Occupational Therapy Practice in Occupational Rehabilitation

The aim of this course is to develop entry level competence for occupational therapy practice in the area of work/employment and of upper limb injury. Understanding the issues for occupational performance work and employment that may arise from traumatic injuries to the upper limb, chronic pain, and back injury. Exploration of occupational therapy and other approaches to the management of these issues. Management of traumatic injuries to the upper limb including dynamic splinting. Legislative, ethical and medico-legal and reporting aspects of scenarios and their implications for practice. Analysis of cultural and health beliefs relating to health, disability and work and implications for practice. Strategies and techniques for enabling occupational performance that are relevant to work and employment, including advanced occupational analysis, assessing work capacity, comparing human capacities to occupational demands, workplace assessments, application of biomechanical principles (including manual handling), application of ergonomic principles, development of graded programs, negotiation, modification of work and environment, work safety assessment. Issues and approaches in teamwork, case management, and working with organisations that are common when working with people with disorders affecting work and employment.