Summary and Reflection

In conclusion occupational therapists who work in rural or remote areas practice in a specific way that suits this setting. It is seen that the approach a therapist takes might differ slightly due to the location of where they practice. Also that the caseload may be quite varied compared to a therapist who works in a more urban setting. This would appear to be a generalised concept for different parts of the world.

In reflection the findings about the practice of occupational therapists in remote settings are very similar to my own view of how a therapist may have to work when working in such a different setting. The need for the therapist to change in areas such as the approach taken when working in such a different environment as well as having quite a different caseload to what is considered to be the norm. 

Some influencing factors that I consider to have impacted on my view of this role of an occupational therapist would include:

• Family members who work as nurses in remote areas of Australia
• Family who have accessed occupational therapy services in rural Alaska and their experiences of this
• Peers who have had the opportunity to work in community settings in New Zealand that has had a remote element to it and their experience of how their therapist practiced in that setting
• Courses throughout this course have also challenged my thinking around the role of an occupational therapist and how this differs between settings.

Overall the experience of creating this blog has continued to develop my interest in this practice area. I hope from these postings you have learnt something about this area of occupational therapy and how this profession may differ in ways yet remain the same in essence.