Barbara Shankland is an Occupational Therapist (OT) with more than 30 years of experience in clinical practice and teaching in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation. She has lectured at local, provincial national, and European conferences as well as universities in Ontario and Quebec. She was the first certified hand therapist in Quebec and the recipient of the Prix d鈥橢xcellence from the Ordre des ergoth茅rapeutes du Qu茅bec.
As part of our Question-and-Answer series that showcases the 海角社区 Occupational Therapy program and illustrates the diversity of the profession, Barbara answered these questions for us.
Why did you decide on OT as a career?
I knew that I wanted to work in one of the health professions and as I researched different options, I found OT to be a very compelling choice. The holistic approach used to improve someone鈥檚 autonomy was very appealing. I also appreciated that OT allowed clinicians to really get to know their patients and address what was most important to them.
What do you find most rewarding as an OT?
After a lengthy career as an OT, I still love it! As a clinician, it was particularly rewarding when patients told me that my work had a positive impact on getting them back to what they wanted to do. They appreciated the time I took to listen and communicate with them. Personally, I enjoyed the sense of humanity mixed with scientific reflection that the profession offered.
What advice would you give someone considering OT?
Do it! To learn more about the profession, the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists website provides extremely helpful information. Speaking to an OT and/or OT students can also be useful. Prospective students should know that equity, justice, and diversity are important core values of the profession and the 海角社区 OT program. Students from all backgrounds and experiences are welcome.
Reflecting on your career, could you share a success story which highlights the role of OT?
I remember working with a gentleman who crushed his hand in a machine at work. His rehabilitation program in occupational therapy lasted a year, beginning with an appointment just a few days after his surgery. Initially, I focused on the acute care needs such as fabricating an orthosis to protect the healing structures, controlling swelling, teaching him safe compensatory strategies to perform his daily activities, and performing wound care. My knowledge of tissue healing, and surgical protocols was particularly important in the early weeks of his recovery. Moreover, I provided him with psychological support to help him cope with his injury and the changes in his life that resulted.
I regularly communicated with his surgeon, his family members who attended OT and his insurance provider. As time progressed, I gave him graded exercise programs and activities to help optimize movement, strength, sensation, and function. My clinical reasoning and expertise were essential throughout his care, to assess his evolution and provide treatment interventions to achieve his goals.
During the final stage of his rehabilitation, I visited his work site and evaluated the demands of his job. I then developed a rehabilitation program aimed at preparing him to meet these demands and reintegrate back to the job that he loved. After months of working together, he was able to return to work and he had excellent hand function.
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