I wonder if maybe people aren't writing because the topics tend to be very deep, and may not be a reflection of what practitioners want to discuss. For example, when I joined, what I hoped I would find, and what I unfortunately haven't found, is an exchange of treatment ideas for a variety of disabilities/conditions our patients have, and ways to improve our technical skills. As I'm saying this, however, I do have to ask the group a "deeper" question. So, I'd like to start dialogues in 2 different directions. The first is something I really need, asap, as I've got a student coming soon and a form to fill out. The second dialogue, however, is of far more interest to me. Here goes:
1. I've got a Level 1 student coming sooooon, and the school wants to know what Frames of Reference I am using. Now, I really hesitate to ask this question of you all, as I really, really do no want to get into philosophical discussions. I'm leaving these issues to the theorists. I presume Ron is rolling is eyes right now - I'm really not picking on you Ron - but I don't want to get into a discussion about this - I just need some fast, quick help. I work in home health with a variety of paitents with a variety of conditions. Can anyone tell me what Frames of Reference they use in this type of setting?
2. How about we talk about an area that is one of my favorite directions for OT to go into - pulmonary rehab. For the longest time, I really didn't have a good handle on how to treat these patients, beyond energy conservation. But a couple of years ago, I found this fabulous website (see attachment above) and which has specific treatment ideas for various conditions - one of the best OT websites around, I believe. I used this site as a springboard for doing further reading and research into this condition, and it has totally changed the way I work with patients, and has really made me a much more effective practitioner. Now, whenever I work with a patient with a pulmonary (and often cardiac) diagnosis, I give them an information packet, rich with information, and especially teach them to really listen to what their bodies are telling them (by way of symptoms) and to act accordingly. For example, if they are cog!
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tively intact, we discuss SOB - what makes them SOB, what makes it worse, better, etc, so they can really start thinking about it. Very often, they have been SOB for so long, they don't think about it, and only notice it when it is really bad. However, they can make real changes in their lives if they recognize the early stages of SOB, and learn to "nip it in the bud" right away before it gets worse, by performing proper breathing techniques. We then discuss the Levels of SOB (I've whittled the levels down to 3 is it is much more user friendly for the elderly) and teach how to apply them. We actually practice many different ADLs and leisure activities, teaching the patient self-monitoring skills, until they can control their breathing, without my intervening. I can't tell you what a powerful difference this has made in patients lives, and it was all through this website, jumpstarting ideas and getting me excited about possibilities.
This is what I hope this forum will produce - a real dialogue ideas. What do you all think? In exchange for sharing this wonderful website with you, please, please, please, help me with #1 - Frames of Reference - please, please, please!!!
Donna
