Copolillo, Shepherd, Anzalone, and Lane (2009) describe the process of developing postprofessional doctorate in occupational therapy (OTD) program at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). The OTD program at VCU was build around the theme of leadership and leadership development to meet the challenges of the new millennium. In their account, authors describe their investigations of leadership in the field of occupational therapy. While attempting to describe leaders in the field they found that leaders are at the forefront of the idea generation, developing new programs, steering and influencing practice. The authors believe that occupational therapy leaders are well informed, insightful, observant and perceptive, and able to make informed…
I have wanted to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant since I was in 7th grade. The school I went to housed all of the special needs children for the county. I grew up with these children in my classes and always wanted them to know that just because they have the label special needs does not mean that they are different from anybody else. I watched an OTA come to school everyday and work with these children to help them write better and kick a ball so they could go to P.E. with us. I thought to myself what an amazing job opportunity this would be to let people know that they can do anything they set their mind to.…
I’m beside myself with excitement! I found out last month I was officially accepted into Western Michigan University’s 4+1 Occupational Therapy program this January! I look forward to a career where I can make an impact on everyone I work with, helping them to lead independent, productive, and satisfying lives, regardless if their challenge is large or small With three years of study before me, improving my financial aid game is essential. While my family struggles money-wise, I take my federal loans and work closely with WMU’s Financial Aid Department for assistance, but there’s still a huge gap to be filled.…
While observing Occupational Therapy Assistant Fatima deCouto-Garcia, (a BCC program OTA graduate), at The New Bedford Rehab Hospital, we were tasked with focusing on recognizing the performance skill deficits and contextual factors that brought a client to seek Occupational Therapy services. The facility we visited is considered an acute long term rehabilitation hospital and the patients we observed each had complex multi-facetted symptoms, diagnosis and treatment protocols. For the purpose of this reflection we will focus on one patient, a 45 year old woman, Jane Doe, who 6 weeks prior had her left leg amputated above the knee. Jane was described as a homeless, diabetic, suffering from depression. The high level of Jane’s daily methadone dosage was preventing her acceptance to a skilled nursing…
What Do They Do? The main job of physical therapist assistants is to help patients that are recovering from any type of injury or illness to be able to regain their full range of motion and to effectively manage their pain. They help them out by giving them therapy. These types of therapy include exercises, massage, gait and balance training, and therapeutic modalities like ultrasounds and electrical stimulation.…
Introduction: The Model of Human Occupation is a commonly used model in occupational therapy practice. This model will be the focus of the paper and was chosen because it is a large aspect of occupational therapy. Although I have learned about this model in different classes, I wanted to learn more about it on my own to further understand about the use of it in practice. This being said, I chose a quantitative research article on MOHO.…
The rehabilitation process in occupational therapy is highly individualized, taking into account the unique goals, preferences, and contexts of each patient. Therapists collaborate closely with individuals and their families to understand their specific needs and priorities. This client-centered approach ensures that rehabilitation interventions align with the patient's values and aspirations, increasing their engagement and motivation throughout the process. Occupational therapists also recognize the significance of the environment in facilitating…
In this paper I will be talking about what I learned in my interview with Lauren Roberts an Occupational Therapist at The Kids SpOT. I will also talk about how I will use her advice and information she shared with me to take my next steps toward my career. Also, overall how I feel about Occupational Therapy. Research…
This paper is about physical therapy ergonomic consultation for dental professionals including dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants. Physical therapy consultation is a growing field of client-based consultative services for dental professionals. Ergonomics is simply combination of study and work and it is about maximum efficiency and safety of the work environment. It is a area where relationship between work environment and staff/personnel is accessed. The goal is to prevent work related injuries among personnel including health care professionals by improving dental ergonomics, equipment and dental professional postures.…
American occupational therapy association the national professional association established in 1917 to represent the interests and concerns of occupational therapy practitioners and students of occupational therapy and to improve the quality of occupational services. Occupational therapist and occupational therapist assistants help people of all ages participate in the things they want and needs through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. Occupational therapy help people function in all their environments. Examples, home, work, school, and community.…
As I began to start interviewing and shadowing Lauren Drapinski at Chestnut Wood Rehabilitation Nursing Home I was not only extremely nervous but anxious as well. I was experiencing these emotions because this interview was a chance for myself to yet again further my insight into the field of occupational therapy. As I can not only listen to a registered occupational therapy but I can also watch her in her element and observe what she experiences on a daily basis at her profession. The person I choice to interview was Lauren Drapinski, she is a registered occupational therapist who works at the Chestnut Wood Rehabilitation Nursing Home.…
Introduction Approximately 1.7 million people acquire a traumatic brain injury in the United States every year, impacting millions of people’s daily lives (Powell, Rich, & Wise, 2016). A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when an external or internal force impacts the brain, which causes physical and chemical alterations in the brain. In recent years, rates of TBI have increased dramatically; however, more people are receiving treatment after a TBI, so mortality rates are decreasing (“Rates of TBI-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths,” 2016). According to Andriessen et al. (2011), the leading cause of a TBI is motor vehicle accidents, followed by falls, assaults, and sports.…
In today’s busy and demanding patient care environment, many health professionals have come to function almost as silos focused on their own performance in a natural effort to make patient care as efficient a process as possible. Many rehabilitation therapy teams have similarly come to working primarily within their own departments but are certainly in a unique position to collaborate with other healthcare disciplines as roles often complement one another. If we as Rehabilitation Therapists can look for commonalities within the scope of practice with other health professionals with whom we work, we can all contribute to making our workloads more manageable, streamlining our systems of care, and, ultimately, improving patient outcomes. Our…
Everyday tasks that are carried out by most people can be taken for granted, including getting dressed or even combing the hair. However, these jobs can become difficult for individuals suffering from mental, social and physical health problems. Occupational therapists can help them get back to having a satisfactory quality of life. The primary role of an occupational therapist is to provide a service to improve and maintain patient’s skills that will help them with their day to day activities resulting in enhancing their quality of life.…
Case Study #7 You are a fieldwork supervisor of an OT student in an acute care hospital. Your student asks you out for drinks after work. The type of problem would be an Ethical Distress since this “Occurs when situations challenge how a practitioner maintains his/her integrity or integrity of profession”( Behm D., Joanna, OT Ethical Standards). (Behm D., Joanna, OT Ethical Standards).…