Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapist

Physical therapists and occupational therapists are health care professionals who help people with a wide range of diseases, injuries, or disabilities main­tain or improve their health and ability to carry out everyday tasks. They assess a patient’s overall condition, develop a treatment plan, help the pa­tient carry out the plan, and determine if the plan is working.

Physical and occupational therapists work in hospitals, clinics, schools, long-term care homes, research institutions, and in private practice. Both professions can be physically demanding and require strong interpersonal skills and a solid background in biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and mathematics. Although some schools still offer four-year baccalaure­ate degrees, by 2002 (for new physical therapists) and 2007 (for new oc­cupational therapists) all students will have to complete at least a master’s degree in their field. After graduation, students must pass a licensing exam in order to treat patients. Students interested in these fields can do vol­unteer work to learn more about the work and gain experience before com­mitting to a full training program.

Physical therapists work with patients to relieve pain and improve joint mobility, balance, coordination, movement, and overall health. For exam­ple, they may help a person recovering from shoulder surgery regain nor­mal range of motion, a stroke patient learn to walk again, or a spinal cord injury patient to become as independent as possible.

Physical therapists use many techniques and tools to accomplish their goals, including exercises, massage, hot and cold packs, ultrasound, elec­trical stimulation, and assistive devices (crutches, prostheses, and wheel­chairs).

Occupational therapists work with patients to improve their ability to carry out activities associated with daily living or employment. For ex ample, they may help a person who recently lost his vision learn to nav­igate his home, a developmentally disabled student participate in school, or a patient with head trauma learn to eat, dress, and bathe again. Occu­pational therapists use many tools to accomplish their goals, including as­sistive devices, computers, and a variety of everyday objects.

References

American Occupational Therapy Association. “A Career in Occupational Therapy: A Rewarding Choice in Health Care.” AOTA Student Area. http://www.aota.org/.

American Physical Therapy Association. “A Future in Physical Therapy,” APTA Ed­ucation. https://www.apta.org/.

Krumhansl, Bernice. Opportunities in Physical Therapy Careers. Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Horizons, 1990.