Department of Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy (OT) was established at the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (TBZMED) in 2007 as a scientific program at the undergraduate level (B.Sc.) and in 2024 at the postgraduate level (M.Sc.) to train OT students. The department aims to promote standard practices according to the WFOT criteria and develop philosophical bases for practice according to occupation and Eastern culture. The Bachelor was designed to prepare occupational therapy practitioners to be able to provide high-quality health care by meeting clients’ needs in a client-centered healthcare delivery setting. The BSc degree is a four-year, full-time, and continuous program positioned at the cutting edge of occupational therapy education. Students who complete all the requirements of study are then eligible to apply for registration as an Occupational Therapist (OTs) with the Iranian Occupational Therapy Board and Medical Council of Islamic Republic of Iran.
Vision
National and international leadership in Occupational Therapy research and education.
Mission
Considering the critical role of occupation and activity in social integration and participation and improving quality of life, final goal of the department is to:
1) Train competent therapists to get in-depth knowledge on different aspects of human being (physical, mental and psychosocial),
2) Achieve abilities in different aspects of purposeful activities (recreation, work, and self-care),
3) Gain appropriate therapeutic communication based on scientific principles,
4) Understand problems due to neuropsychological, physiological and/or social disorders,
5) Recognize knowledge about potential resources and risks in environment,
6) Collect and transfer data to society,
7) Apply therapeutic exercises and approaches based on biomechanics, psychological, and neuroscience theories,
8) Enhance the level of basic and clinical researches and scientific products in occupational therapy.
The Department of OT is committed to:
- Providing excellence in research and teaching in occupational therapy;
- Contributing to the well-being of the population by advancing knowledge regarding engagement in life’s occupations;
- Providing graduate and continuing education programs that enable occupational therapists to be leaders in research, clinical practice and the promotion of health and well-being.
Aims
Department of OT aims to strengthen occupational therapy skills and services through basic and applied research, train needed occupational therapy practitioners, develop research centers and provide advanced services to the clients.
The Faculty and staff of the department are some of the best and well-known researchers and practitioners in the country. Their interests are varied and encompass practice and research in areas such as early intervention, cerebral palsy, autism, elder care, and mental health by bridging basic sciences like neurosciences to applied sciences.
Teaching
Department of OT trains qualified OT BSc students to work in a variety of settings including health organizations, social care services, schools, housing, education, re-employment schemes, occupational health, prisons, and voluntary organizations or as independent practitioners. Our graduates work in a variety of settings including governmental, non-governmental and privates (NGOs). They have opportunity to join the postgraduate too.
Research
Research is the foundation for teaching and clinical practice in Department of OT. Department of OT has an internationally recognized research program in different areas such as mental health illnesses, physical disabilities, early intervention program, Developmental disabilities, and learning disorders.
Values & Beliefs
OT is guided by the belief that health and well-being is affected by and affects the nature and pattern of occupations in which persons engage. The goal of occupational therapy is to enable individuals and communities to engage in the occupations they need to, want to, or are expected to do. Intervention is client-centered and focuses on the person, the environment and the occupation, in interaction. This person-environment-occupation interaction occurs across the lifespan and changing life roles. We believe in the value of dignity, learning, knowledge, collaboration, professional ethics, and evidence-based practice.
Faculty Members - Dr. Babak Kashefimehr, OT, PhD, Assistant Professor
- Dr. Ahmad Mohammadi, OT, PhD, Assistant Professor & Department Head
- Dr. Naser Havaei, OT, PhD, Associate Professor
- Dr. Mina Ahmadi, OT, PhD, Associate Professor
- Dr. Zeinab Fathipour, OT, PhD, Assistant Professor
Internship Centers / Clinics - Shohada Hospital (Orthopedic OT)
- Emam Rehabilitation Center (Neurological OT)
- Razi Hospital (Psychosocial OT)
- Asadabadi Hospital (Pediatric OT)
- Mardani Azar Children's Hospital (Pediatric OT)
- Sheshgelan Rehabilitation Center (General OT)
Contacts
Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Golgasht Street, Post Code: 5166414766, Tabriz, Iran.
Tel: (+98) 41- 33371808