Sylvia: beyond labels

Working as a recently qualified occupational therapist in the oncology outpatient clinic, I find myself with diverse opportunities to undertake assessments and provide interventions, which, depending on prognosis, include supporting patients with equipment to help with self-care tasks, advising on ways to save their energy and combat fatigue during treatment, and exploring ways of maintaining or returning to paid work or other meaningful occupation. There are also opportunities to provide psycho-emotional interventions to support adjustment to changing levels of ability and disability, as well as sometimes working with individuals and their families as they explore more existential questions as part of preparing for their impending death. THEORY: occupational meaning APPROACH: whole person care.