For sure Ron, PT has more name recognition. They serve a population we seldom see as well as most of those we do see. How many people have never had PT provided to themselves, a family member, friend or coworker? How many people can say the same of OT? The ones who have had no experience of OT are usually in or have been in the mainstream, employed, with little experience of multiple conditions. The population we serve tend to have multiple problems which impact their occupational performance beyond their physical function. The first time they encounter OT they try to connect us with something they think they understand. My script goes something like this. "The job of the PT is to help you move your body so you can do the things you want and need to do. My job as an Occupational Therapist (I never say OT until I am sure someone knows what that means) is to start from what you want and need to do (COPM) and what may be preventing that. Then we work together to find ways for you to do those things either your old ways or some new ones." This gives me a basis for moving beyond the goal of 'walking' for instance." What can you not do because you cannot walk right now?"
We are getting more name recognition. I've heard and seen OT mentioned increasingly in the past three or four years. I was listening to a documentary about the body donation program at Dalhousie University this morning. It was all about medical students until the administrator of the program began talk about the students who take gross anatomy. I held my breath but we were there. Educators say people learn from moving from the known to the unknown. If PT is the known and we are the unknown it is up to us to teach. Many people will cling to the known and keep going back to it. I am not happy to define my role in contract to PT but if PT is what the client knows about I don't have a lot of choice. I can't do the UE, LE thing because I don't have a lot of expertise in UE rehab although I'm learning quite a bit as my PT works with my shoulder fracture. Blessings, Joan -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ron Carson Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 8:36 AM To: OTlist Subject: [OTlist] Did you ever notice Did you ever notice that when speaking with people about OT, they have a strong tendency to fallback to PT? I was talking with a new home health referral. I introduced myself as an OT. A little later she mentioned OT but then a few sentences later, she asked about me providing PT. From that point on, it was all PT. I guess that PT, just has more name recognition!! Ron -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.2/1389 - Release Date: 4/21/2008 8:34 AM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.2/1389 - Release Date: 4/21/2008 8:34 AM -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
