Besides having some similarities, there are certain aspects on which OT and PT differ. They are as follows:
1. Application
The professionals of occupational therapy use the techniques of OT to help the patients accomplish their everyday tasks efficiently. OT concentrates on people with sensory, physical, and cognitive disorders. It can be applied to the patients of all age groups including elders and kids.
Like physical therapy, activities and methodologies of occupational therapy deal not just with the physical impairments. Instead, they focus on social, environmental and physiological factors that get affected due to the disability of the patient. Physical therapists and assistants use PT to enhance the mobility of the impairment, reduce the pain, and align joints and bones.
2. Treatment
In physical therapy treatment, disabilities and functional issues of the patient are of utmost importance. Physical therapists and assistants are specifically trained to assist the patients to use certain equipments such as braces, wheelchairs, and walkers.
While occupational therapy assistants and therapists are trained to use their skills and knowledge in both analysis and treatment. In occupational therapy treatment, quality of life, personal productivity and well-being of the patient is more significant.
3. Coursework
Prerequisite coursework that must be completed with good academic performance to get into an occupational therapy program comprises – Human Anatomy, Developmental Psychology, Medical Terminology, Introductory Biology, Human Physiology, O.T. Orientation, College Composition, Introductory Sociology, Developmental Psychology and Cultural Anthropology.
Physical therapy coursework includes General Inorganic Chemistry with lab, Human Physiology with lab, General Microbiology or Upper Division Biology, General Physics with lab, Abnormal Psychology, Human or Comparative Anatomy, General Microbiology or Upper Division Biology Course, Introduction to Statistics, Neurosciences/Neuroanatomy, Exercise Physiology, Biomedical Ethics, Organic Chemistry, Kinesiology, Motor Learning or Motor Control, Developmental Psychology or Motor Development.