Hello Emily et. al.: I want to address the below topic a little more.
First off, I think if someone REALLY left the profession of OT to become an MD, they probably were in the wrong profession to begin with. One of the things that makes OT much different than other professions is that much of what we learn is rooted in soft science. I am referring to psychology, sociology, occupational science, etc. Not to say that all we get is soft, because we also learn quite a bit of hard science such as anatomy, physiology, kinesology, etc. Other profession also share this mixture of soft and hard science but I think OT has the uniqueness mixtures of. It is this mixture which makes OT so hard to understand and at times to practice. OT's are often taught a top-down approach to treatment. We are taught to understand are patient's as occupationally-deprived individuals who because of some change are suffering from occupational deprivation. We are then taught to identify underlying issues contributing to such deprivation and then go about the tasks or remediating, reconfiguring or bypassing these issues to best facilitate occupational independence. The above requires such a unique mixture of understanding and application of soft and hard science that many times it is frankly just over the head of many observers. Honestly, I think some OT are missing the same picture as our PT partners and MD referral sources. But such is the nature of our business. Honestly, I understand why some people look down on OT, but not necessarily because of the above. Instead, it seems to me that many OT's are practicing in the absence of science and are instead do some sort of jack in the box treatment. You know, the kind where every person gets the same treatment with almost no regard for the individual needs/desires of the patient. Some of OT's "lack of respect" is self-deserved because of our practice patterns. And the really sad thing is that we know better! We just chose to do things the old way instead of the right way. Ron ----- Original Message ----- From: Emily L. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, May 05, 2007 To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subj: [OTlist] Do you regret becoming an OT? EL> I've heard from some OTs who left the profession to become MDs, EL> citing thw "anti-inlellectual" nature of OT, the fact that they felt EL> like they could basically be replaced by a CNA, and the lack of EL> respect. -- 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 **************************************************************************************
