and signposting - including benefits, housing and personal advice Social activities, games and groups Personal Development Programme - offers a wide variety of personal development activities structured to help facilitate recovery, life-skills & work-based skills ​ [UK: SHEFFIELD-BASED] Visit > The OT Practice The OT Practice has the largest team of independent occupational therapists in the UK, specialising in providing high quality services nationwide to private, statutory and business clients. Our practice is based on our reputation for building trusted relationships with our clients, and we are always looking for talented individuals to join our team. ​ Whether you are thinking about taking the first steps into private practice or are an experienced private practitioner, working with us could be just the answer. If you aren’t sure where to start, we can guide you through the process and provide tools to help manage your workload. Our office-based client management team help find, allocate and administer cases, leaving you time to focus on providing clients with the highest level of care. ​ [UK: HAMPSHIRE-BASED; SERVICES AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE] Visit >

Mission Established 2017 The Occupational Therapy Hub Passionately empowering clinicians, students and those they support. Via a worldwide , educative community platform and app. Inclusive to everyone . Our Team Our Reasons for Being ​ To show the world the value of our health and social care profession ​ To share knowledge and resources, across an international community To provide a community of practice, reducing geographical and professional isolation The Aim To champion occupational therapy worldwide. To empower clinicians, students and those they support. What we do The Goals Led by our two core pas sions: A GLOBALLY COLLABORATIVE HUB ​ To share the latest occupational therapy-linked news and stories * To facilitate questions and debate in a safe, professional environment To provide free collaborative professional development opportunities To provide education, via continuing professional development courses * To showcase podcasts * and videos f rom around the world, in one place To signpost resources, services and research * to clinicians and the public To share inspirational and educative articles * - including reflective journals and case studies To host live and pre-recorded webinars * - presented by experienced occupational therapists To offer affordable downloadable tools * - information sheets, checklists, guidelines and presentations To provide marketing opportunities , that benefit both clinicians and health/social care organisations ​ ENHANCED OT AWARENESS ​ For individuals - access a therapist, to support you or someone you know For those considering or developing a career - opportunities and career pathways For the wider public - information about occupational therapy, its scope and services ​ ​ * These portals are accessible to Hub Members. Free and Plus+ Memberships available here . Promoting diverse therapy specialisms Expanding useful clinical reference guides Rewarding Members' content contributions Growth of health and social care partnerships VISION 2022 Get involved // Championing occupational therapy worldwide Join The Occupational Therapy Hub Your global occupational therapy community. O nline platform and app. Created and managed by occupational therapists, shaped by Members. The Occupational Therapy Hub is managed by The OT Hub Ltd. Registered in England and Wales. Company number: 11084421.

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What is Occupational Therapy? Information and public awareness Questions and answers, quotes, videos and graphics about the health and social care profession of occupational therapy (OT). "Occupational therapy - where science , creativity and compassion collide." Jessica Kensky (2016 AOTA Welcome Ceremony) "Occupational therapy: Arguably the most empowering , creative , holistic and meaning-enhancing health and social care profession. We are proud to use client-centred outcome measures, models of practice and prioritise active engagement in self-care, productivity and leisure. We are occupational therapy practitioners. Adding life to days ." Jamie Grant - Occupational Therapist; Director, The Occupational Therapy Hub "Occupational therapy training provides the occupational therapist with the skills to plan and deliver purposeful, meaningful activity . Occupational therapists and assistants believe that doing things that you enjoy has a positive impact on your health and well-being. Our occupations, or activities, provided us with a role , routine and structure . They define who we are , fill our time and prevent us from boredom" Alice McGarvie - Occupational Therapist, From the Harp "We see humans as having an inherent need to act – to do things. We can break down these actions (or occupations) into what we want to do , what we need to do and the skills we need to be able to do them. While there will always be some overlap, an example might be that I want to play the guitar and I need to be able to go to the toilet. There are also a range of (physical, cognitive, emotional) skills that I need, to be able to manage both of these occupations. A big factor that impacts on my ability to do these things is the environment around me. If my social environment doesn’t like the sound of bad guitar players, my progress will be hampered. The environment will hinder my functioning. If my toilet is upstairs and I can’t use my legs then again, the environment is not helping me to do what I need. OT practitioners help people to identify the things they want and need to do in their lives, identify areas where skills development is needed and assess how the environment helps or hinders people in achieving their goals ." Keir Harding - Occupational Therapist; Clinical Lead, Beam Consultancy What is occupational therapy? Play Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Video created by Occupational Therapist Hannah Spencer (@hspenceruk ), 2019. Whilst on student placement in a Learning Disabilities and Mental Health setting, Hannah produced a selection of easy read laminates about occupational therapy and the OT Process. The resources produced evidenced understanding of the profession, the OT Process and the PEO model, presented in a way that demonstrated consideration of patients' needs. Graphic by Hay, OTR MOT (@thatnerdyneuroot ), 2022. We love how the ethos of occupational therapy is captured in this image. Hay says she is 'Blessed to be a part of this amazing profession, to serve individuals in their everyday lives!' OT FAQ Why choose occupational therapy as a career? There are a breadth of reasons to choose to become an occupational therapist. Below are a key few: Making a genuine difference to people's everyday lives - meaning, roles, confidence, ability Working with varied groups of people - children, teenagers, adults, the elderly; cultural and socio-economic contrasts Working in varied settings - hospitals, schools, the community, charities, prisons; statutory and private services Having career flexibility, to retrain and specialise within other areas of practice This video provides insights into why others chose this career path: [Source: Royal College of Occupational Therapists] The Occupational Therapy Africa Regional Group (OTARG) share this short video clip. It highlights that, to be truly fulfilled and successful in the world of occupational therapy, you must have a passion for the work you are doing: [Credit: OTARG] OTARG is a non-profit professional organisation for occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, occupational therapy technicians and students in Africa, aiming to promote OT in Africa. In universities across Canada, occupational therapy students took part in the 'gOT Spirit Challenge', an annual competition to promote the profession. Watch this lighthearted, lively entry from Queen's University: [Source: Queen's University 2016; YouTube - Dustin Thatcher] What makes a successful occupational therapy practitioner? Key skills, abilities and knowledge A warm bedside manner Excellent rapport-building Excellent communication skills​​​​​​ Knowledge of psychology Sensitivity and understanding Ability to use your initiative Flexible and open to change Knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations Ability to design and develop individual treatment programmes Ability to form good working relationships with a wide variety of people Ability to motivate patients/clients who may be disappointed or frustrated Counselling skills, including active listening and a non-judgemental approach Competent use of computer and main software packages [Source: National Careers Service] Source: RCOT [YouTube] Useful articles 10 Reasons Why You Will Succeed as an Occupational Therapist: OT Career Path Career Advice Articles: American Occupational Therapy Association Source: icould Career Stories [YouTube] 13 Essential Characteristics of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants Exceptional communication skills While working with the patients, occupational therapists need to listen and explain them the situations and tasks. If they are working with a child patient, they must be capable of converting the complex terms into simpler ones so that the child can understand it. Besides this, they also need to communicate with other team members and doctors. So, it is necessary for them to be clear, efficient, and confident while listening and speaking at the time of such discussions. Outstanding personal skills These professionals work with the patients of all age groups undergoing any physical, mental or emotional disability. Also, the basic nature of the patients varies a lot. Some may be very calm while others may be rude, frustrated or impatient. Thus, they must know the way to deal with all of them and help them get the desired results faster. Problem solving abilities Problem solving skills play a vital role in the jobs related to occupational therapy. Different clients may have different problems. For the success of the cases, you must make a strategy on how to solve all these distinctive issues effectively, without any major failure. Physical strength Physical strength is quite a major requisite for the occupational therapists and related job titles. They have to serve the clients throughout the day, travel from one area to another and stand by the side of the patients irrespective of the time and duration. Thus, if you want to be an OT, you must have a great physical strength to manage such a busy and hectic schedule. Possess a helpful nature An occupational therapist should be very helpful as this is all that they have to show in their profile. It is one of the most important qualities they must possess otherwise they can’t give their best to the patients. All day long, they should be ready to assist the clients for every type of help they want. From helping them in moving around to guiding them through some money related problems, an occupational therapist has to be the guardian angel to their client. Organisation skills For being a proficient occupational therapist, one must be a good organiser. Along with their own schedule, they also need to manage the client’s timetable. Also, they have to properly maintain all the documented records, appointments, meetings with other team members and professionals, etc. Only an organised occupational therapist can provide a well-planned treatment and high-quality care to the patients, so its a must that s/he must have management skills. Boast patience It is easier to write “Keep Patience” to a patient’s ward, but it is not so easy to implement the same. Patience is believed to be the most important attribute that one must have to be in this profession. Sometimes, occupational therapists might have to face rude, impatient, frustrated, depressed or stubborn patients. So, they must keep their patience to tread through these everyday situations. Some clients may achieve success in their condition in a few months or weeks while some may take years. So, you just need to keep hold of the case to be an efficient occupational therapist. Compassion and empathy One should opt occupational therapy as a career only if s/he is empathetic and compassionate. Most of the clients of occupational therapy are not only physically disabled but also, mentally and emotionally sensitive. In that phase of life, they need a genuinely warm-hearted and sympathetic occupational therapist who understands them and treats them accordingly. Acquire creativity No one can learn to be creative as it is an inherent characteristic of human beings. Being an occupational therapist, many times you have to modify the tasks and schedule of the patients. For example, you can take a desolate kid to have fun at an amusement park, instead of taking him to a general rehabilitation centre. Your creative methods can help the clients come out of the dilemma and it may result into their active participation in the healthcare programs organised by you. Good writing skills Akin to communication skills, writing qualities are also quite important to became a highly efficient occupational therapist. It is because you need to keep the detailed files and records of all the clients in order to assist them, their family, and your team. You should state the exact condition of the patients on the papers so that it is easier for you and the medical staff to understand what you are doing and exactly how you are doing it. Keeping the details documented will not only help you and the healthcare staff but also the caretakers when you are not around. 'Cheerleading' skills Being an occupational therapist, your words must have the power to motivate your patients and ignite the passion in them to make their life normal once again. Motivation is very important for such depressed, frustrated and troubled people. An enthusiastic OT with great cheerleading skills can make the patients do the things that seem impossible. A good observer Besides being a good listener, a successful occupational therapist must also be a good observer and analytical. S/he should have the ability to analyse the situation and needs of the patients along with handling their complaints. An OT must observe and evaluate the things and procedures that are suitable for their clients and must act accordingly. For example, if a patient moves abnormally, a good OT would recognise the reason for it and would plan the course of the patient accordingly. Flexibility You never know what kind of client you are going to deal with, as disorders can happen to anyone and they may need your assistance. Thus, being an occupational therapist, you should be flexible enough to work with a wide variety of people. You must have the ability to establish a good inter-relationship bond with them, irrespective of their religion, race or nationality. [Source: Top Occupational Therapy Schools] Working environment, hours and salary? You will usually work standard office hours, Monday to Friday. Some services, such as within community physical health and inpatient mental health, work on a shift basis. This can include working early, late or weekend shifts. You could work with clients at a variety of settings, including: hospitals health centres residential or nursing homes GP surgeries schools prisons in the community at a client's home or workplace You will need mental and physical stamina, as this is a very practical job. [Source: National Careers Service] Salary? The average salary of an Occupational Therapist varies significantly internationally. Salary rates can also vary between private and and public health services. If you are seeking to become an Occupational Therapist to make a fortune, you are looking at the wrong career. Occupational Therapists generally earn equivalent salaries to other health professionals, such as Nurses and Social Workers. An Occupational Therapist's salary will generally increase with years of service and level of experience. Source: Health Careers (October 2019) What are the entry requirements to the profession? Depending on your country and proposed university of study, entry level to occupational therapy can be at apprenticeship, diploma, bachelor, masters or doctoral level. To be accepted into an occupational therapy educational program you will need to meet its specific admission requirements and prerequisites. Once graduated you will likely need to be registered with a health registration board and will be subject to background checks and annual registration requirements, such as continuing professional development (CPD). As an example, in the UK, you will need: an apprenticeship, degree or postgraduate qualification in occupational therapy, approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) professional registration with the HCPC to pass enhanced background checks, as you may be working with children and vulnerable adults To do a postgraduate course in occupational therapy, you will usually need a degree in a related subject and some relevant paid or voluntary work experience. [Source: National Careers Service] How do I go about finding and applying to a university? You can search for approved entry level occupational therapy educational programs worldwide, on the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT)'s website. Some countries may allow programs that are not WFOT approved, but this may this may restrict you working in certain countries or access to further study (Source: WFOT). The tertiary admissions process is likely to be slightly different between countries, so we recommend that you make contact with the university directly to check their admissions process. It is often recommended that you visit at least one occupational therapy service for job shadowing, prior to university interviews. Universities need to know you have some insight into what the career involves! Can I work as an Occupational Therapist in another country? Yes! If you are a qualified Occupational Therapist you can work in different countries. Every country has slightly different requirements, regarding a working visa, professional indemnity insurance, occupational therapy registration, association membership, etc. Some countries, such as the United States of America, also require you to pass a certification exam. If you are wanting more information about working overseas, read this useful publication: Occupational Therapy International Practice Guide 2020 (WFOT). 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< Specialisms Resources + Services Portal Social Prescribing + Useful resources and services, for your care and career. This is an expanding directory and community suggestions are not definitive. K now of a resource or service that should be featured? Suggest an entry A connected society: A strategy for tackling loneliness (HM Government) The relationships we have with our friends, family, neighbours and colleagues are, for many of us, the most important things in our lives. Increasingly, we understand the link between having strong and meaningful social connections and living a healthy and successful life. And we see that having more connected communities means a more thriving, productive society, in which we can all contribute and live fulfilling lives. ​ [PDF document from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport] ​ [UK GOVERNMENT DOCUMENT; INFORMATION APPLICABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit > Delivering a primary care-based social prescribing initiative: a qualitative study of the benefits and challenges (Br J Gen Pract) Authors : Skivington, K., Smith, M., Chng, N.R., Mackenzie, M., Wyke, S. and Mercer, S.W. Journal : British Journal of General Practice, 2018; 68 (672): e487-e494 Background: Social prescribing is a collaborative approach to improve inter-sectoral working between primary health care and community organisations. The Links Worker Programme (LWP) is a social prescribing initiative in areas of high deprivation in Glasgow, Scotland, that is designed to mitigate the negative impacts of the social determinants of health. ​ Aim: To investigate issues relevant to implementing a social prescribing programme to improve inter-sectoral working to achieve public health goals. ​ [UK JOURNAL; ACCESSIBLE AND RELEVANT WORLDWIDE] Visit > Just what the doctor ordered: Social prescribing - a guide for local authorities (Local Government Association) The challenge of the ageing population and supporting people with long-term conditions is one of the biggest our society faces. Chronic illnesses consume approximately 70 per cent of the health budget. But as there is no cure for them they require us to look beyond the traditional clinical model the NHS offers. This is where social prescribing comes in. By connecting people with local community services and activities we can improve the health and wellbeing of large numbers of people. Published : May 2016 ​ [UK-BASED ASSOCIATION; PDF DOCUMENT RELEVANT WORLDWIDE] Visit > Social Prescribing (Healthy London Partnership) Social prescribing is a way of linking patients in primary care with sources of support within the community. It provides GPs with a non-medical referral option that can operate alongside existing treatments to improve health and wellbeing. ​ People are living longer and as they get older, developing long term health conditions. Their health is affected by a wide range of factors including employment, housing, debt, social isolation and culture. These factors are not amenable to traditional health interventions. The NHS England Five Year Forward View calls for a radical upgrade in prevention and public health, and greater engagement with people and communities to harness the energy and potential they have. ​ Social prescribing presents the NHS and local authorities with an opportunity to do this. It helps people to make use of existing community services, resources and facilities which can help them manage or overcome these social factors. Social prescribing can help to improve the health of local people, the quality of care and services, and productivity as part of sustainability and transformation plans (STPs). ​ [UK-BASED ORGANISATION; INFORMATION AND VIDEO RELEVANT WORLDWIDE] Visit > Social Prescribing (NHS England) Social prescribing is a way for local agencies to refer people to a link worker. Link workers give people time, focusing on ‘what matters to me’ and taking a holistic approach to people’s health and wellbeing. They connect people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support. ​ Link workers also support existing community groups to be accessible and sustainable, and help people to start new groups, working collaboratively with all local partners. Social prescribing works for a wide range of people, including people: with one or more long-term conditions who need support with their mental health who are lonely or isolated who have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing ​ [UK NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE; INFORMATION RELEVANT WORLDWIDE] Visit > Social prescribing and community-based support: Summary guide (NHS England) The Social Prescribing Summary Guide is intended for people and organisations leading local implementation of social prescribing. It enables: increased understanding of what good social prescribing looks like and why social prescribing improves outcomes and experiences for people, their families and carers, as well as achieving more value from the system commissioning of local social prescribing connector schemes, enabling all general practices, local authorities and other agencies to refer people with wider social needs to community-based support collaborative working amongst all local partners at a ‘place-based’ local level, to recognise the value of community groups and assets and to enable people to build or rebuild friendships, community connections and a sense of belonging, as well as accessing existing services ​ Published : 31st January 2019 ​ [UK-NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE; PDF DOCUMENT RELEVANT WORLDWIDE] Visit > Social prescribing resources (NHS Health Scotland) Use the resources on this page to help promote mental health and well being through social prescribing. Social prescribing is commonly used in primary care settings and provides non-medical options for primary care staff to draw on to support their patients’ health and wellbeing, including their mental health. Social prescribing is an approach used to support self-management. It is primarily used for connecting people to non-medical sources of support or resources within their community. It can also be used by professionals working in other services and enhances the holistic approaches to addressing health, wellbeing and mental health problems. The resources include a background paper, a guidance paper, written case studies and video case studies . [NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE, SCOTLAND; RESOURCES RELEVANT WORLDWIDE] Visit > The social and economic impact of the Rotherham Social Prescribing Pilot: Main Evaluation Report This report is the final output from the independent evaluation of the innovative Rotherham Social Prescribing Pilot. The Pilot was delivered by Voluntary Action Rotherham in partnership with more than 20 local voluntary and community organisations. It was commissioned by NHS Rotherham and funded from April 2012 to March 2014 as part of a wider GP-led Integrated Case Management Pilot with the aim of increasing the capacity of GP practices to meet the non-clinical needs of their patients with long-term conditions, including support for their carers. ​ Authors : Chris Dayson Nadia Bashir Publication : September 2014 ​ [Sheffield Hallam University: Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research] ​ [UK UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT; INFORMATION RELEVANT WORLDWIDE] Visit > What is social prescribing? (The King's Fund) Social prescribing, sometimes referred to as community referral, is a means of enabling GPs, nurses and other primary care professionals to refer people to a range of local, non-clinical services. Recognising that people’s health is determined primarily by a range of social, economic and environmental factors, social prescribing seeks to address people’s needs in a holistic way. It also aims to support individuals to take greater control of their own health. Social prescribing schemes can involve a variety of activities which are typically provided by voluntary and community sector organisations. Examples include volunteering, arts activities, group learning, gardening, befriending, cookery, healthy eating advice and a range of sports. [UK-BASED ORGANISATION; INFORMATION APPLICABLE WORLDWIDE] Visit >

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The global OT community, in your pocket. We are excited to provide you educative occupational therapy tools and resources, in app form! 'The OT Hub' App is available to download on Android devices, via Google Play - and iOS devices, via the App Store . Why join us over on the app? Convenience and ease Simple design and interface makes browsing and learning easier. Community support Quickly engage with Members. Contact the Hub Team via Chat. Personalised content View Free and/or Plus+ resources, depending on your plan. iOS devices Please note Due to Apple's policy update, Members using iPhones or iPads are unable to upgrade to Membership Plus+ or purchase items in the Hub Store directly on the Hub App . Both of these actions can be done via the mobile or desk/laptop site. Once upgraded, Plus+ resources will then be visible on your iOS app. Available now Hub App Queries or feedback regarding The OT Hub App? Contact us

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< Specialisms Resources + Services Portal Music Therapy + Useful resources and services, for your care and career. This is an expanding directory and community suggestions are not definitive. K now of a resource or service that should be featured? Suggest an entry FROM THE HARP: Using music within occupational therapy Music is important for all cultures and at all stages of life. Human occupation and meaningful activity are a key part of occupational therapy. Enabling participation through music to make it meaningful for clients is a blend of musical and occupational therapy. Visit > From Let It Be to It Must Be Love: the development of a choir for patients and staff at a high secure hospital. Patients in high secure services are necessarily excluded from the rest of society, a situation which nevertheless risks them becoming further alienated and unwell. Recent policy developments aimed at making mental health services more recovery focused and socially inclusive challenged therapists to find ways to introduce them in a high secure setting. A joint project initiated by the music therapist and a clinical specialist occupational therapist at a high secure hospital attempted to put these principles into practice by involving patients and staff in a weekly choir, which the members decided would be called the Vocal Group Visit > In the Groove: An Evaluation to Explore a Joint Music Therapy and Occupational Therapy Intervention for Children with Acquired Brain Injury By Karen Twyford & Samantha Watters An acquired brain injury in children disrupts brain development and neural pathways, which may have serious implications on occupational role performance. Assessment and management of children with neurological disorders is complex and treatment requires the engagement of a multidisciplinary team. Increasing evidence indicates that both occupational therapists and music therapists work effectively towards similar goals with children with acquired brain injury. This evaluation investigated the effectiveness of a joint music therapy and occupational therapy group in promoting the development of self-regulation skills in children with an acquired brain injury or neurological condition, as part of a pilot project at a regional paediatric hospital in Australia. Visit > Music & Sound Therapy Music is a very powerful sensory modulation tool! The therapeutic effects of music on the nervous system are well researched. Literature states that a 60 beat per minute pulse can help entrain healthy internal rhythms. Some important considerations before using music in the environment or during OT treatment sessions include the following: diagnosis, age, culture, environment, personal preferences, sensitivities, and personal history. Visit > Music and the inner self | James Rhodes | TEDxMadrid In times of superficiality and exteriority we need to learn to look into ourselves, and truly listening to music is a great way of doing this. Music is a trustable friend that can save you even in your darkest moments Visit > Music as an occupational therapy treatment medium in a continuing care setting – a study A programme that increased their self-expression was most desirable for the patients. The occupational therapy team ran an established therapeutic programme, based on the best evidence based practice. An occupational therapist in the continuing care unit noted the benefit, to patients with dementia, of a varied programme that included music. Visit > Music, Physical and Occupational Therapists: How We Can Work Together As the music therapy profession grows, so does the opportunity for collaboration among other therapists. This post will address two specific therapists in particular: physical therapists (PTs) and occupational therapists (OTs). Music therapists can (and do) work with PTs and OTs in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities co-treating patients/students as they work towards their therapeutic goals. Though all work towards similar goals and therapeutic outcomes, each therapist has a different specialty. Visit > OT Innovations - Music Therapy Occupational Therapy has grown significantly as a profession since it’s conception in mental health. The current work of many dedicated practitioners and educators promises an explosion of information and research, which will continue to transform our theoretical models, frameworks, practices, and perspectives on occupation and mental health altogether. It is the mission of this website to promote embodied, comprehensive, and person-centered practice by providing a platform for global networking, resource sharing, and educational offerings. Visit > OT and Music Therapy: An interdisciplinary approach to improving handwriting in children on the autism spectrum By: Meg Ladyman, MS, OTR In creating an evidenced based treatment plan, one needs to start with an evidenced-based intervention. This author is using the Handwriting Without Tears (HWWT) to facilitate writing progress in pre-writers on the autism spectrum Visit > Occupational therapy and the use of music tempo in the treatment of the mental health care user with psychosis The mental health care user (MHCU) with psychosis has restrictions in occupational performance components and occupational performance areas, causing impaired activity participation, compromising the achievement of Occupational Therapy (OT) goals with this population. The effect of slow versus fast tempo music during OT treatment of the MHCU with psychosis was investigated by means of a quantitative, experimental study. Visit > Should Music Be Used Therapeutically in Occupational Therapy? Occupational therapy addresses the dysfunction found in a wide variety of psychiatric, developmental, and physical disorders. The motor, sensory, cognitive, social, and emotional components of a person's functional perfonnance are all addressed. Considering the holistic phLiosophy of occupational therapy, its broad client base, and its traditional use of creative and purposeful activity, music would seem to be an ideal modality Visit >

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A Career in Occupational Therapy Considering or developing occupational therapy as a career? Read on. ​ Can't find what you are looking for? Contact us , or visit the Therapy Forum . There are many reasons to choose to become an occupational therapy practitioner. A key few: Make a genuine difference to people's everyday lives - ability, meaning, roles, confidence Work with varied groups of people - children, teenagers, adults, older people; cultural and socio-economic contrasts Work in varied settings - hospitals, schools, the community, charities, prisons; statutory and private services Career flexibility - to retrain and specialise within other areas of practice This is our kind of anatomy lesson! A great advocacy image, highlighting key skills and qualities of an occupational therapy practitioner. Graphic created by student OT Maddy Bell ( @happylittleot on Instagram) in 2022. Why choose occupational therapy as a career? There are a breadth of reasons to choose to become an occupational therapist. Below are a key few: Making a genuine difference to people's everyday lives - meaning, roles, confidence, ability Working with varied groups of people - children, teenagers, adults, the elderly; cultural and socio-economic contrasts Working in varied settings - hospitals, schools, the community, charities, prisons; statutory and private services Having career flexibility, to retrain and specialise within other areas of practice This video provides insights into why others chose this career path: [Source: Royal College of Occupational Therapists] The Occupational Therapy Africa Regional Group (OTARG) share this short video clip. It highlights that, to be truly fulfilled and successful in the world of occupational therapy, you must have a passion for the work you are doing: [Credit: OTARG] OTARG is a non-profit professional organisation for occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, occupational therapy technicians and students in Africa, aiming to promote OT in Africa. In universities across Canada, occupational therapy students took part in the 'gOT Spirit Challenge', an annual competition to promote the profession. Watch this lighthearted, lively entry from Queen's University: [Source: Queen's University 2016; YouTube - Dustin Thatcher] What makes a successful occupational therapy practitioner? Key skills, abilities and knowledge A warm bedside manner Excellent rapport-building Excellent communication skills​​​​​​ Knowledge of psychology Sensitivity and understanding Ability to use your initiative Flexible and open to change Knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations Ability to design and develop individual treatment programmes Ability to form good working relationships with a wide variety of people Ability to motivate patients/clients who may be disappointed or frustrated Counselling skills, including active listening and a non-judgemental approach Competent use of computer and main software packages [Source: National Careers Service] Source: RCOT [YouTube] Useful articles 10 Reasons Why You Will Succeed as an Occupational Therapist: OT Career Path Career Advice Articles: American Occupational Therapy Association Source: icould Career Stories [YouTube] 13 Essential Characteristics of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants Exceptional communication skills While working with the patients, occupational therapists need to listen and explain them the situations and tasks. If they are working with a child patient, they must be capable of converting the complex terms into simpler ones so that the child can understand it. Besides this, they also need to communicate with other team members and doctors. So, it is necessary for them to be clear, efficient, and confident while listening and speaking at the time of such discussions. Outstanding personal skills These professionals work with the patients of all age groups undergoing any physical, mental or emotional disability. Also, the basic nature of the patients varies a lot. Some may be very calm while others may be rude, frustrated or impatient. Thus, they must know the way to deal with all of them and help them get the desired results faster. Problem solving abilities Problem solving skills play a vital role in the jobs related to occupational therapy. Different clients may have different problems. For the success of the cases, you must make a strategy on how to solve all these distinctive issues effectively, without any major failure. Physical strength Physical strength is quite a major requisite for the occupational therapists and related job titles. They have to serve the clients throughout the day, travel from one area to another and stand by the side of the patients irrespective of the time and duration. Thus, if you want to be an OT, you must have a great physical strength to manage such a busy and hectic schedule. Possess a helpful nature An occupational therapist should be very helpful as this is all that they have to show in their profile. It is one of the most important qualities they must possess otherwise they can’t give their best to the patients. All day long, they should be ready to assist the clients for every type of help they want. From helping them in moving around to guiding them through some money related problems, an occupational therapist has to be the guardian angel to their client. Organisation skills For being a proficient occupational therapist, one must be a good organiser. Along with their own schedule, they also need to manage the client’s timetable. Also, they have to properly maintain all the documented records, appointments, meetings with other team members and professionals, etc. Only an organised occupational therapist can provide a well-planned treatment and high-quality care to the patients, so its a must that s/he must have management skills. Boast patience It is easier to write “Keep Patience” to a patient’s ward, but it is not so easy to implement the same. Patience is believed to be the most important attribute that one must have to be in this profession. Sometimes, occupational therapists might have to face rude, impatient, frustrated, depressed or stubborn patients. So, they must keep their patience to tread through these everyday situations. Some clients may achieve success in their condition in a few months or weeks while some may take years. So, you just need to keep hold of the case to be an efficient occupational therapist. Compassion and empathy One should opt occupational therapy as a career only if s/he is empathetic and compassionate. Most of the clients of occupational therapy are not only physically disabled but also, mentally and emotionally sensitive. In that phase of life, they need a genuinely warm-hearted and sympathetic occupational therapist who understands them and treats them accordingly. Acquire creativity No one can learn to be creative as it is an inherent characteristic of human beings. Being an occupational therapist, many times you have to modify the tasks and schedule of the patients. For example, you can take a desolate kid to have fun at an amusement park, instead of taking him to a general rehabilitation centre. Your creative methods can help the clients come out of the dilemma and it may result into their active participation in the healthcare programs organised by you. Good writing skills Akin to communication skills, writing qualities are also quite important to became a highly efficient occupational therapist. It is because you need to keep the detailed files and records of all the clients in order to assist them, their family, and your team. You should state the exact condition of the patients on the papers so that it is easier for you and the medical staff to understand what you are doing and exactly how you are doing it. Keeping the details documented will not only help you and the healthcare staff but also the caretakers when you are not around. 'Cheerleading' skills Being an occupational therapist, your words must have the power to motivate your patients and ignite the passion in them to make their life normal once again. Motivation is very important for such depressed, frustrated and troubled people. An enthusiastic OT with great cheerleading skills can make the patients do the things that seem impossible. A good observer Besides being a good listener, a successful occupational therapist must also be a good observer and analytical. S/he should have the ability to analyse the situation and needs of the patients along with handling their complaints. An OT must observe and evaluate the things and procedures that are suitable for their clients and must act accordingly. For example, if a patient moves abnormally, a good OT would recognise the reason for it and would plan the course of the patient accordingly. Flexibility You never know what kind of client you are going to deal with, as disorders can happen to anyone and they may need your assistance. Thus, being an occupational therapist, you should be flexible enough to work with a wide variety of people. You must have the ability to establish a good inter-relationship bond with them, irrespective of their religion, race or nationality. [Source: Top Occupational Therapy Schools] Working environment, hours and salary? You will usually work standard office hours, Monday to Friday. Some services, such as within community physical health and inpatient mental health, work on a shift basis. This can include working early, late or weekend shifts. You could work with clients at a variety of settings, including: hospitals health centres residential or nursing homes GP surgeries schools prisons in the community at a client's home or workplace You will need mental and physical stamina, as this is a very practical job. [Source: National Careers Service] Salary? The average salary of an Occupational Therapist varies significantly internationally. Salary rates can also vary between private and and public health services. If you are seeking to become an Occupational Therapist to make a fortune, you are looking at the wrong career. Occupational Therapists generally earn equivalent salaries to other health professionals, such as Nurses and Social Workers. An Occupational Therapist's salary will generally increase with years of service and level of experience. Source: Health Careers (October 2019) What are the entry requirements to the profession? Depending on your country and proposed university of study, entry level to occupational therapy can be at apprenticeship, diploma, bachelor, masters or doctoral level. To be accepted into an occupational therapy educational program you will need to meet its specific admission requirements and prerequisites. Once graduated you will likely need to be registered with a health registration board and will be subject to background checks and annual registration requirements, such as continuing professional development (CPD). As an example, in the UK, you will need: an apprenticeship, degree or postgraduate qualification in occupational therapy, approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) professional registration with the HCPC to pass enhanced background checks, as you may be working with children and vulnerable adults To do a postgraduate course in occupational therapy, you will usually need a degree in a related subject and some relevant paid or voluntary work experience. [Source: National Careers Service] How do I go about finding and applying to a university? You can search for approved entry level occupational therapy educational programs worldwide, on the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT)'s website. Some countries may allow programs that are not WFOT approved, but this may this may restrict you working in certain countries or access to further study (Source: WFOT). The tertiary admissions process is likely to be slightly different between countries, so we recommend that you make contact with the university directly to check their admissions process. It is often recommended that you visit at least one occupational therapy service for job shadowing, prior to university interviews. Universities need to know you have some insight into what the career involves! Can I work as an Occupational Therapist in another country? Yes! If you are a qualified Occupational Therapist you can work in different countries. Every country has slightly different requirements, regarding a working visa, professional indemnity insurance, occupational therapy registration, association membership, etc. Some countries, such as the United States of America, also require you to pass a certification exam. If you are wanting more information about working overseas, read this useful publication: Occupational Therapy International Practice Guide 2020 (WFOT). More sources of information: Contribute content: Search the Hub Therapy Forum Share knowledge here

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< Specialisms Resources + Services Portal Coronavirus + Useful resources and services, for your care and career. This is an expanding directory and community suggestions are not definitive. K now of a resource or service that should be featured? Suggest an entry AOTA: Information Pertaining to Occupational Therapy in the Era of Coronavirus (COVID-19) To help all OT practitioners, educators, and students navigate through this uncertain time, we have lifted member-only access to this content. Visit > CDC: Coronavirus reports update Novel Coronavirus Reports: April 3, 2020 (Early Release) Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Among Residents and Staff Members of an Independent and Assisted Living Community for Older Adults — Seattle, Washington, 2020 Rapid Sentinel Surveillance for COVID-19 — Santa Clara County, California, March 2020 April 1, 2020 (Early Release) Presymptomatic Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 — Singapore, January 23–March 16, 2020 April 3, 2020 Preliminary Estimates of the Prevalence of Selected Underlying Health Conditions Among Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 — United States, February 12–March 28, 2020 Visit > EAPC: Coronavirus resources Coronavirus and the palliative care response In unprecedented times, the EAPC knows that many of our members, supporters and colleagues are providing care in challenging circumstances. We would like to help in any way we can and have set up a web page for our members to source and share important information and updates on caring for people with COVID-19. Please let us know if new or updated resources become available. On the EAPC blog we have created a coronavirus category with a small but growing collection of first hand stories. Visit > Gov.uk: Coronavirus (COVID-19): hospital discharge service requirements Sets out how health and care systems and providers should change their discharging arrangements and the provision of community support during the coronavirus situation. Visit > Gov.uk: Responding to COVID-19: the ethical framework for adult social care The current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, which began in December 2019, will have major implications for health and care services in the UK. As set out in the coronavirus action plan , published on 3 March 2020, the UK’s health and social care systems have planned extensively over the years for a pandemic and are well prepared to offer substantial protection to the public. Of course, the exact response to COVID-19 will be tailored to the nature, scale and location of the threat as our understanding of this develops. Visit > HCPC: COVID-19 hub In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the HCPC has worked with the UK Government to create a COVID-19 temporary register, of two parts. Our intention in doing so is to ensure there are no regulatory barriers to the following two groups practising on a temporary basis: COVID-19 temporary register of all former registrants who have de-registered in the past three years. We will ensure nobody appears on this list if they have been subject to fitness to practise concerns in the past. COVID-19 temporary register of third year students on UK approved programmes, who have completed all their clinical practice placements. Visit > NHS Guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Coronavirus (COVID-19) contents: Advice for everyone Advice for people at higher risk Symptoms and what to do Self-isolation if you or someone you live with has symptoms More information Visit > RCOT: Coronavirus FAQ The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) is closely monitoring the evolving COVID-19 emergency situation. The following frequently asked questions provide members with guidance on the changing situation. We urge members to read through the FAQs, and follow the advice given by the government, public health agencies and your employer. Visit > WFOT: Occupational Therapy and the COVID-19 Pandemic - information and resources The COVID-19 pandemic is having a profound impact on the lives, health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities worldwide. As a profession we recognise the consequences and changes that are occurring in how people access and undertake their occupations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These include, but not limited to; accessing resources, activities of daily living, communication, mobility, social isolation, displacement, mental health and wellbeing. Occupational therapists understand the vital need to access and use infection control measures combined with the need to sustain good psychological, mental health and stamina in order to stay safe and healthy. Visit > WHO: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) training: Online training Online training courses for: COVID-19: Operational Planning Guidelines and COVID-19 Partners Platform to support country preparedness and response Introduction to emerging respiratory viruses, including novel coronavirus Clinical Care Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Health and safety briefing for respiratory diseases – ePROTECT Visit > WHO: Country & Technical Guidance - Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) All technical guidance by topic: Critical preparedness, readiness and response actions for COVID-19 National laboratories Risk communication and community engagement Early investigation protocols Naming the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Country-level coordination, planning, and monitoring Clinical care Operational support and logistics Virus origin/Reducing animal-human transmission Humanitarian operations, camps and other fragile settings Surveillance, rapid response teams, and case investigation Infection protection and control / WASH Guidance for schools, workplaces & institutions Points of entry / mass gatherings Health workers Maintaining Essential Health Services and Systems Scientific Briefs Visit >