This is a 4-year full-time programme leading to a registrable qualification, as required by the Occupational Therapists Board of Hong Kong. The programme is also recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) for training practitioners to international standards.
Year 1 of the programme includes compulsory university subjects, such as Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics, Introduction to Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and fundamental language subjects, and Foundation Subjects, such as Human Physiology, Human Anatomy, Functional Anatomy, and Foundation Psychology for Rehabilitation Professionals. The core subject of occupational therapy is introduced in OT Theory and Process I.
Year 2 of the programme includes Foundation Subjects in occupational therapy, such as Pharmacology in Rehabilitation, Clinical Sciences, Professional Ethics and Legal Issues, and Traditional Chinese Medicine. The core occupational therapy discipline is introduced in subjects such as Human Occupations and OT Foundations in Human Performance and Enabling Occupation in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation.
Year 3 of the programme focuses on core occupational therapy disciplines: Psychosocial Practice, Medical & Neurorehabilitation, Developmental Conditions, Environmental Issues and Assistive Technology. A subject on Primary Health and Community Care is also included in this year.
Year 4 of the programme extends to applied subjects, such as Aging and Geriatric Practice and Vocational Rehabilitation. There is also a Capstone Project, an inter-professional education and collaborative case management subject, and a subject on healthcare management and entrepreneurship in this final year.
Clinical education is an important component of the programme. It is delivered through clinical placements in various settings in Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland, and overseas. Students are required to undertake 1,000 hours of clinical placement throughout the programme, spread across five blocks.
Information on the subjects offered can be obtained at www.polyu.edu.hk/rs.
