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Reflection on becoming occupational therapist
Reflection on becoming occupational therapist
Journey of becoming an occupational therapist
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My earlier understanding of the OT profession wasn’t exactly clear. I hadn’t heard many people talk about it and I never knew anyone who was an OT until recently. When comparing physical therapy and occupational therapy, physical therapy seems to be the more popular profession. Members of my family have had physical therapy and I assumed occupational therapy was mostly the same or close to it. After shadowing two out-patient clinics and taking a class at U of M- Flint about different jobs, I quickly realized that OT was quite different. Obviously, I still don’t know everything OT and OTAs do, but I am eager to learn more about this profession. Occupational therapy is a practice that uses goal-directed activities to promote more independence. …show more content…
I have struggled to find my place for a while and I feel that I have picked the best choice. I’ve had several people tell me that I would be a good fit for this job as well. After shadowing and watching a friend interact with her patients, I became more interested in this field. When I shadowed her a second time, I had the pleasure of meeting an older woman who had arthritis in her hands, and it hit home for me. My grandma struggles with this every day. I had tears in my eyes after hearing her story as I am a very sensitive person. I knew right then that I wanted to help people like her, who have a hard time doing every day activities. Also, as I learn more and more, I can hopefully come up with activities that make my grandma’s life easier. Therefore, I wanted to be a part of Mott’s OTA program because it is a two-year program that has a lot to offer. The information page on Mott’s website was clear and answered almost every question I had. I talked to different people and they had a lot of good things to say about this program as well. After being in college for four years already, I was getting to the point where I just wanted to be done with school. I am excited to begin, gain more knowledge and learn how to be a great occupational therapy assistant. When I finish the OTA program and get a job in the future, I aspire to be a hard-working, and thoughtful occupational
Kielhofner (2009) states “In the late 1940’s and the 1950s, occupational therapy came under pressure from medicine to establish a new theoretical rationale for its practice. Critiques arose from both Medicine and physicians regarding the concepts used in occupational therapy. Based on those comments, occupational realized the immediate need for a new paradigm. As Kielhofner mentioned “Occupational therapist came to believe it would bring occupational therapist recognition as an efficacious medical service and increase its scientific respectabilities
The career that interests me the most is Occupational Therapy. I chose to interview Debbie, a Registered Occupational Therapist who received her Bachelor’s in Occupational Therapy from Western Michigan University. She is working at Lynwood Manor which is a long-term rehabilitation facility.
Observing therapy assistants in the field and seeing what they do in their jobs was an eye opener for me. Getting to experience on-the-job shadowing helped me to identify the roles of a therapy assistant better than reading or talking to people about the job description. First, I shadowed at Athletico Physical Therapy, an outpatient facility in Festus, MO. Paul Kohler is the Occupational/Hand Therapist that I shadowed during my experience. There were several different injuries that I saw, ranging from people with work related injuries to jamming fingers in machines. After observing Mr. Kohler throughout the day, I got to see him interact with patients and perform activities that helped his patients in their rehabilitation phase of recovery. He told me that the improvements he sees first hand from his patients is rewarding and he feels achieved when he sees patients make steady recoveries. From this experience, I also learned that occupational therapy offers a diverse number of avenues for employment. I was pleased to know that I can specialize in a specific area if I desire to do so in the
This article discusses the basic understanding of what occupational therapy is and what it the Occupation is defined as “activites of everyday life, names, organized and given meaning by individuals and a culture” (Association, 2006). This article also discusses the historical aspects of occupational therapy. Occupational therapy was founded by many different professionals with different backgrounds, that came together to share the same idea about how occupational therapy should be and the importance of activites for a person. This article also talks about different types of services that occupational therapy offers. Occupational therapists and assistances can work in many different settings.
Occupational therapy was based off of psychology; we evolved from treating mentally ill patients with isolation as an efficient treatment plan. We must never forget we are known to be “the art and science of helping people do the day-to-day activities that are important and meaningful to their health and well being through engagement in valued occupations” (Crepeau, Cohn, & Schell, 2008). To other professional disciplines this article explains the difference between each of us, yet can also express our relation to one another. The basic goal of all therapeutic disciplines is to better our clients life, through physical, speech or occupational therapy. Every discipline targets different goals, may it be body mechanics, reducing a stutter or buttoning a shirt, at the end of the day our clients well being may it be through science, art or both is all that matters. To the occupational therapy field this article means progress for what we do. Reading this article today in the year 2015 did not seem like old information to me, it is still relevant, I am proud that our field is not only evolving with contemporary time but it is also maintaining its
When I was 15, my grandmother suffered from a severe stroke and was advised to go to a rehabilitation center. At that time I had not ever heard of the profession called occupational therapy. Upon visiting my grandmother, I had the opportunity to witness several health care professionals working together to help rehabilitate her. I have always wanted to engage in a career in which I could attribute to helping people, and at first I thought physical therapy would best compliment my natural abilities but then I encountered the occupational therapist. So as I watched her work with my grandmother diligently I realized that I had found exactly what I was looking for.
Occupational therapy made its first appearance in a modern-day setting during the 18th century; however, occupational therapy dates back to 100 BC. The United States medical system adopted occupational therapy in the 19th century. In 1910, occupational therapy became a realized profession. Then, the main focus was working with individuals to get them to a fully functional state. Around 1930, standards of practice were developed for occupational therapists (OT’s). The career continues to evolve and change as new illnesses and disabilities arise. Even with all the changes, the main focus remains intact: helping people.
OT professionals, I realized this is a field that encourages creativity, empowers individuals, and values of
The following essay will present on the evolution of OT theory, followed by how theory guides occupational therapist to be occupation-based and client-centred, broadening OT scope of practice. Lastly, it will show how OT theory can guide the future development of OT practice in Singapore.
I have chosen the topic Occupational therapy for my senior project. I have always have had an interest in all kinds of therapist. Doing research, I found myself reading about occupational therapy or also known as OT'S. I have never heard of an Occupational therapist until then and most people don’t know what on OT is unless one of your family members need an OT's assistance. So that’s why I wanted to do my senior project on Occupational therapy so people know what it is and all the different opportunities there is.
Occupational therapy has a multifaceted nature providing endless opportunities to serve a wide range of people within many environments, which is just one of the reasons I love this occupation. My long term goals enlist the desire to maximize my knowledge and abilities to care and supplement the lives of anyone that may cross my path in this career. I have seen occupational therapy positively impact the lives of people around me, and I strive to be a bigger role on the team helping make that happen.
Physical and Occupational therapist: Roles include the use of actual interventions to achieve functional outcomes which promotes health, prevent injury or disability, develop, improve, sustain and restore the best possible level of independence for any patient with cognitive impairments, psychosocial dysfunction, mental illness, physical disabilities or other conditions. The Physical therapist role may include alleviating impairments and functional limitations by implementing and modifying therapeutic interventions, and also to prevent impairments including the promotion and maintenance of fitness, health and quality of life.
I am competent in providing intervention to my patients. I provide the majority of the OT intervention to the patient at Mary Anna Nursing Home. I keep my supervising occupational therapist updated on the patient’s progress. I also assist the OT in referring patients to appropriate professionals for technology and environment resources that are out of the scope of occupational
I would like to pursue a career in pediatric occupational therapy with a double major in Spanish. I enjoy helping others through community service all over the world and want to combine all my interests together. Being able to travel around the globe to help those in need of occupational therapy is one of my major goals. I want to make the world a better place little by little and would be honored to offer my expertise to those in need, that don't have the resources or money to seek an occupational therapist. By putting a smile on each child’s face and building an encouraging relationship with them, I will make a contribution to society. I believe my creative, adventurous, and kind spirit will help me succeed in my goal to help others in our
The job outlook for occupational therapy is expected to grow 20 to 26 by 2018. Many openings are with the elderly and in the area of business consulting. A growth in population is what leads to this need in occupational therapists. As the population grows older, more people will need healthcare. The increase in individuals with disables or limited function will also grow the field. Advances in medical related fields have extended the lives of patients that will need long care therapy. Occupational therapists are in high need at schools and at hospitals for both outpatient and inpatient services. The field is especially opening up to men as very few occupational therapists are