Ron- I think there are a fair number of OTs that feel the way that you do, but frankly, I'm quite surprised that is your personal reason. In the past, your posts have made it quite clear that you see the roles of OT and PT as very different, and have stated that you feel one of the "problems" in our profession are OTs who function more as PTs. I would think those OTs would be the ones most threatened by a better known PT profession "stealing" away their business.
To which practice areas do you feel that your scenario applies? It seems to me that this potential situation would occur primarily in the outpatient arena, and frankly, there are many clients treated in outpatient PT programs who are most appropriately seen by PTs. In a school setting, at least in my experience, the OTs are as well known as the PTs, and sometimes more likely to be called upon. In a rehab. center, every patient is exposed to the entire interdisciplinary team, not just PT. In an acute care hospital, there are frequently critical pathways that have referrals built in for OT for certain diagnoses like CVA, and while the OTs often play a smaller role, it is quite possible for proactive, effective OTs to expand their role, and the awareness of the MDs, by offering meaningful functional suggestions for their patients. The same goes for home care. Non traditional, non-medical model settings are not traditionally areas that PT gets as involved in, except maybe work hardening. I think that area is as open to OT as it is to PT, depending on the marketing skills of the individual therapist. Again, I am not stating that I think we are necessarily well known, or that there aren't MDs out there who don't know what we do, but at the places I have worked(rehab., outpatient, home care, school, preschool, long term care), the MD is not the only referring source. The nurses, teachers, OTs, and SLPs have all referred patients to me in these various settings. Developing a good relationship to them and letting them see what I can do for their patients has led to these referrals increasing. Working within the medical model(or the educational one) rather than trying to impose a purely occupational model on them has also helped strengthen these working relationships, as we are all "talking the same language" On a different note, in your reply to Irene, you state: 1. I believe OT may be in danger of being 'swallowed up' if we don't make some fundamental changes 2. I love OT and hate to see it disappear What evidence do you have that either of these things is happening, or that PT thriving in their profession is going to result in OTs demise? Ann *********��*********** Unsubscribe? Send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the message's *body*, put the following text: unsubscribe OTlist ** List messages are archived at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] *********��***********
