Hello Aaron:
Thanks for your thorough answer. I really enjoyed reading what you
said and it is giving me food for thought.
I hope other list members will also add their two cents.
R
--
On 7/19/2001, aaron eakman said:
ae> When I was at my second clinical affiliation following an entry-level
ae> masters OT education program I was faced with this issue. To put it in
ae> context of time, it was about 10 years ago. I was asked by my clinical
ae> instuctor (an OT practicing for 4+ years, and I'm paraphrasing her), "what
ae> is the most important part of what we as OTs do?" Just getting out of the
ae> books and in the "real world" I answered to the effect that is is important
ae> for us to identify the meaningful aspects of the persons life, helping them
ae> to be capable of accomplishing purposeful and meaning life activies
ae> (occupations as the present synonym). Her response to me was as if I had
ae> not learned a thing from her. She replied to the effect the we as OTs need
ae> to help people to "function".
ae> I believe that most OTs primarily understand function while the reimbursers,
ae> etc. know nothing about occupation. I used the term "synonym" above when
ae> equating my 10 year old "purposeful and meaningful activities" to
ae> "occupations". I believe OT is far more than "function", yet through
ae> functionality one may be capable of completing "purposeful and meaningful
ae> activities". The language to me is ambiguous. The potential outcomes are
ae> gifts of life.
ae> I don't see this ambiguity as being new to OT, but part of our existence.
ae> As I practice more I find a greater appreciation for helping a person become
ae> "functional". It is in how we direct that intervention and guide that
ae> development process in the client that we discover whether or not we are
ae> considering "occupation" or "meaningful/puposeful activities". Is
ae> "occupation" the outcome or part of the guiding process? What about
ae> "function"?
ae> It is important that we as OTs can have ongoing discussions (potentially
ae> like this one) to help develop these concepts within the profession.
ae> Academia and practicing professionals across our ever more fragmented
ae> "identity crisis" need to share a common language. From this process we can
ae> share the importance of these concepts not only among ourselves, but with
ae> other professionals, payers, etc.
ae> My long-winded two cents.
ae> Aaron Eakman
ae> ----- Original Message -----
ae> From: "Ron Carson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
ae> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
ae> Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2001 9:54 AM
ae> Subject: Occupation versus function
>> Do you guys think that our profession should primarily communicate to
>> other professionals, reimbursers and among ourselves using
>> occupational terminology or functional terminology.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Ron
>>
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