Caryn, You are right - corporate America (at least in America) has defined OT practice and it is not OT.
Caryn Carson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: I know... get the names of all the professors at this school and you guys could email them the otnow link (only half joking). I often wonder, not being an OT, only married to one, why is it that this profession is so misunderstood? I would like to tell of an experience with OT of my own. There is a young lady at my church that had an AVM. She is still partially paralyzed in her right side. (Please forgive any medical terminology errors). Anyway, she was doing outpatient rehab, OT and PT. I volunteered to help in rides for her to therapy. I asked her, what exactly is OT doing to help you re-learn how to cook, clean, and take care of you children (she had a 3 month old when this all happened), you know what her reply was? WORKING WITH CONES!! I said, what the heck? Aren't they working with you to help you with your goals of parenting? She said, that is how they are doing it. I asked if it seemed like it was helping and she said she couldn't really answer me. Fast forward 6 + months, she is now doing accupuncture, and outpatient rehab OT/PT. She believes the accupuncture has helped her the most. Anyway, I asked about the current therapy and they are still not working on occupational deficits, only UE exercises. Now realize, she has received therapy from 3 different rehab companies (major therapy corps) and not one of them has worked with her on OT. Of course, Ron has offered his services, but since he doesn't take her insurance, she doesn't have the funds and won't let him do it free. I get so frustrated, I have been so tempted to talk to the OT while I am waiting to pick her up, but I know these cattle companies only want the OT's doing it the way they see as most cost effective. I really feel for you guys and wish there was an easy answer, but with the larger companies running the show, I don't know if it will ever be practiced (as a whole) in the way it was created. Caryn Jim Arceneaux wrote: >Sorry for the late response, > > I have to somewhat disagree that fieldwork sites cause the majority of > problems associated with minimalization of OT skills to just UE practice. I > know of one OTA school that sends students to my facility with mistaken ideas > that batting around a balloon is occupational therapy while condescending the > use of an exercise. I beg to differ as neither is truly OT, however the two > may be utilized in an occupational therapy plan of care as long as the use of > occupation is the focus of treatment. These students also come to our > facility with no knowledge of how to perform a LE or trunk goniometrical or > muscle testing assessment. This floors me as they are quite versed in testing > the UE. Teaching only UE testing sends a message to a young student don't you > think. There are more examples and I can think of individual examples from > schools from more than one state I have practiced. > Jimmie > >angela jones wrote: > Ron, > >The OT "culture" of UE domain is far too widespread and we should all >be concerned. When the general public primarily describes us as UE >therapists there, as you noted, is a large discrepancy between what >AOTA presents and what we are seeing and doing as therapists. > >I wonder how PT's feel about their label as LE therapists. I've never >heard them respond when it occurs. > >On a positive note, I had a great OT moment the other day. A physician >came by our gym one morning and asked if the therapists would be >available around 8:30 or so. Rresident physicians would be coming in >and he would like to bring them to see rehab. To make a long story >short (they stayed for 20 to 30 minutes), this physician asked us >questions and kept emphasizing what OT does. His explanation centered >on purposeful therapeutic activity. He stated that they, as >physicians, should consider this and try to remember that their >patients are individuals with lives that are very complex........you >get the idea. I WAS SO IMPRESSED. My jaw was on the floor and I >thanked him for his knowledge and appreciation of OT. > >Here's the other good note. Students today are being taught OT as it >should be and hopefully they (we) will be aware of the difficulty of >falling into the old patterns that we see in our profession. The >reason I say this about today's students is that the physician I spoke >with told me later that his daughter is working on her OT degree. That >explains the jaw dropping knowledge he had but it's great to know that >his daughter is a an OT advocate and she, along with others will join >us in this field and hopefully help move our profession in the right >direction. > >Angie > > > > > > > > >From: Ron Carson >Reply-To: OTlist@OTnow.com >To: OTlist@OTnow.com >Subject: [OTlist] And Yet the "Saga" Continues >Date: Wed, 27 Dec 2006 08:43:32 -0500 > > >>Yesterday, while evaluating a new patient in an ALF, I told her that I >>was an OT, not a PT. This patient, who was recently d/c from a >>hospital, says: "Oh, I had OT in the hospital". When asked what they >>did the patient began doing the "OT Dance"! You know, raising her arms >>up/down and out to the side (dowel exercises) and moving then in a >>circular pattern (UE bicycle). I told her that we wouldn't be doing >>any of that because her arms where not a problem. The patient did say >>that once a week they baked cookies and that it was fun! >> >>As I was leaving the facility, I wanted to clarify with the new >>director that I was an OT, not PT. You see, I've been providing >>therapy at this facility for several YEARS. Most orders they receive >>are for PT. So, I just call the doctor and get it changed to OT or I >>do a plan of treatment and have the doctor sign it. But, I didn't want >>the new director thinking I was a PT. >> >>As I began explaining to the director, she got a worried look and said >>"Oh". As the conversation progressed, I explained about the whole UE >>and LE thing and that it's more a matter of convenience and finances >>than training. She seemed to understand and told me that she thinks of >>OT as UE and feeding. >> >>Finally, in case you ever wonder why I send these messages. It's >>because there is a cavern of disparity between AOTA official documents >>about OT and the reality of what is done by practicing OT's. It is my >>sincere belief that unless this cavern is closed, OT is at risk for >>failure. Despite our past success as a profession, I don't think such >>a cavern has existed to the degree that we are seeing today, at least >>in adult physical dysfunction. >> >>So, there you go. And the answer to the question I previously posted >>is that the director of the rehab hospital said that OT = U and PT = >>LE. And you know what, they are right! At least as to what is being >>practiced, not preached!! >> >>Ron >> >> >>-- >>Options? >> www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com >> >>Archive? >> www.mail-archive.com/otlist@otnow.com >> >>************************************************************************************** >>Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science for OTs >>Online. 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