Occupational therapy

We promote health and wellbeing by facilitating participation in occupations that provide a rhythm and purpose in life.

In occupational therapy, occupations refer to the everyday activities that people do as individuals, in families and with communities to occupy time and bring meaning and purpose to life.

Occupations can be grouped into three broad categories:

1. Leisure: for relaxation, play and enjoyment (e.g. craft, reading, sport, travel)
2. Self-care: to remain active and independent in everyday lives (e.g. showering, cooking)
3. Productivity: derive meaning through contributions (e.g. schoolwork, parenting, volunteering, employment)

To learn more about occupational therapy, watch this video by Occupational Therapy Australia.

Our services

At Monash Health, there are over 230 Occupational Therapists working in a wide variety of roles, providing services to our community. Our occupational therapists work across the continuum of care to promote health and wellbeing through occupations. Areas of practice include hand therapy, acute care, rehabilitation, mental health, community health and rehabilitation, pain management, disability services and quality and innovation. We work with patients and clients across the lifespan, from new-born services through to palliative care.

How do occupational therapists work?

In Australia, occupational therapists are registered allied health practitioners.  This means that they have met standards required by the Allied Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Occupational therapists work with all members of the healthcare team including medical, nursing, and other allied health professionals, to deliver care that is based on the Monash Health values.

At Monash Health, occupational therapists work with patients across the life-span, with a variety of health needs and in many diverse settings. The process of working with a patient follows three general phases: assessment, planning and intervention.

Assessment

• initial and repeated
• standardised procedures, interviews, observations
• consultation with significant people

Planning

• short and long-term goals
• relevant to developmental stage, habits, roles, life-style preferences and the environment
• collaboration with healthcare team

Intervention

• person-centred
• goal focused
• facilitate performance of everyday occupations
• adaption of settings in which the person lives, works and socialises
• advocacy and support

Contact information