Hello Chuck: As always, thanks for writing!
I understand what you are saying and it sounds like AOTA is aware of the problem. But my gosh, it so prevalent!! It's EVERYWHERE!!! And I'm not exaggerating, it's the preferred practice pattern. But WHY HAS THIS HAPPENED? And, WHAT CAN BE DONE TO STOP IT? Ron ----- Original Message ----- From: Charles Willmarth <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, January 11, 2007 To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subj: [OTlist] Why? CW> Ron, CW> The debate about upper extremity and lower extremity is frustrating to CW> me. Language AOTA's model definition of OT practice does not divide up CW> the body, nor do state licensure laws which legally define the OT scope CW> of practice. We receive many scope of practice questions at AOTA and CW> publish responses in AOTA's Scope of Practice Issue Update. Below I've CW> pasted a Q&A that addresses the question about the "upper body vs. lower CW> body" issue. CW> Chuck Willmarth CW> Director, State Affairs CW> AOTA CW> http://www.aota.org/members/area4/links/scope0107.asp?PLACE=/members/area4/links/scope0107.asp#7 CW> QUESTION: I am looking for some clarification of the OT scope of CW> practice. I am an OT/CHT, working in an outpatient orthopedic clinic. CW> I'm interested in obtaining credentials to administer functional CW> capacity evaluations (FCEs). My employer feels that because I am an OT I CW> would only be able to complete FCEs for upper-extremity injuries. I CW> believe that I should be able to complete any FCE, including those CW> resulting from spine or lower-extremity injuries. Does my employer have CW> the right to limit my scope of practice? CW> ANSWER: A profession's scope of practice is legally defined in its CW> state licensure law (in a state with licensure). In addition to language CW> in the practice act, competency to provide an intervention is critical CW> and is based on educational background (OT curriculum as well as CW> continuing education [CE]) and clinical experience. Language in state CW> practice acts is usually quite broad and will not identify specific CW> interventions, so practitioners often need to interpret scope-related CW> questions based on the considerations previously cited, as well as what CW> is "usual and customary" practice for occupational therapy practitioners CW> in most environments. You may find the CE article "Understanding and CW> Asserting the Occupational Therapy Scope of Practice" in the October 17, CW> 2005, issue of OT Practice helpful in responding to these issues. Here CW> is the link for information on how to obtain the article: CW> http://www.aota.org/featured/area3/links/i-index.asp CW> There is no arbitrary division between OT and PT in terms of treating CW> the upper versus the lower body. It is a function of educational CW> background and, for OT, a focus on occupational performance in the CW> intervention plan and goals. Many OTs work in industrial rehabilitation CW> and perform FCEs on clients with back injuries. However, adequate CW> training in administering and interpreting FCEs, as well as CW> musculoskeletal knowledge about the spine and related injuries, are CW> necessary to do this competently. Many relevant courses are available to CW> obtain the appropriate knowledge and skills to provide this service. CW> AOTA members can also subscribe (as a free member benefit) to the Work CW> Program Special Interest Section listserv and post questions, as well as CW> request resources in this practice area. Go to the AOTA Web site at CW> www.aota.org and click on Listservs. After login, select as many CW> listservs as you wish and specify how you would like to receive the CW> postings. >>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 1/11/2007 10:01 AM >>> CW> I know that not ever U.S. OT has the same experiences that I have. CW> But, I hope someone will explain to me why almost every place that I CW> go, OT is practiced as UE PT or some timid profession and yet we have CW> a national organization that neither supports nor condones these CW> practices. I've said for many years that there's great disparity CW> between what we SAY we do and what we really do. CW> But, WHY???? CW> Thanks, CW> Ron CW> -- CW> Options? CW> www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com CW> Archive? CW> www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] CW> ************************************************************************************** CW> Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science for CW> OTs Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. CW> www.otdegree.com/otn CW> ************************************************************************************** -- 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 **************************************************************************************
