In this episode of the SOM Podcast, Joanna Vallom-Smith, Professional Advisor for Health and Work at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), is joined by experienced occupational therapists Lisa Harrison and Emily Kenworthy. Together, they explore how occupational therapists (OTs) contribute to occupational health (OH) teams, specifically focusing on management referrals. The conversation highlights new joint guidance published by the Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM) and RCOT that outlines the vast scope of OT practice in workplace settings. The panel discusses how OTs operate across various settings from large NHS trusts to small private practices, supporting employees facing complex physical, mental, or cognitive health challenges that impact their work. Rather than focusing strictly on a medical diagnosis, OTs utilize a functional, person-centred approach grounded in the Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) model and activity analysis. This enables them to evaluate what an employee can do and identify the precise barriers preventing successful, safe, and sustainable employment. Finally, the guests unpack the clear return on investment (ROI) that OTs bring to multidisciplinary occupational health teams. By offering early interventions, functional capacity evaluations, workplace assessments, and tailored recommendations for reasonable adjustments, OTs help businesses reduce sickness absence and maintain productivity. The episode concludes with practical advice on how employers and HR professionals can source qualified OTs or design functional job descriptions to integrate OT expertise into their workplace health services. Key TakeawaysFocus on Function Over Diagnosis: Occupational therapy evaluates how a health condition impacts daily tasks and work ability, placing functional performance ahead of a medical label. The PEO Model & Activity Analysis: OTs use specialized frameworks like the Person-Environment-Occupation model to break down job tasks into physical, cognitive, and emotional components to identify exact workplace barriers. Holistic & Triangulated Approach: Assessment involves a balance of subjective employee feedback, objective standardized testing, and real-world workplace observations. Tangible ROI for Employers: Early OT intervention and practical workplace adjustments prevent long-term sickness absence, support retention, and offer valuable guidance for line managers. Recruiting OT Talent: Employers should write job descriptions based on required functional duties (e.g., vocational rehabilitation, case management) rather than rigid professional titling. Call to ActionRead the Guidance: Download the joint SOM/RCOT guidance document on occupational therapy in occupational health. Find a Specialist: Search the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Directory or the Society of Occupational Medicine provider list to locate a qualified occupational therapist near you. The SOM podcast is sponsored by Orchid Live - specialist occupational health software used by a number of SOM members to run every aspect of their occupational health operations. They hold healthcare records for over 1 million UK workers and work with both in-house OH teams and OH providers. You can find out more at OrchidLive.com.
