Maybe a more accurate word would be "sympathize"....unless the students were to become the patients it would be impossible to mimic the actual experience. I am thinking of it in more of a "lightbulb" moment that students get when they even for a short time feel something even remotely similar to what a patient may feel physically. I'd don't think it minimizes the patients actual expereinces...I think it is just near impoosible to address it with a short term activity. Diane R COTA/L
-----Original Message----- From: otlist-boun...@otnow.com [mailto:otlist-boun...@otnow.com]on Behalf Of Ron Carson Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2009 20:32 To: Diane Randall Subject: Re: [OTlist] OTlist Digest, Vol 74, Issue 1 It's so weird that you mention empathy. I was just discussing with the OTA program director that I believe that having students do disability/impairment simulation tends to minimize patients' actual experiences. I say this because the biggest problem facing patients is the LONG term impact of impairment/disability. And, this can NOT be simulated in the classroom. Anyway, it's just funny you mentioned it because I was just talking about. And on a final note, the OTA program director disagreed with my assertion. <LOL> Ron ----- Original Message ----- From: Diane Randall <spark...@rcn.com> Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2009 To: OTlist@OTnow.com <OTlist@OTnow.com> Subj: [OTlist] OTlist Digest, Vol 74, Issue 1 DR> "My clients DR> probably know more about neuroplasticity and grading activities than DR> many OT's!" DR> That brings to mind Ron's thread about teaching COTA's. A very powerful DR> teaching approach is to help students empathize with the plight of those DR> with disease and disability. I heard there are glasses that can be worn that DR> mimic neglect? Is that true? I remember the Vaseline on the glasses to mimic DR> cataracts and clothes pins on fingers to mimic the pain of arthritis. -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/otlist@otnow.com -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/otlist@otnow.com
