The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Concern over dearth of occupational therapists

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Mar 11, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Concern over dearth of occupational therapists

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: There is a dearth of occupational therapists, practitioners in rehabilitation of persons with physical and cognitive problems, in the city, according to experts.

While there are more than 500 physiotherapists in the city, the number of occupational therapists is less than 10, said Dr. Maheswarappa of Manipal Hospital's Department of Physical Medicine. An occupational therapist is a practitioner who provides skilled treatment to help individuals achieve independence in all facets of their lives.

Neurosurgeon K. Palani said that occupational therapists play an essential role in normalising the patients, and in improving their daily abilities by suggesting ergonomic ways. They also help improve cognitive functions.

Occupational therapists work with persons who have sustained work-related injuries such as back problem, suffered a stroke or heart attack, amputees, and persons with Alzheimer's Disease, he said.

Uma Venkatesan, a rehabilitation therapist, said that an occupational therapist is different from a physiotherapist in several ways. While a physiotherapist works on gross movements, an occupational therapist works on fine movements. "The occupational therapist will teach a person how to comb his/her hair or eat. They help give the person a level of dignity," she said.

One reason for the small number of occupational therapists, is the few colleges available to train them, Dr. Maheswarappa said. In Karnataka, there is only one college for those who want to study occupational therapy.

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