Introduction
There are several categories of people with mental and physical problems who need to be integrated into mainstream society. Occupational therapists prepare such persons to re-enter society through vocational guidance and training. Their work is invaluable in re-integrating "special" people into regular society.

Primer
Occupational therapy is a process which helps in rehabilitating people who are mentally deformed or physically impaired by employing their services in various activities like making handicraft items and industrial art, recreation and daily chores. Occupational therapists treat the physical and spastic disabilities of patients. They help these patients develop special skills to perform normal work, which in turn would help them to live independently.

Nature of Work
Occupational therapists work with doctors and other members of the healthcare team to help patients with mental and physical problems to regain as much normality and independence as possible. They assess the problems of patients and accordingly devise appropriate training programmes / activities to suit their requirements.

Occupational therapists have to interact with the patients' doctors regarding the degree of progress the patient is expected to achieve. They have to interact with physiotherapists while working with physically disabled patients and psychiatrists while working with mentally disabled patients. They plan their strategy according to the patient's requirements taking into account their physical, social, economic and psychological circumstances. The treatment involves strengthening exercises and helping patients to perform daily tasks like cooking from a wheel chair. They also assist patients who are accident victims or suffering from tuberculosis, rheumatism, and blood pressure.

Rehabilitation of patients is also undertaken by occupational therapists. They encourage various activities like art, craft, music and recreation for the patients. Other activities include weaving, games and clay modelling. All these activities help patients strengthen weak muscles and increase the limited range of joint action, to help coordinate movements and to train the use of unaffected parts of the body.

Main Employers
Options include,

• Rehabilitation Centres
• Special Schools
• Voluntary Organizations
• Hospitals

Work Environment
The work of an occupational therapist is generally in a rehabilitation centre, hospital or special school. So it is basically an indoor job.

Pros and Cons
There is increasing thrust on the rehabilitation of physically and mentally disabled persons in recent times. Many professionals are required in this area. Another important reward is the satisfaction of helping a disabled person to lead a normal and independent life. This profession is ideal for those seeking fulfillment.

Sometimes patients could be uncooperative and that could mar the treatment process. This field of paramedicine is still new to many. Generally this line of treatment is time consuming and the procedure can be tiring if the awareness level of patients is less.

Essential Attributes
Traits ranked on a scale of 1-5; 5 being 'very important' and 1 being 'not important'.

 

Criteria	Rank
Creativity	3
Physically demanding	4
Ability to handle pressure	4
Communication skills	5
Academic challenge	4
Precision and skill	4
Business acumen	1

Who is the ideal occupational therapist?
Occupational therapists should be compassionate and sympathetic towards the patients. They should also possess patience and dedication.

Education and Training
There are degree, diploma and certificate courses in occupational therapy offered by many institutions in India.

Certificate in Occupational Therapy
Duration: 35 weeks
Eligibility: 10+2 with physics, chemistry and biology.

Institute:

• The Institute of Physically Handicapped, Vishnu Digambar Marg, New Delhi - 110002

Diploma in Occupational Therapy
Duration: 2 years or 3 years
Eligibility: 10+2 or equivalent with physics, chemistry and biology as the main subjects

Institutes:

• Patna Medical College, Patna
• Institute of Physically Handicapped, Vishnu Digamber Marg, New Delhi - 110002

Bachelors in Occupational Therapy (BOT)
Duration: 3 - 3 ½ years
Eligibility: 10+2 or equivalent with physics, chemistry and biology.

Institutes:

• The National Institute for Rehabilitation Training and Research, Olatpur, P.O Bairoi - 754010 Distt. Cuttack.
• National Institute for Orthopedically Handicapped, Bon Hoogly, B.T Road, Calcutta - 700090
• Institute of Physically Handicapped, Vishnu Digamber Marg, New Delhi - 110002
• University of Madras, Chepauk, Chennai - 600005
• Occupational Therapy Training School, Sir D.B. Orthopedic Centre, Mumbai - 400012

Entry
The entry into National Institute for Rehabilitation Training and Research, Cuttack, National Institute for the Orthopedically Handicapped, Calcutta and Institute of Physically Handicapped, New Delhi is through the entrance exam conducted by the Rehabilitation Council of India, New Delhi. The entry into the other institutions would be through the common medical entrance exams conducted by the state or the respective colleges.

Other Institutes
G.S. Seth Medical College & K.E.M. Hospital Parel, Mumbai, 400012
Government Medical College Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy, Nagpur 440003
All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Haji Ali, Mahalakshmi Mumbai 300034
Lokmanya Tilak Medical College, School of Physiotherapy Sion Mumbai 400022
School of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy SMS Medical Colleges, Jaipur 302004
School of Physiotherapy SSG Hospital Vadodara 390006
Christian Medical College, Thorapudi, Vellore, 632002
SRM College of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, 88 Thambiah Rd. Chennai 600033
BS College of Physiotherapy, old Mahabalipuram Rd. Chennai 600020
Maharaja College of Physiotherapy, Besant Nagar, Chennai 600090
Rajamuthiah Institute of Health Sciences, Annamalai Nagar 608002
Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences, Punjaguta, Hyderabad 500482
Kasturba Medical College, Manipal 57619
Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore 575001
Bangalore Medical College, Bangalore, 560002
Father Mullers Institute of Medical Education and Research Kankanady, Mangalore 575005

Pay Package
Occupational therapists in private hospitals get paid between Rs.2500 - 3500 p.m. at the entry level. In the case of government hospitals, occupational therapists would start with pay of about Rs.7000 p.m.

In the case of a private practitioner, earnings depend on his/her abilities and the number of patients. It could be anywhere between Rs.20,000 - Rs.40,000 or more in a month. Occupational therapists who do house calls could get around Rs.100 an hour.

Future Prospects
The government and the other voluntary organizations are paying more attention to the rehabilitation of the physically and mentally disabled in order to make them self-dependent and self-confident. This has increased the opportunities for professionals in the field of occupational therapy. There are also many newer methods of treatment that yield better results.

Related areas of Work
Diversification is possible into,

• Physiotherapy
• Social Work
• Special Education

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