Hi Rayya: In my post on the topic I touched upon what I consider are some of the aspects that distinguish us from the PT profession. I also believe that there are intrinsic foundational differences in the kinds of issues we look at as OTs and the way we look at those issues. It is these intrinsic differences that distinguish OT from PT. To describe the fact that OTs can work in mental health as being the most significant difference between the professions of OT and PT is, with due respect, at best a somewhat superficial distinction. In fact there are PTs who work in mental health too, albeit few and they focus on physical issues. In the mental health facility that I work they had a Physiotherapist and a Physiotherapy Assistant for a number of years. In the past few years the PT clinic is being run primarily by the PTA. This is not dissimilar to physical medicine settings in which OTs and other healthcare professionals who take into consideration a client's mental health concerns, and also treat them.
For these reasons I don't agree that the most significant difference between PT and OT is that the latter can work in mental health. It is perhaps true that PTs may not conventionally work in mental health; whereas OTs have and continue to do so. But that is hardly the most significant difference between our professions. Our core beliefs, our knowledge base, our focus, the methodologies we use, our philosophical perspective deriving from the concept of occupation and oh there is so much more....it is these aspects of our profession that essentially and truly distinguish OT from PT. I hope to some degree I have been able to respond to your question. Once again, please don't misunderstand my comment, but I do believe that as OTs we need to have a fuller understanding of our profession. Warm regards, Biraj Khosla Occupational Therapist - Reg. (Ont.) Toronto, Canada "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" wrote: > Hi Biraj, > > Could you expand on this - I'm not really sure what the point you think > has been missed here is? > > Thanks, > Rayya > > On Wed, 22 May 2002 21:02:49 -0400 Incandescent <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > wrote: > > > > > P.S.: One comment I cannot help making is that if we believe that the > most significant > aspect of our profession which sets us apart from PT > is that we can work in mental health > also, then I am afraid we have > missed the point of our profession. In fact if we > subscribe to this > viewpoint then we are already thinking like PTs I am afraid. And I > say > this as someone who works in mental health. > > > > ---------------------- > [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] *********��***********
