School of Health Sciences - Occupational Therapy / Physical Therapy Club

Purpose

• Provide information on physical and occupational therapy programs.
• Prepare members for the application process.
• Host speakers on various subjects related to the fields.

For More Information on the Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy Club

For more information, contact the OT/PT Club Advisor Rosemary Ricci (rricci@purdue.edu) phone: (765) 494-1393.

What Physical Therapists Do?

Physical Therapists assess patient, needs, plan treatment programs and implement programs for the care of patients of all ages who are either disabled by illness or accident, or were born with a handicap.

Patients range from newborn infants to the elderly. Physical therapy is prescribed for potential or actual health problems including brain damage, strokes, burns, athletic injuries and orthopedic and posture problems. Some physical therapists pursue special interest areas which include pediatrics, sports medicine, orthopedics, cardiopulmonary, geriatrics, neurology, hand rehabilitation, oncology, and obstetrics-gynecology.

Physical therapists work in hospitals, centers for the aged, public and private schools for handicapped children, sports medicine clinics, rehabilitation centers, industrial complexes, community health centers, research centers and private offices and as educators.

What Occupational Therapists Do?

Occupational therapy is a health-care profession that uses "occupation," or purposeful activity, to help people with physical, developmental, or emotional disabilities lead independent, productive, and satisfying lives.

Occupational therapists treat patients of all ages who have a variety of health problems, both physical and mental. The most common ailments among patients seen by occupational therapists are stroke and its related problems, developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, schizophrenia and depression. Recent efforts have expanded the field to include efforts to prevent job-related injuries and disabilities.

Occupational therapists work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, patients' homes, centers for the aged, public and private schools, camps for handicapped children, sports medicine clinics, rehabilitation centers, industrial complexes, community health center, research centers, private offices and as educators.