Hello:
OK, I need to start with a disclaimer... I'm probably getting ready to say
some things that may offend some readers and things that are much more
personal opinion rather than any sort of fact. I need to vent some
frustration and OTnow seems like a perfect forum! So, here goes!
I don't think it will come as a big surprise to most that there's something
"wrong" with the profession of OT. To me the biggest symptom of this
"wrongness" is the fact that we've been in existence for almost 100 years
and people still don't know who we are. Obviously, there are reasons for
this lack of identity but what are they? I'll be the first to say that I
neither know exactly what nor why our profession has identity issues, but I
sometimes feel like I have insight into some possibilities.
To me, I think the biggest single problem with OT having poor identity is
that we have little continuity between what our profession say's it does and
what practitioners and educators are doing. IF, this is an accurate
assumption (granted, it's a big if), then the consequences are potentially
grave.
If practitioners are not practicing in a manner consistent with our
theoretical foundations then they have little theoretical support for what
they are doing. Likewise, if the profession's theoretical base is not being
practiced then there's little likelihood that that base will be validated or
continue to expand and grow. Either of these situations is bad enough, but
taken together, they yield a profession that is floundering in its own
'ignorance'. (Sorry,I know that will offend some). Gosh, though, we MUST
do something about our profession's identity problem. Otherwise, I
sincerely believe that OT will cease to exist. In fact there's a great
quote by Mary Reilly [unknown source or date] that says this same thing:
"We won't be put out of business by any budget change or any malice
from any other group or any kind of neglect on the part of society.
It will be because we who are out practicing in the field fail to
realize the enormous nature of the work that we do. Our failure to
appreciate what we do for patients will be the cause of our
disappearance".
I think Ms. Reilly is 100% accurate and additionally, General Patton has
words of wisdom for us: "We have met the enemy and he is us". Well, IF
(another big if)we are our worst enemy then there is no reason why can't
become our own best ally. Along those lines, I would like to challenge
readers to engage in dialogue within themselves, among their peers, among
students, with other colleagues and providers, and with AOTA to discuss the
issue of disparity between theory and practice. And to discuss and other
issues of disparity about our profession.
Thanks,
Ron
~~~~~
www.OTnow.com
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