First, a short introduction -- I'm in my last year of OT school (Bachelors program, getting MEd though at the same time) in Cincinnati, OH; I've been lurking for awhile, and about a year ago, I posted a couple of things to the OT list. . .but school and time got away from me that I wasn't very faithful at visiting the website too often.
Anyway, Ron, I felt sad reading your rant :-(. I'm just wondering if you notice how your clients react to using occupation. Do they "get it?" What are some common benefits that your clients have commented about after you use occupation with them. Have they ever compared OT and PT. . . do they see the difference? Just curious. .. pretty loaded questions...just curious about everyone's thoughts.
Thanks!
Mara
>From: Ron Carson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Reply-To: [email protected]
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: [OTlist] Long Rant about OT
>Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2005 23:20:20 -0500
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>What follow is a copy of my response to a message that was posted on
>an AOTA listserve about a marketing company claiming that PT's are
>experts in human function.
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>WARNING! LONG RANT WITH LOTS OF PERSONAL OPINION FOLLOWS - PROCEED WITH
>CAUTION....
>
>In my opinion, PT's are much more expert at human function (what ever
>that means) than OT's ever will be. Generally, PT's are better trained
>in human function than OT's because PT's receive training in more
>modalities and body areas than the vast majority of OTs. Some will say
>that PT's aren't trained in phsych-soc, but from my teaching experience
>that is no longer true! I think it's time for OT to realize our place
>compared to PT!
>
>PT' have clout, they have recognition and most importantly, they have
>ACCESS!!!! They have clout because they have tons of research supporting
>what they do! They have recognition because they have a bunch of PT's
>running around tooting their horns! They have access to home health
>(often times when OT doesn't), they have access to CORF's (where OT is
>NOT a required therapy) and I believe that they will soon have direct
>access to Medicare patients! In the field of medicine/rehab, PT's rule
>the roost!
>
>How did it get this way? What were AOTA, State organizations and
>individual practitioners doing during this past 100 years to let this
>happen? I don't know!
>
>Does it need to be this way? Nope!
>
>What can we do? I say that we focus on our expertise! What is that, you
>say? Our expertise is occupation! If you don't believe me, look at what
>AOTA say's in the new Framework!
>
>quote> Occupational therapists? and occupational therapy assistants?
>quote> expertise lies in their knowledge of occupation and how engaging
>quote> in occupations can be used to affect human performance and the
>quote> effects of disease and disability.
>
>But, almost no where else in the world, does anyone recognize the term
>occupation as it relates to the significance of doing daily human
>activity. We are experts in something that on the surface, doesn't seem
>to mean a whole lot to a whole lot of people. So, what do we do!
>
>I often feel that OT is stuck between a rock and hard place.... in my
>mind there is NO perfect solution. However, it does seem that right now,
>the OT profession is spinning lots of mud and getting nowhere fast!
>
>I am staunch believer in OT, but I am also a realist! I have a company
>called HOPE Therapy. HOPE = Health, Occupational Performance and
>Empowerment. I have the words "OT" and an OT logo emblazoned on my shirt
>sleeve and on my chest. Everyday, I go to see clients, I face the same
>battle. "So you're a PT". I use the COPM as frequently as I can; I talk
>about occupation and I try to practice occupation. I don't have
>equipment, I don't use cones, putty, thera-band, etc. But everyday, it's
>the same battle - trying to practice occupation in a non-occupational
>world! I just doesn't seem to fit!!! At least it doesn't seem to fit in
>the medical, third-party payment system!
>
>Well, this is the end to a long rant from the middle of nowhere!
>
>Ron C.
>
>
>
>===============<Original Message>===============
>
>On 3/7/2005, admin-sis Listmanager <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> said:
>
>asL> "[PT's] know they are the experts in human function".
>
>
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