Hello Dave: I understand and agree with your first paragraph!
Regarding the second para... Function is a nebulous term. When I say PT are experts in function, I mean that they are experts in how the body functions with regard to movement. I didn't that in my original message but I should have. The term function is meaningless unless it's combined with what some TYPE of function: For example: Joint function, muscle function, neurological function, human function, environmental function, occupational function, daily function.... yada yada, yada. All of these refer to function. Seems to me to say that "we are experts in function" really say's nothing at all! But to say, "we are experts in physical function", says a lot. Ron ===============<Original Message>=============== On 3/8/2005, Lehman, David <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> said: LD> My take on the comments about defining OT and getting the word LD> out to the clinical world of OT is that there seems to be some LD> ignorance on what OT is, by OTs, PTs, helath professionals, and LD> perhapd greedy health care companies who need to define PT/OT so LD> they can make more money through billing). Second, it seems OTs in LD> the clinic are not up to speed on what is (or should be) taught in LD> the academic world and therefore are resistant to change the way LD> they practice. Maybe also, the PTs/OTs in the clinic are not given LD> the time nor perhaps do they have the will of effort to read the LD> literature and change the way they practice. LD> Does this make sense, Ron. LD> We are dealing with the same issues in PT. LD> One more comment about what Jimmie said about function. PTs LD> should be using a model of disablement to define their treatment LD> goals and efforts. We are to address impairments that lead to LD> functional decline which therefore lead to disability. So, to say LD> PTs are experts of function is NOT correct as our efforts should be LD> on addressing impairments (i.e. strength, RO, balance, etc) which LD> will in turn improve functions such as bed mobility, transfers, LD> gait, etc... Of course we work on function but PTs that do not LD> identify impairments and just have the patients perform the function LD> (i.e. walk the patient down the hall), then they are perhaps working LD> at the wrong level and succumbing to working with compensation, not LD> improving the quality of the function. -- Unsubscribe? [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] Help? [EMAIL PROTECTED]
