How To Choose An Occupational Health and Rehabilitation Service Provider

Injuries and illnesses could significantly affect your ability to remain independent. Moreover, they could affect your productivity in the workplace. Occupational health and rehabilitation services help you regain your productivity and independence, regardless of your injuries. Below is a piece detailing what to consider when hiring an occupational health and rehabilitation service provider. 

Reputation

Your immediate concern would be the quality of services offered by the service provider. Check online reviews from some of their former and current clients. These reviews give insights into the efficiency of the interventions used by the occupational therapists. Further, examine the experience and training of the therapists. For example, do they have any accreditation from professional bodies? Are they licenced to practice in your area? What is the specialisation of the therapists? This information will help you determine if the service provider is the right fit. 

Range of Services

Ideally, the service provider should provide the following services: 

• Physiotherapy and exercises will improve the functionality of the injured body parts. For instance, upper limb therapy will help you restore the functionality of your hands.
• Counselling support will help you regain your confidence and overcome the trauma associated with illnesses and disabilities.
• The service provider should renovate your home to ensure you can live independently. For instance, if you are disabled, lower shelves, ramps and disability-friendly washrooms will help improve your independence.
• Children with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and attention deficit hyperactive disorder need paediatric occupational therapy to improve their social skills and emotional development.
• Medical-legal assessments will help establish the impact of injuries suffered at the workplace. These evaluations will help you seek compensation from your employer or insurance company. Besides, they determine the kind of care and rehabilitation you need.
• Daily living assessments and therapy will help you cope with the realities of living with a disability. Typically, the therapist educates you about the dos and don'ts of your disability to ensure you are well aware of the challenges you could experience and how to overcome these challenges. 

Pricing 

Assess the pricing of the occupational therapists. Many therapists are reasonably priced. However, you could incur more costs if you need a wide range of services. Assess the terms of your insurance coverage to know if your health insurance pays for occupational therapy. If it does, consider therapists that accept insurance payments and offer bulk-billing services. Some service providers offer free or discounted services if you belong to a vulnerable group in society. 

When hiring an occupational health and rehabilitation service provider, assess their reputation, range of services and pricing. 

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