OT conversations

Hao

Education Society & Culture

Latest episode

171 episodes

Engagement: the vital sign of OT
27/1/2026 | 20 mins.
“Critical care isn’t just about survival—it’s about recovery. And that recovery starts the moment a patient shows they can engage. For us OTs, engagement itself is a vital sign. Whether it’s opening their eyes, following a simple command, or reaching for a cup, these are milestones that show the body and mind are healing. Our role is to capture those moments, to facilitate them, and to make sure they’re not lost in the noise of monitors and machines. Because in ICU, occupation isn’t a luxury—it’s the bridge back to life.”
Beyond Diagnosis: How OTs Support PIP Applications
20/1/2026 | 16 mins.
Personal Independence Payment — or PIP. You’ve probably heard of it, maybe even applied for it. But do you really know what it’s about? It’s not about diagnosis. It’s about how your condition affects your daily life — washing, dressing, cooking, moving, engaging with others
In this episode, we’ll talk about PIP and the unique role of occupational therapy. We’ll explore how OTs complete functional reports that describe not just the condition, but the reality: the fatigue, the breathlessness, the time it takes, the safety risks. The details that make all the difference in a PIP application.
So listen to Occupational Therapy Conversations. Learn what PIP really means, and why occupational therapy is at the heart of showing how people live day to day. Because in the end, occupation is life.
Who is killing OT?
13/1/2026 | 12 mins.
Let me ask you this—have you heard the rumour that some hospitals in the UK are stopping occupational therapists from taking vital signs? I hope it’s fake news, because if it’s true, that’s the slow death of our profession.

Vital signs are not optional. They’re the foundation for safe, functional retraining. If we’re not monitoring them, then what are we really doing—just activity provision? That’s not OT.

So today I’m introducing a new term: the Anti-OT. That’s anyone in our profession who—through incompetence or poor leadership—ends up dismantling what OT really is.

Think about it. Are you protecting the profession, or are you unknowingly becoming an Anti-OT?
Understanding Orthostatic hypotension
06/1/2026 | 14 mins.
Ever felt dizzy or lightheaded when standing up? That could be orthostatic hypotension—a sudden drop in blood pressure that affects safety, independence, and daily life.
In this episode of OT Conversations, Hao, your occupational therapist, unpacks what orthostatic hypotension is, why it happens, and the symptoms to watch out for. We explore causes ranging from dehydration and medications to neurological conditions, and share practical management tips—from lifestyle adjustments to simple counter-manoeuvre exercises like ankle pumps, leg crossing, and buttock clenching.

Most importantly, we look at the role of occupational therapy in keeping people safe, independent, and confident in their daily activities.

👉 Listen now and learn how small strategies can make a big difference.
Learn about D2A
30/12/2025 | 10 mins.
“Today on OT Conversations, we’re diving into Discharge to Assess. Why did the NHS bring it in? How did therapy response times — especially ours as OTs — play a role? We’ll talk honestly about our own shortcomings, why hospital-based assessments weren’t always serving patients well, and how shifting assessments into the community changed the game.

It’s not just policy — it’s about risk, independence, and making sure people get home safely and quickly. Join me as we unpack what D2A really means, and why it challenges us as OTs to step up in a new way.”

More Education podcasts

About OT conversations

This is a UK-based Occupational Therapy podcast expressing personal clinical experiences, views, and aspirations for occupational therapy practice in the UK. It is aimed to help OT students and clinicians navigate their way through their clinical practice involving occupational therapy. When it gets controversial, it is Rant Involving Occupational Therapy. When I talk about foundation OT knowledge, it is Relevant Information about OT. When I celebrate amazing people I encounter, It's Rollicking Individuals of OT. If I 'yap' about anything I fancy, then, it is Random Information about Ordinary things. Whatever the theme, this OT conversation is a RIOT Conversation. Enjoy - HAODisclaimer: Topics discussed are personal opinions and do not represent any professional body or Trust/Health organization.

Podcast website

Education Society & Culture Personal Journals Self-Improvement