During my last gerontology class, I discussed occupation and occupational therapy with the PT/OT students. For one hour, students asked me questions about occupational therapy. They asked the typical questions like why I chose OT, and more difficult questions about combining the professions, the differences between OT and PT and the differences between OT and social work. So, for one hour I talked about occupation and OT's primary role. I tried to explain differences and similarities between OT and PT using a theoretical and occupational perspective.
The following day an OT student came to me and said a PT classmate told her that PT treats occupation and said something like: "PT already writes goals about self-care and community re-integration. We write goals like "client will dress self independently, etc." I told the student to not be overly worried about what someone "says" they do. Instead, I told the student, look at what they are licensed and trained to do. But my real concern is that somewhere, somehow this PT has learned that they teach clients dressing skills, community management etc. The belief that PT addresses and treats these areas is pervasive. Even web pages such as our's state: "The physical therapist may also assess the functioning of the client in the home, community, workplace & the athletic environment." All of this rhetoric paints what I consider a very scary picture that I believe we need to take action against. Because the day 3rd party payers believe that PT is better skilled at client's functioning in the home, community and workplace will be the day that they will be unwilling to pay for OT services. I guess we can argue that PT is not trained to do the type of things required to facilitate occupational independence in the home, community, etc but their professional organization, educators and students seem to think differently. And while we can say they aren't, that won't really stop them from changing the law (i.e. state practice acts) that says they can. Dave Clark and I have drafted an RA motion that requires AOTA to monitor and report on encroachment in OT practice domains. In part, this motion states: --------------------- quote --------------------- 4. Persons receiving health care must be assured that the aspects of occupational therapy will be delivered by competent, well-educated and well-trained individuals. 5. Many occupational therapists have deviated from the tenants of our profession and instead have incorporated other professional practices and techniques into their own practice, thus diluting the practice and longstanding aspects of occupational therapy. Other health care professions are embracing the theories of occupation and activities and are using these aspects to their own betterment. 6. Recent years have seen the shifting of other health care professions toward the tenants of occupational therapy for economic or other reasons. They do not have the education nor the skill to perform what we, as occupational therapists, know and have been taught. ----------------- end quote ----------------------- If you are interested, you can view and comment on the above motion at the following page: http://www.aota.org/webboard/wbpx.dll/~ra/login Once you are on the page, simply click on the box that says "guest" Ron *********��*********** 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/otlist@;otnow.com *********��***********
