I met with my home health agencies clinical director today and I want to share/discuss some interesting comments and observation.
Without doubt here's the single biggest surprise statement of the meeting: The director said OT and PT used to be separated into UE and LE but this changing? Unfortunately, she later went to say that she was used to OT's working on hands, fine motor stuff and cognition. Later in the conversation, the director asked me my speciality and when I said "occupation", she just sort of looked at me. As I was driving home, I concluded that selling "occupation" to MD's, nurses, other therapists is difficult, if not impossible. Most profession specialize in treating a medical dysfunction such as spinal cord injury, weak muscles, gait problems, etc. These tangible concepts are easily understood by most providers. But saying that we specialize in "occupation" just leaves people feeling empty and confused. In fact, at one point the director said something like: "well you've got to do more than teach people how to bathe, right?" It's is so frustrating that people don't understand that something as "simple" as bathing is a terribly complex process that takes much endurance, skill and problem solving. Is it because we 'teach' people how to do thing rather then doing things to them? What is the problem??? Thanks, Ron -- Ron Carson MHS, OT www.OTnow.com -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
