The Future of Occupational Therapy in Rehabilitation Sciences: Global Impact

21st Century is a Century of Occupational Therapy!

Abstract

Occupational therapy is a humanistic and a health specialty that aims to enhance a person’s ability and improve functional performance in terms of independence, safety and quality in the various functions and activities of daily life of value and meaning to individuals and groups. The occupational therapist supports motor, mental and social skills and helps create a better place for functional participation in society. Scientific research has proven that occupational therapy services are effective and successful and have a positive significant impact on individuals and community health. The inclusion of an occupational therapist in the multidisciplinary medical rehabilitation team improves the integrated planning of treatment for people with disabilities and injuries of all kinds and for different age groups. There is a critical need for more Occupational Therapists worldwide in a variety of healthcare settings to treat patients with different health conditions. Occupational therapy is a growing healthcare profession and the job outlook for occupational therapy practitioners is bright and promising. There is a critical need for more occupational therapists worldwide and employment of occupational therapists is expected to be much faster than the average for all occupations with the most recent earnings information indicating that occupational therapists’ salary ranked among the top ten in best healthcare jobs and that the salary outlook has been increasing for decades.