Division of Occupational Therapy: Introduction | Nagasaki University School of HEALTH SCIENCES

Introduction

Supporting people to live rich and fruitful life

What is occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy seeks to restore the health of individuals, from newborns to the elderly, who suffer from disabling conditions affecting the mind, body, and emotions. Through the use of “activities” or the day-to-day tasks which patients involve themselves in, an occupational therapist seeks to improve the capacity and functions of the patients, and assist them in regaining highest possible level of independence. An occupational therapist works in an array of settings, from health, welfare, education, to workplace.

What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy seeks to restore the health of individuals, from newborns to the elderly, who suffer from disabling conditions affecting the mind, body, and emotions. Through the use of “activities” or the day-to-day tasks which patients involve themselves in, an occupational therapist seeks to improve the capacity and functions of the patients, and assist them in regaining highest possible level of independence. An occupational therapist works in an array of settings, from health, welfare, education, to workplace.

What do you learn?
In the first and the second year, you will acquire the basic medical knowledge on human anatomy, physiology and development through Functional anatomy I and II, Integrated physiology I and II, and Kinesiology I and II. Furthermore, you will learn about the various diseases and their causes, and the resulting disorders through Neurological disorders and rehabilitation I and II, Mental disorders and rehabilitation I and II, and Pediatric disorders and rehabilitation. You will also acquire the basic knowledge and skills of rehabilitation and occupational theory through Introduction to basic occupational therapy, Basic occupational therapy skills I and II, Occupational therapy evaluation and Occupational therapy. Based on what you have learnt in the first and the second year, in the final year, you will acquire more specialized skills and knowledge of occupational therapy. In Physical disability occupational therapy, you will learn how to assess the physical and cognitive functions and disabilities of patients who have suffer from physical disabilities as a result of such diseases as cerebral vascular disturbance, and ways of maximizing the residual capacity to assist the patients overcome social obstacles. In Prosthesis and orthosis, and practicum, you will be involved in producing of, for example, a prosthetic hand for upper-limb amputees, and upper-limb orthosis for those with disabilities of the hand function due to deformity or injuries. In Psychological disability occupation therapy, you will learn about the theories and practice of therapy and therapy evaluation in for those with psychological disorders, such as schizophrenia. In Occupational therapy of developmental disorders, you will learn about the theories and practice of therapy and therapy evaluation in for those children and youths with developmental disorders, such as cerebral palsy and autism. In Life support for people with disabilities and practicum, you will learn about the various means of in-home assistance from the perspective of the patients, including environmental evaluation and use of welfare equipment. In Community occupational therapy, you will learn about the role of occupational therapy in the network of community support, and how you could promote community participation of those with disabilities, and community contribution to offering in-home assistance to those with disabilities.

What do you learn?

In the first and the second year, you will acquire the basic medical knowledge on human anatomy, physiology and development through Functional anatomy I and II, Integrated physiology I and II, and Kinesiology I and II. Furthermore, you will learn about the various diseases and their causes, and the resulting disorders through Neurological disorders and rehabilitation I and II, Mental disorders and rehabilitation I and II, and Pediatric disorders and rehabilitation. You will also acquire the basic knowledge and skills of rehabilitation and occupational theory through Introduction to basic occupational therapy, Basic occupational therapy skills I and II, Occupational therapy evaluation and Occupational therapy.

Based on what you have learnt in the first and the second year, in the final year, you will acquire more specialized skills and knowledge of occupational therapy.

In Physical disability occupational therapy, you will learn how to assess the physical and cognitive functions and disabilities of patients who have suffer from physical disabilities as a result of such diseases as cerebral vascular disturbance, and ways of maximizing the residual capacity to assist the patients overcome social obstacles. In Prosthesis and orthosis, and practicum, you will be involved in producing of, for example, a prosthetic hand for upper-limb amputees, and upper-limb orthosis for those with disabilities of the hand function due to deformity or injuries.

In Psychological disability occupation therapy, you will learn about the theories and practice of therapy and therapy evaluation in for those with psychological disorders, such as schizophrenia.

In Occupational therapy of developmental disorders, you will learn about the theories and practice of therapy and therapy evaluation in for those children and youths with developmental disorders, such as cerebral palsy and autism.

In Life support for people with disabilities and practicum, you will learn about the various means of in-home assistance from the perspective of the patients, including environmental evaluation and use of welfare equipment. In Community occupational therapy, you will learn about the role of occupational therapy in the network of community support, and how you could promote community participation of those with disabilities, and community contribution to offering in-home assistance to those with disabilities.