Hello Sandi: I believe that group treatment can be either a very positive or a very negative experience. The primary determiner of the experience is not the clients, it is the therapist. I have done and seen many group treatments. For the most part, these groups held little therapeutic value for the clients - in fact, sometimes the groups were harmful to clients. Additionally, while group treatment has it roots in psychosocial settings, I believe that most rehab settings use group treatment because it is easier for therapists.
The primary purpose of running any group treatment should be for the therapeutic benefit group dynamics. Additionally, ALL clients in the group should have a medical necessity for these benefits. Keep in mind, that there should be something that therapeutically happens in a group treatment that without the group would otherwise not happen. The benefit of group treatment is the dynamic interchange between group members. A group that is well planned, consists of medically necessary clients, and is well moderated offers tremendous challenge and reward for both clients and therapists. The further a therapists moves away from focusing on the group dynamics benefit of their treatment group, the further they are moving away from the therapeutic benefits of a group. Ron ================================================================= On Saturday, April 3, 2004, you wrote: SF> Hi All! SF> I am a COTA at an ALF/SNF facility for a contract facility....just started SF> accepting Med A pts. I have done groups previously in Med A setting and SF> enjoy them. I have been asked to instruct different SNF's on types of SF> groups. I have been told the reason groups are not used is pt's are too low SF> level to participate. I believe if the group is set up correctly, and an SF> appropriate group is used, it is a great experience both for the SF> practitioner and the patient. SF> What is everyone's feelings on the utilization of groups? SF> Why do you use them....Why don't you? SF> It's an informal talk that I am giving, and started some handouts: SF> How to bill, medicare allowable minutes, types of groups, and a small list SF> of activities for various cognitive levels. I tried to include a small SF> sampling of groups that also include PT and speech, as they will also be SF> attending. I was hoping you can help me add to my group activities, and I SF> will be happy to share too....and those PT's (and maybe even ST's) that are SF> on the list serve...I would LOVE your input, as I am kind of guessing on SF> appropriate activities. SF> I have: SF> Wheelchair Mobility Group (OT/PT) SF> Advanced Gait Group (OT/PT) SF> Balance Group ((OT/PT) SF> Cooking Group (OT/ST) SF> Home Safety Group (OT/PT) SF> Fine Motor Coordination Group (OT) SF> Posture Group (OT/PT) SF> ROM Group (OT/PT) SF> Strengthening Group (OT/PT) SF> Cognitive Group (OT/ST) SF> That way everyone has a small sampling of types of groups. Included in each SF> group is criteria, small sampling of activities, equipment, and group goals. SF> I will list everything in my advanced gait group because I believe that is a SF> group that people would tend to say it is primairly PT...... :) SF> ADVANCED GAIT (high level group) SF> Criteria: SF> Ambulate with or without assistive device with min supervision SF> Able to follow directions with min v/c's SF> No evidence of vertigo or orthostatic hypotension SF> Ability to maintain correct weight bearing status SF> Example of Activities: SF> Timed Ambulation SF> Obstacle Course SF> Courtyard Ambulation SF> Treasure Hunt SF> Question/Answer session on use of assistive devices SF> Verbal Instruction/Correction when performing activities SF> Equipment: SF> Assistive Devices (if needed) SF> Adaptive Equipment(if needed) (ie: reacher, walker basket/bags) SF> Gait Belts SF> Stopwatch SF> Obstacles (stairs, cones, slopes, different terrain, etc.) SF> List of items to find during courtyard ambulation/treasure hunt SF> Group Goals: SF> Increase functional mobility SF> Instruct/Increase safety awareness during ambulation SF> Decrease gait deviations SF> Increase gait velocity SF> Improve community ambulation skills SF> Demo proper gait pattern and use of assistive device SF> Demo/Instruct safe use of assistive device and adaptive equipment SF> Anyone have any ideas in any categories in any group listed above? I would SF> love for everyone to share group ideas that have worked for them! SF> Thanks for your input SF> Sandi SF> _______________________________________________ SF> To unsubscribe, visit: SF> http://otnow.com/mailman/listinfo/otlist_otnow.com SF> The OTnow Mail Archive: SF> www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________________ To unsubscribe, visit: http://otnow.com/mailman/listinfo/otlist_otnow.com The OTnow Mail Archive: www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] ==============================================
