How about creating a checklist for when to refer to OT? We developed one at the Guild and it includes items such as: Is client having difficulty holding utensils or finding food on the plate Is client getting fatigued during tasks like dressing and bathing Does the client have a history of falls Does the client have low vision devices that they are having difficulty using
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ron Carson Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 9:20 PM To: Joan Riches Subject: Re: [OTlist] What is OT's Speciality???? Hello Joan: Actually, I was referring to the NON-lymphedema portion of my practice. One of the "things" that I am struggling with is that the way we define our selves must fit within the framework in which others define us. For example, saying that OT is about occupation is GREAT for us, but the reality is that occupation means NOTHING to doctors! So, telling them to refer patients to me because of occupation deficits will get me exactly zero referrals. I also struggle with how OT defines "problems". For example, saying that a stroke patient's "problem" is that he can't put on his shirt is unlike how any other profession will see the patient's problem. And, it's my experience that patient's themselves often don't see their problems the same way OT see them. So, in order for our profession to make "sense", we must FIT in the model that we work. And this is where I am struggling. How does OT FIT!! Ron ----- Original Message ----- From: Joan Riches <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subj: [OTlist] What is OT's Speciality???? JR> OK Ron JR> I presume you are talking about the lymphedema program. JR> In your training course was there any mention of the effects of it JR> on occupational performance? JR> If not what do you see as those effects? Why do you want to do this? JR> have you run into these patients previously? JR> In my experience both patients and doctors focus on conditions/symptoms. JR> A good question in assessment is "Why is this a problem?" The JR> indignant answer will tend to be "Well I can't..................." JR> With the implication that I am wanting in intelligence not to mention common sense. JR> So there are lots of things that one may have difficulty doing JR> because of swelling, pain, and the other symptoms but the particular JR> things that are most bothersome will be the things that will JR> motivate a patient to get with the program. If what is meaningful JR> occupation is defined by the patient then the answer to "What is it JR> that you cannot do that you want/need to do or that someone else JR> wants/needs you to do? (COPM)" defines the deficit in occupational performance. JR> With all our debates about what is occupational therapy? I think we JR> have been missing a critical point which I was struck by in Terianne JR> Jones recently posted paper and I quote "we use occupation as the JR> method to achieve positive outcomes". I take this to mean that the JR> occupation we use as a treatment modality may not be the same as the JR> occupation in which we (patient and therapist) wish to see an JR> improvement in occupational performance. (In Pat's case we may also JR> be talking here about employer but that is another debate) Thus JR> leisure as an occupation (balloon volleyball?) may be meaningful in JR> itself as a treatment modality while having beneficial effects on JR> the performance of other occupations which are targeted because of deficits in occupational performance. JR> As has been previously stated by other people in other ways it all JR> depends on the purpose and the patient's perspective of meaning. JR> Very few doctors ask their patients what they cannot do. Patients JR> have learned to complain to doctors about the things doctors are JR> most interested in and feel they can help with. We are interested in JR> the things that our patients want and need to do. There are many JR> ways to help with that. You have found one of them. Sell it as valid JR> occupational therapy, using our vocabulary. Start with this JR> particular problem, with any luck they will generalise and wonder what else you may be able to offer. JR> As the saying goes, "If I had more time I could make this shorter" JR> but I don't. JR> Blessings, Joan JR> -----Original Message----- JR> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] JR> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ron Carson JR> Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 1:07 PM JR> To: [email protected] JR> Subject: [OTlist] What is OT's Speciality???? JR> OK, even though I've been an OT for 10 years, I'm drawing a blank. JR> Next week, I meet with doctors to begin marketing a new program for JR> my company. I also want to use the opportunity to tell them about JR> OT. But I'm really unsure what to say. My company provides adult JR> in-home rehab services (OT only). I see patients with a variety of health problems. JR> I generally end up addressing mobility issues because most of JR> my patients identify these as their primary concern. But what do I JR> tell a doctor? It seems to me that an MD needs to make a JR> connection between the patient (i.e. diagnosis) and the therapist JR> (i.e. treatment). But I just can't seem to come up with a way to JR> sell OT in this particular situation. JR> Thanks, JR> Ron JR> -- JR> Options? JR> www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com JR> Archive? JR> www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] JR> ******************************************************************** JR> ******** JR> ********** JR> Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science JR> for OTs Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. JR> www.otdegree.com/otn JR> ******************************************************************** JR> ******** JR> ********** -- 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 **************************************************************************************
