More than 100 occupational therapists from Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Shafallah Centre for Children with Disabilities, Sidra Medical and Research Center and Qatar Foundation participated in a symposium entitled: “Professional Identity and Advocacy” to mark this year’s World Occupational Therapy Day.
World Occupational Therapy Day was first held at HMC on October 27, 2010. Since then, it has become an important date to highlight the occupational therapy profession as a vital area of medical specialisation.
The symposium was organised by the Occupational Therapy Department’s education committee, chaired by the chief of occupational therapy, Sultan Salim Hammam al-Abdulla, and Hussain Ali H J Bu Hazaa. It was held to reinforce the professional role that occupational therapists play in contributing to the lives of patients with various healthcare needs, including physical disabilities, mental disabilities and social disabilities.
Al-Abdulla explained that occupational therapy helps rehabilitate many individuals through the therapeutic use of everyday activities.
“Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social activities, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing support for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes. The principal focus of occupational therapy is to help patients achieve the maximum possible level of functional independence,” he said.
According to al-Abdulla, the department receives patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly. It caters to adult patients recovering from conditions such as stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, hand injuries, fractures, reconstructive surgeries, burns, psychiatric disorders and geriatric illnesses like dementia. It also manages paediatric cases such as cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, spina bifida, autism spectrum disorders, patients with cardiac problems and cancer.
Al-Abdulla explained “Our therapists work in various HMC hospitals including Hamad General Hospital, Rumailah Hospital, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Women’s Hospital, Al Wakra Hospital, Heart Hospital, The Cuban Hospital, Al Khor Hospital and the Psychiatry Department. At present, we have 132 staff members in our department, including three Qatari occupational therapists.”

“Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social activities, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing support for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes”