Physical and Occupational Therapy
in Mongolia
Department of Physical Therapy
School of Health Technology
Health Sciences University of Mongolia
Content
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Definition of Physical Therapy
Definition of Occupational Therapy and its
similarity and difference from Physical
Therapy
History of Physical Therapy in Mongolia
Department of Physical Therapy, SHT
Academic Exchange Program
History of OT in Mongolia
OT in Mongolia Project
Conclusion
Physical therapy
is a health care profession concerned with
remediation of impairment and disabilities
and the promotion of mobility, functional
ability, quality of life and movement
potential, with prevention of physical
disabilities,
through
examination,
evaluation, diagnosis and physical
intervention carried out by Physical
Therapists.
Physical therapy
management includes
 prescription of or
 assistance with
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specific exercises,
manual therapy,
education,
manipulation and other interventions.
Occupational therapy
is a client-centred health profession
concerned with
promoting health and well being
through occupation.
World Federation of Occupational Therapists 2010
Occupational therapy
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Occupational therapists and occupational
therapy assistants work with people to
improve their ability or restore their
ability to perform everyday activities and
tasks.
Some
occupational
therapists
specialize in work-related tasks, while
others offer more generalized services to
increase range of motion, reduce the risk of
injury, and increase mobility in certain
patients.
Occupational therapy
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is "The therapeutic use of work, selfcare, and play activities to increase
development and prevent disability. It may
include adaptation of task or environment
to achieve maximum independence and to
enhance the quality of life."
The word "occupation" in occupational
therapy refers to the daily activities
and tasks that an individual performs.
Daily activities and tasks
include work-related tasks, such as
 standing,
 picking up heavy boxes,
 driving in a car,
 sitting at a computer,
 sorting files,
 moving to a room
 getting up from a chair.
Comparison of OT and PT
Occupational therapy and physical
therapy seem very similar in scope,
but there are some key differences
between the two professions.
Both physical therapists and occupational
therapists work towards restoring
functioning of various joints, muscles
and body parts after an injury or when
recovering from disease.
The key differences between the
two professions:
Physical therapy
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is focused more on
treating an injury
focuses on a specific
body part
assigned to individuals
who are permanently
disabled, or need to
maintain good health
after a serious accident or
injury
Occupational therapy
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does not directly treat a
person’s injury, but instead
helps the person optimize
their independence and
ability to accomplish daily
activities
focuses on overall health
and increasing mobility in
the entire body
Patients who need to cope
with various mental health
issues as they heal and
recovery
The key differences between the
two professions:
Physical therapists
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are trained on
anatomy and the
musculoskeletal
systems
Occupational therapists
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have a broad education in the
medical,
social
behavioural, psychosocial
and occupational sciences
which equips them with the
attitudes,
skills
and
knowledge
to
work
collaboratively with people
individually or in groups or
communities
The key differences between the
two professions:
Occupational therapists
Physical therapists
focus on:
focus on:
 Fine motor skills: small,
 Gross motor skills:
finely coordinated hand
movements
activities that use large
 Visual perceptual skills: the
muscles
ability to understand and
 Mobility skills: moving
interpret what is seen
safely
 Visual motor skills: the
ability to coordinate visual skills
 Postural control
and motor skills
 Self care skills: general
 Self care skills: feeding,
dressing, hygiene, and toileting
skills in everyday life
skills for increasing
independence in necessary life
skills
History of Physical Therapy
in Mongolia
2007
Start of collaboration between Health Sciences
University of Mongolia and Gunma university,
Japan
2008
New curriculum in Physical Therapy was
established at School of Health Technology,
HSUM
May 31, 2011
May 25, 2012
First Graduation of Physical Therapists
/14 students/
Second Graduation of Physical Therapists
/13 students/
History of Physical Therapy
in Mongolia
The fundament of Physical Therapy in
Mongolia was established by cooperation
between Gunma University and Health
Sciences University of Mongolia /HSUM/
in September 2007.
Agreement processing
Department of Physical Therapy
Members
Scientific Degree
Total
Doctor
1
Master
1
Ass. Lecturers
Master
4
PT’s students
Students
85
Lecturers
/I-IV classes/
Department of Physical Therapy
Subdivision
Medical
Professional index
D723700
Professional
Physical therapist
Entry requirement
High school diploma
Education degree
Bachelor
Length of study
4 years
Type of study
Normal
Total credits
136 credits
Academic Exchange Program
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There has been tremendous change to
physical therapy profession since the
beginning of the cooperation between both
Universities.
Academic Exchange Program
Year
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Total
From Japan
lecturers students
3
3
6
6
5
6
3
20
12
From Mongolia
lecturers
students
5
8
4
16
1
14
4
4
14
42
Academic Exchange Program
Gunma University lecturers visit School of
Health Technology, HSUM twice a year to
teach physical therapy to Mongolian students.
History of OT in Mongolia
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In 2003 and 2004 two Swiss therapists visited
Mongolia as part of a wheelchair provision
programm. Found that there were no OTs and PTs in
the country
The need for both professions was also identified by
the Mongolian National Federation of Disabled
People,
The World Federation of Occupational Therapists
(WFOT) decided to support developing OT
educational programms and practice. That is how it
became a WFOT project. At a later point the Zurich
University of Applied Sciences joined as an
additional partner.
History of OT in Mongolia
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Signing letters of intent
with HSUM President
Prof. Lhagvasuren
Prof. Tserendagva and
Prof. Meyer
OT in Mongolia Project
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During a number of visits between UlaanBaatar
and Winterthur it was agreed upon to start the
project by doing a Train The Trainer
Programme for health care professionals like
nurses and rehab doctors at a post-graduate
level. The goal was and is to prepare OT
trainers as future educators for Mongolia.
OT in Mongolia Project
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The implementation started
in March 2010 when the first
cohorte of 18 students started
with the Train The Trainer
Programme
on
theory
foundations in OT taught by
11 Swiss teaching staff.
In October 2011 presented
13 graduates from that
cohorte.
The four phases of the OT in
Mongolia Project
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2010-2013
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2014-2016
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2015-2016
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2016-2020
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Train the trainer: Pre-training of 30
doctors and nurses in “Foundation of OT”
at SHT, HSUM
Master in OT: Support the training of 35 individuals of phase 1 to a Master in OT
in Europe
BSc
curriculum
development:
Development of an OT curriculum at
Bachelor level at SHT, HSUM
Implementation of the BSc program:
Implementation and evaluation of the
newly established BSc in OT
OT in Mongolia Project Funding
The project comprises a variety of activities across
a long time span and offers two general types
of funding:
1.
Funding of project activities and hardware
2.
Funding of individuals
We are happy to personally discuss project
details and funding possibilities with you.
Come and join us in improving
the quality of life for people in Mongolia
Thank You For Attention
Contact us at:
School of Health Technology
<info@health-technology.mn>
Mentrup Christiane <ment@zhaw.ch>;