Hi Ron At the risk of sounding a little reductionistic, I think that you probably need to focus on two to three specific diagnoses and then demonstrate impact of OT. I didn't get whether you will be speaking to hospital physicians or family practitioners. If its anything like the UK, then a huge number of individuals visit the family doctor with degenerative joint disease, feeling tired all the time, and various symptoms associated with getting older. I would see if you could do a search and find the top three conditions which people visit the doctor with in your state and then demonstrate how OT would have an impact. I know that medical staff can sometimes have tunnel vision, but remember that as a profession it is hyperspecialised, so they are well versed in referring patients on for different opinions. Think about a person with throat cancer - they are likely to be under an oncologist, an ENT specialist, a dentist - all addressing the same part of the body, but with a different focus. I don't think its any different with OT and PT. with all good wishes Claire
Claire Stevens Occupational Therapist and Arthroplasty Practitioner Room G77 Orthopaedic Outpatients Derbyshire Royal Infirmary London Road DERBY DE1 2QY 01332 347141 ext 4234 / bleep 3471 [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 27/01/2007 15:40 >>> Again Joe, I applaud your definitions and really like it. BUT, there needs to be more "meat". I'm not trying to be argumentative just for the sake of arguing, but I just can't see this making a definitive impact on physicians. I feel that there needs to me more specifics. I could just as easily be a PT standing in front of the doctor giving this spiel. In fact, that's my biggest challenge; To convince doctors to refer to me instead of PT. I know that mental deficits is not one of PT's big points, but they are making inroads in to this domain. I think also, a MD needs to know EXACTLY when to refer to OT. Expanding your definition means that OT readily assesses and addresses patient's with LE deficits such as THR, TKA, sports injuries, etc. And the fact of the matter is that most OT's don't address these things. Sure, they may address self-care deficits as they relate to the above surgeries, but OT's generally do NOT do LE ROM, strengthening, etc. So, it seems to me that your definition is VERY broad, perhaps too broad. And again this is my problem. I need to narrow down OT's role in adult physical dysfunction and explain in a way that a doctor say "oh, that's what you do". But, and with all due respect, your definition is just too academic and theoretical. Thanks for taking time to write and please don't stop... Ron ----- Original Message ----- From: Joe Wells <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, January 27, 2007 To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subj: [OTlist] What is OT's Speciality???? JW> "...I assess and address the client's physical and mental deficits (that are JW> not subject to spontaneous recovery), and also the client's environmental JW> needs to enable them to function as independently and safely as possible..." -- 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 ************************************************************************************** ********************************DISCLAIMER******************************** Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust www.derbyhospitals.nhs.uk This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. However, any views or options presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the email to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received the email in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will not be liable for direct, special, indirect or consequential damages arising from alterations of the contents of this message by a third party or as a result of any virus being passed on. If you have received this email in error please contact the Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust administrator. Email or telephone on 44 (0)1332 785777 or [EMAIL PROTECTED] ************************************************************************** -- 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 **************************************************************************************
