Occupational Therapy Analysis

Aneesh Singhal, MD, author of Recognition and management of stroke in young adults and adolescents, from the Clinical Journal of the American Academy of Neurology states

While there are many ways that a person can specialize in the field of occupational therapy, one of the profession’s draws exists in the potential for variety and diversity. The goal of occupational therapy is to provide therapies and alternatives that allow clients to return to the things that they need to be able to do, and the things they want to be able to do. This is obviously a broad definition, and one that can be achieved in various groups, and through various methods. Occupational therapists can specialize in hand therapy, stroke rehabilitation, driving, community mobility, low vision patients, pediatrics, or geriatrics. In any of these specialties, a therapist can address their patient’s daily living activities, leisure, work, education, or social participation. An increased ability to participate in any of these activities can be facilitated through a variety of treatments: splinting, modalities, adaptive equipment, task modification, environmental modification, or activities centered on desired occupations.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2015) every year there are 800,000 individuals who have strokes. There are 610,000 first time cases and 185,000 recurring stroke individuals. It is important for caregivers to note that the increased risk of another stroke is higher after the first (CDC, 2015). It is also critical for the caregiver to ask questions of the physician, such as what aspects physiologically and emotionally have been affected and treatments

What intrigues me most in the field of Occupational Therapy is that I could make a positive impact in the lives of others. An occupational therapist can help a patient revitalize their physical, cognitive, or emotional disabilities, and develop or restore its functionality through continuous practice and effort. There is nothing more fulfilling for me than to see an individual achieving the greatest possible independence. This train of thought arose when I observed an occupational therapist working with my mother to return her arm to feeling normal again after her accident.

Sometimes known as a brain attack, a stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain stops. Brain cells immediately start to die due to the lack of oxygen and nutrients they need to function. There are two types of strokes. The most common type, called ischemic stroke, is caused by a blood clot that blocks a blood vessel in the brain. The other kind of stroke, called hemorrhagic stroke, is caused by a blood vessel that breaks and bleeds into the brain. Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death for Americans ("What You Need to Know About Stroke," 2013). In fact, according to the CDC, more than 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke every year ("Stroke Facts," 2015). A stroke can cause great damage in the brain and lead to mild or severe

Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability and patients face multiple challenges, such as weakness/paralysis on one side of the body, social disability, inability to walk and self-care, the decline in community participation, and the decline in cognitive and emotional functioning. These challenges impede them from independently performing their daily activities related to work, school, parenting, or leisure. Evidence Based Practice shows that the best way to treat individuals with stroke is through the use of the mental practice. Mental practice is a training method during which a person cognitively rehearses a physical skill in the absence of overt, physical movements for the purpose of enhancing motor skill performance. It is a practice

Stroke is seen as a major health concern and this is due to the fact that every year, as many as 110,000 individuals suffers from strokes making it a key issue. (NHS 2014)

I was surprised to see how competitive the field of occupational therapy was. The field is getting very popular so getting into the program is difficult. There is a chance that one must apply to several accredited schools numerous times to get accepted, not to mention that there are limited spots in a class (“Signs OT is Not Right For You, Johnson,” 2015). I was also surprised to learn that one participates in field work much like nursing students. I initially thought that field work is not necessary and all the training is done in the classroom. The limited number of accredited schools in California is also surprising! This revelation makes me feel a little concerned. I think there should be more schools that offer this program. Additional

It’s reassuring to the public when they know they have someone to count on for help when it’s needed. In an instant, people go from being completely healthy and independent to vulnerable and sick. So who do people go to whenever their body isn't working physically the way it should? They go to Physical therapist, Occupational therapist and many others; But what I’m interested in pursing as a career is a Occupational therapy assistant.

Growing up, I have been an individual who has pushed myself beyond the minimum requirements in order to succeed. In high school I excelled in both academics and athletics. I graduated in the top 10% of my class and lettered in hockey and tennis my sophomore, junior, and senior year. I worked hard and put in extra time in order to set myself apart from others. Succeeding in both school and athletics made me a responsible, reliable, and an organized individual. These experiences made me a versatile individual and have given me a work ethic that has benefited me with my academics in college and with my work and volunteer experiences.

Within four weeks of fieldwork, occupational therapy students got to know most of the residents at Ruth’s House (dementia unit). The residents have various medical conditions that limit their physical and mental capabilities. Anita, one of the residents in the facility exhibited a range of physical, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms. Based on direct observation, Anita demonstrated fluctuating alertness periods. With no evident trigger, Anita had multiple acute episodes of confusion, irritability, and agitation. In a several group sessions, she was restless and was very difficult to redirect. She kept standing up despite being told to take a seat so she does not fall. She was verbally disorganized. In addition, during the 2-week fieldwork,

My level 1 fieldwork II was assigned at Charleston Area Medical Center – Medication Rehabilitation Inpatient Services in Charleston, West Virginia. It was an Inpatient Rehabilitation which provides Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Speech Therapy services. My supervisor is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant for more than 3 years. My fieldwork started around 7:45am and ends at 4pm. My supervisor provides me with occupational profile of the patient, diagnosis and the treatment before interacting with the patients. They usually see 3 patients in a day for 90 mins therapy sessions.

When thinking about what Occupational Therapists (OT’s) and what they write it is a lot of goal setting, documenting what they found, and writing a proper diagnosis analysis. . Elders and children that have suffered from things such as disease, surgery, or injury is the main market for OT’s because it is a motor system disease based job. Writing about goal setting and diagnosis; treatment OT’s are a very important to those in which diseased. There are multiple different types of writing in OT; the diagnosis paper is not going to be the same style as a function-bases goal writing assessment. It is very important that each paper that is written that it is full of vital information that will help not only you but the patient to properly grow and develop correctly.

I am applying the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: domain and process to my life to produce an occupational profile. Objective of this paper is to synthesize therapeutic potentials and transactional relationships between my occupations and contexts. The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process, 3rd edition is an official document of American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA, 2014). It is intended for occupational therapy practitioners and students, other health care professionals, educators, researchers, payers, and consumers. The Framework presents a summary of interrelated constructs that describe occupational therapy practice. The Framework does not serve as a taxonomy, theory, or model of occupational therapy.

The manifestations of CRPS can impact the orchestration of occupational therapy services and treatment. It is often dependent on the specific factors of the client which may include their belief that they are powerless to managing their symptoms. They may have a diminished ability to maintain their attention to tasks, and become emotionally overwhelmed during occupational performance due to their increased sensitivity to the continuous pain that they experience (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2014). Their temperament as well as their energy and drive will have likely declined since chronic pain often inhibits a the ability of one to gain restful sleep. Light touch, sensitivity to temperature and pressure, and pain tolerance