Occupational Therapy in Rheumatology

This book is written primarily for occupational therapists and occupational therapy students but will be of relevance to anyone working with clients with rheumatoid disease. The aim of the book is to present a holistic approach to the management of rheumatoid disease, considering, firstly, the ways in which rheumatoid disease can affect a person's life and the looking at the approaches and techniques used by therapists to minimize these effects. This approach has been chosen because it is fundamental to both the philosophical basis of occupational therapy and the management of chronic progressive disease. A holistic approach considers the physical, psychological, social and spiritual aspects of a personal and the ways in which these have been affected by an underlying disease process. The first two chapters consider the effects of rheumatoid disease on clients and their families and the third chapter considers the holistic approach to management and the multi-disciplinary team. The book covers assessment and treatment and considers different approaches to conveying information, increasing client involvement and assisting clients to cope with change. The final section of the book considers specific interventions used by occupational therapists in hospital and community settings.