Hello All: Interesting thread. The University of Toronto had a joint OT/PT diploma program (the diploma is the equivalent of the Bachelor's in OT today in my opinion). This program ended sometime in the 1970s to the best of my information. On occasion I have spoken to some of the joint program graduates who work as OTs, and based on their feedback I gained the impression that in various settings and populations e.g. acute care, geriatrics, pediatrics etc. the combined training is extremely helpful. And I can understand why it would be, because each approach has strengths of its own and OT in particular has a highly holistic and individually client centred approach. This is not to say that PT does not subscribe to the latter but the kinds of issues we look at as OTs more often than not are particular to the individual for a variety of reasons, but most importantly because we are looking at function and performance. Both of which derive from the client interacting or mediating with environmental variables. In addition there are issues deriving the client's ethnic background, the way they were raised to perform a particular activity, or simply because they prefer doing certain activities in a certain way because that is how they figured it out, or that is what is meaningful to them etc. For this reason while PTs may work with as diverse a population as we do, yet they may focus on the same issues with different clients, and are more likely to use similar approaches with each client. In fact the PTs strategy may vary but the focus of their intervention would remain the same, for example promoting balance in a client; increasing endurance for walking etc. Clearly my perspective of PT is definitely limited, but I believe the specific focus of PT on what we call performance components does make their focus less varied in their work with clients. In fact I don't think PTs have the philosophical grounding which OTs do because they (to the best of my knowledge) consistently focus on the tangible (one major reason that PT is more easily comprehensible to the public at large; especially when compared to OT).
Given these and other differences, I am still of the opinion that having a combined degree is definitely better. In taking a fixed position with regards to one's own profession, no matter how much it means to us, the bottom line for the majority of us is the marketability of our skills and the ability to forge a career out of those skills. If a combined degree gives us this advantage then I would certainly go for it. Speaking for myself if I had the opportunity to go for a combined degree knowing what I know now I would utilize my PT knowledge base and skills through an OT mindset. And I would develop a varied intervention approach depending on the kind of issue I was looking at. In fact it would not surprise me if the joint OT/PT program incorporates this kind of reasoning (when to use which skill set and when to emphasise which aspect of their training) in its curriculum. I believe each profession has its place and strengths, and as OTs we are known for our problem-solving skills. If having a PT credential alongwith the OT credential expands my repertoire of serving clients better and increases my ability to problem-solve, while at the same time enhancing my professional marketability I would jump at such an opportunity. Sorry if I seem to be rambling on, its been a long day!!! :-)) Best, Biraj P.S.: One comment I cannot help making is that if we believe that the most significant aspect of our profession which sets us apart from PT is that we can work in mental health also, then I am afraid we have missed the point of our profession. In fact if we subscribe to this viewpoint then we are already thinking like PTs I am afraid. And I say this as someone who works in mental health. Sue Hossack wrote: > Carol, > > You ask about whether this is indeed happening - At the school I am at such a dual > program is offered and 3 of the 5 OT students in my class are doing it, with plenty >of > others doing so in higher classes. Students take the MOT first, then take another > year to get the PT classes. I am an OT student myself and have no interest in the PT > side of things, I am making a career change and am very focussed on becoming an OT, > but so many people are pushing the dual that I am beginning to wonder if I will be > able to get a job as a 'plain ol' OT' when I graduate :-) > > One of my classmate was having some doubts about it but she talked to one of the > graduates of the program who is now happily working, and came away with the >impression > that not only is it great to have both skills but the money and job opportunites are > much better. > > I am inclined to think that is an exageration, and I don't myself see what the > attraction is. PT seems not only to require a different skill, but it has a different > focus. I would worry that by trying to be all things to all people those with a >dual > degree might not have as much emphasis on occupation-based therapy as a 'pure' OT > would. WIll this trend lead to a diminution of the occupation focus of our practise? > > So, are there jobs out there that put an emphasis on having both skills? Can you be > trained in both and be an expert in two fields? Or do therapists with dual degress >end > up practising onlyone of their skill sets? Should I as a prosective therapist worry > about not having PT skills? > > Thanks > > Sue Hossack > > Carol Gwin wrote: > > > I generally lurk on this listserv, but feel compelled to jump in. First > > Ron, what data do you have that this is happening? With OT going to a > > Master's level and PT to a Doctorate, I cannot imagine this will happen > > much. The Canadians did have the dual degree, but gave it up because > > invariably the person ended up specializing in one field over the other (not > > doing both). Additionally, there is such a tremendous body of knowledge > > in both fields that I believe it would take an exceptional person to be > > competent in both. We are very different professions and I agree with Rayya > > that OTs knowledge in mental health does set us apart from PT. However, our > > focus on occupation sets us apart even more and I have no desire to do PT. > > Years ago there was some talk coming out of a few think tanks to merge the > > professions, but obviously that was not embraced by either APTA or AOTA. As > > OTs we need to focus on what we do best and advance the science of > > occupation. If we do our jobs well, there will be no talk of merging or > > becoming both an OT and PT and more people will want to become OTs because > > it is a profession that makes a difference in people's lives. > > Carol Gwin > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Sent: Friday, May 17, 2002 08:51 > > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Subject: Re: Dualy Licensed (i.e. OT/PT) Therapists > > > > I think it could make for a strong therapist working in a physical > > setting at it's most positive possibility (being optimistic rather than > > realistic) but I really wonder how they retain the mental health aspect > > which to me is the best thing about OT training - the fact that it > > covers both (here in the UK at least) > > > > Rayya Ghul > > > > On Thu, 16 May 2002 12:29:20 -0400 Ron Carson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > wrote: > > > > > Hello: > > > > > > Can I ask for readers' feedback on the trend of some students becoming > > > trained and licensed as both OT and PT. > > > > > > What are the advantages/disadvantages to the OT profession? > > > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > Ron > > > > > > *********��*********** > > > > > > Unsubscribe? 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