Mass General occupational therapists work collaboratively with a patient’s other medical providers to evaluate and design individualized treatment programs for patients of all ages, genders and abilities to achieve mutual functional goals and outcomes.

Outpatient

Hand and Upper Extremity

Occupational Therapists working in this area have advanced training and certifications in the management of hand and upper extremity injuries. These skilled therapists provide patient-centered interventions for a wide range of acute and chronic conditions with the goal of restoring function.

Burns

Occupational Therapists work with patients who have physical and functional limitations due to injuries sustained due to burns. These therapists are skilled in managing impairments caused by these injuries and help patients resume daily functional tasks and important life roles. Intervention may include custom splinting, wound care, scar management and custom exercise programs.

Neurology

Occupational Therapists work with individuals who have neurological impairments as a result of head injuries, stroke, brain surgery, or neurodegenerative disease. They are skilled in identifying cognitive, perceptual or motor impairments that impact a person’s ability to engage in occupations of choice. Interventions may include training in adaptive equipment, designing home or task modification, teaching compensatory strategies or providing specific targeted exercises to restore the impairment.

Oncology

Occupational Therapists work with patients that are experiencing side effects of cancer and its treatments. Therapists identify impairments such as; muscle weakness, limitations in joint motion, impaired memory and thinking skills as well as lymphedema, which are impacting a person’s ability to perform occupations of choice.

Inpatient

Functional Recovery

Occupational Therapy is essential to an individual’s functional recovery during and after hospitalization. Your ability to perform basic tasks such as bathing, dressing and feeding yourself may be affected by surgery, disease, illness, prolonged hospitalization, medications or personal motivation. Your OT will work with you to restore your occupational independence through rehabilitation of physical, cognitive and mental health dysfunction and train caregivers to provide support as needed.

Cognition

Occupational Therapists are skilled in identifying the cognitive impairments that can impact an individual’s ability to perform everyday tasks such as organizing, remembering to take medications, paying bills on time, keeping appointments and driving. After assessing the ability to perform these tasks, we work with you, your caregivers and the medical team to develop recommendations to optimize your cognition and ability to engage in life activities.

Home Safety Assessment

Occupational Therapists are uniquely trained to assess the impact of physical, cognitive and behavioral changes from hospitalization on an individual’s ability to be safe when discharged. OTs facilitate performance of self-care activities and provide care giver training, specific recommendations for home and task modifications, and necessary adaptive equipment to maximize your independence and safety at home.

Upper Extremity Rehabilitation

Occupational Therapists work with individuals who have upper extremity injuries or impairments that affect their ability to use their arms and hands. This includes fractures, burns, complex traumatic injuries or amputations, and neurological impairments, or after surgery. Treatment may focus on improving strength and range of motion, facilitating normal movement patterns, maintaining proper alignment and reducing swelling.

Behavioral Management

Occupational Therapists focus on treating the mental health and cognitive symptoms that may occur during illness. These symptoms may manifest as behaviors that negatively impact compliance with necessary medical care. OT interventions assist in preventing delirium, minimize restraint use and facilitate participation in their care through use of sensory-motor activities, cognitive remediation, environmental modifications, the creation of customized Behavioral Support Plans and other coping strategies.

Psychiatry/Mental Health

Occupational therapists work with people during psychiatric hospitalization to facilitate emotional, physical, and cognitive wellness. Interventions in group and/or individual sessions may include using sensory tools, engagement in physical and cognitive exercise, developing strategies for symptom management and establishing action plans to enhance skills needed for independent living such as managing your home, medications and time.

Pediatrics

Occupational Therapists work with newborns and children admitted to the hospital with medical illness, surgical needs, traumatic injury, and behavioral health issues. OTs have specialized knowledge of childhood development, addressing issues related to feeding, motor development, sensory processing, cognition, and behavior management. OTs collaborate with the team providing guidance for discharge planning and identifying community supports needed on a short or long-term basis.