My new exploration of the role of OT
Sharing by Joanne Yu
(2016 graduate of BSc (Hons) in OT proramme)

Life is full of uncertainties. I have never thought of going back to school again and studying in the US after years of clinical practice. Upon graduation from PolyU, I had been working at a rehabilitation hospital for a few years. I was given the opportunity to explore the roles of occupational therapists in different fields and rehabilitation stages. My major duties in the in-patient wards included understanding the functional requirements for performing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), educating clients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to cope with dyspnea in daily activities, and helping stroke clients maximise their functional abilities.

My work at the day hospital strengthened my skills in prescribing home exercises, and my practice at the infirmary hospital consolidated my knowledge of seating assessment and prescription. However, the fruitful exploration in the hospital did not bring a stop to my curiosity about our role as an occupational therapist. By chance, I joined the Summer Occupational Therapy Immersion programme organised by the University of Southern California (USC) last summer. The programme widened my horizons for I became aware of the diversity of OT services in the US. Also, the lecture on Occupational Science reminded me of the fundamental meaning of OT. That is why I came up with the idea of furthering my studies at USC. I hope to integrate my previous work experience and the theories I will learn at USC into OT practice in Hong Kong in the future. There will be a ton of knowledge to explore as a researcher, and I am glad to have the chance to discover my career in this direction.