How we define health and wellness runs the gamut. For some, it’s being disease-free. For others, it’s the ability to move with ease. And for others still, it’s self-managing one’s own well-being and living as independently as possible.¹

If this last point resonates with you, you may be exploring the idea of becoming an occupational therapist—a healthcare expert who helps people of all ages gain autonomy and, in many cases, confidence.²

But why is occupational therapy important? And why become an occupational therapist in the first place?

The short answer is that occupational therapists play a critical role in the healthcare system by working as part of a larger team in a patient’s recovery and/or capacity to function well on a day-to-day basis. The long answer is below. In this post, we’ll review the significance of occupational therapy services and why it might align with your professional goals.

MOT Degree

The Role of Occupational Therapy in Healthcare

Here’s why occupational therapy is important: It operates as a key strategy in a holistic approach to health care by helping people obtain or reclaim their capacity to perform both routine, basic tasks and the activities they want, need, and decide to do.

Occupational therapists are brought in to guide patients toward the next stage of their independence. This includes: ^3,4

• Clients who have recently endured a stroke
• Children with developmental delays or autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• Individuals with mental health conditions (i.e. anxiety and depression)
• Patients with neurodegenerative conditions, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s 
• Clients with chronic illnesses, like multiple sclerosis (MS) or cerebral palsy
• People who have suffered from an injury, such as a fractured bone, a severe burn, or traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Occupational therapists use a variety of techniques and tools with their patients, from neuromedical devices to wheelchairs and walkers.⁵ The occupational therapist skills needed in this field include adaptability, problem-solving, and empathy. Each occupational therapy intervention strategy may be unique to the client, but the overarching aim of OTs remains the same: to help people achieve self-sufficiency and enhance their emotional, physical, and social well-being.

How Occupational Therapy Improves Quality of Life

Why are occupational therapists important? Because enriching their clients’ daily existence is at the heart of their efforts.

What this looks like may vary from patient to patient, but OT practitioners might provide support for:

• Activities of daily living  – Bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, eating, and using technology (among other activities of daily living, or ADLs) may be a challenge for some seniors, stroke victims, recent amputees, and other individuals who have limitations.⁶ Occupational therapists work closely with these people to help them carry out these daily activities and actions safely and effectively.⁷
• Mental health – The mental health challenges people face in the workplace drove the “father of OT” William Rush Dunton Jr. to develop occupational therapy in the early 20th century. The discipline remains loyal to this principle to this day. OTs use screening and assessing to recommend strategies for overcoming emotional, decision-making, and problem-solving complications in behavioral health, such as building smart coping mechanisms and practicing life management skills.⁸
• Rehabilitation and recovery – Illnesses and injuries—whether it’s cancer or a spinal injury—can rob a person of their independence. OTs help such patients navigate this by teaching them new skills, like operating a wheelchair or using a walker. They may also assist clients with developing their fine motor skills, strength, and endurance for routine tasks, hobbies, and physical activities.⁹

Naturally, this is just a glimpse at what OTs provide, but it does showcase the range of support they offer.

The Impact of Occupational Therapy on Different Populations

Not only are occupational therapists committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (or, to phrase it differently, to giving the same level of care across populations) but they’re also dedicated to working with different populations across their lifespans.¹⁰

This includes working with children who have intellectual disabilities, adults who are facing a return to work after an acute injury, and seniors who have declined cognitive function and mobility issues.

In other words, you might engage with multiple people from varied age groups and backgrounds—a possibility that may keep your career full of excitement.

The Growing Need for Occupational Therapists

It’s certainly no secret that the United States has a substantial number of senior residents. In fact, roughly 1 in 6 people in the country are aged 65 or older.¹¹ OTs help elderly people stay in their homes as long as possible; they also work with seniors in a host of inpatient settings, including nursing homes and rehabilitation centers.¹²

At the same time, OTs may help hospitals reduce remission rates, while schools have welcomed OTs into their environments since the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was passed two decades ago. Understanding how to become an occupational therapist is key to entering this growing field and meeting the increasing demand.

All of this emphasizes the rising need for occupational therapists and the crucial part they play in the broader healthcare system.

Why Pursue a Career in Occupational Therapy?

One of the greatest gifts found in working in occupational therapy is getting to know your patients on a profound level and watching them transform, over the course of time, in a tangible, memorable way.

What’s more, OTs can choose an expertise to help populations with hyper-specific needs, such as those with:¹³

• Diabetes
• Lymphedema
• Hand conditions
• Psychiatric disorders

This may be appealing to aspiring OTs who want to hone in on a specialty and experience diversity throughout their career. So, is occupational therapy a good career? With opportunities for specialization and helping diverse populations, it certainly can be.

Luckily, there are a number of graduate occupational therapy programs throughout the country. The Master’s of Occupational Therapy program at Alliant International University, for one, offers an ideal combination of online courses, in-person classes, and labs to prepare students for the joys and demands of an occupational therapy career—and all of it is led by a world-class team of experienced faculty members.

Discover the Importance of Occupational Therapy on Your Career Path

Why is occupational therapy important? To recap, occupational therapists elevate the lives of people navigating challenges and limitations. They help them attain that self-management that defines health and wellness, and work toward uplifting their quality of life, self-esteem, and happiness.

Alliant International University provides eager students like you with the skills and comprehension they need to make a difference. Graduates of the Master’s of Occupational Therapy program will be ready to assess, implement, and support people at pivotal moments in their lives (and throughout their lives).

Discover the knowledge you need to succeed at Alliant International University. Request more information to speak with an admissions counselor—and start paving the way toward a rewarding, impactful career.

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Sources:

1. Bolt, Marije, Tiska Ikking, Rosa Baaijen, and Stephanie Saenger. “Occupational Therapy and Primary Care.” Primary health care research & development, March 20, 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6476805/. Accessed August 25, 2024. 
2. Aota.org. Accessed August 24, 2024. https://www.aota.org/about/what-is-ot. Accessed August 24. 2024. 
3. Seladi-Schulman, Jill. “Occupational Therapy vs. Physical Therapy: How Do They Differ?” Healthline, March 11, 2020. https://www.healthline.com/health/occupational-therapy-vs-physical-ther…. Accessed August 24. 2024. 
4. “What Is the Main Role of Occupational Therapy?” Cleveland Clinic, August 23, 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/occupational-therapy. Accessed August 24. 2024. 
5. “Occupational Therapy - Tests & Treatments.” NHS inform, June 27, 2024. https://www.nhsinform.scot/tests-and-treatments/counselling-and-therapi…. Accessed August 24. 2024. 
6. “What Are Activities of Daily Living and How Are They Assessed?” Find Assisted Living, Memory Care and Senior Living. Accessed August 26, 2024. https://www.aplaceformom.com/caregiver-resources/articles/adls-iadls. Accessed August 24. 2024. 
7. Verma, Sahil. “Occupational Therapy: How It Changes Lives.” Wooster Community Hospital, October 11, 2023. https://www.woosterhospital.org/occupational-therapy-how-it-changes-liv…. Accessed August 24. 2024. 
8. “Occupational Therapy for Mental Health.” Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/physical-medicine-rehabilitation/specia…. Accessed August 26, 2024. 
9. Hospital, Indianapolis Rehabilitation. “How Occupational Therapists Assist in Recovery.” Indianapolis Rehab, February 8, 2022. https://www.indianapolis-rehabhospital.com/post/how-occupational-therap…. Accessed August 26, 2024. 
10. Occupational therapy’s commitment to diversity, equity, and Inclusion | The American Journal of Occupational Therapy | American Occupational Therapy Association, 2020. https://research.aota.org/ajot/article/74/Supplement_3/7413410030p1/669…. Accessed August 26, 2024.
11.  Caplan, Zoe. “U.S. Older Population Grew from 2010 to 2020 at Fastest Rate since 1880 to 1890.” Census.gov, May 25, 2023. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2023/05/2020-census-united-state…. Accessed August 24. 2024. 
12. “Why Occupational Therapy Is a Growing Field.” HappyNeuron Pro, June 7, 2023. https://www.happyneuronpro.com/en/info/why-occupational-therapy-is-a-gr…. Accessed August 24. 2024. 
13. Lyon, Sarah, Jeanette Runningssays:, Sarah Lyon, Viviana Morenosays:, Meghann Ehlingsays:, Karen Speicher, Karensays:, et al. “30+ OT Certifications and Specialties • OT Potential.” OT Potential • Occupational Therapy Resources, February 8, 2024. https://otpotential.com/blog/where-to-go-ot-degree. Accessed August 24. 2024.