Hello Chris: Boy, I can 'feel' your pain. In fact, I have live your pain. Recently on an AOTA list, someone asked about occupation-based practice. Here was my response, maybe it will help:
************************************************************************ I suggest starting with an occupation-based assessment.... the COPM comes to mind. Once occupational deficits are identified, you can then identify underlying issues contributing to these deficits. After this, devise a treatment plan to treat those deficits most inhibiting occupational performance and that are reasonably treatable within the time frame that you have to work with your clients. Then, get to work!! Use the COPM to measure your progress and for outcomes. One word of caution.... The above plan will move you out of your comfort zone of working on UE stuff. You will find yourself working on mobility-related issues much more than UE stuff. Don't let the PT's get in your way... they are gait experts but YOU are the mobility expert.... or you soon will be!! <grin> In 1997, I was in the same position that you find yourself.... One book changed my whole professional life. That book, "Enabling Occupation: An Occupational Therapy Perspective" is a MUST read for anyone wanting to practice occupation-based therapy. Ron Carson ************************************************************************ ----- Original Message ----- From: Chris Smith <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, July 01, 2005 To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subj: [OTlist] CS> The article in advance was just pathetic. I am struggling with CS> whether or not to continue working in a rather nice SNF actually. CS> The problem is the mind set of the other OTR who is the rehab CS> director and the two COTAs who I supervise. Their whole focus is CS> upper body strengthening with theraband and ADLs serve as the CS> purposeful activity. While I hear about occupation from those "on CS> high," who is really using purposeful activity in LTC. Please CS> contact me and tell me what you are doing. My residents basically CS> have no interests. They eat and sleep. Most don't read because they CS> say they can't see and many don't watch TV either. I think the more CS> active people stay healthy and in their own homes. The couch CS> potatoes end up in LTC ill, depressed and unmotivated. I really am CS> disillusioned with the entire profession--we are too many things to CS> too many people and end up being expendable by the health care world CS> since no one knows what we do . We don't even know. I am tired of CS> the struggle--maybe I should just go back to school to be a PTA or a CS> nurse. TGIF. Chris CS> _______________________________________________ CS> Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com CS> The most personalized portal on the Web! -- Unsubscribe? [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] Help? [EMAIL PROTECTED]
