I agree with Ron. I'm currently in a discussion on the PT listserv he mentioned, but I usually reserve my comments. I joined this listserv recently because I wanted to talk with fellow OTs and hear your comments.
In response to Ron's recent experience with OT being undervalued, I think I have developed a rather successful approach to selling OT. Recently, I sold OT so well in a recent meeting that they questioned whether they really needed a PT. Actually, they did need a PT, but they felt quite comfortable with an OT's role in their cancer clinic. Quite simply, I don't compare OT to any other profession when describing OT. I describe what I can do for that person and how my OT intervention will personally affect his/her life. Second, I revisited my OT theory. We must remember that our theory makes us special and unique from all the other rehab professions. We bring something to the table that no one else delivers, comprehensive functional assessment and treatment in the context of that person's life. It's the PT who only assess the mobility and the SLP who only assess the speech and the neuropsychologist who only assesses cognition. WE are the only profession that knows enough about each area to put it all together in a functional, real world context, identify the limitations and address that area for remediation. All within our practice guidelines! Arley Johnson MS, OTR/L Operations Manager Rehabilitation Services Pennsylvania Hospital -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ron Carson Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2007 3:38 PM To: Christi Vicino Subject: Re: [OTlist] Why are YOU on this list Thanks for everyone's replies. I fully understand that some topics are about treatment areas that not everyone is familiar with. For example, I have little to contribute to the NDT topic. But what I am trying to express is the general topic of OT practice patterns, the practice framework, etc. For the most part (but not entirely), these topics somewhat apply to almost everyone on this list. I am on a PT list and I don't post very much because I don't feel my posts are valued. So I understand not posting. But our little list is too small for people to sit back. And this list is primarily a list to express opinion, both good and bad, about "hot" topics!! The PT list is sort of 'stuffy' but on the OTlist, I say let it fly! I wish people would get off their palms and post some messages about what our profession. There are many sources for OT's to talk about this treatment or that treatment but THIS list is about US (i.e. OT) (p.s. don't want to discourage discussion of specific treatments, I'm just on a rant, sorry) Ron ----- Original Message ----- From: Christi Vicino <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2007 To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subj: [OTlist] Why are YOU on this list CV> Hi Ron, CV> I am the program director for an OTA Program at Grossmont College and a CV> COTA. I love reading what everyone is posting.... I too tend to CV> lurk.... I like to keep my finger on the pulse of what is going on in CV> the OT world from a practitioners point of view......textbook and real CV> world are very different. I talk to the students about current issues CV> and trends and I often get more relevant information from the 2 CV> usergroups than from my Advisory Council. I am responsible for making CV> sure curriculum matches practice and meets the standards and I don't CV> like to isolate "Practice" to just my own geographical area. Often CV> students who graduate move to other states and this is how I can keep up CV> a little bit on the goings on in other states. I attend CV> conferences....but get so involved in attending sessions at the CV> conference .... And that limits the amount of time to really connect CV> with what is really going on with individual practitioners in the real CV> clinic setting.... Does that make sense....At conference a lot of CV> material is presented that is not always able to be carried over into CV> the "real" setting.... CV> So a little long winded...but this is why I lurk..... CV> Christi Vicino CV> OTA Program Director CV> Grossmont College CV> 619-644-7305 CV> -----Original Message----- CV> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On CV> Behalf Of Veronica CV> Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2007 11:55 AM CV> To: [email protected] CV> Subject: Re: [OTlist] Why are YOU on this list CV> Hi Ron, CV> I mostly work with children with motor coordination difficulties. I'm CV> one of those members who usually 'lurks' in the backround until a topic CV> comes up where I feel I may be able to provide some form of informed CV> opinion. I too belong to various other groups and as was previously CV> mentioned they also go through peeks and troughs... I currently working CV> around the UK (in the Channel Islands) - some of the discussions tend to CV> revolve around American OT policies or other issues I'm unable to CV> comment on. CV> All the best, CV> Veronica CV> ___________________________________________________________ CV> Want ideas for reducing your carbon footprint? Visit Yahoo! For Good CV> http://uk.promotions.yahoo.com/forgood/environment.html CV> -- CV> Options? CV> www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com CV> Archive? CV> www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] CV> ************************************************************************ CV> ************** CV> Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science for CV> OTs Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. CV> www.otdegree.com/otn CV> ************************************************************************ CV> ************** -- 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 ************************************************************************************** The information contained in this e-mail message is intended only for the personal and confidential use of the recipient(s) named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or an agent responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this document in error and that any review, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. 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