Patients may be referred to occupational therapy (often referred to as OT) after recovering from surgery as part of rehabilitation, or after being inactive because of a prolonged spell of pain (where there was no surgery).
Patients are referred to occupational therapy in the same way as they are referred to physiotherapy. The two types of treatment are likely to overlap; the physiotherapist may start treating the patient when the patient is in bed, while occupational therapy does not start until the patient is up and out of bed.
Occupational therapists have completed a four year full time course. Occupational therapy is usually requested by the doctor, but the actual treatment is left to the discretion of the therapist. It may take the form of any activity, work or recreation which will most effectively help the patient to achieve full recovery and return to work; or which will minimise the effects of permanent disability and help the patient to live with such a disability.
Occupational therapy services are available in the public health system, especially in public hospitals, rehabilitation centres, psychiatric centres, centres for the intellectually disables, geriatric nursing homes and community services. OT is covered by Medicare and most major health funds. There is also a growing number of occupational therapists working in private practises. Depending on the type of service being offered and the size of the practice fees range from $95 to $112 per hour.
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