OK Ron I presume you are talking about the lymphedema program. In your training course was there any mention of the effects of it on occupational performance? If not what do you see as those effects? Why do you want to do this? have you run into these patients previously? In my experience both patients and doctors focus on conditions/symptoms. A good question in assessment is "Why is this a problem?" The indignant answer will tend to be "Well I can't..................." With the implication that I am wanting in intelligence not to mention common sense. So there are lots of things that one may have difficulty doing because of swelling, pain, and the other symptoms but the particular things that are most bothersome will be the things that will motivate a patient to get with the program. If what is meaningful occupation is defined by the patient then the answer to "What is it that you cannot do that you want/need to do or that someone else wants/needs you to do? (COPM)" defines the deficit in occupational performance. With all our debates about what is occupational therapy? I think we have been missing a critical point which I was struck by in Terianne Jones recently posted paper and I quote "we use occupation as the method to achieve positive outcomes". I take this to mean that the occupation we use as a treatment modality may not be the same as the occupation in which we (patient and therapist) wish to see an improvement in occupational performance. (In Pat's case we may also be talking here about employer but that is another debate) Thus leisure as an occupation (balloon volleyball?) may be meaningful in itself as a treatment modality while having beneficial effects on the performance of other occupations which are targeted because of deficits in occupational performance. As has been previously stated by other people in other ways it all depends on the purpose and the patient's perspective of meaning. Very few doctors ask their patients what they cannot do. Patients have learned to complain to doctors about the things doctors are most interested in and feel they can help with. We are interested in the things that our patients want and need to do. There are many ways to help with that. You have found one of them. Sell it as valid occupational therapy, using our vocabulary. Start with this particular problem, with any luck they will generalise and wonder what else you may be able to offer. As the saying goes, "If I had more time I could make this shorter" but I don't. Blessings, Joan
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ron Carson Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 1:07 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [OTlist] What is OT's Speciality???? OK, even though I've been an OT for 10 years, I'm drawing a blank. Next week, I meet with doctors to begin marketing a new program for my company. I also want to use the opportunity to tell them about OT. But I'm really unsure what to say. My company provides adult in-home rehab services (OT only). I see patients with a variety of health problems. I generally end up addressing mobility issues because most of my patients identify these as their primary concern. But what do I tell a doctor? It seems to me that an MD needs to make a connection between the patient (i.e. diagnosis) and the therapist (i.e. treatment). But I just can't seem to come up with a way to sell OT in this particular situation. Thanks, 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 **************************************************************************** ********** -- 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 **************************************************************************************
