Hey Chuck, Thanks for writing and clarifying!!
I think I understand that in situations like the one below, there is a belief that this is a victory against encroachment. This being because AOTA and most OT's see 'function', especially relating to ADL's, as the primary domain of OT. Am I correct? My feeling is that while the Illinois PT's did change the language, the changes have no real impact on how they practice. As I read the below legislature, PT's are still well within the law to treat functional issues, even ones resulting from *mental* impairments. Also, I thing the term "rehabilitative procedure" can be construed to mean "functional training". It sounds like many people rallied to make a difference. While not wanting to take away from their efforts, I just don't see how the removal of a vague and nebulous term, i.e. "functional training" is going to make much impact on how anyone practices. Shoot, even the term "disability" can be construed as having to do with "function". Or at least according to how the World Health Organizations defines disability. Thanks, Ron P.S. Just to clarify, in my opinion, the term 'function' is vague and has no real meaning. I've heard therapists talk about function with regards to everything from how elbows do or don't work to how a person transfers. Unless "function" is further delineated, it's impossible to know what is being described. ----- Original Message ----- From: Charles Willmarth <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, July 05, 2005 To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subj: [OTlist] Illinois Practitioners? CW> Ron, CW> I think you need to look at the full context of how "functional CW> limitations" is used the definition. CW> (B) Alleviating impairments, functional limitations, or disabilities CW> by designing, implementing, and modifying therapeutic interventions CW> that may include, but are not limited to, the evaluation or CW> treatment of a person through the use of the effective properties of CW> physical measures and heat, cold, light, water, radiant energy, CW> electricity, sound, and air and use of therapeutic massage, CW> therapeutic exercise, mobilization, and rehabilitative procedures, CW> with or without assistive devices, for the purposes of preventing, CW> correcting, or alleviating a physical or mental impairment, CW> functional limitation, or disability. CW> During negotiations we suggested that "functional training" be CW> replaced with "functional training related to movement and mobility" CW> or a variation of that phrase. The PTs offered to pull functional CW> training from the definition altogether. CW> The PT legislation had already passed the House and the Senate (two CW> bills crossed over). Getting an amendment like this at the last CW> minute was an accomplishment and demonstrated that IOTA has built CW> strong relationships in the legislature. OT practitioners in CW> Illinois sent emails and called their legislators when asked and CW> this had a definite impact. CW> Chuck >>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 7/2/2005 4:10:55 AM >>> CW> Hello: CW> Is anyone on the list from Illinois? CW> The most recent AOTA Scope of Practice Update mentions the Illinois CW> OT CW> Assoc's recent 'victory' at getting the language of the State's CW> PT CW> Practice Act changed. >>From what I can tell, the OT's got the PT's to remove the CW> words CW> "functional training" from the the proposed legislation but the CW> approved CW> legislation still has words relating to treatment of CW> "functional CW> limitations". CW> While I don't necessarily agree that "functional training" is CW> OT's CW> personal domain, I don't see how the above change makes much CW> difference. CW> Maybe someone will help me. CW> The PT Practice Act can be read here: CW> http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/94/SB/PDF/09400SB0930lv.pdf CW> Ron CW> -- CW> Unsubscribe? CW> [EMAIL PROTECTED] CW> Change options? CW> www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com CW> Archive? CW> www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] CW> Help? CW> [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Unsubscribe? [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] Help? [EMAIL PROTECTED]
