Some medical professionals are great about asking the client function-related questions. The clinic podiatrist refers clients to me if he sees them struggling to get shoes and socks off for exam. On the clinic optometry eval, the OD will ask the client if he or she has difficulty reading mail, paying bills, eating and a few other ADL-related issues, which can serve a screening tool for OT. Physiatrists are also a function-related profession.
At the Guild we have been working with ophthalmology residents to educate them about the need for low vision exams and referrals to OT. So many of these doctors think that once the patient has been medically managed that is all that can be done, which is often not the case. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ron Carson Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 9:28 PM To: Linda Telford Subject: Re: [OTlist] What is OT's Speciality???? You know, I've been to the doctor dozens of times. I've had a broken elbow and been hospitalized for 3 days. In fact, I just took my wife to the doctor today because of some vertigo issues. But not one time has a doctor asked me about my "personal care, household chores, bill paying, etc". Not to say these things aren't important, but the medical profession just does not see these 'things' as "problems". I just don't think that marketing to MD by saying that OT addresses "personal care, household chores, bill paying, etc" is going to give me many referrals. My gosh, this includes almost everyone who visits a doctor. I mean thing about it, if I get the flu then "bam", I can't manage my house. Granted that this is a silly example but I hope I'm making a point. So, there must be something more, and it must make sense to the MD. For example, they must make a mental connection between what they are looking at (i.e. patient) and who they send them to (i.e. me). Thanks, Ron ----- Original Message ----- From: Linda Telford <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subj: [OTlist] What is OT's Speciality???? LT> In-home rehab? What about the occupation of "independent living". LT> I'd try not to limit diagnoses, but you could give them several LT> examples. can their patients manage their personal care, household LT> chores, bill paying, cooking? I'd give them a written checklist for LT> reference, with room for their signature so it could also act as a LT> script for treatment. A checklist reference is a handy tool and if LT> they are not totally familiar with OT, they could look at it at any LT> time. have a few giveaways with your company name. A $50 expenditure LT> could go a long way. Good Luck. LT> Linda LT> On Jan 26, 2007, at 3:06 PM, Ron Carson wrote: >> 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 >> ********************************************************************* >> * >> **************** LT> Linda Telford LT> [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 ************************************************************************ ************** -- 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 **************************************************************************************
