As a therapist who has been out of school for just over a year, I cannot help but comment that a lot of it comes back to the fieldwork experience. We can be taught whatever the curriculum dictates with the best professors in the world, on fieldwork is where we are truly forming as professionals. Luckily I was not in this position myself, but know of peers that were, but it is a think line to walk when you have one of the previously mentioned therapists (spending 75% of a session stretching, doing the "OT Dance" etc.) despite having been trained in school to be much more occupation based and client centered. Typically, and I apologize for generalizing, many of the therapists practicing in the more "cookie cutter" fashion are not open to new ideas and allowing the student they are supervising to stray from the practice patterns. As a student, despite trying to be the best practitioner that you can, the FWPE is always in the back of your mind.
Meghan -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of angela jones Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2006 5:42 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [OTlist] And Yet the "Saga" Continues Ron, The OT "culture" of UE domain is far too widespread and we should all be concerned. When the general public primarily describes us as UE therapists there, as you noted, is a large discrepancy between what AOTA presents and what we are seeing and doing as therapists. I wonder how PT's feel about their label as LE therapists. I've never heard them respond when it occurs. On a positive note, I had a great OT moment the other day. A physician came by our gym one morning and asked if the therapists would be available around 8:30 or so. Rresident physicians would be coming in and he would like to bring them to see rehab. To make a long story short (they stayed for 20 to 30 minutes), this physician asked us questions and kept emphasizing what OT does. His explanation centered on purposeful therapeutic activity. He stated that they, as physicians, should consider this and try to remember that their patients are individuals with lives that are very complex........you get the idea. I WAS SO IMPRESSED. My jaw was on the floor and I thanked him for his knowledge and appreciation of OT. Here's the other good note. Students today are being taught OT as it should be and hopefully they (we) will be aware of the difficulty of falling into the old patterns that we see in our profession. The reason I say this about today's students is that the physician I spoke with told me later that his daughter is working on her OT degree. That explains the jaw dropping knowledge he had but it's great to know that his daughter is a an OT advocate and she, along with others will join us in this field and hopefully help move our profession in the right direction. Angie From: Ron Carson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [OTlist] And Yet the "Saga" Continues Date: Wed, 27 Dec 2006 08:43:32 -0500 >Yesterday, while evaluating a new patient in an ALF, I told her that I >was an OT, not a PT. This patient, who was recently d/c from a >hospital, says: "Oh, I had OT in the hospital". When asked what they >did the patient began doing the "OT Dance"! You know, raising her arms >up/down and out to the side (dowel exercises) and moving then in a >circular pattern (UE bicycle). I told her that we wouldn't be doing >any of that because her arms where not a problem. The patient did say >that once a week they baked cookies and that it was fun! > >As I was leaving the facility, I wanted to clarify with the new >director that I was an OT, not PT. You see, I've been providing >therapy at this facility for several YEARS. Most orders they receive >are for PT. So, I just call the doctor and get it changed to OT or I >do a plan of treatment and have the doctor sign it. But, I didn't want >the new director thinking I was a PT. > >As I began explaining to the director, she got a worried look and said >"Oh". As the conversation progressed, I explained about the whole UE >and LE thing and that it's more a matter of convenience and finances >than training. She seemed to understand and told me that she thinks of >OT as UE and feeding. > >Finally, in case you ever wonder why I send these messages. It's >because there is a cavern of disparity between AOTA official documents >about OT and the reality of what is done by practicing OT's. It is my >sincere belief that unless this cavern is closed, OT is at risk for >failure. Despite our past success as a profession, I don't think such >a cavern has existed to the degree that we are seeing today, at least >in adult physical dysfunction. > >So, there you go. And the answer to the question I previously posted >is that the director of the rehab hospital said that OT = U and PT = >LE. And you know what, they are right! At least as to what is being >practiced, not preached!! > >Ron > > >-- >Options? > www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com > >Archive? > www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > >*********************************************************************** >*************** Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master >of Science for OTs Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your >career. >www.otdegree.com/otn >*********************************************************************** >*************** Your Hotmail address already works to sign into Windows Live Messenger! Get it now. -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] ************************************************************************************** Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science for OTs Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. www.otdegree.com/otn ************************************************************************************** -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] ************************************************************************************** Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science for OTs Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. www.otdegree.com/otn **************************************************************************************
