Faculty

Present Head of the Department:

Associate Professor Head of the Department, Incharge : Mrs. Karuna V. Nadkarni

HOD Office:

Occupational Therapy Training School & Centre
Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College & King Edward VII Memorial Hospital
Seth Dhurmal Bajaj Orthopaedic Centre, 1 st Floor,
Opposite Tata Memorial Hospital
Dr. Earnest Borges Road, Parel East, Mumbai – 400012, Maharashtra, India

HOD’s Office Telephone Number: +91-22-24107044

KEM Contact Email ID: kemwebsite@kem.edu

HOD’s Email ID: karunanadkarni@kem.edu

Past Professor & Heads of the Department:

1. Mrs. Kamala Vishnu Nimbkar (1950 – 1957)
2. Mrs. Mira M. Shahani (1957 – 1989)
3. Mr. Ganesh H. Purohit (1989 – 1993)
4. Mrs. Indira Ramesh Kenkre (1993 – 2007)
5. Mr. Stephen Brian Austin Sams (2007-2009)
6. Mrs. Zarine D. Ferzandi (2009-2011)
7. Mrs. Jayashri Kale (2011-2020)

Present Faculty: O.T. Administration Office Telephone Number: +91-22-24107477

Past Faculty Members who contributed to the Development of our Department:

Teaching Programs

Teaching Program:From current academic year the graduate level programme is four and a half years course and the students’ strength is forty students per batch. The prerequisite for the under graduate course is HSC. in science faculty and an eligible score at the national or state level medical entrance examination. The Institute admits twenty students for the postgraduate degree course that is of 3 years. Specializations offered by the Institute are Occupational Therapy in Musculoskeletal Sciences, Neurosciences, Developmental Disabilities, Cardiovascular & Respiratory Sciences, Mental Health Sciences and Community Medical Sciences. Students of our Institute have always excelled in the graduate and postgraduate examinations and have been merit holders at the university examinations.Occupational Therapy School Library is well equipped with recent books and periodicals published by the national and inter national professional bodies.

Posts Available:

The teaching faculty comprises of three posts of professors, three posts of associate professors and six posts of lecturers along with twelve posts of clinical therapists. Some of our teaching faculty has been conferred fellowship by the Academic Council of Occupational Therapy and a few are WHO expert advisors.

Special efforts are made to teach the students professional judgments and reasoning with lectures and ample clinical exposure. Graduate and postgraduate programs in Occupational Therapy offer students the opportunity to gain theoretical knowledge and clinical skills while keeping a strong emphasis on research. The ex students of this Institute are holding senior posts and heading the Institutes in India and Abroad.

Major Activities & Services at our Center:

1. Preventive and Curative Cardio-Pulmonary Rehabilitation: is doneusing Treadmill, Cycle Ergometer, Exercise Cycles, Low Resistive Mini Gym, Therabands etc. Functional Capacity Assessments are done on Oxymeter and Cardio-Pulmonary Assessment Proforma. Home exercise programs, risk stratifications and environmental modifications are suggested to all patients with respect to their residual capacities according to METs level and maintenance programs are geared towards achieving higher METs level.

2. Adult & Pediatric Obesity Management: is done using Treadmill, Cycle Ergometer, Exercise Cycles, Low Resistive Mini Gym, Therabands, Abdominal Exerciser etc. Standardized Assessments are done using Slim Fat Pad Caliper, various Age/Height/Weight related Normograms and obesity Proforma.

3. Hemophilia Rehabilitation: is done using various physical agent modalities, preventive orthosis and adaptive devices, CPM machines, exercise therapy using therabands and enabling activities. Emphasis is put on Preventive approach using Patient & Care Givers Education charts and booklets and awareness camps in collaboration with Hemophilia Society of India, Mumbai Branch.

4. Back School Clinic: Spine and Back Pain Rehabilitation using exercise therapy, Therapy Balls and Bands, weighted cuffs etc and physical agent modalities. Preventive and Ergonomic approach using Patient education charts and demonstrations of biomechanical grasping, carrying, lifting, pushing, pulling and reaching techniques. Emphasis is put on Work Simplification & Energy Conservation Techniques.

5. Diabetic Foot Care: Using protective adaptive devices, preventive and corrective orthosis, Patient Education. Assessment is done on Computerized Foot Scanning Machines.

6. Specialized Hand Therapy Clinic: Standardized assessments using various hand function tests, dynamometers and sensory evaluation kits. Hand Therapy based on biomechanical, rehabilitation and ergonomic approach.

7. Disability Evaluations: Assessment & Treatment on an outpatient basis for persons with physical disabilities.

8. Pediatric Therapy: Preventive, curative and rehabilitative Occupational Therapy for children with developmental disabilities, sensory integration disorders, neuromuscular abnormalities, musculoskeletal problems and cardiovascular dysfunctions. As per the child’s needs, Occupational Therapists in Paediatrics, uses various sensory motor approaches like Neuro Developmental therapy, Rood’s approach, Play therapy, Sensory Integration therapy and Biomechanical approach. Parental counseling, home and school programs, environmental modifications are the integral part of Occupational Therapy that helps the child to cope up with daily life chores in the society, home and school environment.

9. Neonatal Care: Assessment, screening and early intervention of infants in NICU, with high risk for oromotor dysfunctions, neurological abnormalities, motor and mental developmental delays. Early intervention services are offered in the form of positioning using nesting, supplemental stimulations, facilitation of normal development and parental counseling. After discharge the infants are followed up regularly at Kangaroo Mother Care center and Neonatology OPD for ongoing therapy as needed.

10. Indoor Orthopedic Rehabilitation Services: Pain management, prevention and management of bed sores, normalization of tone using sensory motor approaches, pre and post operative assessment, patient education and rehabilitation, On table fabrication of orthosis and fabrication in post operative phase in the ward, pre prosthetic assessment, prosthetic prescription and training, prescription, assessment and training for appropriate adaptive aids and devices for basic self care, ambulation, vocation and leisure. Caregiver education, counseling and training, bowel and bladder controls training, sensory system rehabilitation, Training carried over later on outpatient basis.

11. De-addiction Program: Remedial and Rehabilitative services are offered to clients diagnosed as psychotropic substance use disorder, to assess & improve their coping skills in individual life situations. We at Drug De-addiction Centre assess and treat competence components of sensory integration, neumuscular, cognitive and psychological functions and impairments in social interactions. Work Fitness evaluations are done on referrals at this centre of excellence.

12. Neurorehabilitation: Assessment and treatment of neurology and neurosurgery cases on inpatient and outpatient basis. Specialized rehabilitation programs for dystonia and writer’s cramp, vestibular rehabilitation, spasticity management, functional neurosurgery for basal ganglia affectations. Disability evaluations are done on referrals. Vocational counseling and work fitness evaluations are done as per patient’s needs and requirements.

13. Preventive Geriatric Care: A therapist works in collaboration with the physicians to improve the quality of the senior citizens’ life.

14. Mental Health Services: Adult and pediatric psychiatry rehabilitation services are offered at our centre in the form of assessments via projective tests, standardized table top tasks, individual one to one discussions with the therapists and group therapy. Treatment planning based on premorbid life situations of clients and their family/care givers involvement in the treatment planning. Treatment methods used are self care skills training, social skills training, stress/anxiety management, relaxation techniques, time management, play therapy, recreational tasks, exploring hobbies etc based on rehabilitation and behavioral model. Work fitness evaluations are done on referrals.

Affiliated to Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), Nashik www.muhsnashik.com

Information about the Courses and affiliation

Department has affiliation from following statutory bodies/ authorities

• Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), Nashik muhsnashik.com
• Maharashtra State Occupational Therapy & Physical Therapy Council msotptcouncil.com/
• All India Occupational Therapist’s Association www.aiota.org
• World Federation of Occupational Therapy http://www.wfot.org/

1. Bachelors of Occupational Therapy: BOTh (4 & ½ years) including 6 months of Internship
2. Masters of Occupational Therapy: MOTh (3 years) with specializations in:

• Master of Occupational Therapy in Musculoskeletal Sciences.
• Master of Occupational Therapy in Cardio-Vascular & Respiratory Sciences.
• Master of Occupational Therapy in Developmental Disabilities.
• Master of Occupational Therapy in Neurosciences.
• Master of Occupational Therapy in Mental Health Sciences.
• Master of Occupational Therapy in Community Medical Sciences

1. Ph. D. : Since year 2012, we have started Ph. D. In Occupational Therapy.
2. Externship for BOTh Graduate students from other colleges of Maharashtra affiliated to MUHS.
3. One month Observer ship in the fields of Interests for Qualified (Graduates or Post Graduates) Occupational Therapists registered under AIOTA (All India Occupational Therapist’s Association) or Institutes recognized by World Federation of Occupational Therapists
4. Various short term courses, seminars and workshops are conducted by our faculty members every year. Last year we conducted following workshops

• MUHS Approved Basic Workshop of research methodology
• Access Audit
• Hand Splinting
• Neurodevelopmental Care in NICU

Patient Awareness Camps are conducted for community integration in the institute and in the community.

Major Activities & Services at our Centre:

1. Preventive and Curative Cardio-Pulmonary Rehabilitation: is done using Treadmill, Cycle Ergometer, Exercise Cycles, Low Resistive Mini Gym, Therabands etc. Functional Capacity Assessments are done on Oxymeter and Cardio-Pulmonary Assessment Proforma. Home exercise programs, risk stratifications and environmental modifications are suggested to all patients with respect to their residual capacities according to METs level and maintenance programs are geared towards achieving higher METs level.
2. Adult & Pediatric Obesity Management: is done using Treadmill, Cycle Ergometer, Exercise Cycles, Low Resistive Mini Gym, Therabands, Abdominal Exerciser etc. Standardized Assessments are done using Slim Fat Pad Caliper, various Age/Height/Weight related Normograms and obesity Proforma.
3. Haemophilia Rehabilitation: is done using various physical agent modalities, preventive orthosis and adaptive devices, CPM machines, exercise therapy using therabands and enabling activities. Emphasis is put on Preventive approach using Patient & Care Givers Education charts and booklets and awareness camps in collaboration with Haemophilia Society of India, Mumbai Branch.
4. Back School Clinic: Spine and Back Pain Rehabilitation using exercise therapy, Therapy Balls and Bands, weighted cuffs etc and physical agent modalities. Preventive and Ergonomic approach using Patient education charts and demonstrations of biomechanical grasping, carrying, lifting, pushing, pulling and reaching techniques. Emphasis is put on Work Simplification & Energy Conservation Techniques.
5. Diabetic Foot Care: Using protective adaptive devices, preventive and corrective orthosis, Patient Education. Assessment is done on Computerized Foot Scanning Machines.
6. Specialized Hand Therapy Clinic: Standardized assessments using various hand function tests, dynamometers and sensory evaluation kits. Hand Therapy based on biomechanical, rehabilitation and ergonomic approach.
7. Disability Evaluations: Assessment & Treatment on an outpatient basis for persons with physical disabilities.
8. Paediatric Therapy: Preventive, curative and rehabilitative Occupational Therapy for children with developmental disabilities, sensory integration disorders, neuromuscular abnormalities, musculoskeletal problems and cardiovascular dysfunctions. As per the child’s needs, Occupational Therapists in Paediatrics, uses various sensory motor approaches like Neuro Developmental therapy, Rood’s approach, Play therapy, Sensory Integration therapy and Biomechanical approach. Parental counselling, home and school programs, environmental modifications are the integral part of Occupational Therapy that helps the child to cope up with daily life chores in the society, home and school environment.
9. Neonatal Care: Assessment, screening and early intervention of infants in NICU, with high risk for oromotor dysfunctions, neurological abnormalities, motor and mental developmental delays. Early intervention services are offered in the form of positioning using nesting, supplemental stimulations, facilitation of normal development and parental counselling. After discharge the infants are followed up regularly at Kangaroo Mother Care centre and Neonatology OPD for ongoing therapy as needed.
10. Indoor Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Services: Pain management, prevention and management of bed sores, normalization of tone using sensory motor approaches, pre and post operative assessment, patient education and rehabilitation, On table fabrication of orthosis and fabrication in post operative phase in the ward, pre prosthetic assessment, prosthetic prescription and training, prescription, assessment and training for appropriate adaptive aids and devices for basic self care, ambulation, vocation and leisure. Caregiver education, counselling and training, bowel and bladder controls training, sensory system rehabilitation, Training carried over later on outpatient basis.
11. De-addiction Program: Remedial and Rehabilitative services are offered to clients diagnosed as psychotropic substance use disorder, to assess & improve their coping skills in individual life situations. We at Drug De-addiction Centre assess and treat competence components of sensory integration, neuro muscular, cognitive and psychological functions and impairments in social interactions. Work Fitness evaluations are done on referrals at this centre of excellence.
12. Neurorehabilitation: Assessment and treatment of neurology and neurosurgery cases on inpatient and outpatient basis. Specialized rehabilitation programs for dystonia and writer’s cramp, vestibular rehabilitation, spasticity management, functional neurosurgery for basal ganglia affectations. Disability evaluations are done on referrals. Vocational counselling and work fitness evaluations are done as per patient’s needs and requirements.
13. Preventive Geriatric Care: A therapist works in collaboration with the physicians to improve the quality of the senior citizens’ life.
14. Mental Health Services: Adult and paediatric psychiatry rehabilitation services are offered at our centre in the form of assessments via projective tests, standardized table top tasks, individual one to one discussions with the therapists and group therapy. Treatment planning based on pre morbid life situations of clients and their family/care givers involvement in the treatment planning. Treatment methods used are self care skills training, social skills training, stress/anxiety management, relaxation techniques, time management, play therapy, recreational tasks, exploring hobbies etc based on rehabilitation and behavioural model. Work fitness evaluations are done on referrals.

Patient Guide:

Occupational Therapy Services are offered in K.E.M Hospital in the following venues:

Seth Dhurmal Bajaj Orthopaedic Centre, 2 nd Floor, Ward 40
Telephone: +91-22-24107140

Indoor & OPD Patients Referrals from : De-Addiction OPD of Psychiatry Department

OPD Patients Referrals from: Child Guidance Clinic of Psychiatry Department, Pediatric Medicine OPD

Indoor & OPD Patients Referrals from: Cardiology, Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Chest Medicine, Endocrinology (Obesity & Diabetes), General Surgery (Only for Diabetic Foot Care) and Hematology (Hemophilia)

Indoor & OPD Patients Referrals from: Plastic Surgery OPD, Ward 16 & 16 A

1. Indoor General Medicine & Rheumatology Unit
2. Indoor General Surgery, Gynecology, ENT, Dermatology & Ophthalmology Unit
3. Indoor and Outdoor Adult & Pediatric Psychiatry Unit
4. Indoor and Outdoor Pediatric Unit: Referrals from Pediatric Medicine, Pediatric Surgery, Neonatology & Kangaroo Mother Care Centre

Indoor & OPD Patients Referrals from: Neuromedicine, Neurosurgery and Interventional Neuroradiology

Useful Links

1. All India Occupational Therapists Association (AIOTA): www.aiota.org.

2. Bombay Branch of AIOTA: http://bbaiota.blogspot.com.

3. American Occupational Therapy Association: www.aota.org.

4. British Association of Occupational Therapists: http://www.cot.co.uk.

5. Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists: http://www.caot.ca.

6. Australian Association of Occupational Therapists: http://www.ausot.com.au.

7. World Federation of Occupational Therapists: http://www.wfot.org.

8. Occupational Therapy at Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupational_therapy

9. Database that contains abstracts of systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials relevant to occupational therapy: OT Seeker: www.otseeker.com.

10. American Journal of Occupational Therapy: http://www1.aota.org/ajot/index.asp

11. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: http://www.archives-pmr.org.

12. Indian Journal of Occupational Therapy: http://medind.nic.in.

13. Occupational Therapy Information Blog: www.occupationaltherapyupdate.blogspot.com

Future Goals & Targets:

We at Occupational Therapy Training School and Centre at Seth G. S. Medical College and K.E.M Hospital plan to renovate our department to be well equipped with modern assessment and treatment modalities. We plan to expand our rehabilitation services in various unattended fields of medicine i.e. forensic sciences, work related rehabilitation, Day care centres for patient rehabilitation & Preventive Mental Health for professionals from various walks of life etc. We plan to conduct various professional awareness camps for common people unaware of various health science facilities as ours (Occupational Therapy) available in this hospital in collaboration with Bombay Branch AIOTA.

Future plan of department categorized into:

Patient care: The department has a vision of establishing a state of art department of Occupational Therapy reflecting the latest trends and technological care imparted by the professionals, improvised over the last 66 years. We are expanding horizons in by unique rehabilitation services for the physically and mentally challenged client with facility of disability evaluation, cognition assessment, driving evaluation and visual rehabilitation. We wish to incorporate an orthotic and prosthetic department at the Occupational Training School & Center of Seth G. S. Medical College and K. E. M Hospital.

Education: We wish to develop E-learning programs for distant learning and education.

We also wish to start integrated Masters Program and Short Certificate Courses at the University Level.

Research: The objectives of research have always been a part of the student programs. We look forward to collect data for standardizing scales on the Indian population in different fields of Occupational Therapy for the purpose of assessment & intervention.

Campus and Infrastructure: Renovation of the department portraying the specialty areas developed in the past years, incorporating the facility of internet and intranet at Occupational Therapy Department.