I first must start my comment by saying that many of my dear friends are Physical Therapists. I love them and learn from the constantly. I also continually learn the differences in our approaches to situations. The example coming to mind is when I am doing a wheelchair clinic at a teaching hospital with a PM&R doctor, patient and patient family, and wheelchair supplier. My role was previously done by a PT who is now doing research full time. I have not met her directly but have heard wonderful things about her. I do know that her approach to a seating assessment and my approach to the same assessment are very different.
For instance, she measured every joint angle upper and lower extremity with a goniometer. I want to know what is limited and what that limitation hinders. I also want to know the mechanism for why it is limited, and if it is fixed or flexible. I want a lot more information in question and answer format or in patient giving me a narrative format about how they use their chair, what they can and cannot do in their chair, and what needs to be different next time around. I think much of the most valuable information I get comes from that type of conversation. BUT I don't get a goniometer out of my briefcase. I'll tell the supplier that we need to have a specific type of footplate because their knees can't come to 90 degrees, but I'm not going to measure it. So, is that a huge difference? Not in and of itself. My focus is on getting the client the best equipment possible so that mobility is easy and they can go do what they want to do. I wish it was simple to do that. It's very complex and is what consumes my life these days. The above comments are not a knock on PT. I work with some amazing PTs who do wonderful seating and mobility evaluations. Conversely, I work with some OTs who totally miss the point and should not be doing a mobility evaluation. PTs and OTs alike need to be willing to admit that Seating and Mobility is another specialty area. Not every new graduate from every program has the skills to walk in and start doing evaluations for complex rehab equipment. Until our national organizations agree with this, we are fighting a seriously uphill battle! That was a little rantish. And a bit oddball and tangential because I am very tired. If it doesn't make sense, just ask me! Mary Alice Mary Alice Cafiero [EMAIL PROTECTED] 972-757-3733 Fax 888-708-8683 This message, including any attachments, may include confidential, privileged and/or inside information. Any distribution or use of this communication by anyone other than the intended recipient(s) is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you are not the recipient of this message, please notify the sender and permanently delete the message from your system. > -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/otlist@otnow.com
