I've heard the "limited resources" discussion before. In my experience, some people get it and some people just don't. There isn't any environment that doesn't offer resources to improve our patients safety and independence. I rarely use weights, blocks, pegs, pulleys.....the list goes on. Why use a pulley when you have beds, chairs, walls, tables, closets, paper, toilet paper, washcloths, phones, dressers, file cabinets, showers, sinks, toothbrushes, televisions, clothes....the list goes on and on and on of items in our environment. We use them from the minute we wake up and so do our patients. It's so much easier to promote independence and safety by using whatever it is around us rather that trying to simutale why a block needs to move across the table etc... Even in groups patients can interact with these everyday tasks / items and work there. Groups can set a dining table, move around to different chairs at the table, take things to and from the table....surely that's better than sitting in a circle day after day and doing UE exercises...especially when the true limited resource the time our patients are allowed in rehab before being discharged. I have come across "old school" PT's and OT's as well as relatively new COTA's that are unable to see outside the box (I'm tired of that cliche but it's the best description). This leads me to believe that much of the problem needs to be addressed in our education. Since many of us see this problem in the workplace it seems safe to say that these same individuals are often our instructors and professors. That's my rant and also why I don't respond often. Angie
From: "Johnson, Arley" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [OTlist] Marketing Results Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2007 11:21:13 -0400 >Thanks Ron and Sue! I have forwarded your comments to my OT staff because I >have felt they have fell into that blanket treatment ideology for LE ortho >patients. They make me feel as if I don't get it, but I think it's the other >way around. I think I have tried everything for them to think outside the box. >During their annual reviews, I have discussed this with them and spoke to them >that if you identify 5/5 UE strength and no other deficits on the eval, why >address UE strength in your treatment??? My staff responses have placed the >blame back to limited resources which I don't understand, but I'll find out >in our next staff meeting. > >Here is my last email to them: >"I'm forwarding you all the comments below. When seeing ortho patients we need >to really try to tailor our treatment to what they need, not just place them >in our therapy program. It's very easy for ortho patients to make the >connection with the PT aspect of the program, but not ours. So we need to make >sure we stick close to our OT philosophy and theory to ensure we are making an >impact on their lives!" > >Their responses: >"This email is so sad but true. I think our department is doing a good job in >caring for the patients in rehab. We just need to find a new way to package >our program and market it both to the patients and the staff of this >hospital. More appropriate and diversified activities would be a start. We >can only do so much with what we have. Let's come up with some ideas and >discuss tem at our next meeting. " > >"This is something I've been thinking about for a while, and although I keep >patient's individual needs in mind, and try tailoring their sessions, there is >only so far I can go given our limited resources. I look forward to this >discussion." > >"I totally agree. I think there is only so much we can do to tailor treatment >with the limited resources we have. Also, it is not easy to get simple things >like shower chairs without a fight. I also think we should all discuss some >ideas at the next meeting." > >Arley Johnson MS, OTR/L > > > > > >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. If you have >received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by e-mail, >and delete the original message. > >-- >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 >************************************************************************************** Now you can see trouble…before he arrives -- 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 **************************************************************************************
