Therapies

Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapists work with people of any age who are having problems with doing the activities that are important to them, because of changes in their abilities resulting from an illness, an accident, a developmental problem or the aging process.

Occupational Therapists work with other members of the health care team to develop plans to meet the needs of individual patients and clients and their families. They also work with people to prevent them from injuring themselves or to help them to maintain their health and their ability to carry out the activities they require for daily living. Patients or clients may be unable to work or enjoy leisure activities, and an occupational therapist can also assist them to take part in those areas of their life.

Occupational therapists:

• may help people to learn new ways of doing activities;
• may adapt equipment people need to take part in self care, leisure or work occupations;
• or provide suggestions for adapting the environment to make things easier for a person living with a disability.

The occupational therapists at St. Paul's Hospital provide services on general medical/surgical, neurology and palliative care units.

Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy is a university trained health care profession that improves health through physical means. We provide preventative, diagnostic and therapeutic services aimed at maximizing function and helping people achieve their highest quality of life through physical movement. We provide individualized treatment of an injury or disability based on scientific knowledge, a thorough assessment of the condition, environmental factors and lifestyle.

The major areas assisted by physical therapy are listed below.

• Neurological/Neurosurgical: people with functional problems because of damage to the brain and spinal cord or nerves. Examples are those with stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, acute and chronic pain, some types of dizziness.
• Musculoskeletal: people with injury of bones and other tissues, such as muscles, tendons, or ligaments. Examples are those who have joint replacement, arthritis, burns and incontinence.
• Cardiorespiratory: people who have problems with respiratory or circulatory system disease. Examples are those with chronic pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, acute pneumonia, diabetes, and cardiac disease.

Speech-language Pathology

Speech-language pathologists work with individuals of all ages, from pediatrics through geriatrics, who are in need of assessment or treatment services in the areas of swallowing ability and communication needs. These needs may be through changes in their abilities resulting from an illness, an accident, a developmental problem or the aging process.

Speech-language pathologists, within Saskatoon Health Region:

•  Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team within a care group providing services to individuals within that care group or;
• Work on a referral basis for specific communication or swallowing concerns

At St. Paul's Hospital, speech-language pathologists are primarily responsible for all ear, nose and throat (ENT), head and neck surgical patients.