Amen, Joe! You asked: "How many of us in the US will welcome the mandatory state or national association membership along with a yearly 'recertification' process by the NBCOT, similar to the Canadian system?"
I would! And, I absolutely agree with you that the Canadians have it right. In fact, you beat me to stating that (I was going to post a message stating this same thing). Thanks for sharing this thought. How feasible do you think this would be to implement in the U.S.? I sure hope that many more of us, including our leadership will get on board with this notion. Bill Maloney, OTR [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Send OTlist mailing list submissions to > [email protected] > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, > visit > http://otnow.com/mailman/listinfo/otlist_otnow.com > or, via email, send a message with subject or body > 'help' to > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > You can reach the person managing the list at > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it > is more specific > than "Re: Contents of OTlist digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: The Public Occupational Therapy Journal - > OccupationalTherapy and Evidence Based > Practice (Joe Wells) > 2. Re: OTlist Digest, Vol 15, Issue 8 (Joe Wells) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sun, 23 Apr 2006 17:19:26 -0400 > From: "Joe Wells" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Re: [OTlist] The Public Occupational > Therapy Journal - > OccupationalTherapy and Evidence Based Practice > To: <[email protected]> > Message-ID: > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; > charset="iso-8859-1"; > reply-type=original > > Congratulations Urs! Sites like yours are much > needed by the OT community. I > wish you and the other organizers the very best and > congratulate you on a > work well done. > > Joe Wells > www.americare-health.com > www.f-cot.org > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Urs Albisser" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Sunday, April 23, 2006 8:38 AM > Subject: [OTlist] The Public Occupational Therapy > Journal - > OccupationalTherapy and Evidence Based Practice > > > > Hi OT's, > > > > I am working in the neurological department of a > rehabilitation clinic in > > Switzerland. I have built a new international > community website named 'The > > Public Occupational Therapy Journal' the goal of > which is to bring > > together > > the knowledge of clinical expertise and evidence > based practice in > > occupational therapy. Well, now the site is ready > for use and accessible > > on: > > > > www.ot.public-journal.com > > > > Because it's a new site there are only a few > contributions added as yet, > > but > > you can change all that if you take part actively! > > > > Discussion forums: > > It would be great if you could take part in > numerous discussions in the > > 'Occupational Therapy Forum' and/or the forum > concerning Evidence Based > > Practice. > > > > Downloads: > > As mentioned above, the aim of the site is to > bring together knowledge > > relating to occupational therapy -perhaps you have > written professional > > articles or have given a lecture relating to O.T. > you would like to > > submit. > > You can upload entire documents in the download > section to provide them to > > other OT's. > > So do profit yourself with the knowledge from > documents uploaded by other > > OT's and they will certainly appreciate your > articles, presentations or > > any > > other specific professional documents too! > > (Important: Please check the copyright of the > documents before you upload > > them. If necessary get the approval prior to > publishing/copying etc - Only > > the owner of the copyright decides on what happens > with his or her > > document). > > > > News: > > Do you have some news relating to occupational > therapy? Post them for free > > to one of the following topics: > > | Articles | Books | Downloads | Education | > Events | Jobs | News | > > Projects > > | > > > > Links: > > Do you know interesting OT websites? If so, you > can add them to our link > > module. Or if you are an owner of a website > yourself then it would be > > great > > if you could in turn link back to us. Please help > to make The Public > > Occupational Therapy Journal known. Thank you very > much! > > > > > > If you would like to let me know what you think > about the website, I'd be > > very pleased to get your feedback. > > > > Thank you in advance. > > > > Best regards, > > > > Urs Albisser > > > > > > -- > > Unsubscribe? > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > Change options? > > www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com > > > > Archive? > > www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > > > Help? > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Sun, 23 Apr 2006 17:45:59 -0400 > From: "Joe Wells" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Re: [OTlist] OTlist Digest, Vol 15, Issue 8 > To: <[email protected]> > Message-ID: > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; > charset="iso-8859-1"; > reply-type=original > > How many of us in the US will welcome the mandatory > state or national > association membership along with an yearly > 'recertification' process by the > NBCOT, similar to the Canadian system? > Currently, the cost of AOTA membership is $225.00. > With 35,000 members, AOTA > receives revenues in the amount of approximately $ > 7,875,000.00 through > membership dues. If all practicing OT and OTAs > (~115,000) were manadated to > become members, the same amount of revenues could be > generated by charging > less than $70.00 per individual. Again the costs > such as maintaining an > online library etc. would drive down due to > increased sharing. I was told > that an institution that had approximately 200 > members were required to pay > $ 12,000.00 per year to access the OVID Gateway > (Medline, ACP, Cochrane, > CINAHL, Medline, OVID all included). However, > individual access costs around > $ 250.00 yearly. I am assuming that with mandatory > membership we could bring > the governance process under one umbrella, better > serve membership interests > and have a more unified existence at a much lower > cost to the practitioners. > In my opinion the Canadians have it right again! > Joe > > > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Bill Maloney" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Sunday, April 23, 2006 12:09 AM > Subject: Re: [OTlist] OTlist Digest, Vol 15, Issue 8 > > > > Ok, I've been sitting on the sidelines for a bit, > but > > now must speak up. Chuck, regarding a few of the > > "eight elements viewed as relevant to a shared > vision" > > from the "Proposed Centennial Vision Statement" > you > > detailed in Vol 15, Issue 8: > > > > "3. Membership equals professional responsibility" > > > > How about we start by unifying our professional > > competence governance (in reference to one of the > "six > > barriers" identified in the proposal "4. > Inconsistent > > competencies for education and practice") I pay > dues > > to the AOTA, get access (albeit LIMITED - more > about > > this later) to the "members only" section of the > > website. Then, to legally use the designation of > OTR, > > which I initially earned after passing the > > certification exam (issued originally by the AOTA > > prior to its historic, and well-publicized battle > with > > what's now the separate entity known as the NBCOT) > I > > pay an extra $60.00 biennially. Come on. > > Professional responsibility indeed. What about > the > > responsibility of the leadership to it's paying > > members? > > > > Then, from the "six barriers identified" we have: > > "3. Limited appeal of AOTA membership" > > > > Well, for starters refer to the above information. > > Can you tell me why any responsible consumer would > be > > attracted to pay into such a chaotic and > non-cohesive > > organization? We can't even agree amongst our own > > colleagues as to how to credential and identify > our > > practitioners: we have OTR, LOT, OT/L, OTA/L, > COTA, > > LOTA, LOTR. Are you kidding me? Professional > > identity indeed! Check out our colleagues on the > > other side of the isle, and chances are you'll > find > > one designation: PT or SLP----period. > > > > It is a little surreal to read all of the > > "cheerleading" and well-meaning pseudo-positive > > statements from the leadership individuals posting > to > > this list. I suggest we cease with all the > political > > rhetoric and posturing and start by unifying our > > profession once again, present a TRUE united > front, > > then build a plan to be a relevant player in the > > healthcare environment. I mean seriously, did > > everyone read the same posting from Chuck that I > did? > > Is it me, or is it fraught with useless committee > > lingo? No offense intended to anyone, but can we > > please see some real results before imploring > > practitioners to "be responsible" by joining? > > > > And finally, my last rant: > > Under the "Four strategic directions emerged after > a > > careful analysis of barriers and opportunities" > > section: > > "1. Building the capacity to fulfill the > profession's > > potential and mission." > > > > One of the bullet points is "* Increasing research > > capacity and productivity" > > > > When I log in as a member on the AOTA website, and > > attempt to access the "OT Search" feature, I find > that > > I must pay an additional $75/year (since I am a > > member, but would pay $200.00/year if I weren't) > to > > fully use the research capabilities on the site. > So, > > if I choose to use the designation of OTR, (for > which > > I felt I initially "earned" the right to use) I > pay > > $60.00 biennially to another entity to do so. If > I > > elect to be an AOTA member, I pay $225.00 > annually. > > If I want to access research capabilities in the > > comfort of my own home on the website for which I > > purchased a membership I pay an additional $75.00. > > Anyone? > > > > Perhaps I should consider involvement in our > > profession on a leadership level. It's not been > an > > interest of mine for quite some time, but when I > look > > from the sidelines at the state of our profession, > and > > wonder almost daily if I will continue to be proud > of > > my profession for the remainder of my career, it > > almost feels inevitable. > > > > > > > > --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > > >> Send OTlist mailing list submissions to > >> [email protected] > >> > >> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide > Web, > >> visit > >> > http://otnow.com/mailman/listinfo/otlist_otnow.com > >> or, via email, send a message with subject or > body > >> 'help' to > >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >> > >> You can reach the person managing the list at > >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >> > >> When replying, please edit your Subject line so > it > >> is more specific > >> than "Re: Contents of OTlist digest..." > >> > >> > >> Today's Topics: > >> > >> 1. Re: questions (Ron Carson) > >> 2. Re: questions (Charles Willmarth) > >> 3. Re: questions (Joe Wells) > >> 4. Re: questions (Ron Carson) > >> > >> > >> > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > >> > >> Message: 1 > >> Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2006 22:40:47 -0400 > >> From: Ron Carson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> Subject: Re: [OTlist] questions > >> To: Joe Wells <[email protected]> > >> Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > >> > >> Joe, this is toooooo good!!! > >> > >> What is the battle? > >> > >> =============================================== > >> Monday, April 17, 2006, > >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > >> > >> > Choose your battle, select your general, > >> gather your logistics, > >> > declare war and.....fight! If you lose, at > least > >> you lose trying. > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> ------------------------------ > >> > >> Message: 2 > >> Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2006 23:25:48 -0400 > >> From: "Charles Willmarth" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> Subject: Re: [OTlist] questions > >> To: <[email protected]> > >> Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII > >> > >> Ron, > >> > >> Check out this page on APTA's website: > >> > > > http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Search&template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=8895 > >> > >> Click on the link "letter." > >> > >> Chuck > >> > >> >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 04/19/06 10:03 PM >>> > >> Hello Chuck, thanks for writing. There are > so > >> many things in your > >> message that it's difficult to respond to them > all. > >> So, I guess that I > >> will just pick a couple topics. > >> > >> For one, I don't blame AOTA for everything wrong > >> with our profession. > >> I don't really blame them for anything, I just > >> don't agree with some > >> of what does and doesn't go one. Obviously, I > know > >> NOTHING about the > >> inner workings of AOTA, all I know is what I > read, > >> either as official > >> documentation or through non-official channels. > I > >> base my opinion of > >> AOTA on these sources. I have no doubt that > >> AOTA is full of hard > >> working people, and I am not knocking anyone for > >> doing their job. But, > >> I do have a difference of opinion about some > >> things and I certainly > >> feel that voicing that opinion is appropriate. > >> > >> Your below message reiterates that OT is > ideally > >> suited to meet the > >> needs of people of all ages, however, I again > take > >> great exception to > >> this statement. Many factors stand in the way of > OT > >> being able to meet > >> peoples needs. Off the top of my head, here are a > >> couple: > >> > >> 1. Lack of unity within our profession > >> 2. Lack of name recognition among payers and > >> referral sources > >> 3. Lack of consistency in service delivery > >> 4. Lack of consistency between philosophical base > >> and service delivery > >> environment > >> > >> Chuck, I don't think that AOTA is to blame for > >> these problems. I do > >> think, however, that when AOTA leaders > >> continually focus on the > >> positive aspects of our profession to the > >> exclusion of the negative, > >> then they are painting a false picture and > doing a > >> disservice to our > >> profession. > >> > >> For example, a while back, APTA was pushing > >> hard to gain Medicare > >> direct access. In the process, AOTA took a stand > >> basically saying that > >> if PT gets direct access, then so should OT and > SLP. > >> APTA took this as > >> AOTA was not supporting them. The APTA president > >> really came down hard > >> on AOTA saying that they were reevaluating > their > >> relationship with > >> AOTA. Now, AOTA was great about disseminating > >> information about what > >> how they had gone to bat for our > profession > >> but they never once > >> publicly mentioned the dissension between APTA > and > >> AOTA. I think this > >> is wrong and that AOTA should have let us know > the > >> entire story, but > >> they didn't. PT's knew about it because it > was > >> on their web page. > >> Thus, PT's in the work force knew. I'm sure > there > >> were many OT's who > >> were caught off guard by the situation, whereas > had > >> AOTA told us about > >> it and posted some information, then OT's could > >> have probably taken a > >> more informed stand. > >> > >> Thanks, > >> > >> Ron > >> > >> ========================================== > >> Monday, April 17, 2006, 11:13:56 AM, you wrote: > >> > >> > Ron, > >> > >> > I hope that you will reconsider renewing your > >> membership in AOTA and > >> your state association. > >> > >> > For $80/year, I think the Florida Occupational > >> Therapy Association > >> does quite a bit for your dues. > >> > http://www.flota.org/member.html > >> > As you probably know, your dues go to support a > >> lobbyist and an > >> > association management company in Tallahassee. > >> > This year FOTA created a political action > >> committee to strengthen its > >> influence. > >> > > >> > > > http://www.flota.org/FOCUS/FOCUS%20March-April%202006.pdf > >> > Three years ago AOTA worked with FOTA to defeat > a > >> proposal that > >> > would have tripled licensure fees. > >> > >> > Certainly AOTA and the profession faces many > >> challanges. I think > >> > it's easy to blame AOTA for everything that > isn't > >> going right in the > >> > profession. But is AOTA a building in > Bethesda, > >> Maryland or is AOTA > >> > its individual members? There are 115,000 > >> occupational therapists > >> > and occupational therapy assistants in the US. > >> AOTA has about > >> > 35,000 members (including students). The more > >> members we have, the > >> > more that we can do to move the profession > >> forward. > >> > >> > I terms of your quote from a leader in the > >> profession, I think you > >> > are refering to the AJOT article From the Desk > of > >> the Executive > >> > Director: Charting a Path for the Future which > was > >> published in AJOT > >> > March/April 2005 Volume 59 / Number 2. I will > >> paste more from that > >> > article to provide readers with some additional > >> context. > >> > >> > > http://www.aota.org/ajot/getpdf.asp?doc=5921.pdf > >> In viewing the > >> > prospects that lie ahead for occupational > >> therapy, I am optimistic > >> > and enthused about the opportunities the > future > >> holds. There is no > >> > question that we face a difficult > >> environment. Changes in the > >> > organization and delivery of health care > >> services and reforms in > >> > reimbursement systems driven by federal and > >> state budget pressures > >> > have profoundly affected occupational therapy > >> practice. All health > >> > care professionals are increasingly being > >> required to demonstrate > >> > the effectiveness and appropriateness of > their > >> services. Resource > >> > constraints have fostered challenges to the > >> traditional domains of > >> > many professions. Nonetheless, as a > profession > >> that offers unique > >> > services that are ideally suited to meet the > >> health, participation, > >> > and quality of life needs of people of > all > >> ages, occupational > >> > therapy is well-positioned to succeed and > >> flourish in the 21st > >> > century. The philosophy and conceptual > models > >> of occupational > >> > therapy and the needs of society are > >> intersecting to create great > >> > opportunities for the future. The full > >> realization of occupational > >> > therapy's potential however will depend on > >> vision, strategy, and > >> > unity of effort within the professional > community. > >> > >> > AOTA's Representative Assembly will consider a > >> Proposed Centennial > >> > Vision Statement at its 2006 meeting in > Charlotte, > >> North Carolina. > >> > Detailed background information is available on > >> AOTA's website > >> > including information about how the proposed > >> statement came about. > >> > I will paste an excerpt below. Elements to a > >> shared vision were > >> > identified, as were barriers. Strategic > >> directions emerged from > >> additional discussions. > >> > >> > > >> > http://www.aota.org/members/area6/2006-ra/ce_VP2.pdf > >> > >> > > >> > > > http://www.aota.org/members/area6/2006-ra/ce_centennial.pdf > >> > >> > >> > Here is the proposed statement: > >> > "We envision that occupational therapy is a > >> powerful, widely > >> > recognized, science-driven, and evidence-based > >> > profession with a globally connected and > diverse > >> workforce meeting > >> society's occupational needs." > >> > >> > Here is the excerpt: > >> > >> > "During this process the participants > considered > >> member and > >> > nonmember feedback, and generated shared vision > >> > elements, identified important underlying > >> barriers, and defined > >> > four strategic directions to support the > proposed > >> > shared centennial vision. > >> > >> > The eight elements viewed as relevant to a > shared > >> vision included: > >> > 1. Expanded collaboration for success > >> > 2. Power to influence > >> > 3. Membership equals professional > responsibility > >> > 4. Well-prepared, diverse workforce > >> > 5. Clear, compelling public image > >> > 6. Customers who demand occupational therapy > >> > 7. Evidence-based decision making > >> > 8. Science-fostered innovation in occupational > >> therapy practice > >> > >> > Six barriers were identified: > >> > 1. Rigid adherence to the status quo > >> > 2. Misalignment between the current OT > priorities > >> and the external > >> environment > >> > 3. Limited appeal of AOTA membership > >> > 4. Inconsistent competencies for education and > >> practice > >> > 5. Overemphasis on a "helping culture" in the > OT > >> workforce > >> > 6. Unclear professional language and > terminology > >> > >> > Four strategic directions emerged after a > careful > >> analysis of barriers > >> and opportunities: > >> > >> > 1. Building the capacity to fulfill the > >> profession's potential and > >> mission. > >> > This includes: > >> > * Ensuring an adequate and diverse workforce > for > >> multiple roles > >> > * Preparing OTs and OTAs for the 21st Century. > >> > * Increasing research capacity and productivity > >> > * Strengthening our capacity to influence and > lead > >> > >> > 2. Demonstrating and articulating our value to > >> individuals, > >> organizations, and > >> > communities. > >> > This includes: > >> > * Meeting societal needs for health and > well-being > >> > * People understanding who we are and what we > do > >> > 3. Building an inclusive community of members > >> > 4. Linking education, research, and practice > >> > >> > Chuck Willmarth > >> > Director, State Affairs > >> > AOTA > >> > >> >>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 4/16/2006 4:08 PM >>> > >> > For one, I have not considered my State > >> association membership to > >> be > >> > worth the money. Even though I recently > >> joined, I am not sure that > >> I > >> > will renew. > >> > >> > Regarding AOTA, I am not pleased with the > way > >> our leaders present > >> our > >> > profession. I sometimes feel that some AOTA > >> leaders have a > >> PollyAnna > >> > perspective. > >> > >> > For example, a while back one of our leaders > >> stated: > >> > >> > "In the United States, occupational > >> therapy is ideally suited > >> to > >> > meet the health needs of people of all > >> ages." > >> > >> > Personally, I think the above quote is far > >> off-base and should > >> read > >> > something like: > >> > >> > "In the United States, OT is missing > the > >> mark on being able > >> to > >> > best meet the needs of patients who > most > >> need our services." > >> > >> > This is just one example of why I am > questioning > >> my financial support > >> of > >> > AOTA. Granted, AOTA has personally helped me > but I > >> am unsure of the > >> cost > >> > benefit of continued support. > >> > >> > Ron > >> > >> > >> > -- > >> > Unsubscribe? > >> > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >> > >> > Change options? > >> > > www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com > >> > >> > Archive? > >> > www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > >> > >> > Help? > >> > [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] > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> ------------------------------ > >> > >> Message: 3 > >> Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2006 00:36:33 -0400 > >> From: "Joe Wells" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> Subject: Re: [OTlist] questions > >> To: <[email protected]> > >> Message-ID: > >> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; > >> charset="iso-8859-1"; > >> reply-type=original > >> > >> Ron: > >> > >> You been a busy man! > >> > >> Well, as I said- you will have to choose your own > >> battle. It could be- > >> 1. Brand- recognition/ true autonomous > >> "professional" status equal to > >> others, second to none > >> 2. Direct access under Medicare/ Medicaid > >> 3. Home health qualifying service under Medicare > >> 4. Justifying the "occupation" in occupational > >> therapy (if you truly believe > >> that "occupation-based" therapy is the answer) > >> 5. Making occupational therapy scientific/ > >> evidence-based > >> 6. Make OT the preferred hab & rehab services > >> provider under the medical > >> model or otherwise > >> 7. Have the OT logo on the 'backpack' or, may be > >> even the 'walker basket' > >> 8. Establish OT as a holistic health service > serving > >> all age groups > >> 9. Or, even re-name the profession- I personally > >> feel had we gone with > >> Ergo-therapy, it would have saved a lot of > confusion > >> today > >> > >> So, Ron, as your fellow soldier, I truly hope you > >> will not quit the > >> battlefield even though you can not see > eye-to-eye > >> with some of the > >> commanders, and though the army may seem to be on > >> the losing end and we are > >> currently under heavy fire. So, which battle did > you > >> choose? We have to win > >> the war. > >> > >> Joe Wells, OTR/L > >> www.americare-health.com > >> www.f-cot.org > >> > >> > >> > >> ----- Original Message ----- > >> From: "Ron Carson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> To: "Joe Wells" <[email protected]> > >> Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2006 10:40 PM > >> Subject: Re: [OTlist] questions > >> > >> > >> > Joe, this is toooooo good!!! > >> > > >> > What is the battle? > >> > > >> > =============================================== > >> > Monday, April 17, 2006, > >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > >> > > >> >> Choose your battle, select your general, > >> gather your logistics, > >> >> declare war and.....fight! If you lose, at > least > >> you lose trying. > >> > > >> > > >> > -- > >> > Unsubscribe? > >> > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >> > > >> > Change options? > >> > www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com > >> > > >> > Archive? > >> > www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > >> > > >> > Help? > >> > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >> > > >> > > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> ------------------------------ > >> > >> Message: 4 > >> Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2006 07:19:24 -0400 > >> From: Ron Carson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> Subject: Re: [OTlist] questions > >> To: Charles Willmarth <[email protected]> > >> Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > >> > >> Hello Chuck: > >> > >> Thanks for the link, I hope other OTlisters will > >> read the letter. > >> > >> It sort of highlights my previous message > >> about AOTA not making > >> anything public regarding the dissension between > the > >> professions!! > >> > >> Ron > >> > >> =============================================== > >> Wednesday, April 19, 2006, [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >> wrote: > >> > >> > Ron, > >> > >> > Check out this page on APTA's website: > >> > > >> > > > http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Search&template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=8895 > >> > >> > Click on the link "letter." > >> > >> > Chuck > >> > >> >>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 04/19/06 10:03 PM >>> > >> > Hello Chuck, thanks for writing. There are > so > >> many things in your > >> > message that it's difficult to respond to them > >> all. So, I guess that I > >> > will just pick a couple topics. > >> > >> > For one, I don't blame AOTA for everything > wrong > >> with our profession. > >> > I don't really blame them for anything, I > just > >> don't agree with some > >> > of what does and doesn't go one. Obviously, I > >> know NOTHING about the > >> > inner workings of AOTA, all I know is what I > >> read, either as official > >> > documentation or through non-official > channels. > >> I base my opinion of > >> > AOTA on these sources. I have no doubt > that > >> AOTA is full of hard > >> > working people, and I am not knocking anyone > for > >> doing their job. But, > >> > I do have a difference of opinion about some > >> things and I certainly > >> > feel that voicing that opinion is appropriate. > >> > >> > Your below message reiterates that OT is > >> ideally suited to meet the > >> > needs of people of all ages, however, I again > >> take great exception to > >> > this statement. Many factors stand in the way > of > >> OT being able to meet > >> > peoples needs. Off the top of my head, here are > a > >> couple: > >> > >> > 1. Lack of unity within our profession > >> > 2. Lack of name recognition among payers and > >> referral sources > >> > 3. Lack of consistency in service delivery > >> > 4. Lack of consistency between philosophical > base > >> and service delivery > >> > environment > >> > >> > Chuck, I don't think that AOTA is to blame > for > >> these problems. I do > >> > think, however, that when AOTA leaders > >> continually focus on the > >> > positive aspects of our profession to the > >> exclusion of the negative, > >> > then they are painting a false picture and > doing > >> a disservice to our > >> > profession. > >> > >> > For example, a while back, APTA was > pushing > >> hard to gain Medicare > >> > direct access. In the process, AOTA took a > stand > >> basically saying that > >> > if PT gets direct access, then so should OT and > >> SLP. APTA took this as > >> > AOTA was not supporting them. The APTA > president > >> really came down hard > >> > on AOTA saying that they were reevaluating > >> their relationship with > >> > AOTA. Now, AOTA was great about disseminating > >> information about what > >> > how they had gone to bat for our > profession > >> but they never once > >> > publicly mentioned the dissension between APTA > >> and AOTA. I think this > >> > is wrong and that AOTA should have let us > know > >> the entire story, but > >> > they didn't. PT's knew about it because it > >> was on their web page. > >> > Thus, PT's in the work force knew. I'm sure > >> there were many OT's who > >> > were caught off guard by the situation, whereas > >> had AOTA told us about > >> > it and posted some information, then OT's > could > >> have probably taken a > >> > more informed stand. > >> > >> > Thanks, > >> > >> > Ron > >> > >> > ========================================== > >> > Monday, April 17, 2006, 11:13:56 AM, you wrote: > >> > >> >> Ron, > >> > >> >> I hope that you will reconsider renewing your > >> membership in AOTA and > >> > your state association. > >> > >> >> For $80/year, I think the Florida Occupational > >> Therapy Association > >> > does quite a bit for your dues. > >> >> http://www.flota.org/member.html > >> >> As you probably know, your dues go to support > a > >> lobbyist and an > >> >> association management company in Tallahassee. > >> >> This year FOTA created a political action > >> committee to strengthen its > >> > influence. > >> >> > >> > > > http://www.flota.org/FOCUS/FOCUS%20March-April%202006.pdf > >> >> Three years ago AOTA worked with FOTA to > defeat a > >> proposal that > >> >> would have tripled licensure fees. > >> > >> >> Certainly AOTA and the profession faces many > >> challanges. I think > >> >> it's easy to blame AOTA for everything that > isn't > >> going right in the > >> >> profession. But is AOTA a building in > Bethesda, > >> Maryland or is AOTA > >> >> its individual members? There are 115,000 > >> occupational therapists > >> >> and occupational therapy assistants in the US. > >> AOTA has about > >> >> 35,000 members (including students). The more > >> members we have, the > >> >> more that we can do to move the profession > >> forward. > >> > >> >> I terms of your quote from a leader in the > >> profession, I think you > >> >> are refering to the AJOT article From the > Desk > >> of the Executive > >> >> Director: Charting a Path for the Future which > >> was published in AJOT > >> >> March/April 2005 Volume 59 / Number 2. I will > >> paste more from that > >> >> article to provide readers with some > additional > >> context. > >> > >> >> > http://www.aota.org/ajot/getpdf.asp?doc=5921.pdf > >> In viewing the > >> >> prospects that lie ahead for occupational > >> therapy, I am optimistic > >> >> and enthused about the opportunities the > future > >> holds. There is no > >> >> question that we face a difficult > >> environment. Changes in the > >> >> organization and delivery of health care > >> services and reforms in > >> >> reimbursement systems driven by federal and > >> state budget pressures > >> >> have profoundly affected occupational > therapy > >> practice. All health > >> >> care professionals are increasingly being > >> required to demonstrate > >> >> the effectiveness and appropriateness of > their > >> services. Resource > >> >> constraints have fostered challenges to the > >> traditional domains of > >> >> many professions. Nonetheless, as a > profession > >> that offers unique > >> >> services that are ideally suited to meet the > >> health, participation, > >> >> and quality of life needs of people of > all > >> ages, occupational > >> >> therapy is well-positioned to succeed and > >> flourish in the 21st > >> >> century. The philosophy and conceptual > >> models of occupational > >> >> therapy and the needs of society are > >> intersecting to create great > >> >> opportunities for the future. The full > >> realization of occupational > >> >> therapy's potential however will depend on > >> vision, strategy, and > >> >> unity of effort within the professional > >> community. > >> > >> >> AOTA's Representative Assembly will consider a > >> Proposed Centennial > >> >> Vision Statement at its 2006 meeting in > >> Charlotte, North Carolina. > >> >> Detailed background information is available > on > >> AOTA's website > >> >> including information about how the proposed > >> statement came about. > >> >> I will paste an excerpt below. Elements to a > >> shared vision were > >> >> identified, as were barriers. Strategic > >> directions emerged from > >> > additional discussions. > >> > >> >> > >> > http://www.aota.org/members/area6/2006-ra/ce_VP2.pdf > >> > >> >> > >> > > > http://www.aota.org/members/area6/2006-ra/ce_centennial.pdf > >> > >> > >> >> Here is the proposed statement: > >> >> "We envision that occupational therapy is a > >> powerful, widely > >> >> recognized, science-driven, and evidence-based > >> >> profession with a globally connected and > diverse > >> workforce meeting > >> > society's occupational needs." > >> > >> >> Here is the excerpt: > >> > >> >> "During this process the participants > considered > >> member and > >> >> nonmember feedback, and generated shared > vision > >> >> elements, identified important underlying > >> barriers, and defined > >> >> four strategic directions to support the > proposed > >> >> shared centennial vision. > >> > >> >> The eight elements viewed as relevant to a > shared > >> vision included: > >> >> 1. Expanded collaboration for success > >> >> 2. Power to influence > >> >> 3. Membership equals professional > responsibility > >> >> 4. Well-prepared, diverse workforce > >> >> 5. Clear, compelling public image > >> >> 6. Customers who demand occupational therapy > >> >> 7. Evidence-based decision making > >> >> 8. Science-fostered innovation in occupational > >> therapy practice > >> > >> >> Six barriers were identified: > >> >> 1. Rigid adherence to the status quo > >> >> 2. Misalignment between the current OT > priorities > >> and the external > >> > environment > >> >> 3. Limited appeal of AOTA membership > >> >> 4. Inconsistent competencies for education and > >> practice > >> >> 5. Overemphasis on a "helping culture" in the > OT > >> workforce > >> >> 6. Unclear professional language and > terminology > >> > >> >> Four strategic directions emerged after a > careful > >> analysis of barriers > >> > and opportunities: > >> > >> >> 1. Building the capacity to fulfill the > >> profession's potential and > >> > mission. > >> >> This includes: > >> >> * Ensuring an adequate and diverse workforce > for > >> multiple roles > >> >> * Preparing OTs and OTAs for the 21st Century. > >> >> * Increasing research capacity and > productivity > >> >> * Strengthening our capacity to influence and > >> lead > >> > >> >> 2. Demonstrating and articulating our value to > >> individuals, > >> > organizations, and > >> >> communities. > >> >> This includes: > >> >> * Meeting societal needs for health and > >> well-being > >> >> * People understanding who we are and what we > do > >> >> 3. Building an inclusive community of members > >> >> 4. Linking education, research, and practice > >> > >> >> Chuck Willmarth > >> >> Director, State Affairs > >> >> AOTA > >> > >> >>>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 4/16/2006 4:08 PM >>> > >> >> For one, I have not considered my State > >> association membership to > >> > be > >> >> worth the money. Even though I recently > >> joined, I am not sure that > >> > I > >> >> will renew. > >> > >> >> Regarding AOTA, I am not pleased with the > way > >> our leaders present > >> > our > >> >> profession. I sometimes feel that some > AOTA > >> leaders have a > >> > PollyAnna > >> >> perspective. > >> > >> >> For example, a while back one of our leaders > >> stated: > >> > >> >> "In the United States, occupational > >> therapy is ideally suited > >> > to > >> >> meet the health needs of people of all > >> ages." > >> > >> >> Personally, I think the above quote is > far > >> off-base and should > >> > read > >> >> something like: > >> > >> >> "In the United States, OT is missing > >> the mark on being able > >> > to > >> >> best meet the needs of patients who > most > >> need our services." > >> > >> >> This is just one example of why I am > questioning > >> my financial support > >> > of > >> >> AOTA. Granted, AOTA has personally helped me > but > >> I am unsure of the > >> > cost > >> >> benefit of continued support. > >> > >> >> Ron > >> > >> > >> >> -- > >> >> Unsubscribe? > >> >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >> > >> >> Change options? > >> >> > www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com > >> > >> >> Archive? > >> >> www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > >> > >> >> Help? > >> >> [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] > >> > >> > >> > >> > -- > >> > Unsubscribe? > >> > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >> > >> > Change options? > >> > > www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com > >> > >> > Archive? > >> > www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > >> > >> > Help? > >> > [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] > >> > >> > >> > >> End of OTlist Digest, Vol 15, Issue 8 > >> ************************************* > >> > > > > > > -- > > Unsubscribe? > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > Change options? > > www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com > > > > Archive? > > www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > > > Help? > > [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] > > > > End of OTlist Digest, Vol 15, Issue 14 > ************************************** > -- Unsubscribe? 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