Occupational therapy
Bachelor's degree programme
General information
| Disciplinary area | Health |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 years - 180 Credits |
| Admission |
 Limited access, see call for applications
|
| Language |
 Taught in Italian
|
| Teaching method | Lectures |
| Regulation | Main Teaching Regulations |
Presentation
Our lives are characterized by daily tasks and activities which we perform alone or with others, at work or during our leisure time. Most of these activities are learned during the early stages of life and continue without interruption throughout the rest of our lives. Our abilities improve or change according to the experiences or situations in which we are constantly involved. Most of what we do occurs so spontaneously and automatically that we hardly notice until an accident of some kind, perhaps even the most banal, takes away our ability to perform routine tasks or activities. Occupational Therapy is based on these premises and is aimed at restoring a person's ability to perform actions that a diseases or some other pathological event have rendered difficult or impossible. Therapists can provide assistance in various ways, such as through the use of specific techniques, the determination of suitable assistive devices, or by offering suggestions for modifying a patient's environment. Along with other rehabilitation professionals, occupational therapists work to enable patients with disabilities to reach the maximum autonomy and independence possible, taking into account their age, the severity of the disease, the prognosis, and the social context in which they live.Course content
Course work is organized into semesters, all of which include a variety of learning activities in different settings, such as classroom, teaching laboratories and clinical internships. Students are placed in facilities approved by the university and work under the supervision and guidance of professional mentors chosen in each facility. The instructional program is structured in such a way as to guarantee the integration of all areas of study. The program covers the essential disciplines required to understand the origin of physiopathological processes which can cause disabilities and upon which specific therapeutic/preventive occupational interventions are focused. Students will also explore concepts relating to general rehabilitative and specific occupational methods, with major emphasis on the best science- based evidence. Great importance is given to the cultural, deontological, and professional values, which govern principles, processes, and rehabilitative actions directed towards patients and the community. The instructional model is aimed at encouraging a high level of interaction between teachers and students.Career options
An occupational therapist is an accredited health professional dedicated to the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of patients suffering from diseases and physical and mental disorders which can cause temporary or permanent disabilities. Therapy techniques include expressive and manual therapy, as well as creative arts and games, and the performance of daily functions and tasks. Based on a physician's report and specific recommendations, occupational therapists work within their competencies, and in collaboration with other healthcare professionals, to perform a functional and psychological assessment of a patient's needs, and to plan (often in conjunction with a multidisciplinary team) a rehabilitation program designed to determine patients' needs, overcome their disability, and work towards their personal autonomy in daily life and within their community. Occupational therapists implement treatment plans and are also skilled in the self-assessment of their work. They can find employment in research, teaching, and support facilities, or in all areas where there is a need for this profession. The competencies acquired during the program permit direct entry into the job market, with possibilities of employment in the public or private sector, or as a self-employed practitioner.After the degree
After a degree in Occupational Therapy, graduates can attend Master's Degree Programmes in Rehabilitation Sciences, and short vocational Master programmes.More information
- Course Director
- dott.ssa Gilda Sandri
e-mail gilda.sandri@unimore.it - Tutor
- Dott.ssa Barbara Volta
e-mail barbara.volta@unimore.it
The course is managed by the Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences