Ron, Regarding the recent case assignments that you put forth, in which you question the need for OT to be on the case and your conviction that OT's should not be UE experts but rather focus on occupation if the patient's goal is to focus on occupation:
You appear frustrated and I wonder if communication between you and whomever is assigning the cases to you could be improved so that they understand that you are not going to go out there to "rehab the UE." How much communication do you have with the PT's at your agency? Do you and the PT's agree that you are not going to focus on the ROM and pain and strength issues and that you expect PT to do that? What types of conversations have you had with the PT's? I am wondering if you've given an in-service to the intake dept., your supervisor(s) and the PT's to illustrate what you do as an OT in home health. If you have, what was the result? I know you recently spoke with your supervisor when you were moved to PRN due to low caseloads; what is your supervisor's expectation of your services? Does it include rehab of the UE? Would improving communication with the physicians who refer patients to your agency assist in modifying the types of referrals you receive? How many OT's are in your agency? Do you have OT meetings? Do you all agree on "how you do OT in your agency" or is there a difference in the interpretation of how you perform your job? Thanks, Sue ----- Original Message ---- From: Ron Carson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 8:19:02 AM Subject: [OTlist] UE Evauation Yesterday... Hello Everyone: Yesterday, I received a home health referral for a humeral fracture/tricpes tendon reattachement. By now, I'm sure most regular readers are aware of my stance on OT's NOT being UE experts. Interestingly, PT had already evaled the patient and said they couldn't do anything. So, as I'm sitting there talking with the patient, I'm encouraging her to use her affected UE for daily activity such as eating, dressing, toileting. During this time, I'm thinking there just isn't much role for OT. The patient's concern is ROM and pain, not occupation. For sure, improving her elbow function will improve occupational performance, but the patient's concern is NOT occupation. As I'm sitting there pondering doing ROM, exercises and strengthening the patient tells me that her doctor ordered outpatient PT. Since patients can not be on home health while going to outpatient therapy, I discharged the patient. It was an awkward situation. The family and I discussed the differences between OT and PT and how some OT's treat UE injuries. Ron -- Ron Carson MHS, OT -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
