Hi Ron Some time ago there was a discussion about the expertise of OT with very good input. At that time I offered the following definition. There was no reaction to it. I challenge everyone to find an OT practice of which they approve that does not fit this statement about our expertise.
My formulation of the expertise of the profession of Occupational Therapy (not necessarily the expertise of individual therapists) is; 1. to become CONSCIOUSLY aware of mismatches between client abilities and task demands (cognitive, psychological, social and physical), which interfere with the performance of needed, wanted, expected or potential occupations; 2. to analyze the mismatches; and 3. to design and offer interventions to mediate the mismatches. In various contexts and circumstances there is much more to say, of course, but what does not fit? I acknowledge the thinking from this list, the Canadian practice document (Enabling Occupation II)especially the Taxonomic Code of Occupational Performance (TCOP), and the work I have been doing with Sarah Austin to articulate the theory of the cognitive disabilities model developed by Claudia Kay Allen in seeing that our expertise is a particular application of the concept of occupation. Blessings, Joan 403 652 7928 -----Original Message----- From: otlist-boun...@otnow.com [mailto:otlist-boun...@otnow.com] On Behalf Of Ron Carson Sent: August 11, 2009 7:20 AM To: OTlist Subject: [OTlist] One Example of How Other Dispciplines Address Function... This is a partial quote from a PT on a different listserve: > One thing to note is that this guy is an avid marathoner. He runs > several a year, including Boston. His surgeon actually said he was > more worried about his scapula than his lungs regarding returning > to running. I have previously argued that all healthcare disciplines address "function". And this is just one example. Often OT claims to be experts in "function", but that is just not the case. Anymore, every discipline is an expert in function. Everyone from surgeons to OT's claim to restore people back to daily living. So, what is OT's expertise that separates us from everyone else???? Thanks, Ron ~~~ Ron Carson MHS, OT www.OTnow.com -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/otlist@otnow.com No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.392 / Virus Database: 270.13.49/2294 - Release Date: 08/11/09 06:10:00 No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.392 / Virus Database: 270.13.49/2294 - Release Date: 08/11/09 06:10:00 -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/otlist@otnow.com
