I went back and reread your message. I think I previously answered in haste.
I think the PT saying that OT/PT can't treat some of the same diagnoses MAY be correct, which is why each discipline can develop their own diagnosis. The treatment diagnosis directly relates to the plan of treatment, which dictates the goals, which dictates the actual treatment being provided. If a patient was sent to rehab w/ a medical diagnosis of Lumbar stenosis, the PT may well use that as their treatment diagnosis but you could certainly use "difficulty walking" as your treatment. These diagnoses would then dictated how each discipline's therapy. The PT may have the patient working on a spinal stabilization program while the OT addresses mobility related ADL's. To me there's always a debate about what any therapy discipline treats. For example, neither OT/PT treat a CVA. Instead, we work with the symptoms associated with a CVA. The same is true for MS. A PT is not going to treat MS; they are going to treat symptoms associated with MS. As an OT, I don't treat lumbar stenosis; but I do treat mobility and self-care issues related to lumbar stenosis. Same with lymphedema. I don't treat the cause of lymphedema; I treat its symptoms. Oh, I guess some will say that MLD treats the underlying cause, but the jury is out on that. Ron ----- Original Message ----- From: Cim Viken <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, October 05, 2007 To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subj: [OTlist] reply: duplication of services CV> I guess the bottom line is I have a PT claiming OT and PT can't treat some CV> of same diagnoses. Examples are MS, muscle weakness, Lumbar stenosis, CV> My argument is PT and OT have different scope of practices. PT works on CV> exercises and mobility. OT treats occupational performance. Sometimes it's CV> ok for OT and PT to work with the same patient depending of the complexity CV> of diagnosis and overall patient's problem list/goals. (I also am stressing CV> the word sometimes) In other words, this PT claims he can treat them all CV> and he is more qualified. CV> CV> So what are your experiences or opinions? CV> Thank you. CV> CV> Cimberly Viken, OTR/L 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 **************************************************************************************
