Thanks Ron and Sue! I have forwarded your comments to my OT staff because I have felt they have fell into that blanket treatment ideology for LE ortho patients. They make me feel as if I don't get it, but I think it's the other way around. I think I have tried everything for them to think outside the box. During their annual reviews, I have discussed this with them and spoke to them that if you identify 5/5 UE strength and no other deficits on the eval, why address UE strength in your treatment??? My staff responses have placed the blame back to limited resources which I don't understand, but I'll find out in our next staff meeting.
Here is my last email to them: "I'm forwarding you all the comments below. When seeing ortho patients we need to really try to tailor our treatment to what they need, not just place them in our therapy program. It's very easy for ortho patients to make the connection with the PT aspect of the program, but not ours. So we need to make sure we stick close to our OT philosophy and theory to ensure we are making an impact on their lives!" Their responses: "This email is so sad but true. I think our department is doing a good job in caring for the patients in rehab. We just need to find a new way to package our program and market it both to the patients and the staff of this hospital. More appropriate and diversified activities would be a start. We can only do so much with what we have. Let's come up with some ideas and discuss tem at our next meeting. " "This is something I've been thinking about for a while, and although I keep patient's individual needs in mind, and try tailoring their sessions, there is only so far I can go given our limited resources. I look forward to this discussion." "I totally agree. I think there is only so much we can do to tailor treatment with the limited resources we have. Also, it is not easy to get simple things like shower chairs without a fight. I also think we should all discuss some ideas at the next meeting." Arley Johnson MS, OTR/L The information contained in this e-mail message is intended only for the personal and confidential use of the recipient(s) named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or an agent responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this document in error and that any review, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by e-mail, and delete the original message. -- 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. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. www.otdegree.com/otn **************************************************************************************
