Occupational Therapy

 

What is ‘Occupational Therapy’?

The term ‘Ergotherapie’ (the German term for occupational therapy) is derived from the Greek word ‘ergon’ (occupation, activity, creation, performance).

In Germany, occupational therapy is prescribed by medical doctors and subject to § 124 Abs. 1 of the SGB V. Occupational therapy is a method of treatment that enables patients to develop, improve and maintain those physical, psychological and cognitive functions that have been lost or never existed before.

The objective is to achieve the highest possible degree of autonomy and independence in both everyday and working life.

Treatments in occupational therapy include:

  • detailed evaluation tests to assess the nature and extent of impaired functions, capacities and limitations
  • tailor-made treatment programmes, using a wide range of methods in order to empower patients to succeed in everyday and working life
  • counselling on how to implement measures and devices in everyday life
  • the counselling of relatives, teachers and other people involved in the life of a patient