The Life-Changing Benefits of Occupational Therapy

For the millions of people who suffer an illness, injury, or a condition that makes performing even the simplest tasks—say, brushing your teeth, signing your name, or tying your shoes—occupational therapy (OT) can be life changing.

A common misconception about OT is that it’s the same as physical therapy (PT). While both aim to improve quality of life, they differ in a few key ways:

PT focuses on building and/or restoring strength and large motor skills, like walking and lifting, while OT addresses fine motor skills, particularly those key to daily living. This may include getting dressed, typing on a keyboard or phone, using a knife or other utensils to eat. 

With education and training in mental/behavioral health, medical conditions, rehabilitation, and lifestyle management, occupational therapists view patient needs in a unique context. Working with a patient’s physician, they develop treatment plans that address physical needs, but also consider aspects of the patient’s life, including employment and family role.

Common goals for OT include:

• increasing independence and improving quality of life

• enabling a safe return to work

• adapting environments and tasks to make them accessible

• regaining, developing, or maintaining daily living skills

Many patients are referred to OT by their doctor, but others are directed to it after surgery or being seen in the Emergency Department or ExpressCare.

Regardless of how they arrive, the OT experience typically includes:

• a personal evaluation/occupational profile, that documents a patient’s history, life experiences, interests, and what activities are important to them

• an intervention plan customized to the specific condition, goals, and designed to improve one’s ability to perform daily activities

• an outcomes evaluation to ensure goals are being met  

• a customized home-exercise plan and education program  

While based at the hospital, SVMC’s team of eight therapists provide inpatient and outpatient services for people of all ages at the following locations:

SVMC Northshire Campus, outpatient adult OT services

SVMC Deerfield Valley Health Campus, outpatient adult OT services

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, outpatient adult and pediatric as well as inpatient OT services

The Dartmouth Cancer Center at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, cancer-related fatigue education

Regardless of where OT is provided, the end goal is the same: enabling people of all ages to participate fully in their daily lives.

Photo: SVMC Occupational Therapy Staff (L to R): Brittany Briggs, MSOT, OTR/L, Michaelia St. Jacques, MSOT, OTR/L, CHT, Gabrielle Loomis, MSOT, OTR/L, Kendra Petro, OTD, OTR/L, CLT, Lauren Conigliaro OTD, OTR/L, Colleen Thorpe, MSOT, OTR/L (Not pictured: Gabe Borman, MOT, OTR/L, Whitney Shepperd, M.Ed., OTR/L, CLT)