OT Rap - an overview of general Occupational Therapy

This is a fun parody rap describing Occupational Therapy. I tend to focus more on the mental health side of things, the cognitive assessment piece, and the ADL assessments (although I'm doing some equipment assessments through one of my contracts). Maybe the video will give you a bit of an idea of what Occupational Therapists do. It even acknowledges OTA's, which is cool, as I teach in the OTA program at SAIT. In Alberta, some OT's are capacity evaluators - this is dependent on the region (province or state) as well as your role where you work.




LYRICS:

It's that time of year again starting October 24
For certain health professionals to rap it to y'all
We're making youse aware of something known as OT
Not I.T.! It's occupational... therapy

A guy comes up to me and says, "What's your occupation?"
He's confused when I reply "that is half of my vocation"
Here's somethin' to remember when explainin' to your folks
It's exactly like physio... just jokes

Every weekday morning, we all head into work
To a building with a cross, where all our patients lurk
Another day ahead and it's just the beginning
A coffee in the morning then we're to the ward grinning

CHORUS
OT, Consider yourself awared
OT, its independence squared
OT, Daily living activity
OT, Occupational Therapy

Functional independence, a goal that we strive for
To enable our patients to remain at home and survive or
With the help of services, for your areas of need
Enabling you to live a life that you want to lead

We can find this out in a million different ways
We can sit down have a chat and hear what you says
About your home environment, and with whom you live
Do you have a family, and are they supportive?

ADL assessments are our cup of tea
But watch out when the bowels open inconveniently
Your clothes are over there and the soap's on that shelf
"Have you come to shower me?", "Hell no, you'll shower yourself"

I'll just stand and watch while I take mental notes
Advises on devices to help don/doff your coats
The key to this is equipment recommendation
To enable you to function at a by yourself persuasion

CHORUS
OT, Consider yourself awared
OT, its independence squared
OT, Daily living activity
OT, Occupational Therapy

Compression therapy is something that we know well
The doctors turn to us when limbs start to swell
With bandages in hand we head to our battle stations
But remember to take note of any contraindications

The area of hands is a specialised skill
Providing splints, ROM and coban when your hands are ill
If you don't like what I do and you flip me the dove
I'll grab you by the hand and put you in a flexion glove

Splinting, positioning and pressure area care
Bulky foot drops splints, to some patient's despair
With proper education I think most come around
Especially when it's time to place their feet back on the ground

Cognitive assessments! This is where it is at
RUDAS, MOCA, BRISC, CAM and the Cognistat
A person's healthy mind can set themselves free
But please don't ask us to determine their capacity

CHORUS
OT, Consider yourself awared
OT, its independence squared
OT, Daily living activity
OT, Occupational Therapy

Burn yourself with fire or electricity?
Garments and scar management are your therapy
Splints will be made for each burnt body part
To immobilise your limb after a skin graft.

If you've had a stroke, no worries at all
For an upper limb assessment it's OT you call
Cognition, oedema and hypertonicity
We'll get you up and moving in no time you'll see

For the OTs on the front line we don't go it alone
The calcium per se that keeps our strength in our bones
Managing our consumables and assists in many ways
So don't forget our handy OTAs

To get you home safely we can visit your castle
Any mods to your house is really no hassle
We can customise all things to help you in your home
Your case is hi pri if you're living alone

CHORUS
OT, Consider yourself awared
OT, its independence squared
OT, Daily living activity
OT, Occupational Therapy

Info about video and production:
Lyrics by:
Danny Stewart-McLean

Music by:
Phil Driver

Featuring:
Danny Stewart-McLean
Karl Bagraith
Genna Mitchell
Jody Mills
Anna Green
Lauren Kamst

Directed & edited by:
Ryan van Dijk

The video was a made to raise awareness about Occupational Therapy Week 2010 by The New Grads (Royal Brisbane Hospital, Australia).