Rehabilitation
Feature
Neurology |
Complex Trauma |
Spines |
Force Generation
Upper Quadrant
Lower Limbs
|
Specialist Rehabilitation |
Psychological Wellbeing Service |
|
• Stroke . Traumatic brain Injury .
• Multiple sclerosis
• Encephalitis .
|
• Upper and lower limb amputations .
• Spinal cord injuries .
• Blast injuries .
• Nerve injuries .
• Chronic pain .
• Upper and lower limb orthopaedic injuries .
|
• Chronic low back pain .
• Axial spondyloarthropathy .
|
Neck , shoulder , upper limb and thoracic injuries and conditions . |
Hip , lower limb , ankle and foot injuries and conditions . |
• Chronic fatigue .
• Non-freezing cold injuries .
• Musculoskeletal conditions .
• Fibromyalgia .
• Post-cancer .
• Cardiac rehabilitation .
|
• Adjustment disorder .
• Anxiety .
• Depression .
• Post-traumatic stress disorder .
• ADHD .
• Low selfesteem .
|
military role , transition to a civilian career and activities of daily living .
In-depth assessments and interventions are delivered across a variety of domains : cognition ; sleep ; relaxation ; pacing ; goal setting ; fatigue ; orthotics ; scar management ; wheelchairs ; seating and ergonomics ; accessing transport ; adaptations to home and work ; vocational rehabilitation ; sensory modulation ; anxiety management ; community integration ; psychoeducation ; and group work .
As one occupational therapist reflected : ‘ We are fortunate to have lots of time , autonomy and variety of treatment modalities with our patients .’ The clinical areas are divided into three main physical rehabilitation departments . Psychological wellbeing is considered within the team as part of the biopsychosocial model . Patients that have more complex psychological needs can be referred to the Psychological Wellbeing Service .
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic , occupational therapists have contributed to the design and running of a residential rehabilitation programme . Some of the typical conditions treated by each team are outlined in the table above .
Available therapeutic opportunities for the patients include : horticultural therapy ; wood and metal workshops ; recreational therapy ; a 5K hand bike trail and running track ; tennis courts and a pitch and putt course ; a computer assisted rehabilitation environment ; gardens and lake ; cycling ; horse riding ; fishing ; arts and crafts ; music ; and climbing .
One member of the team commented : ‘[ We ] work as part of an amazing team with supportive and experienced colleagues , learning opportunities are a daily occurrence and you feel invested in .’
While another added : ‘ Having the scope to really get to know our patients and opportunity
Having the scope to really get to know our patients and opportunity to tailor each occupational therapy intervention to meet the patients ’ needs makes this role very rewarding .”
to tailor each occupational therapy intervention to meet the patients ’ needs makes this role very rewarding .’
Eakman A and Radomski M ( 2017 ) Occupational therapy past and present : Responding to physical , cognitive and emotional consequences of war . British Journal of Occupational Therapy 80 ( 12 ): 697 – 698 . DOI : https :// doi . org / 10.1177 / 030802 2617712198
Words EMILY ALLWOOD , NIKKI BRADLEY , AMELIA BUTTON , VERITY CANNELL , GEMMA FRENCH , PAULA HAMILTON , JERRY KIRUI , NISHA KOTECHA , SANDY MARCUS-SMITH , FIONA TUNBRIDGE , SHANE WILKIE-RYAN , Band Six Occupational Therapists , and ANNE SEGALINI , Professional Lead Advisor of Occupational Therapy . Anne . Segalini100 @ mod . gov . uk
July 2022 OTnews 31