Rehabilitation

Occupational Therapy is a healthcare profession dedicated to fostering and/or maintaining an individual’s ability, across all life stages, to engage in tasks and roles that are meaningful to them.

• Self-care – such as getting dressed, eating, showering     
• Productive activities – including attending school, working, performing household chores
• Leisure – such as playing games, doing arts and craft, participating in social activities 

Occupational Therapists collaborate closely with the medical team to develop holistic and person-centred care plans. Their primary focus is on improving functional status after a debilitating medical condition, ensuring that patients can safely participate in meaningful activities. This approach facilitates patients’ transition back home and into the community. 

Occupational Therapists work closely with other allied health professionals, such as Physiotherapists and Speech Therapists, to achieve patients’ goals. For instance, considering physical function has a great impact in patients’ ability to participate in daily activities, Physiotherapists strive to improve movement and strength, and while Occupational Therapists work to integrate these physical abilities into tasks like grocery shopping. Another collaborative example is the action of eating, where Speech Therapists optimise safe swallowing and feeding, while Occupational Therapists focus on environmental, behavioural and cognitive strategies to improve independent eating.

• Biomechanical assessment and treatment of foot and lower leg conditions (including gait analysis and orthoses provision);
• Diabetes foot care – assessment and prevention;
• Wound care (including advanced therapies such as negative pressure and maggot debridement); 
• Skin and nail conditions e.g., ingrown toenails; and
• Paediatric foot and lower limb conditions.

Podiatrists work closely with the Vascular, Orthopaedics and Endocrine teams to provide holistic care for patients with foot and leg conditions. Additionally, they work alongside Allied Health Professionals such as Physiotherapists in addressing biomechanical disorders of the feet and legs.

Click on the individual photos to learn more about each service.

Click on our individual staff photos to learn more about them

As healthcare professionals within an academic health system, many of our therapists are involved in funded and collaborative interdisciplinary research. We are continuously looking to form new partnerships to explore new frontiers in healthcare. Find out more about our current efforts in the links below. 

Occupational Therapy Research Areas 

Physiotherapy Research Areas 

Clinical education serves as a cornerstone in the journey of allied health professionals, offering a diverse array of learning opportunities tailored to various career stages. We are invested in the sustainability of our professions and are actively involved in developing therapists for the future. 

For aspiring allied health professionals, we partner with Singapore Institute of Technology and the National University of Singapore to provide Clinical Practice Education (CPE). These clinical placements provide hands-on experience in clinical settings under the guidance of experienced mentors. Individuals have the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, honing their clinical skills and developing a deeper understanding of patient care.

Job shadowing opportunities are also available year-round, which provide insights into what it takes to be a therapist working in the public healthcare sector. By shadowing seasoned practitioners during their daily routines, this immersive learning experience allows individuals to gain insights into best practices, clinical decision-making processes, and effective communication strategies.

In addition, allied health professionals who are keen to specialise as clinical educators are also provided opportunities to upgrade their skills and knowledge. The support and funding given for advanced certifications, postgraduate degrees, and specialized training programmes allow us to ensure that we always deliver high quality clinical education to our students and junior colleagues. These opportunities may include post graduate courses in curriculum development, teaching methodologies, and assessment strategies tailored to clinical education settings.

In summary, clinical education encompasses a continuum of learning experiences designed to support the growth and development of allied health professionals at all career stages. From student clinical placements to specialized training later in our careers, clinical education plays a vital role in equipping practitioners with the skills, knowledge, and expertise needed to deliver exceptional patient care. By embracing opportunities for learning and professional development, allied health professionals can continuously enhance their practice and make meaningful contributions to the healthcare community.

Find out more here.