OT conversations

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In this episode, we’re talking about cystic fibrosis, how we support daily living, energy conservation, treatment adherence, and participation in the things that give life.

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“Critical care isn’t just about survival—it’s about recovery. And that recovery starts the moment a patient shows they can engage. For us OTs, engagement itself is a vital sign. Whether it’s opening their eyes, following a simple command, or reaching for a cup, these are milestones that show the body and mind are healing. Our role is to capture those moments, to facilitate them, and to make sure they’re not lost in the noise of monitors and machines. Because in ICU, occupation isn’t a luxury—it’s the bridge back to life.”

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Personal Independence Payment — or PIP. You’ve probably heard of it, maybe even applied for it. But do you really know what it’s about? It’s not about diagnosis. It’s about how your condition affects your daily life — washing, dressing, cooking, moving, engaging with others

In this episode, we’ll talk about PIP and the unique role of occupational therapy. We’ll explore how OTs complete functional reports that describe not just the condition, but the reality: the fatigue, the breathlessness, the time it takes, the safety risks. The details that make all the difference in a PIP application.

So listen to Occupational Therapy Conversations. Learn what PIP really means, and why occupational therapy is at the heart of showing how people live day to day. Because in the end, occupation is life.

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Let me ask you this—have you heard the rumour that some hospitals in the UK are stopping occupational therapists from taking vital signs? I hope it’s fake news, because if it’s true, that’s the slow death of our profession.

Vital signs are not optional. They’re the foundation for safe, functional retraining. If we’re not monitoring them, then what are we really doing—just activity provision? That’s not OT.

So today I’m introducing a new term: the Anti-OT. That’s anyone in our profession who—through incompetence or poor leadership—ends up dismantling what OT really is.

Think about it. Are you protecting the profession, or are you unknowingly becoming an Anti-OT?

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Ever felt dizzy or lightheaded when standing up? That could be orthostatic hypotension—a sudden drop in blood pressure that affects safety, independence, and daily life.

In this episode of OT Conversations, Hao, your occupational therapist, unpacks what orthostatic hypotension is, why it happens, and the symptoms to watch out for. We explore causes ranging from dehydration and medications to neurological conditions, and share practical management tips—from lifestyle adjustments to simple counter-manoeuvre exercises like ankle pumps, leg crossing, and buttock clenching.

Most importantly, we look at the role of occupational therapy in keeping people safe, independent, and confident in their daily activities.

👉 Listen now and learn how small strategies can make a big difference.

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“Today on OT Conversations, we’re diving into Discharge to Assess. Why did the NHS bring it in? How did therapy response times — especially ours as OTs — play a role? We’ll talk honestly about our own shortcomings, why hospital-based assessments weren’t always serving patients well, and how shifting assessments into the community changed the game.

It’s not just policy — it’s about risk, independence, and making sure people get home safely and quickly. Join me as we unpack what D2A really means, and why it challenges us as OTs to step up in a new way.”

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In this episode, we dive into the world of critical care occupational therapy and ask:

👉 What’s the most frequent sensory stimulation we provide in ICU?

👉 How do we really promote early engagement with patients who are barely responsive?

From tactile input and proprioception to cognitive-perceptual retraining, I’ll walk you through how OTs use stimulation and engagement as the first steps toward recovery.

It’s reflective, it’s practical, and it’s about making our hidden work visible.

✨ Tune in, share with a colleague, and remember: anything you do matters, and has an outcome.

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How do you explain what you do when you can’t say your job title? In this episode, I share my experience in a high-pressure hospital board meeting, where I had to define occupational therapy without the words “occupational therapist.” I talk about the struggle, the stumble, and the reflection that followed — and what it taught me about adapting our language to different audiences.

This isn’t just about boardrooms. It’s about how we, as OTs, communicate our value so that it truly lands.

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Chorea and OT

“Chorea — sudden, dance-like movements that a person can’t control. But behind the movements are real challenges: eating, dressing, walking, even joining in social life. In this episode of OT Conversations, we’ll explore what chorea is, why it happens, and most importantly — how occupational therapy steps in. From adaptive strategies to assistive tech, from safety to identity — join me as we uncover the OT role in helping people live well with chorea.”

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What if I told you there’s a part of your brain that doesn’t play the music, but makes sure the orchestra is in rhythm? That’s the basal ganglia—a set of deep brain hubs that control movement, habits, and even motivation.

When it works well, you move smoothly, you learn skills, you stay focused. But when it breaks down—think Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, or even OCD—life gets a lot harder.

Join me in this episode of OT Conversations as we explore the basal ganglia, the brain’s hidden conductor.