Prerequisites for admission.

Admission to the degree programme is subject to the possession of a secondary school diploma or equivalent suitable qualification obtained abroad.
Admission to the programme is subject to the passing of an entrance exam set in line with the laws in force concerning health professions and the nationally programmed access (Law 264/99) and the relative call for admissions issued by UNIMORE.
Knowledge required for admission is deemed to be appropriate for all candidates obtaining a minimum of 20 points in the entrance exam, as laid down in Ministerial Decree no. 85 of 5 February 2014.
Candidates not achieving this score shall be assigned additional learning requirements (OFA) to be completed by attending the remedial courses indicated by the degree programme.

Skills associated with the function

Graduates in Occupational Therapy are healthcare professionals with the responsibilities laid down in the Decree no. 136 of the Ministry of Health of 17 January 1997 and amendments, managing prevention, care and rehabilitation of patients with both permanent and temporary physical and psychiatric illnesses, based on expressive, manual and play activities based on everyday life. With reference to the diagnosis and prescriptions of the physician, Occupational Therapy graduates work with other healthcare professionals, performing functional and physiological assessments of patients of all ages and, in a multi-disciplinary team, defining rehabilitation programmes; using both individual and group activities, promoting the recovery and optimal use of functions for the re-integration and adaptation of patients into their own domestic and personal environment; they identify and enhance the motivational aspects and potential for adaptation of the patients; they participate in the choice and design of orthotics, together with or in alternative to specific supports; where necessary, they propose modifications to the living environment and foster educational activities for the patients, their families and the local community; they verify the effectiveness of the rehabilitation methods implemented in relation to the functional and psycho-social recovery objectives ; they perform study and research activities, teaching and supporting all areas in which their specific professional skills are required; they help to train support staff and keep abreast of professional developments in their field through lifelong learning activities; they can work in private and public healthcare institutions as employees or freelance professionals.
Occupational Therapists possess the following competences linked to the specific functions of their professional profile:
- Application of the formal theories of occupation and participation to the changing society and scientific evidence;
- Cooperation with individuals and groups to promote health, prevention, rehabilitation and the treatment of conditions using Occupational Therapy.
- Selection and adaptation to patients and the application of appropriate theories and models and methods of professional practice to satisfy the occupational and health needs of the population.
- Promotion of the therapeutic potential of occupation through activities and participation;
- Also in multidisciplinary teams, production of the rehabilitation programme aiming to satisfy the health needs of the disabled;
- Identification and enhancement of patients' motivational aspects and potential for adaptation;
- Choice or design of orthotics and supports for meeting the health needs of the disabled;
- Fostering of educational activities for the patients, their families and the local community;
- Promotion of occupational justice, also through modifications to living environments and increased accessibility and adaptability of all settings;
- Management of the Occupational Therapy process documentation in line with the applicable regulations and directives;
- Verification of the results of professional activities and the suitability of these to the patients and defined objectives;
- Enhancement of the therapy relationship as a foundation of the occupational therapy process.
- Respect for and enhancement of individual differences, cultural beliefs, traditions and their influence on occupation and participation.
- Ethical exercise of their profession respecting local protocols and procedures, national and European regulations, professional standards and the code of conduct.
- Self-assessment of their own work and awareness of their own limitations as an Occupational Therapist.
- Cooperation in research projects and dissemination of the results of the research performed;
- Research, critical evaluation and application of valid and updated information and evidence to ensure the appropriateness of the professional therapies delivered;
- Application of the managerial principles governing Occupational Therapy,
- Active participation in the continual assessment and quality improvement of Occupational Therapy services.

Function in a work context

Graduates in Occupational Therapy are healthcare professionals with the responsibilities laid down in the Decree no. 136 of the Ministry of Health of 17 January 1997 and amendments, managing prevention, care and rehabilitation of patients with both permanent and temporary physical and psychiatric illnesses, based on expressive, manual and play activities based on everyday life. With reference to the diagnosis and prescriptions of the physician, Occupational Therapy graduates work with other healthcare professionals, performing functional and physiological assessments of patients of all ages and, in a multi-disciplinary team, defining rehabilitation programmes; using both individual and group activities, promoting the recovery and optimal use of functions for the re-integration and adaptation of patients into their own domestic and personal environment; they identify and enhance the motivational aspects and potential for adaptation of the patients; they participate in the choice and design of orthotics, together with or in alternative to specific supports; where necessary, they propose modifications to the living environment and foster educational activities for the patients, their families and the local community; they verify the effectiveness of the rehabilitation methods implemented in relation to the functional and psycho-social recovery objectives ; they perform study and research activities, teaching and supporting all areas in which their specific professional skills are required; they help to train support staff and keep abreast of professional developments in their field through lifelong learning activities; they can work in private and public healthcare institutions as employees or freelance professionals.
Occupational Therapists perform prevention functions among the population educating towards a correct life style and based on their knowledge of disease. They perform rehabilitation of both physical and mental deficits, whether acquired or congenital, seeking to foster the greatest levels of autonomy and exploiting the significant activities of the patient. They work towards the re-inclusion of patients in social, family and work contexts, fostering participation through empowerment and enablement. Occupational Therapists intervene in physical environments, assessing architectural barriers, suggesting modifications and solutions and planning alternatives.
Moreover, Occupational Therapists perform study and research activities in their subject area, providing consulting and support in all areas requiring their specific professional profile, teaching and tutoring other professionals

Educational goals

The specific objectives of the degree programme are to train graduates qualified to exercise the profession of Occupational Therapist, according to the competences described in the relative Ministerial Decree establishing the Professional Profile and considering the minimum standards indicated by the national and international professional representative organisations.
They are achieved through vocationally targeted theoretical, theoretical-practical and practical learning. Most of the programme focuses on occupation and the specific tools of Occupational Therapy; the remainder focuses on the biomedical knowledge required to understand the operation/dysfunctions of bodily functions and structures and knowledge useful for understanding the human and social context also in a social perspective of health. Importance is given to contents promoting ethical reflection and research methodology through targeted English language programmes (scientific English), statistical sciences, computing, critical revision of literature and applied research.
Interpersonal skills required to interact with patients, caregivers and the professional system are developed in course units in human, psychological and pedagogic sciences, as well as during tutorials and the internship, learning appropriate behaviour in different professional contexts.
At the end of the programme, Occupational Therapy graduates are able to exercise the profession responsibly, in line with the diagnoses and prescriptions of the general practitioner, also in collaboration with other social and health professionals.
Concerning the knowledge of Occupational Therapy, at the end of the programme students will have in-depth knowledge of the occupational nature of human beings and will be able to assess occupational performance. They are familiar with the relations existing between occupational performance, health and well-being and consider these when planning their work.
They have in-depth knowledge of biological, medical, human, psychological, social, technological and occupational sciences, as well as the theories of occupation and participation.
Concerning the Occupational Therapy process and clinical reasoning, graduates are able to work with other individuals and in groups to promote health, from prevention to rehabilitation. To achieve these results, graduates in Occupational Therapy will be able to select, modify and apply the appropriate theories, models of professional practice, and appropriate methods to satisfy the occupational and health needs of the population. They work in the community to promote health and well-being through the active participation in activities fostering sociality.
They use the therapeutic potential of occupation to run individual and group activities based on the analysis and synthesis of the users, also facilitating accessibility and adaptability of all environments to ensure the greatest possible participation of all individuals.
They research, critically assess and apply a wide variety of information and evidence to ensure that their professional activities are updated and appropriate to the users, focusing on occupation and occupational performance.
Concerning professional relations and cooperation skills (partnerships), Occupational Therapy graduates work in line with professional principles focusing on the user, establishing effective therapeutic relations as a basis of the Occupational Therapy process. They collaborate with patients to promote their right to satisfy their occupational needs.
They respect and consider individual differences, cultural beliefs, traditions as a resource, and understand and consider their influence on occupation and participation.
They are able to establish cooperative relations, consult and advise users, relatives, team members and other persons involved to facilitate the performance of the activities and the significant occupations and participation of individuals.
At the end of the programme, students are able to work with professional autonomy, fully responsible for their own performance. They prepare, manage and update the documentation they are responsible for; they respect local, regional, national and European protocols and procedures, professional standards and the indications given by employers.
They are aware of the need, and able, to ensure lifelong learning throughout their careers, promoting Occupational Therapy and offering more effective treatments; they exercise the profession ethically, respecting users and the profession code of conduct. They have good knowledge of their own skills and limits as Occupational Therapists, and are able to recognise the need to involve other professionals in the rehabilitation process.
At the end of the programme, students are able to actively cooperate in the research and development of Occupational Sciences and Occupational Therapy, identifying needs and formulating significant research hypotheses.
They are able to critically examine and integrate scientific literature and other sources of information. They demonstrate research skills, performed autonomously and/or in cooperation with others, selecting and justifying research projects, using appropriate methods for human occupation and considering the ethical aspects.
They disseminate the research results to interested parties and contribute to developing knowledge of occupation and professional practice.
As regards the management of their own work, graduates are able to establish priorities in the performance of their tasks, understanding and applying the principles of Occupational Therapy services management, including considerations on cost-benefit ratios, they rationally manage the available resources and materials.
They participate in the continuous process of assessing and improving the quality of service, appropriately involving users. They adopt a pro-active approach to developing, improving and promoting Occupational Therapy; they consider the developments in health, society and local, national and international legislations that may affect the Occupational Therapy practice.

Communication skills

Occupational Therapy graduates will be able to interact appropriately and collaborate professionally with patients and other caregivers, and other professional figures in a care team and in social and healthcare facilities requiring their professional competence.
Occupational Therapy graduates will possess the knowledge and tools to communicate effectively both orally and in writing both in treatment activities and for the purposes of scientific communication. They produce appropriate documentation (Occupational Therapy files, work projects, reports etc.) and are able to make themselves understood effectively even to non-specialists, particularly concerning the acquisition of informed consent for treatment and the applicable therapeutic education and health promotion activities.
Teaching tools and strategies:
role playing and drama laboratories;
simulated practical exercises,
critical observation of real and simulated situations,
internships supervised by clinical tutors in different contexts;
Evaluation tools (for training and certification):
internship exam, final assessments following the internships, written "feedback" test;
guided observations carried out in the laboratory by the tutor, "peers" and self-assessment activities;

Making Judgements

Occupational Therapy graduates must be able to make professional judgements and possess decision-making and operational skills as required by the laws governing the profession. The ability to make judgements includes analytical and synthesis skills, as well as specific behavioural competences to:
- analyse individual and community health problems of their competence using the bio-psycho-social model;
- identify individual and collective needs aiming to achieve full autonomy, both in personal spheres and in everyday life and within the community;
- draft realistic Occupational Therapy plans considering the best scientific evidence analysed in the relative context, considering the patients' preferences, according to the principles of evidence based practice;
- self-assess their performance and update their own knowledge responding to the needs of users;
- work effectively in a team, relating to other professionals using constructive interpersonal methods;
- recognise the cooperation needs of other professional figures;
- act professionally according to the laws in force, as well as in line with the specific ethical norms of the profession.
Teaching tools: classroom activities, workshops, computer laboratories, internship, practical exercises reading and interpreting the data available in international literature.
Assessment methods: written reports and oral presentations on technical and professional aspects, discussion of clinical cases and the correlated ethical aspects; definition of rehabilitation projects, particularly concerning occupational therapy programmes, internship exam, self-assessment and targeted self-learning activities;

Learning skills

Occupational Therapy graduates will be able to self-assess their own professional skills and possess an effective self-learning and study methodology. These skills will allow graduates to undertake continuous education, through academic programmes or individual lifelong learning situations during their professional practice.
This will allow them to become responsible for their own professional development, responding to the continual changes in health and social knowledge and needs, with particular reference to Evidence Based Practice for Rehabilitation and particularly for Occupational Therapy.
Teaching tools: classroom activities, workshops, computer laboratories, internship, practical exercises reading and interpreting the data available in international literature.
Assessment methods: written report summarising the literature on a specific professional topic, dissertation, portfolio, written reports and oral presentations on technical and professional aspects, definition of rehabilitation projects, particularly concerning the occupational therapy programme, internship exam, self-assessment and targeted self-learning activities;

Knowledge and understanding

Generic Area
At the end of the programme, Occupational Therapy graduates possess a wide variety of knowledge of both basic sciences and specific professional disciplines. Graduates will have acquired skills in professional and technical aspects, communication, continuing education and professional management. Graduates will have acquired knowledge useful for understanding the human context also in a social perspective of health and will be fully aware of the meaning of occupation and its value for human health.
They will particularly have developed solid cultural and scientific bases in the field of:
- basic physical, biological and physiological sciences needed to understand biological phenomena, the principal operating mechanisms of organs and systems and of physiological phenomena in the perspective of their subsequent professional application;
- human, psycho-pedagogic, cognitive and social sciences underlying everyday and professional activity, to understand normal and pathological relational dynamics and reactions of defence or adaptation of persons with disabilities or limited social participation, also in relation to different age groups and social roles;
- Occupational Therapy sciences and rehabilitation methodology required to:
a) understand the scientific bases of physio-pathological processes determining disability in different ages and life situations and the general and specific rehabilitation methods used in different specialist sectors (neurology, orthopaedics and traumatology, rheumatology, cardio-vascular and respiratory fields, oncology, mother and child, etc.);
b) identify the need for specific occupational interventions in potential health and social areas, in line with the professional profile, helping patients to achieve full autonomy and participation in daily life (self-care, studies, play) and professional life;
c) plan and check the effectiveness of occupation therapy interventions using valid and objective evaluation methods;
d) develop an Occupational Therapy rehabilitation methodology using the best therapeutic and technical approaches to solve and compensate health and autonomy problems;
e) orient the process, concept and actions of Occupational Therapists towards patients and the community based on the cultural and professional principles underlying the profession, considering key aspects of the local context and the basic elements of the culture and traditions of other countries;
f) query databases, gather scientific evidence and select the most valid and generalisable information in the Occupational Therapy field; apply the best evidence in the light of the specific context, the patients' preferences and the professional competences;
e) identify personal learning needs and undertake targeted self-learning pathways;
- interdisciplinary sciences for understanding the physio-pathological elements applied to different clinical situations, also concerning diagnostic parameters;
- Preventive and hygiene sciences in health services to analyse health determinants, risk factors, individual and collective prevention strategies to promote the safety in life and working environments;
- management, ethical, legal sciences and codes of conduct governing the ethical exercise of the Occupational Therapy profession and the medical and legal implications referring to the principles of autonomy and professional responsibility;
- statistical sciences, computing and languages aiming to:
a) analyse and interpret research data;
b) cooperate in the planning of a research project;
c) use of appropriate analytical methods in the exercise of their profession;
d) computerised management of information required to develop professional knowledge;
e) knowledge of at least one European Union language, preferably English, in addition to Italian, within the specific field and the exchange general information and understand international scientific literature
The acquisition of the above-described knowledge and skills will be guided and facilitated by theoretical and theoretical-practical learning activities (classroom activities, teaching laboratories, internships).
The knowledge and understanding will be assessed using the following methods: written and oral exams, practical tests in simulated and real situations (on patients), implementation of occupational therapy projects

Applying knowledge and understanding

Generic Area
Based on the referred theoretical knowledge, Occupational Therapy graduates must have developed operational and practical skills allowing them to perform their professional activity autonomously. Concerning the diagnosis and prescription of the general practitioner, they must be able, in their own field of competence, also in cooperation with other health and social figures, work in the prevention, cure and rehabilitation of persons of all ages suffering from physical and mental disorders and diseases or with temporary or permanent disabilities. They will be able to use occupational methodologies, identifying the expressive, manual, representative and play activities of everyday life that are best suited to the actual situation of the patient. They will be able to participate in the choice/design of prostheses and aid and propose environmental modifications needed to improve the autonomy and participation of persons with disabilities.
They will be able to take decisions and act using problem-solving methods, and will be able to consider al personal, family and environmental elements affecting the situation of health.
They will be able to perform study, research, teaching activities and design innovations to improve their own work, self-assessing their actual effectiveness, and contributing to the growth and development of their own professional activity.
Teaching tools: classroom activities, workshops, computer laboratories, internship, practical exercises reading and interpreting the data available in international literature.
The knowledge and understanding will be assessed using the following methods: written and oral exams, practical tests in simulated and real situations (on patients), implementation of occupational therapy projects, journal club;