Mobile OT—occupational therapy sessions provided at the client’s residence—is becoming an increasingly popular service nowadays, particularly in Australia, where the mobile health care industry has shown rapid growth.
But you may be wondering: Is it as good as occupational therapy at a clinic? Is it as safe and reputable? And when is it a good idea to opt for mobile OT instead of going to a clinic?
In this blog we compare mobile OT to in-clinic, and shed light on some of the most frequently asked questions about getting therapy at home.
Mobile occupational therapists come to where the client is (typically at home, but this can also be at school, workplace, or other community setting) to provide the therapy sessions instead of the client traveling to the OT clinic.
Mobile OT has a few distinct advantages over clinic visits.
The main upside to mobile occupational therapy is how much more convenient it is for the client, who will not need to travel to a clinic for their therapy sessions.
This is especially important in cases wherein:
In cases such as these, eliminating the need for travel can make the difference between being able to attend therapy sessions consistently and not.
Another important advantage of mobile OT is that the therapy is contextualised to the person’s typical living situation.
Even from the initial evaluation, being able to observe the client in their usual environment gives the therapist a clearer picture of the client’s needs, than if they were to rely on interviews and in-clinic tests.
The OT can observe firsthand the difficulties that the client faces in their daily life and tailor the therapy accordingly.
For example, they can prescribe grab bars and improved lighting in parts of the home that an elderly client struggles to walk through safely. Or they might make suggestions for sound management in areas where a child with sensory issues struggles with overstimulation.
Mobile OT also makes it easy to work alongside the client’s caregivers and loved ones.
The therapist can provide them specific information that will help them provide support. This might include hands-on guidance, demonstrations, and practical strategies they can use throughout the day
That said, there are also some cases in which in-clinic occupational therapy has an advantage over mobile.
Depending on the client’s conditions and therapy needs, they may have a need for specialised training or adaptive equipment that may only be available at a clinic.
These may include advanced therapy equipment such as swings and standing frames, EMS therapy devices, or sensory integration rooms.
Some clients may thrive better when they are in the controlled, quiet environment of a clinic. Depending on the client’s conditions, homes with many distractions (such as many family members present) may make it difficult for the client to concentrate and get the most out of their session.
In some cases, it may simply be that the client’s home will physically make it difficult to conduct therapy sessions because of a lack of space.
Clinics tend to have ample space and be heavily modified with accessibility and client safety in mind, making them ideal for those who need help with overall mobility.
Now, you may be wondering whether you can expect the same calibre of service from mobile OTs as you would from in-clinic OTs. Are mobile OTs trustworthy?
The bottom line: Mobile OTs are the same as in-clinic OTs in that you must check that they have the right qualifications e.g., the necessary degrees and being registered to the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA) if you are in Australia.
Our mobile occupational therapy team provides home visit therapy sessions all across Sydney.
Our team includes paediatric occupational therapy specialists as well as occupational therapists for adults.
We help clients with a wide range of conditions, from neurological and developmental disorders to post-injury or post-hospitalisation recovery.
If you’d like to learn more about how we can help you, give us a call at 02 8808 4000 or send us a message through this form, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.