Calling any paediatric OTs - can I pick your brain!

[MrsT1704]

Hi,

I’m working as a paediatric OT and it’s a very new area of work for me. Precious worked with adults in hospital and community. I always felt working with children would be best suited to me but now I am unsure. I’m not sure how much of this is impacted by the pandemic (virtual assessments etc ).

A lot of the work feels like assess, give advice and discharge.

Could anyone who works in paeds as an OT give me an idea of their role now and pre-pandemic?

TIA

I'm not an OT, but have some links through work.

A lot of the work feels like assess, give advice and discharge.

Yes, that is the nature of capacity and waiting lists.

That was certainly my experience as a service user, after my son was referred to an OT.

My experience as a service user would fit with that too. However, I would like to add that the OT has probably been the most useful person we have seen, and probably the only health care professional to offer any practical advice.

@landofgiants

My experience as a service user would fit with that too. However, I would like to add that the OT has probably been the most useful person we have seen, and probably the only health care professional to offer any practical advice.

I am glad you found the advice useful. The one thing I do like about my job is that it is practical advice that parents can put into practice. Sometimes thats what parents need and I say that as a parent of a child with additional needs.

@MumofBoys79 I hope your experience was useful even if it was assess, give advice and discharge

In community settings you may well find yourself doing predominantly assessments. Inpatient settings might offer more scope for actual therapeutic work. I used to work as a nursing assistant in a children's psychiatric unit, and the OTs there were marvellous. Lots of young people felt they provided the most meaningful input of all the clinicians.

@charlotterousse yes your right. I bet the work would be much more therapeutic on a ward. I think that’s the part of my practice that I am missing

As another service user we have had amazing support from the OTs in the past but more than ever now it’s as you said with the assess and then give an “open discharge”

Sorry, 2k each so approx 16k to split

Sorry wrong thread