Updates & Articles

Spring 2008 Presidents Message “I am concerned...”

 

Dear Fellows Members,

 

I am worried. I have been worried for quite some time and my feelings are not abating.  I am worried about Occupational Therapy and what appears to be happening to our profession in so many places.

 

I recently received an email from the state presidents’ listserv that notified us of the impending move of Recreational Therapists’ to get licensure in our states. Currently, RT is licensed in only 3 states, but we were assured that it is a future goal of their organization to get licensure in all states. Their licensure, in and of itself, does not worry me, but the language in their definition of their domain does. I quote, 

 

“Scope of Practice

The primary purpose of recreation therapy practice is to improve health and quality of life by reducing impairments of body function and structure, reducing activity limitations, participation restrictions, and environmental barriers of the clients served.  The ultimate goal of recreation therapy is to facilitate full and optimal involvement in community life.  The scope of recreation therapy practice includes all patient/client services of assessments, planning, design, implementation, evaluation and documentation of specific therapeutic interventions, management, consultation, research, and education, for either individuals or groups that require specific therapeutic recreation or recreation therapy intervention.”

 

Does that sound familiar?  Does it worry you?

 

So why should this worry me or any other OT? If we continue to allow other disciplines to encroach on our domain, what is to become of us? We must let our administrators, physicians, other therapies, and clients know that what we do is different than any other therapy. We must make sure that what we provide truly is different than any other therapy.

 

When I first started in practice in 1973, there were no recreational therapists, no activity therapists, no art therapists, no music therapists out there competing with OT’s. We were all those things. Years ago every activities department was led by an OT practitioner who understood the value of activity and was able to apply activity therapeutically.  When we gave up ownership of activities departments, the need was still there.  Others recognized the importance of activity and many new types of therapy were born.

 

It frightens me that some of our own therapists see Activity as frivolous.  Some therapists see painting a picture or cooking as frivolous.  Some would rather have a patient lift a weight or squeeze theraputty than participate in an activity that they will enjoy and, at the same time, have therapeutic benefit.  If it looks like fun, does that negate therapeutic benefit? What has happened to activity analysis? What has happened to seeing painting as a possible UE strengthening exercise or ROM exercise? What has happened to standing to participate in a real activity that challenges balance? Is hitting a balloon in the clinic, truly the only way to improve balance and activity tolerance?  Is squeezing a hand exerciser the only way to improve hand strength?

 

I hope to get you thinking about what OT looks like in your setting.  I welcome discussion of your thoughts about this.  How would the administrator in your facility describe OT?  Do therapy participants have a difficult time discriminating between who is OT and who is not?  Are your clients able to make the “connect” of what you are doing in treatment to their “real” lives?

 

The AOTA Centennial Vision states:

 

 “We envision that occupational therapy is a powerful, widely recognized, science-driven, and evidence-based profession with a globally connected and diverse workforce meeting society’s occupational needs.”

 

One of their four strategic directions is:

 

“Demonstrating and articulating our value to individuals, organizations and communities.  This includes:

• Meeting societal needs for health and well-being

• People understanding who we are and what we do”

 

Are we doing this? I do hope so. I believe that it is important for the future of our practice. Let’s help each other find a way to make sure that we send the complete message of who we are and what we contribute to the health team.

 

Until next time,

Karen Albright Morgenstein

President