Occupational therapy

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Occupational therapy
US Navy Occupational therapists providing treatment to outpatients
ICD-9-CM	93.83
MeSH	D009788
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Occupational therapy (OT) is a healthcare profession that involves the use of assessment, intervention, consultation, and coaching to develop, recover, or maintain meaningful occupations of individuals, groups, or communities. The field of OT consists of health care practitioners trained and educated to support mental health and physical performance. Occupational therapists specialize in teaching, educating, and supporting participation in activities that occupy an individual's time. It is an independent health profession sometimes categorized as an allied health profession and consists of occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs). OTs and OTAs have different roles, with OTs licensed to complete comprehensive occupational therapy evaluations. Both professionals work with people who want to improve their ability to participate in meaningful occupations.^[1]

The American Occupational Therapy Association defines an occupational therapist as someone who "helps people across their lifespan participate in the things they want and/or need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations)".^[2] Definitions by other professional occupational therapy organizations are similar.

Common interventions include:

• Helping disabled children to participate in meaningful activities at home, school, and within the community (independent mobility is often a central concern)
• Training in assistive device technology, meaningful and purposeful activities, and life skills.
• Physical injury rehabilitation
• Mental dysfunction rehabilitation
• Support of individuals across the age spectrum experiencing physical and cognitive changes
• Assessing ergonomics and assistive seating options to maximize independent function, while alleviating the risk of pressure injury
• Education in the disease and rehabilitation process
• Advocating for patient health
• Exploring vocational activities with clients

Occupational therapists are university-educated professionals and must pass a licensing exam to practice.^[3] Currently, entry level occupational therapists must have a master's degree while certified occupational therapy assistants require a two-year associate degree to practice in the United States. Individuals must pass a national board certification and apply for a state license in most states. Occupational therapists often work closely with professionals in physical therapy, speech–language pathology, audiology, nursing, nutrition, social work, psychology, medicine, and assistive technology.