Linden M, Saupe R, Etter J
Psychiatrische Klinik, Freien Universität, Berlin.
Psychiatr Prax. 1989 Jul;16(4):141-7.
Ergotherapy or occupational therapy is an indispensable part of psychiatric treatment, and which has an exceptionally long history of use ergotherapy focuses on psychopathology. Treatment of schizophrenic patients with batic-work exemplifies how product oriented creative work, with concrete materials, can be used to regain capabilities which have been lost during an illness and/or to foster healthy coping strategies in a compensatory manner. Ergotherapy can be viewed as a "mediator therapy" and as such, is always part of a complex, general treatment plan. Physicians referring patients for ergotherapy have a responsibility to clarify indications as well as to specify treatment demands.
