"My only point is that we do look at the 'mechanistic' issue, too, and
often the underlying pathology creates the other issues such as the
associated mental/ emotional, resulting environmental barriers, etc., which
would have otherwise been an non-issue. Sometimes, taking care of those
'mechanistic' issues helps to eliminate or mitigate the rest, and sometimes
they don't.
Since, in the world arena, OTs are mainly involved in
the medical model/ with physical dysfunction issues, OTs should be in tune
to be a holistic practitioner in this arena versus taking a reductionistic
approach. I do not see the reason why a OT should wait for the UE strength/
ROM to be increased by a PT before beginning dressing training
My major contention is that
physical functioning is a very true and major part of occupational
functioning and, sometimes in cases of physical dysfunctions with no other
overtly mental/ emotional/ social dysfunction, may even become inseperable.
In such cases too, while OTs are addressing the physical functioning issues
directly, they are certainly addressing the occupational goals of their
clients (or should be), helping them to 'occupy' their lives in meaningful
activities in a pain free, effective, time-sensitive, aesthetic-deligent
world."
Very well put, Joe. This post indicates an excellent _expression_ of the successful role that OTs can and do play in the actual work environment many of us function in-that of acute care, rehabilitation and outpatient centers, and nursing homes.
Ann
