Occupational Therapy

The medical field is constantly undergoing significant changes in response to the changing health and social needs of Canadians, as well as health care delivery systems. Occupational therapy is an integral part of this process, as it has expanded from traditional hospital settings to home and community care.

Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists identifies some of the existing trends as affecting occupational therapy:

• an aging population

• increased awareness of the needs of people with disabilities

• higher survival rates from accidents and injuries

• increased emphasis on health promotion and prevention to keep health care costs down

• higher incidence of mental health and family problems

• changes in work conditions such as job stress and early retirement

• a more informed public regarding health and health concerns

In my opinion one of rapidly evolving trends in occupational therapy in Ontario is its increasing role in...
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