This week, we look at the career of occupational therapy. Khanyisile Ntuli has been an occupational therapist for the past five years.
“Throughout my life, I always had a strong passion for enhancing the well-being of others across various aspects of their lives. Although I didn’t fully comprehend the profession when I started, my passion grew stronger as I progressed in my studies.
“What I cherish most about my role is the privilege of making a meaningful impact on people’s lives. I find fulfilment in restoring hope, empowering individuals to reclaim their quality of life, and helping them overcome the challenges posed by illness, injury or disability,” said Ntuli.
What is occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy is a healthcare profession focused on helping people of all ages attain optimal independence in daily activities that are meaningful to them. These activities can include essential self-care like dressing and grooming, work, school, social engagement and leisure activities.
The goal is to empower people with physical or mental disabilities, injury or illness to fully participate in the activities of daily living and enhance their quality of life.
What are an occupational therapist’s duties and responsibilities?
The duties and responsibilities can vary significantly based on the setting and the unique needs of each individual. However, the core foundation of the services provided includes:
• The evaluation of individual needs.
• Implementing interventions and applying outcome measures to monitor progress.
• Assessing the effectiveness of the given treatment.
Occupational therapists play a vital role in doing holistic assessments to understand how an illness, injury or disability affects an individual’s ability to engage in daily activities. We collaborate closely with clients to establish achievable meaningful and realistic functional goals.
Additionally, we are instrumental in skills development, modifying tasks or environments and providing assistive devices to promote independence.
