Hello All:
Brief History:
I am a member of another e-group for the Florida OT Assoc. Recently, there
was a message about OT referrals or something. John Duffy (whom I don't
know) sent a message about his treatment approach. Because of the nature of
his message, I replied back to the FOTA (FL. OT Assoc) and then John
replied back to me. So, he and I are engaging in dialogue which I want to
share with OTnow readers.
The messages are in reverse chronological order, with the John's first
message being last. I am numbering the messages to increase the
understanding of who said what when.
By the way, I hope that John and my debate sparks a conversation on the
OTnow list.
Ron
P.S. I am in the process of replying to John's second message.
********************************************************
----- This is a forwarded message -
From: John Duffy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: 2/23/2001
Subject: [fota] Proud to be an O.T.
-----
================= Begin John's Message #2 ===============
This is in response to the comments from Ron Carson and Adrienne C. Lauer.
First of all I'm glad I sparked your interest. I would like to clarify a few
things since you clearly have no idea what kind of O.T. I am. The original
writer wrote that PT was intercepting orders for O.T. and changing them. The
reality is that in some facilities ortho patients are split up based on
their diagnosis Upper Extremity is seen by O.T and for the most part the
rest of the body is seen by PT and in fact, many doctors are becoming use to
this fact. I do not make the rules I just see the patients that are on my
schedule. Now, if I have an eval that is a RTC repair I will certainly look
at the person from our O.T. perspective in a holistic manner but I also will
treat that patient according to protocol. Yes, some of the treatment that I
perform could be considered PT, but in O.T. I prefer to call it adjunctive
methods based on the Occupational Performance Model which is procedures that
prepare patient for occupational performance ie. exercise and
modalities.(See Pedretti). If my department wanted to they could not allow
O.T. to treat the Upper Extremity and as a result referrals would decrease
and so would O.T. positions. That is why I feel fortunate to work in my
facility because O.T. is not on the chopping block like so many other
hospitals.
My point is that if you are an O.T. and you have a job in which you must
treat Upper Extremity pathology you better learn how to treat your patients
correctly or the patient is at risk.
Mr. Carson and Ms. Lauer I am not trying to be a PT. I am proud to be an
O.T. and in fact I am actively involved in fighting for our profession in
Florida. I think with the medicare changes that are requiring all
documentation to be related to function, this is a perfect time to educate
our representatives on the definition of O.T. and believe me I plan to do
so. I apologize if I increased your BP with my comments that was certainly
not my intension.
Sincerely,
John E. Duffy OTR/L CCCE,
Occupational Therapy Department Mercy Hospital
Miami, Florida
======================= End of Message 2=========================
=========== My response to John's first message (Reply #1) ===============
> Hello All:
>
> I have been farily quiet since joining this list but John Duffy's
> message prompts me to speak up.
>
> As an OT educator, I constantly educate about the differences between OT
> and PT. I teach about holistic treatment, non-reductionsitic treatment,
> theoretical basis of OT treatment, the Canadian Model of Enabling
> Occupation, Model of Human Occupation, Person-Environment Occupational
> Performance Model, Flow, etc. To the best of my understanding,
> professional practice guidelines and the theoretical basis of our
> profession require that student's learn this material so that they can
> practice as OCCUPATIONal therapists.
>
> John's letter is a brisk reminder that what I teach is in direct
> opposition to what some OT's practice. While trying to NOT point
> fingers, it seems like some therapists have forgotten about our
> professional domain of concern and now practice to meet the expectations
> of employers, payers, other professional,etc.
>
> How and why is this happening? While reimbursement may be driving some
> OT's to act like PT's, I wonder if this response is like putting a
> band-aid on a gushing wound.
>
> Ron Carson
=================== End Reply 1 ===========================
================== Begin John's message 1 =============================
> This is a forwarded message
> From: John Duffy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: "FOTA" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: 02/22/2001
> Subject: [fota] O.T. Referrals and Home Health
> -----
> =================Original message text===============
>
> I am lucky to work in an outpatient facility where Occupational Therapy
> treats the Upper Extremity. The PT's do not complain about this and we
> get along great. Knowing that this is not the case in many facilities, I
> feel that it is a privledge to get to treat the shoulder and I have made
> it a point to learn how to treat it correctly. Regarding the referrals,
> I have tried to network with all the local surgeons and I tell them to
> send their UE patients to O.T. As a result, our O.T. referrals have
> increased.
>
> I also work Home Health part time and I can give two examples where the
> patient was benefiting from O.T. and could have continued but I was
> automatically discharged because Nursing and or PT did not recertify.
> Bottom line O.T. does not have the respect from the government.
>
> John E. Duffy
> Miami
>
> ============= End John's message 1 ===================================
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