Extreme Makeover: OT Edition

1. Extreme Makeover: OT Edition Pamela E. Toto, PhD, OTR/L, BCG, FAOTA Assembly of Student Delegates April 25, 2012

2. Acknowledgement • Parts of this presentation are an excerpt from my 2011 presentation at the 2011 AOTA Annual Conference (SC 216) and OT Practice article published April 23, 2012

3. Occupational Therapy in the beginning…….

4. Proto-type of the average OT practitioner Nice Gets along with everyone Goes with “the flow” Doesn’t need to be in charge Helps people “get dressed” Has lots of cool gadgets Teaches handwriting Common Sense Kind Exercises peoples’ arms

5. External Threats to OT (as we know it today)

6. Shrinking Reimbursement • Increased scrutiny for necessity of services • Arbitrary limits on coverage • Reimbursement source • Management • Increased competition for $$ from other healthcare services

7. Shift to Focus on Function • Increased interest in activity and participation • World Health Organization ICF • Chronic health conditions • Adoption of ADL terminology and focus by multiple disciplines • Varying definitions OTR ADLs

8. Lack of Occupational Therapy Awareness Occupational Therapy: The Misunderstood Monster

9. Challenge of Defining Occupational Therapy • Takes too long to explain • Term “occupation” is confusing • Confused with other rehabilitation services • Varies greatly by population and setting

10. Internal Threats to OT (things WE could do better….)

11. “Sin” of Omission • Accepting “status quo” • “Following the herd” • The “devil” made me do it (aka “the boss”)

12. “Short-selling” the Value of Occupational Therapy • Attributing skill to “common sense” • Lack of evidence in communication and documentation • Deferring our clinical judgment to other disciplines

13. Happy to be another face in the crowd... • Representation by disciplines other than occupational therapy • Avoiding the “limelight” • More comfortable interacting with clients than decision-makers • More comfortable advocating for others than yourself • Who are "they”?

14. The Occupational Therapy Practitioner of Today Client-centered Collaborative Advocate Gets client back to living Creative Problem-solver Unique and Necessary Facilitator/Group leader Empowering

15. Changing IMPOSSIBLE….. …to POSSIBLE!

16. Own our identity

17. Names Matter • Call yourself an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant • Avoid use of the terms “OT” or “COTA” • Correct those who identify you as something else • Examples: Physical therapist, therapist, nurse, aid • Nametags and business cards • Other “Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me!”

18. Define what you do • The “elevator” definition • Brief (20 sec) • One to two sentences • Word choice depending on your audience • The “unabridged” version • 2 minutes • Don’t limit to one population • Use examples • Word choice depending on your audience

19. “Don’ts” for defining what you do… • Don’t be too narrow in focus • Don’t describe OT by relating how it is different from another profession (i.e. physical therapy) • Don’t use too much OT jargon • Who else “doffs” their socks except occupational therapy practitioners? • Don’t be too wordy – make your point!

20. Expand the “Army” of Occupational Therapy Adovcates • Clients as advocates for occupational therapy • Must know who provided the service • Must understand how the intervention has impacted their occupations and participation • Encourage to promote and talk about the benefits of occupational therapy • Apply to family and friends

21. Practice OCCUPATION

22. Practice Consistency As an occupational therapy practitioner… • The areas you address • The services you provide • Your assessment and intervention approach vs.

23. Have a “Voice” and Be Heard! • Leadership comes in many packages • Active leaders • Active doers • Choose opportunities that “match” your personality and interests • Words • Actions • Practice self-efficacy OT

24. Toolkit Mental Resources • Definitions of occupational therapy • Evidence bytes • Real life examples • A position on the role and scope of occupational therapy Tangible Resources • Handouts defining occupational therapy • Goal sheets for clients • Evidence briefs • Abstracts • Electronic References • Giveaways

25. Questions? Thank You GOOD LUCK! pet3@pitt.edu