If you’ve ever travelled or lived in Southeast Asia, you’ve probably heard the phrase “same same but different.” It’s a light-hearted way to describe things that seem similar but are actually quite distinct. This phrase perfectly captures the public confusion between occupational therapy (OT) and physiotherapy (PT) — two essential allied health professions that often work side by side, yet have unique roles.
Why Are OT and PT So Often Mixed Up?
Both OTs and PTs play crucial roles in helping people regain independence and quality of life after illness or injury. Their work overlaps in many ways, especially in rehabilitation settings. However, their focus and approaches are different:
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Physiotherapists help restore movement and physical function. They focus on strength, balance, pain management, and mobility after injuries, surgeries, or chronic conditions.
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Occupational Therapists help people participate in the everyday activities (“occupations”) that matter to them — from dressing and cooking to returning to work or school — even if they face physical, mental, or cognitive challenges.
Despite these differences, in Singapore, Malaysia, and across the region, many people — including some healthcare professionals — struggle to tell the two apart. PTs are generally more visible in the community, with more clinics and practitioners, while OTs are often found mostly in hospitals or specialised centres. This visibility gap means that people either don’t know what OTs do, or assume it’s just another name for physiotherapy.
What Does the Evidence Say?
Research in Malaysia and Singapore confirms this confusion is widespread. Studies show that even other healthcare professionals sometimes have misconceptions about what OTs do, leading to fewer referrals and missed opportunities for patients to benefit from OT’s unique expertise. In Malaysia, for example, it’s common for PTs in the community to take on OT-related tasks, especially when there are not enough OTs available or when clients are unaware of OT’s role. This overlap can be helpful in some cases, but it also means patients may not get the full benefit of each profession’s specialised skills.
Why Does It Matter?
Understanding the difference between OT and PT can have a big impact on recovery. If you only see a physiotherapist, you might get excellent help with movement and strength, but miss out on support for returning to work, managing memory or attention issues, or adapting your home. When OTs and PTs work together, people get a more complete and holistic approach to rehabilitation, especially for complex or chronic conditions like stroke, brain injury, or arthritis.
Checklist: Which Therapist Do I Need?
If you or a loved one is looking for rehabilitation, use this checklist to help clarify which therapist — or combination of therapists — is right for your needs.
1. Physical Movement and Mobility
You may need a Physiotherapist if you:
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Have difficulty walking, standing, or moving due to injury, surgery, or illness
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Need help regaining strength, flexibility, or balance
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Are recovering from a sports injury, fracture, or joint replacement
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Experience pain or stiffness in muscles or joints
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Need advice on safe exercises or physical activity
2. Daily Activities and Independence
You may need an Occupational Therapist if you:
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Struggle with self-care tasks (dressing, bathing, eating)
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Need to relearn skills for work, school, or home after illness or injury
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Have difficulty managing household chores or community activities
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Need advice on modifying your home or workspace for safety and independence
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Want to improve your ability to use your hands for fine motor tasks (writing, using utensils, buttoning clothes)
3. Cognitive, Sensory, and Emotional Challenges
You may need an Psych Occupational Therapist if you:
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Have trouble with memory, attention, or problem-solving after a stroke, brain injury, or due to ageing
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Need support with managing anxiety, depression, or stress as it affects your daily life
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Experience sensory processing difficulties (over- or under-sensitivity to touch, sound, etc.)
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Need help developing routines or coping strategies for daily life
4. Complex or Chronic Conditions (Often Require Both OT and PT)
You may need BOTH if you:
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Are recovering from a stroke, brain injury, or spinal cord injury
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Live with a chronic condition such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or arthritis
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Are an older adult at risk of falls, with multiple health issues affecting movement and daily life
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Have had major surgery (e.g. hip/knee replacement) and need to regain both movement and independence in daily tasks
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Are a child with developmental delays affecting both movement and daily skills
How OTs and PTs Work Together
In many rehabilitation programmes, OTs and PTs collaborate closely to help patients achieve their goals. For example, after a stroke, a physiotherapist may focus on rebuilding strength and balance, while an occupational therapist helps the person relearn how to cook, use a computer, or get dressed independently. This team approach provides the best chance for a full and meaningful recovery.
What’s Being Done to Clear Up the Confusion?
Professional associations and healthcare systems in the region are working to improve public understanding. In Singapore and Malaysia, there are ongoing efforts to educate both the public and healthcare professionals about the unique roles of OT and PT, and to encourage multidisciplinary teamwork. However, with fewer OTs in the community and longstanding hierarchies in healthcare, there’s still work to be done to ensure everyone gets the right help at the right time. At Lifeweavers, since we are a multidisciplinary team, the roles of each clinician is well defined to focus on their specialisation.
Same Same But Different
The confusion between OT and PT is real, but it doesn’t have to get in the way of good care. In fact, it is a positive thing when clinicians learn from other disciplines and are able to adapt their practice, especially in situations where access to the full team may be limited.
However, when both clients and the healthcare system clearly understand the distinct roles and strengths of each profession, it paves the way for best practice, specialised focus and even better outcomes. This clarity allows clinicians to excel in their true scope of practice, leading not only to more effective care but also to greater professional fulfilment – a crucial factor in achieving the best results for clients.
As the world and our healthcare needs become more complex, embracing both collaboration and professional clarity ensures that individuals receive the most comprehensive and effective therapy possible.
References and Further Reading:
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“The Perception of Allied Health Professionals on Occupational Therapy Roles in Malaysia”
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8926477/ -
“An Occupational Perspective of Occupational Therapy and the Barriers to Its Growth in Malaysia”
https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=113195 -
“Physical and Occupational Therapy: How They Work Together”
https://blog.rehabselect.net/physical-and-occupational-therapy-how-they-work-together -
“First Step to Empowering Change: Enhancing Self-Efficacy, Energy Management, and Physical Activity in Patients with Sleep Apnea”
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2024.1359371/full
Contact our multidisciplinary team via live chat to discuss rehab therapy or if you have any questions about OT and PT still.
