Neelum Zehra Bukhari.
Changing role of occupational therapist: to bring stroke patient back to work.
Pak J Rehabil Jan ;7(1):54-6.

The growing incidence of stroke is one of the major causes of disability in Pakistan leading to restriction in participation and functional occupation of every day task, return to previous role of life and meeting social economical challenges. Many of the studies have revealed that early intervention of rehabilitative approach may assist the early comeback of the patient to work. In Pakistan occupational therapist plays dynamic role that engrosses combination of roles of Occupational Therapist for reintegration of patient in the society. The aim of this study is to promote the understanding of role adaptation by therapist based on patient’s occupational need in context of functional restoration, from counselor to advocator, social worker and vocational rehabilitator. Therapist switched roles for the reintegration of 24 year- old man with post stroke functional independence measurement (FIM) score 2, (completely dependent) Initially intervention plan was proposed for six months based on COOP (cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance) along with compensatory and rehabilitative approach, due to relapse it extended for one and a half year. The FIM scores was monitored independence measurement in occupational performance that was gained from 2 to 5 (mild assistance level) and the role support was provided accordingly. In conclusion, the FIM scores improvement needs the interchange-able role of the therapist for promotion and improvement of occupational performance to restore role of client for back to work.

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