If you enjoy unique ways of learning about occupation and how to convey its importance to others, you will love the Kawa Model. Not unlike other occupational therapy frames of reference, the Kawa Model focuses on the intersection of person, occupation, and environment. But this model’s Eastern roots offer a unique approach to illustrate these […]
Oftentimes, there comes a moment in an occupational therapist’s career to switch things up. You have done your time in the clinical setting (or maybe you want to break up your consecutive clinical time), and you are starting to explore the world of academia. More specifically, you are developing a heightened interest in teaching prospective […]
According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), almost 3.2 million older adults per year end up in an emergency room and needing medical intervention due to a fall. Out of the 3 million, over 24,000 of those people die from their injuries. The CDC reports that these falls are also the leading cause of […]
Are you new to using physical agent modalities, also known as PAMs? The use of physical agent modalities was controversial in the profession of occupational therapy for many years. But, as professional roles and licensure acts were passed, the use of these modalities by OTs was clarified and approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association […]
Are you an occupational therapist or COTA new to the acute care setting wondering “What are the biggest acute care must-haves?” Well, we’ve got you covered, because I’ve compiled the top “must-haves” for the acute care setting in this article. I created this list from my favorite items along with suggestions from my acute care […]
Every year in the U.S., millions of people are admitted to the hospital in the acute care setting. In 2019 alone, there were over 36 million hospital admissions. With each admission, many complications can present themselves. These patients may be at higher risk for hospital acquired infections, pressure ulcers, joint contractures, and complications related to […]
Frequently, I’m asked by new occupational therapists and OT students what a typical day is like working as an occupational therapist in the inpatient rehab setting. While there’s not a quick way to answer this question, I figured it will be helpful to at least lay out what happens in a “normal” day for me. […]
There are scenes many of us have experienced as occupational therapy practitioners at least once in our careers, no matter what setting you work in. You open up the supply closet and see the same old uninspiring materials. You find out a surprise discharge barrier and have to assess it ASAP. Your mind is drawing […]
The Person-Environment-Occupation Performance (PEOP) model was first developed in 1985 by Baum and Christiansen during the time when the biomedical model was widely used. The biomedical model is extremely clinician-based and only focuses on the physical processes (like injury or disease) and doesn’t consider the person’s individual factors. The PEOP model, however, focuses heavily on […]
Patients in the acute care setting are admitted with the goal of medical stability. Occupational therapists provide an important role not only in the physical rehabilitation of the patient while admitted to acute care, but also with providing the recommendations for post-acute care and discharge. OT is especially qualified for making these recommendations, as we […]