"I've been an OT for a long time and I still can NOT explain my
profession in a way that is:
* Concise
* CLEARLY differentiates OT from other professions
* Makes sense to other people (i.e. patients, MD's, nurses, etc)
* Consistent:
- With others
- Across patient populations
- Supported by practice
- Supported by documentation
* Satisfies me"
Other professions with identity crisis, (job the club)
Physical Therapist vs athletic trainer vs massage therapist vs chiropractor,
vs exercise physiologist,vs kinesiologist, vs personal trainer vs body worker,
yoga instructor vs pilates instructor vs "fitness personality"
Chiropractor vs Osteopath vs Naturopath vs Homeopath vs Acupuncturist vs
Oriental Medicine Specialist vs Natural Healer
Psychiatrist vs Psychologist vs Mental Health Counsellor vs Psychotherapist vs
addiction cousellors vs Personal Coach vs Personal Shopper vs Personal
Assistant :)
Physicians assistant vs Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anasthestatists, Nurse
Midwives,
Nutritionist vs Dietitian vs Sports Nutrition Counsellor vs Dietary services
manager
Nurse Case Manager vs Social Worker vs Geriatric Care Manager vs Life Care
Managers vs Disablilty Managers
Speech Language Pathologist vs Audiologists vs Special Education Teachers vs
Learning Disabled Specialist vs Educaitonal Psychologist
Computer Engineer vs Software Engineer vs Network Management specialist vs
information technology manager, vs systems analyst vs data base manager vs
website developer.
Engineers: Civil vs Mechanical vs Electrical vs Structural vs Chemical vs
Biomedical vs Architects vs Urban Planners
Optometrists vs Opthamologists
Lawyers: Corporate Lawyers vs Environmental Lawyers vs Estate Lawyers vs
Criminal Lawyers vs Constitutional Lawyers vs Personal Injury Lawyers vs
Entertainment and Intellectual Property Lawyers
Business: CEO, COO, CFO, CIO, Chairman, President, Owner, Majority Holder
CIA vs FBI vs Department of Homeland Security vs Sheriffs Department vs City
Police Department vs NSA,vs FEMA
Publicist vs Public Relations Specialist vs Advisor/handler vs Agent
Journalist vs Columnist vs Pundit vs Blogger vs Poparrattzzi vs TV/Radio Talk
Show Host
Rabbi vs Priest vs Pastor vs Guru vs Eman vs Shaman vs Minister vs Spiritual
Advisor
Compassionate Social Conservative Republican vs Fiscally Responsible
Progressive Liberal Democrat vs...dare I go on?
Sorry, this was just a fun mental exercise for me, there are a lot of
professions that overlap in areas of expertise and infuence and turf...the
boundries can be social, legal, or cultural, and even political.
OT is not alone in the search for a universally understood definition. Stay
relevant by being useful and effective with your clients. I try to remain
content in my career and enjoy my work despite a lack of concrete and
defined professional boundries.
Brent
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