Compare and Contrast Therapy Providers
What are the similarities and differences between physical therapy, occupational therapy, and
recreational therapy? The three professions are somewhat similar in that they help patients
recover from some kind of illness or injury. But you can also find some differences between the
three professions.
Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and recreational therapy have many similarities because
all three professions help with restoring, rehabilitating, and maintaining physical health.
"Physical therapists rehabilitate people with physical disabilities. Others who work in the
rehabilitation field include audiologists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, recreational
therapists, rehabilitation counselors, respiratory therapists, and speech-language pathologists. "
(Cross and McWay) (p.199). Physical therapy and occupational therapy require continuing
education to maintain licensure. Their work environments for physical therapy and occupational
therapy are typically hospitals, clinics, schools, and rehabilitation centers. All three of these
career fields work a Monday-Friday "40-hour schedule and some work evenings and weekends
to accommodate patients" (Cross and McWay) (p.198, 209) (College of Medicine and Science).
Each of these therapists may look very similar, but the focus of the treatment is different.
Despite all of these similarities between physical therapy, occupational therapy, and recreational
therapy, they differ much more. All of these professions need different kinds of education. For
physical therapy and occupational therapy, you are required to attend graduate school with a
difference in the concentration of each of their fields. For recreational therapy, you are required
to obtain a bachelor’s degree, but an associate degree may be accepted if you have experience.
While physical therapy and recreational therapy require you to continue education to maintain
your license or certification, occupational therapy does not.
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Recreational therapy work environments are more available in nursing homes, parks, recreation
departments, community health centers, school districts, adult care programs, substance abuse
centers, and correctional facilities, in comparison with physical therapy and occupational
therapy. (College of Medicine and Science) Another difference between the three career fields is
the focus of treatment. For example, physical therapy assists patients with “improving the
patients’ ability to move their bodies while occupational therapy assists patients in improving
their ability to perform activities of daily living”. (OT vs PT: What’s the Difference?)
However, recreational therapy assists patients by using “creative healing methods to help people
with illnesses or disabilities become active again. They use arts and crafts, animals, sports,
games, dance and movement, drama, music, and community outings to help patients maintain or
improve their physical or mental health.” (College of Medicine and Science) The median
earnings of these three professions differ on a great scale, comparing physical therapy with an
average of $82,390, occupational therapy with an average of $78,810, and recreational therapy
with the lowest average of $48,000. All three of these professions are great options for anyone
that is interested in a therapy career, even with all of the similarities and differences.
Reference
Cross, Nanna, and Dana C. McWay. Stanfield’s Introduction to Health Professions. 7th ed., 2017.
(Pgs. 198,199,209
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
college.mayo.edu/academics/explore-health-care-careers/careers-a-z/recreational-therapist/
OT vs PT: What’s the Difference?
https://www.mcphs.edu/about-mcphs/news/occupational-therapy-versus-physical-therapy
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