Occupational therapists

maintains patient records, manages caseloads

AI tools like ambient clinical documentation systems (e.g. Nuance DAX) and practice management software can automate much of record-keeping, caseload tracking and report generation, significantly reducing administrative burden.

devises, designs, initiates and monitors carefully selected and graded treatments and activities as part of the assessment and intervention process

AI tools like clinical decision support systems can suggest evidence-based treatment protocols, but the grading, personalisation and monitoring of activities requires skilled human therapeutic judgment.

liaises with a wide variety of other professionals in planning and reviewing ongoing treatments

AI can facilitate communication and summarise case notes for multidisciplinary meetings (e.g. using tools like Otter.ai for transcription), but relationship-building and negotiation across professional boundaries remains human-led.

considers the physical, psychological and social needs of a patient that may result from illness, injury, congenital condition or lifestyle problems

AI can help gather and summarise patient history data, but holistic assessment of physical, psychological and social needs requires nuanced human clinical judgment and empathy.

counsels clients in ways to promote a healthy lifestyle, prevention of illness and/or preparation for coping with increasing stages of illness

AI chatbots and apps can supplement lifestyle advice delivery, but therapeutic counselling that builds trust and adapts to emotional cues in real time requires human skill and presence.

trains students and supervises the work of occupational therapy assistants

AI can provide supplementary learning resources or simulate scenarios for student training, but supervising clinical practice and mentoring professional development is fundamentally a human responsibility.

makes home visits to clients, families and carers to organise support and rehabilitation and assist them to deal and cope with disability

Home visits require physical presence, real-time environmental assessment, and interpersonal rapport with vulnerable clients and carers that AI cannot replicate.