Bill, You aren't ranting, you are simply stating the truth. My situation will illustrate this clearly. 8 years ago, my manager proposed a procedure to have PT screen OT orders to determine appropriateness. I fought against this policy successfully for 5-1/2 years. I went out on a THREE day leave with a sick child and came back one day to find the other OT had agreed to the policy in my absence. I was absolutely stunned. At that time, I decided that fighting the policy from the outside would not change anything and decided to stay to facilatate change from the the inside by staying. Also, I told them that this was the beginning of the devaluation of OT in this organization and that we would eventually be eliminated.
Now fast forward 2 years--The OT's were downsized from 2.5 FTE's to 2.0 FTE's for a 700 bed hospital. PT's are addressing most orders unless they came from an orthopedist, neurologist, neurosurgeon or a physiatrist. My predictions have come true and I feel like I'm rearranging chairs on the Titanic. I love acute care and strive to perform ONLY occupation-based intervention, but, I fear, it is too little, too late. The other OT's do not espouse the same philosophy and just have a job. I have a profession that I love, but sadly, we have shot ourselves in the foot! Judy Hamby, MHS, OTR/L, BCPR -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
