Thanks so much for making these connections, @lauren2! I just added Jeremy on Linked In. I would love to understand his work better!
And, @jillian, I absolutely agree with you! The challenges we are facing in healthcare right now are so massive, we need to unifying our voices, as healthcare providers.
@lauren2 and @melissa9, let’s keep brainstorming how the Club can support OT professionals in their advocacy!
Thank you all for making my day. We are moving as a group of voices….
Why OT Matters.
I have been an OT for 39 years with the last 8 years in academia. It is sometimes frustrating to find OT’s role in so many settings being done by “Program Assistants” or “Program Therapists” without the background and knowledge that we impart to our students. I remember in practice feeling like OT was often justifying our work and what we had to offer clients and why OT mattered. The article reminded me why our profession is very important and relevant to the current medical environment now.
In reading the information on the COVID-19 that is filled with the prolonged effects, de-conditioning and challenges that arise once the acute stages of the disease are passed, it is obvious that the role of the rehabilitation professionals will be crucial to the recovery of thee patients. Occupational therapy will be the difference for some between home or a higher level of care.
The cohort examined in this studies though limited to the three diagnoses and the results, make me very proud to be a member of this professional community. I am also so proud of the younger generation of essential workers 9OTR and COTA) who are providing services a this very challenging time.
I am an acute care OT and love this study. I have shared it liberally with colleagues including in a presentation to the hospitalists at my facility about when and why to order OT. One area in which OT shines that is touched upon in the article is medication management. Too often I will see patients hospitalized with an acute crisis (often a stroke) who were not able to effectively manage their medications for a host of reasons linked to social determinants of health. Since the beginning of the pandemic I have often thought “OT now more than ever” as the barriers to care have grown along with health disparities. One small thing I have been focusing on is ensuring that patients are connected to online access for communicating with health care providers and ordering medications by mail. Sometimes this means connecting with adult children or other loved ones who can act on their behalf.
I love Sheryl’s notion of reducing trauma and building patient’s sense of control by basing our interventions on patient’s sense of what is important and healing to them. In addition to the trauma and loss of control that can come with hospitalization, many patients I see feel deep shame about issues such as poor management of chronic conditions. Anything we can do to counter that sense of shame seems important.
Thank you for this forum and for being OTs!
@lauro, @SarahLyon and @lauren2 this is challenging to read because it is upsetting–I am especially sensitive to your experiences @lauro. I am really sorry that is happening. I, too, work in home health. I am finding challenges and needing to advocate much more clearly and directly due to PDGM changes–and have not yet had anything quite like that happen (where OT received such strong pushback because it was OT vs PT). I do hope you keep advocating and sounds like you will:) Perhaps Texas and Arizona state associations could do a joint zoom call for support:) (Not kidding as we have just developed a home health SIS here in AZ with growing support from the state leadership as well as experienced leaders in home health and we plan to reach out to AOTA for their help and support as we can get it.). Bless you and all your efforts. Thanks for all you do to bring care, value and (I agree) a beautiful discipline to home health! Stay strong! If I can help more, please let me know. Are you seeing this same trend in Texas throughout other OTs in home health in your state association, too? Thanks for writing. It’s inspiring to keep speaking up and advocating.
As for the article specifically, OMG. I love hearing it and it’s so inspiring!!
“We found that higher spending on OT services is a cost-effective approach to improving patient care and reducing readmissions, since OT has the potential to lower readmissions across multiple conditions without significantly increasing overall hospital spending.”
What I do use as inspiration in home health right now is to keep showing (how despite always wanting to), to at least do my best to be creative with how I can address more complexities in less time (aka PDGM challenge) IF possible. This is a good challenge (again not always welcome nor appropriate AND is here on the scene). So I try to do what we do best and be creative… I also smile because I have specifically been watching how OT can QUICKLY offer transformational input in ONE home health session talking about where the scale in the bathroom is kept, keeping the log for daily weights nearby (and a pen there too) and explaining why this is important if you have CHF, when to call the doctor and introducing the RPE/Borg scale (and energy conservation) into their life to help them manage their symptoms AND life. One session. (And IF they are open/ready, that can make a big difference, especially in rebounding back …or not.) What has helped other OTs address CHF to new levels of effectiveness in little time?
And amen @carol2 I do think it is time to partner and advocate. We were recently recommended (in our state association) to seek leadership in the state Arizona Home Care association/group. @lauro that might be another option too as I assume each state has this group. Ours in AZ has leadership held primarily by… PTs.
Thanks again and goooo OT!
Monika
Thanks for your insights @monika, as always! We did make contact with AOTA and were directed to someone to advocate for what’s being seen in practice re: HH. @lauro have you reached out to Jeremy? I truly want to be able to move this through the ranks in the SIS leadership as they appear to be wanting to help. If you don’t get a response from that contact at AOTA that we’ve been directed to, let @SarahLyon or myself know so we can escalate. I definitely think we’re better together and these concerns need a place to land so our voices can be amplified. @monika, it’s great to hear that there’s SIS work happening in AZ and I think your idea to join forces on a call with the TX OT Association is great! Let me know how we can continue to provide support for additional advocacy!
Lauren
@lauro and @monika Have you two ever met before? I feel like we need to get your minds together on some of these home health challenges? Let me know if there is anyway I/OT Potential could help you!
Thank you all. I have not officially met @lauro (yet) :). I would love that. My tender heart is nearly broke and overwhelmed to the point of needing to collapse on the couch. I would love to connect AND must be transparent that this is an exceptionally overwhelming time to be a home health OT (or maybe anything? lol). Please be patient with my delays in responses as this is all exceptionally unpredictable and massively changing by the… day. Wishing you each all the best, eager for collaboration and taking it one day at a time. Thank you for your kindness and offers to help.
We have not met but would love to talk to Monika, I am so sorry for what is happening to us. OT is too beautiful to let go off… I am driving a bizzilion miles , to stay in company and have benefits.
Email me when you can. Lauro
Amen sister. Emailing you and thank you for all you do.
Hey there, I think I have reached the point where I really don’t care anymore so I do need enlightening from you. I am in Austin Texas. Here is my email. Munoz1Film@gmail.com, my phone is 832-721-9580. Lets talk when you have a chance. I am a loss on what to do.