HERMISTON, Ore.-April is Occupational Therapy (OT) Month, a time to celebrate Occupational Therapists and highlight the impact OT has on patients’ lives.
Occupational Therapy Month was established in 1980 to correspond with the annual conference and Expo of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 144,840 licensed Occupational Therapists in 2023, and the field is expected to grow by 14 percent between 2024 and 2034.
OT uses everyday life activities to promote the health and well-being of patients dealing with injury, illness, disability, or old age.
“The primary goal is to enable individuals to live as independently, safely, and functionally as possible in their daily routine,” said Heather Studer, an Occupational Therapist with Good Shepherd Health Care System (GSHCS) in Hermiston. “Anything that creates meaning can be considered an “occupation.”
In regard to OT, “occupations” include daily activities, such as dressing and eating, work, leisure, or social participation skills, that patients may need help with.
Occupational Therapy
OT programs often include a personal evaluation to determine what values and activities/occupations are important to the patient.
“The first visit consists of a thorough interview and assessment of the condition, including determining medical history, environment, and patient goals,” said Studer.
Working with their patients, OTs create a personal intervention plan to improve the patient’s ability to perform daily activities.
“Sessions are adapted based on progress, interests, and needs, utilizing specific activities and adaptive equipment to promote independence,” said Studer.
OTs and their patients also perform an outcomes evaluation to ensure the goals established for the patient are being met.
According to Studer, the majority of patients experience noticeable improvement within a month after starting OT, and decreased pain may be evident after a treatment or two, but the timeline for improvement varies by patient and the condition being treated, with pediatric patients possibly needing months of therapy.
GSHCS Occupational Therapy Services
Studer has been an OT for 16 years, including almost five with GSHCS Occupational Therapy Services, where she uses a “hands on” approach to provide the best care for her patients, while meeting the challenges of serving a rural community.
“Many days we have to quickly switch gears multiple times, moving back and forth between pediatric and adult patients that are intertwined throughout the day,” said Studer.
Occupational Therapists treat patients of all ages from birth through old age, and anyone unable to successfully complete meaningful daily tasks for a variety of reasons, including developmental, emotional, physical or mental conditions, could benefit.
GSHCS Occupational Therapy Services treats patients with autism, sensory processing disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, ADHD, stroke, upper extremity pain or injury, arthritis, developmental delays, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, joint replacements, fractures and ALS.
“The most rewarding part of the job is the joy and excitement on a patient’s face when they are able to accomplish a certain activity, whether it is a new milestone for a pediatric patient or regaining independence in an adult,” said Studer.
More information about GSHCS Occupational Therapy Services located at 600 NW 11th Street, Suite E-31 in Hermiston, is available online, by calling 541.667.3657, or by email at OccupationalTherapy@gshealth.org
