I don't get a chance to post often just because in addition to being an OT with a sort of widely varied practice I also have three fairly young kids (10,7, and 4). You can imagine my vast amounts of free time! :) I do enjoy reading the posts though, and manage to pop in now and then to get my two cents heard!
I wanted to point out that I am also an ATP which is an Assistive Technology Practitioner through RESNA the Rehab Engineering Society of North America. I do lots of wheelchair evaluations and modifications. Primarily this is for custom wheelchair for kids and adults who have pretty involved injuries or diagnoses (i.e. CP, Spinal cord injury, MD, MS, Spina Bifida, etc). I do both power and manual chairs and work very closely with the actual DME providers. I do actually carry tools around and do repairs at times. Now, it is rare that I do things to a standard issue Medicare geriatric chair. Although I have been known to switch a standard chair to hemi height when a CVA patient is stuck going in circles cause their left arm doesn't work at all and their feet won't touch the floor! The point being, there is a time and a place for lots of things to be appropriate for OT. I personally think that if it is not possible of both an OT and a PT to be involved in a comprehensive wheelchair evaluation, that most often OT has more to offer. We tend to be better problem solvers and are better at thinking of all the possibilities and planning well. Medicare is changing many of the rules that apply to wheelchairs and the reimbursement that affects wheelchairs, so for anyone doing geriatrics, it is something to pay attention to. Once Medicare has it in place, it will most likely trickle over and affect private insurance and eventually state Medicaid programs. Gotta run watch the Saints and the Bears second half. Just wanted to mention this. Obviously it is a passion of mine, and it is not a huge area of practice in OT. I do think it is very important. Go Saints!! Mary Alice -- 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 **************************************************************************************
