Independence is a capability that no one wants to lose for any amount of time; which is where therapy comes into the picture. There are many different types of therapy, two of which are occupational therapy and physical therapy. These two branches of rehabilitation are very similar and frequently confused, but they are not the same. Physical and occupational therapies often work together and overlap on their treatments. Even though they intersect the therapists are usually looking for a different outcome. The difference in outcome is what makes these two types of therapy crucial to each other. Contrasting occupational and physical therapy will show more clearly why both are needed in their own right; these two therapy categories complement each other from their therapy practices to the education given to patients, and even with their end goal. Occupational therapy can vary immensely. Gary Kielhofner stated in Conceptual Foundations Of Occupational Therapy Practice “The observation that engagement in an occupation had the potential to transform people is what brought the field into existence.” This is why occupational therapy patients are given tasks instead of simple movements. It is common for occupational therapists to give their patients jobs such as …show more content…
However, it is where they differ that makes each field have its purpose. In any given major injury occupational and physical therapists must work together to help the patient live a close to normal life. These divisions of rehabilitation are not only significant for the patient they are also key to the success of each other. As occupational and physical therapists treat, instruct, and reach their final goal they branch out from each other. This enables them to meet back at the common interest of empowering their patients. Quality of life is the focus for both of these categories of therapy and their difference in approach is what gives them
Cultural norms and healthcare regulations may have some impact on how some interventions are executed but, ultimately, all Occupational Therapists have the same goal, and that is to provide client centered, purposeful, and meaningful interventions that will ultimately improve the quality of life those that we serve. Establishment of The field The Theories used in the fieild that we now know as Occupational
Over the last semester, I got to shadow at Prowers Medical Center (PMC) Rehabilitation Center. I shadowed the occupational therapist Jeannie Cooper. As I shadowed, I was able to observer procedures and learn what an occupational therapist does. The first thing I ever learned that there was three kinds of patients that Jeannie saw: out patient, in patient, and home health.
and intrigued by the mind-body connection as well as the importance of human activity and occupation in maintaining mental and physical well-being. At the same time, my desire to work directly with people and be able to make a positive and lasting change to their lives by empowering them and helping discover their strengths and confidence in themselves to achieve their goals, led me to a realization that a career in occupational therapy would be a perfect fit for me. To me occupational therapy is a dynamic, rewarding, challenging, and inspiring field where I can fully realize my skills and knowledge. Having always been a firm believer in the patient-centric approach, I am passionate about providing excellent service to patients by improving their performance, preventing illness and disability and promoting adaptation to life
Multiple drivers surviving a serious car crash generally require some form of occupational therapy for recovery. The Occupational Therapist, conducts comprehensive driving evaluations by developing plans for the individual to continue driving, or assist the person in transitioning from driver to passenger. These decisions are based upon clinical assessments of the individual’s vision, cognition, motor performance, reaction time, and knowledge of traffic rules, as well as provide a behind-the wheel assessment of one’s driving skills. The mission of an Occupational Therapist is to “provide individuals with disabilities solutions for living a normal productive life of independence, and functional
Witnessing the use of occupational therapy techniques and aids/equipment that have increased this woman’s ability to live normally has been a blessing. These previous experiences with occupational therapy
Occupational therapy provides assistance for those who are in need of assistance with daily living and work skills. These specialists work with people of various demographics to handle normal life challenges in a safe and healthy manner. How does occupational therapy work? The therapist determines what is important to the patient, and the obstacles preventing the patient from enjoying these aspects of life.
As an occupational therapist I would like to help individuals who are differently abled gain quality of life and independence by improving upon both mental and physical challenges to function as a whole person, as this is what I understand the role of the occupational therapist from both personal and observational experience to be. I believe this is accomplished through providing encouragement and support, educating each client and their loved
During the 1960s, as a medicine became “specialized”, so did OT. Occupational Therapists were also called upon and qualified to treat in the fields of pediatrics and developmental disabilities. In 1965, under the amendments to the Social Security Acts, Medicare now covered inpatient occupational therapy services.
Howat, personal communication, March 22, 2018). Occupational therapist’s main roles include encouraging clients to develop new skills, helping them find improved ways of completing activities, manipulating the individual’s residence or workspace to meet their needs, or through providing therapy devices and equipment (About Occupational Therapy, 2018). When prescribing therapy devices, the occupational therapist must ensure the client knows how to best use it to ensure the client gets a full solution, not just a product (About Occupational Therapy, 2018). A further responsibility of occupation therapists is to consider the individual values of the client, an example of this is making a physically harmful activity less so because of the emotional benefits of the activity (K. Howat, personal communication, March 22,
I have always had the intense desire to care and look after people from a very young age. I firmly believe that everyone deserves the best quality of life possible and this is what had drawn me to occupational therapy as a career path in the first place. It is so easy to take for granted all the everyday tasks we can do and we seldom consider the effect of not being able to complete them. As an occupational therapist I would be able to make a positive impact on someone’s life and make it possible for them to enjoy their life. I want the opportunity to provide support to people, help them gain independence and watch them grow more confident in their own ability.
In the acute rehabilitation portion of the hospital, there were many patients I had seen that were in the recovery process, and occupational therapists were there to create discharge plans for their patients. In this process, I saw many patients working on mobility issues and activities of daily living such as dressing themselves or showering. One patient I shadowed had one last checkpoint to meet before being able to be discharged. I watched how over the course of their time at the hospital the occupational therapist was able to not only support this patient but also push them towards their goals. This patient was able to finally meet this one last goal and be discharged just in time for Christmas and seeing someone achieve something they never thought they could is a feeling like no other.
It is a job that will always be needed, there will always be people that need help regaining their physical health to be able to walk again or maybe just be able to move their thumb again. Physical therapists have to run tests when a patient comes to the office. This is to make sure where and what about the type of injury. After the patients’ assessment, the physical therapist will setup a patient treatment plan in accordance with the written and signed prescription of the referring physician. Create PT treatment plans to improve or restore a patient’s mobility and reduce pain.
Becoming an occupational therapist is my passion and my long-term career goal. Since a young age I have been incredibly inspired and motivated to befriend and help disabled individuals. Having grown up with a disabled mother who benefited from the services of occupational therapy I had the opportunity to see first hand how the experience gave can give individuals like her fulfilling and productive lives. With both parents working as healthcare professionals, including my mother who is now an occupational therapist herself, I see every day how rewarding the field is. Through my life I have had unique personal, professional and educational experiences that have shaped me into a strong candidate for an advanced education in occupational therapy.
Physical Therapy Physical Therapists provide rehabilitation for injuries and help maintain stability. “Some history of Physical Therapist formed their first professional association in 1921 called the American Women’s physical therapeutic association. In the late 1940s, the association had changed its name to the American Physical Therapy Association. Physical Therapy was developed when the association’s membership swelled to 8,000 and the number of physical therapy education programs across the US increased from 16 to 39”(“APTA History”). Although many people may think being a physical therapist is hard because of the qualifications needed, the daily work, salary, and needs of the service have drawn my attention to the field.
Hello Melissa, Hello Melissa, I enjoyed reading your post. I would like to expand on your post about promoting interprofessional collaborative care with occupational therapy. Care coordination is dependent on a deliberate organization of patient care activities between two or more participants, including the patient (Moyers & Metzler, 2014). As you mention, accountable care organizations and patient-centered medical homes are excellent examples that benefit from interprofessional collaboration. Occupational therapy is another important care coordination model that is essential in helping people in gaining their mobility and independence.