Carol, You ask about whether this is indeed happening - At the school I am at such a dual program is offered and 3 of the 5 OT students in my class are doing it, with plenty of others doing so in higher classes. Students take the MOT first, then take another year to get the PT classes. I am an OT student myself and have no interest in the PT side of things, I am making a career change and am very focussed on becoming an OT, but so many people are pushing the dual that I am beginning to wonder if I will be able to get a job as a 'plain ol' OT' when I graduate :-)
One of my classmate was having some doubts about it but she talked to one of the graduates of the program who is now happily working, and came away with the impression that not only is it great to have both skills but the money and job opportunites are much better. I am inclined to think that is an exageration, and I don't myself see what the attraction is. PT seems not only to require a different skill, but it has a different focus. I would worry that by trying to be all things to all people those with a dual degree might not have as much emphasis on occupation-based therapy as a 'pure' OT would. WIll this trend lead to a diminution of the occupation focus of our practise? So, are there jobs out there that put an emphasis on having both skills? Can you be trained in both and be an expert in two fields? Or do therapists with dual degress end up practising onlyone of their skill sets? Should I as a prosective therapist worry about not having PT skills? Thanks Sue Hossack Carol Gwin wrote: > I generally lurk on this listserv, but feel compelled to jump in. First > Ron, what data do you have that this is happening? With OT going to a > Master's level and PT to a Doctorate, I cannot imagine this will happen > much. The Canadians did have the dual degree, but gave it up because > invariably the person ended up specializing in one field over the other (not > doing both). Additionally, there is such a tremendous body of knowledge > in both fields that I believe it would take an exceptional person to be > competent in both. We are very different professions and I agree with Rayya > that OTs knowledge in mental health does set us apart from PT. However, our > focus on occupation sets us apart even more and I have no desire to do PT. > Years ago there was some talk coming out of a few think tanks to merge the > professions, but obviously that was not embraced by either APTA or AOTA. As > OTs we need to focus on what we do best and advance the science of > occupation. If we do our jobs well, there will be no talk of merging or > becoming both an OT and PT and more people will want to become OTs because > it is a profession that makes a difference in people's lives. > Carol Gwin > > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Friday, May 17, 2002 08:51 > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: Dualy Licensed (i.e. OT/PT) Therapists > > I think it could make for a strong therapist working in a physical > setting at it's most positive possibility (being optimistic rather than > realistic) but I really wonder how they retain the mental health aspect > which to me is the best thing about OT training - the fact that it > covers both (here in the UK at least) > > Rayya Ghul > > On Thu, 16 May 2002 12:29:20 -0400 Ron Carson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > wrote: > > > Hello: > > > > Can I ask for readers' feedback on the trend of some students becoming > > trained and licensed as both OT and PT. > > > > What are the advantages/disadvantages to the OT profession? > > > > Thanks, > > > > Ron > > > > *********��*********** > > > > Unsubscribe? Send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > In the message's *body*, put the following text: unsubscribe OTlist > > > > ** List messages are archived at: > > > > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > > > *********��*********** > > > > ---------------------- > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > *********��*********** > > Unsubscribe? Send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > In the message's *body*, put the following text: unsubscribe OTlist > > ** List messages are archived at: > > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > *********��*********** > > *********��*********** > > Unsubscribe? Send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > In the message's *body*, put the following text: unsubscribe OTlist > > ** List messages are archived at: > > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > *********��*********** *********��*********** Unsubscribe? Send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the message's *body*, put the following text: unsubscribe OTlist ** List messages are archived at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] *********��***********
