Articulating the Value of Occupational Therapy

What is OT’s distinct value? “improve health and quality of life through facilitating participation and engagement in occupations, the meaningful, necessary, and familiar activities of everyday life.”

Promoting the profession Why? How? Who? What value? Ask: Why do you think promoting OT to others is so important? Possible answer: To prevent encroachment on our practice area, increase referrals from physicians, improve funding, etc. Ask: What can you do to promote OT to others throughout each day? Possible answers: Explain what OT is at the start of each session, make sure other professionals know you are an OT practitioner, spell out OT Ask: Who should OT practitioners be promoting OT to? Why? Possible answers: Physicians, nurses, speech therapists, clients, etc. Other professionals should know how we can help their clients and be aware of our domain of practice. Ask: What does OT bring to the table that is unique? Possible answers: A focus on valued occupations and ability. Occupational therapy interventions are based on what the client wants and needs to do, emphasizing ability rather than disability.

Short, sweet and to the point! Elevator Speech Short, sweet and to the point!

Role of OT in that Setting Audience Considerations Settings Role of OT in that Setting Audience 1. Consider the setting Diagnosis commonly seen Other rehab services offered Severity of diagnosis (terminal, acute, chronic) Typical length of treatment Adults vs. pediatrics   2. Consider the role of OT in that setting Approaches to intervention (create/promote, establish/restore, maintain, modify/adaptation, prevention) Types of typical interventions only offered by OT Evidence for efficacy of OT in the setting 3. Consider the audience Stress level Education and/or cognition Experience with OT Professional healthcare provider vs. family member vs. client vs. third party payer Felt need? Reassurance, information, casual interest, details, justification, evidence

Examples

"Occupational therapy is a healthcare profession that helps people across the lifespan participate in the activities they want and need to do in everyday life."

"Occupational Therapy helps people with what occupies their time, their daily routine. We get you back to the things you want to do, whatever that is."

"I always say it's therapy for all the every day activities that OCCUPY your day. Things like getting bathed and dressed."

"An occupational therapist takes a look at how you occupy your time and the skills you need to get through the day."