Occupational therapy practice in regional, rural and remote Australia
Occupational therapy practice in regional, rural and remote Australia
Occupational Therapy in Australia
- Author(s): Moran, Monica, Simpson, Desley, Henwood, Narelle
- Secondary Author(s): Brown, Ted, Bourke-Taylor, Helen, Isbel, Stephen, Cordier, Reinie
- Published: 2017
- Publisher: Routledge
- ISBN: ebook: 9781003116639
Abstract: This chapter describes characteristics of populations in regional, rural and remote Australia. It helps the reader to understand the context of health care service relevant to non-metropolitan occupational therapy. The chapter explains the diversity of occupational therapy roles in regional, rural and remote Australia. It identifies strategies for successful occupational therapy practice in regional, rural and remote locations. Rural occupational therapy service provision has distinctive characteristics that present a multitude of rewarding opportunities, as well as some professional and personal challenges. Some rural and remote occupational therapists operate outreach services from major cities to rural and remote communities. There are vast distances involved in travel to some of the remote and very remote locations. The populations served in regional, rural and remote areas may include people from a variety of cultural backgrounds, including Indigenous Australians.