Having the professional insurance included in the dues sounds like a nice perk, 
too.

Kim Masker, MS, OTR/L

-----Original Message-----
>From: Bill Maloney <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Sent: Apr 23, 2006 9:33 PM
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: Re: [OTlist] OTlist Digest, Vol 15, Issue 14
>
>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?
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>> >>
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>> >> >>   www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
>> >>
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>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
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>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> ------------------------------
>> >>
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>> >>
>> >> End of OTlist Digest, Vol 15, Issue 8
>> >> *************************************
>> >>
>> >
>> >
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>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> ------------------------------
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>> End of OTlist Digest, Vol 15, Issue 14
>> **************************************
>> 
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