I always say that occupation is any meaningful activity, that it has to be something the client wants to do since they are the only ones who can say what is meaningful to them. I go on to give examples too, but I don't limit it to self care skills, I talk about hobbies, leaisure, etc. In the school system I explain that for a child it means learning, play, being able to get ready for school, being independent in the bathroom and cafeteria while in school.
As to the idea that the OT profession is fixated on medical model, Ron, where is your research? or is this anecdotal evidence? : :-) . We are researched-based practitioners (right, Dr Lehman?:-) As in any profession there are good practitioners and bad, and it also depends on the client population, you are mostly seeing geriatric (I think). I have seen both medical model and occupational-based OT, even in my limited experience. In my second field work I did vocational rehab/assistive technology, that was pure OT, getting someone to be able to do a job, sometimes for the first time in their life. it had nothing to do with arms either, most of the clients had disorders such as vision impairments, hearing problems, learning disabilities, one had arthrogryposis which is not something I could 'fix' but I could find ways to help him become an architect. In my current job I am seeing a wide variety of clients, from early intervention, through school system, to home health. I am working with a young man with dyslexia, no cones needed there! (BTW, in the school system everyone seems to think OT is for fine-motor improvement)
So don't give up hope Ron, there are lots of OTs practising Occupational therapy, but maybe you are just not meeting them ;-(
Sue
Krauss Alice wrote:
Thank you. Well stated.
-----Original Message----- From: Ron Carson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, February 13, 2004 4:38 PM To: Krauss Alice Subject: Re[4]: [OTnow] Response when you explain OT
Occupation: "An activity in which one engages"
Source: Webster's Collegiate Dictionary , 10th edition
Now, I always give examples of occupations such as brushing teeth, bathing, etc and tell clients that what matters most to OT's is that they are able to perform their occupations in a way that is safe, satisfactory and meaningful to them. I really want clients to know that the word occupation has a different meaning other than 'vocation' and this is why we call ourselves occupational therapists.
Additionally, I sometimes explain to clients that while all occupations have personal meaning (by definition), most insurance companies are only concerned with a very limited range of occupations. For example, Medicare doesn't care if a client can play lawn darts, but the do care if a client can't access their bathroom.
I even include the word occupation in my reports to doctors.
Ron
======================================================= On Friday, February 13, 2004, @ 1:30 PM, you wrote:
KA> Ron, You stated earlier that you use the dictionary definition. Would you KA> share exactly which one you have found to be most useful/understandable. KA> Thank you.
KA> -----Original Message----- KA> From: Ron Carson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] KA> Sent: Friday, February 13, 2004 9:27 AM KA> To: David KA> Subject: Re[2]: [OTnow] Response when you explain OT
KA> I don't know why, but I seem hung up on telling clients about the meaning of KA> occupation. It just seems that if they have something 'tangible' to hang on KA> to, like a definition, that they might more easily remember what it is that KA> OT does.
KA> Additionally, I would really like to see our profession, at all levels, KA> embrace the word occupation in its advertising and practice.
KA> Thanks
KA> Ron
KA> ======================================================= KA> On Thursday, February 12, 2004, @ 3:00 PM, you wrote:
I say: My job is to help you to do the things you want to be doing.
For the patients, it is very clear, and different for everyone. Estelle
breines
D>> Right on, Estelle!....these are exactly the same words I use too; and it KA> is D>> amazing to see what a difference it makes for the person when they KA> realise D>> you don't want to just take over and tell them what to do... D>> David
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