Group items tagged

This article talks about Innappropriate Patient Sexual Behavior and how to deal with it in a very assertive way. It says to never ignore the problem and to always handle it in a very assertive yet non threatening way. The most important comment that to take away is: "Patient behavior is about the patient and NOT about YOU" - this is good to remember in all patient scenarios. Vol. 23 *Issue 20 * Page 40 Inappropriate Patient Sexual Behavior Part II: Choosing appropriate responses This is the second article in a two-part series on understanding and handling inappropriate patient sexual behavior in the health care setting. Part one appeared in the Sept.

This website explains what people may or may not experience while ageing. And how the proper therapy can be beneficial.

A short step by step video of a handyman walking through a home and describing modifications needed to make it wheelchair friendly :) He does a great job of showing why what is already there needs to be modified. It points out things most of us wouldn't think of as being an issue.

My good friend Ragi Doggweiler is a researcher and practicing physician in this field. Once located right here in Knoxville she has moved back to her homeland of Switzerland. We have often had conversations about what PT's could do for this population but until I revisited this paper I had not thought of the under-utilization of OT practitioners in this area. While PT can and does work on the physical aspects of these issues OT would greatly enhance the treatments in so many ways.

In my health psych class I did some research on this subject. There are many disparities when it comes to healthcare for individuals who may not feel comfortable with doctors and other healthcare professionals. I think it should be a goal to understand some of these issues and make people comfortable communicating personal concerns, goals, and desires without fear of discrimination.

That's a lot of great information!

This article talks about the four most common upper extremity injuries. They are hand or wrist fractures, hand or wrist sprains, chronic pain, reoccurring acute injuries. I have not had any upper extremity injuries that I can recall, but I'm sure I will some time in my life time. I have had friends to have carpel tunnel and had surgery for it and they still have issues with it, even after the surgery. I seen several severely injured hands in my first semester of clinicals at an outpatient rehab. Not a pretty sight. Hand injuries and other upper extremity injuries happen to all ages and can be the most inconvenient injuries.

This article list ergonomic risk factors of cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs). As occupational therapy practitioners we should focus on the following areas: highly repetitive tasks, static exertion, forceful exertions, localized mechanical stress, awkward postures, temperature exposure, and vibration (article has description of all of these). Prevention and early management are key to avoiding CTDs.

This article talks about psychosocial factors relating to patients recovering from burns. The occupational therapy practitioner plays an important role in this process. These patients may suffer from disfigurement which can lead to depression, low self-esteem and self-worth, anger, withdrawal, etc. These issues need to be addressed for the patient to have the best possible outcomes.

Occupational Therapy play a very important role with patients dealing with a cancer diagnosis. OT can help with energy conservation issues, pain, weakness, psychosocial, and physical impairments. Quality of life and independence are key. OT can be of service to people newly diagnosed, in cancer treatment, or in hospice. What I needed reminding of was that OT can help those that have survived, especially the psychosocial aspect.

This article discusses the specific areas and goals that occupational therapists may address with cancer patients. I thought the writer did a great job explaining what occupational therapy is and why the field is so important. This would be a good resource for later on if I ever go on to interview for a job in oncology, would be a nice review of how impactful OT can be.

This is a type of support wear for lumber support during extensive flexion which does not interfere with everyday activity. Just a little something to keep in mind for clients with chronic back issues, also we as therapist could also use this item.

Study on apitherapy in treatment for MS. It has been reported that bee venom therapy has increased stability, as well as reduce fatigue and spasticity for people with MS.

This article touches on several different issues related to occupational therapy. The article on burns is interesting, because it combines two different areas that we have studied, telehealth and burn rehabilitation. The OT in the article, along with other healthcare team members, discover the benefits of using telehealth to check in with patients who cannot make weekly visits to the hospital, like burn victims.

Do you get mad when you see someone with no handicapped tag zoom into a handicapped parking spot at Wal-Mart and then jog into the store? I do! I like this video because it explains the great details that go into making good, accessible handicapped parking. It also causes me to think, as an able bodied person, about how I park my vehicle and how I use public space. For instance, do I pull so far into a parking spot that the hood of my car extends over most of the sidewalk, making it difficult for people to get around my car? And how many of you have been aggravated to see that there is a nice h/c parking area, but there's no easy way to access the curb, except for a slope that's 30 feet away and forces the disabled person to travel through the parking lot to get to it? I doubt that we as OTAs will be outside measuring and inspecting the parking lots, but this video does give you some ideas about the challenges that disabled persons face when moving from place to place.

Beth, I am so glad you posted this. It is also important to realize that just because someone isn't walking with a cane or using a wheelchair that they don't have the "right" to use these spaces. If they were issued a handicap placard by their doctor their is a good reason. Invisible illness is just as real as ones you can see. This is a great video! Thank you.

Employment law concerns are endless and extremely encompassing in our American workforce. With the exception of those entrepreneurial few, most OTs work for a company or some legal entity, and like other employees in our society, OTs may encounter employment issues when joining a therapy practice, group or company.

This article from the today shows website talks about the CP foundations campaign of "just say hi". It addresses the fact that people with disability do not require any other treatment than people who do not. The first step .. just say hi, I feel like this is such a huge topic and I am very interested in backing this campaign. I hope you all find it as interesting as me!

That is a really great campaign! I think most people have issues with greeting people with disabilities and initiating small talk. In one of my linguistics classes, there was a blind student. None of the other students really talked to him, either because they did not know how to or simply because they did not care (unfortunately). I later read an article about blind students at my university, in which he was interviewed. He said that other students were reserved and were not really ready to interact with blind students. That is really sad. Therefore, campaigns like "just say hi' are very important!

The role of PAMS in therapy is vast. Here is a description of the most commonly used PAMS and the areas that they treat. Included are the things we discussed in lecture, but PAMS are used to treat other issues like urinary incontinence. The general clinical roles of electrical stimulation, therapeutic ultrasound, shortwave diathermy, and one we have not studied in class, light therapy. Light therapy is indicated for pain management, increase ROM, decrease joint stiffness, and increase circulation to the treated area. PAMS are used to increase the effects of therapy.

Physical agent modalities traditionally include therapeutic ultrasound, electrical stimulation, shortwave diathermy (electromagnetic energy) and light therapy. This article breaks down how each one helps our patients.

According to AOTA, almost 1 in 5 people over the age of 65 have survived cancer. Lymphedema, a secondary problem caused by cancer, is often not addressed by physicians. However, occupational therapy can address this issue and improve quality of life for these individuals. Just another very important way that occupational therapy can make a difference.

The growing number of people with cancer has increased the need to services such as lymphedema therapy, hospice, and palliative care. OT can help in so many ways. Who needs help "living life to the fullest" each and every day more than someone with such a grim prognosis?

This article talks about how cancer care and oncology is an emerging practice for OT. We help clients get control of their lives back by helping them gain or maintain function in their daily lives. Their lives aren't just about existence (fighting cancer) but about living.

This is such a good story, not at all what I expected when I started to read. I feel like this relates to us, and is an issue our clients will face and I don't want to give away the ending. It is not long at all but it is about a lady who parks in a handicap spot and comes out to find a note on her car...

Talks about the role of OT practioners regarding sexuality and disability.

Role of OT practitioners regarding sexuality and disability.

This article discusses the unique role of OT in sexuality and the PLISSIT model as well.

Gives a good overview of OT intervention for burn survivors