David, I appreciate your perspective and your tolerance of this issue.
Here's a portion of Florida's PT practice act's definition of PT. I've
purposely indented the lower section:
(11) "Practice of physical therapy" means the performance of physical
therapy assessments and the treatment of any disability, injury,
disease, or other health condition of human beings, or the prevention
of such disability, injury, disease, or other condition of health, and
rehabilitation as related thereto
by the use of the physical, chemical, and other properties of
air; electricity; exercise; massage; the performance of
acupuncture only upon compliance with the criteria set forth
by the Board of Medicine, when no penetration of the skin
occurs;
My understanding of the above is that PT use electrical/thermal
modalities, exercise, massage etc to treat disability, injury,
disease, etc. I argue that ALL of the above treatments are used to
treat acute injury and/or dysfunction body parts. So, I stand by my
definition that PT FOCUSES treatment on acute injury/body parts.
I don't think the profession of PT appreciates the "identity crisis"
facing OT. I think it IMPERATIVE that OT distinguish itself from PT
and it is something that has yet to be done in a manner which is
authentic and accurate.
Also, my working definition of the differences between OT and PT need
not satisfy PT. I'm quite sure that PT sees itself in a much broader
perspective than either I or most OT's care to consider.
While I am greatly concerned about PT self-description, I am
ultimately more concerned about the profession of OT's definition.
I am ever thankful that YOU remain on this list!!!
Ron
--
Ron Carson MHS, OT
----- Original Message -----
From: Lehman, David <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Saturday, September 06, 2008
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subj: [OTlist] Articulating the Difference Between OT and PT?
LD> Ron et al.....I have been trying to read most of the posts
LD> regarding this issue of articulating the difference of PT and OT,
LD> but, honestly, not all of the posts. But, it seems you have been
LD> dealing with this since I have known you and the OTnow list serve.
LD> And, it seems you want some conclusion on this.
LD> But, your definition is way off. I would not be a PT if I was
LD> limited by your definition. I don't just work with people who
LD> have acute injuries and or impaired body parts. I ask you look at
LD> the practice acts of the different states or the APTA Guide to PT.
LD> I wish this issue didn't exist as I feel we are beating a dead horse.
>>From a personal standpoint, I say, do what it is you do and be good at it.
>>If you need to treat an impairment to improve a life skill, then do it. If I
>>need to help a patient improve a functional skill using functional exercises,
>>I will do it. The bottom line is the patient.
LD> And, from the billing and reimbursment side, if you can do what
LD> you do and be reimbursed, great. If I can do what I do and get reimbursed,
great.
LD> Let me do what I do at the body structure stage, the activity
LD> stage, or the participation stage. And, I have no problems with you doing
it, too.
LD> Peace
LD> David A. Lehman, PhD, PT
LD> Associate Professor
LD> Tennessee State University
LD> Department of Physical Therapy
LD> 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd.
LD> Nashville, TN 37209
LD> 615-963-5946
LD> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
LD> Visit my website: http://www.tnstate.edu/interior.asp?mid=2410&ptid=1
LD> This email and any files transmitted with it may contain
LD> confidential information and is intended solely for use by the
LD> individual to whom it is addressed. If you receive this
LD> correspondence in error, please notify the sender and delete the
LD> email from your system. Do not disclose its contents with others.
LD> ________________________________________
LD> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] On
LD> Behalf Of Ron Carson [EMAIL PROTECTED]
LD> Sent: Saturday, September 06, 2008 7:49 AM
LD> To: OTlist
LD> Subject: [OTlist] Articulating the Difference Between OT and PT?
LD> Hello:
LD> I frequently find myself articulating the difference between OT and
LD> PT. For years, I've struggled understanding a clear cut line between
LD> our profession. As such, articulating the difference was at best, very
LD> difficult. However, I think I'm finally understanding a WORKABLE and
LD> ACCURATE description and what other's opinion. One caveat is that
LD> there is overlap between our professions that are impossible to
LD> differentiate, so what I'm offering is a definition that "draws a
LD> clear line in the sand" between us. So, here it is:
LD> "PT FOCUSES treatment on improving acute injury or body parts.
LD> OT FOCUSES treatment on improving occupation"
LD> This simple definition includes the overlapping areas but also clearly
LD> defines a role difference between OT and PT.
LD> What do you think....
LD> Ron
LD> --
LD> Ron Carson MHS, OT
LD> www.OTnow.com
LD> --
LD> Options?
LD> www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com
LD> Archive?
LD> www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
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