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• Pediatrics

Fieldwork Wrap-Up
August 3, 2009 12:27 PM by Andrea Vourtsis

Hi everyone! I know it's been a while, but I needed some time to catch my breath after finishing Level II Fieldwork a little over a month ago. Lots has happened since, but I'll get into that later. My second fieldwork placement was dramatically different Read More...

334 views     2 comments »     

The Glove Conundrum
February 25, 2009 8:29 AM by Andrea Vourtsis

Something I've noticed in my travels is that OTs outside of hospital or SNF settings rarely wear gloves when treating. Perhaps this is because there is a much slimmer chance of exposure to things that necessitate gloves. However, I'm coming face to face Read More...

808 views     7 comments »     

Who’s conditioning who?
February 5, 2009 8:44 AM by Andrea Vourtsis

One thing that any therapist, pediatric or otherwise, will frequently come up against is that lovely word: behavior. Many have theorized about it and plenty think they know the best way to control, modify, or reduce it. Myriad techniques exist and on Read More...

468 views     6 comments »     

Treating without a diagnosis
January 23, 2009 2:16 PM by Andrea Vourtsis

Perhaps I'm still stuck on the medical model, but am I the only one who finds it jarring to treat a client without full knowledge of what causes them to need treatment? I'm finding that in the school system, the occupational therapist isn't always provided Read More...

347 views     0 comments »     

Groups in OT
January 19, 2009 7:45 AM by Andrea Vourtsis

Something I've observed in many different treatment settings is the grouping of clients for the sake of being able to see and bill for more at one time. I understand the necessity of this, and oftentimes it works to the advantage of both the therapist Read More...

523 views     2 comments »     

Stress Relief, OT Style
January 8, 2009 8:01 AM by Andrea Vourtsis

I've probably mentioned in other blogs that graduate school has been one of the most difficult, trying experiences of my life. This isn't a bad thing; I like to be challenged. However, challenges often bring with them unprecedented levels of stress. I'm Read More...

613 views     1 comments »     

Already?
January 6, 2009 8:04 AM by Andrea Vourtsis

The fateful day has come: today I began my Level II placements. In a way it was good that there wasn't a long, drawn-out break beforehand, because more waiting would lead to more nerves. Basically, I haven't had the time to become insanely worried! That, Read More...

288 views     1 comments »     

Busywork Order & Rank, Inclusive of Non-Graded Materials for Education (BORINGME assessment tool)
December 19, 2008 2:34 PM by Andrea Vourtsis

The following is a new assessment tool developed by myself and several colleagues (also known as me) in conjunction with Temple University (also known as I hope I don't get sued for making that up). The BORINGME assessment tool observes and evaluates Read More...

341 views     0 comments »     

Portfolio of Doom
December 17, 2008 7:41 AM by Andrea Vourtsis

Okay, at the risk of sounding like a complainer, I have to tell you all that I really don't enjoy portfolio assignments. As with the group projects, I know I'm not alone in this. This may just be due to the fact that I recently had to complete a THIRD Read More...

290 views     0 comments »     

I See Dead People
December 8, 2008 11:52 AM by Andrea Vourtsis

One thing that I can say I've done in the course of my program that most OT students do not get the opportunity to do is cadaver anatomy. For some reason, this isn't required for many OT programs. I don't quite understand the logic behind that. As OTs, Read More...

359 views     0 comments »     

Pediatrics
December 1, 2008 2:38 PM by Andrea Vourtsis

On my second day of pediatrics fieldwork, a 10 month-old baby puked directly down my shirt. I'm sure some of you know this, but there is nothing like the feeling of formula vomit nicely congealing in your bosom. Makes for a lovely smell, too - especially Read More...

503 views     1 comments »     

Copyright MCMLXXXII
November 24, 2008 2:22 PM by Andrea Vourtsis

By far the most tragic part of my OT education thus far has been the dozens of videos I've been forced to watch that are at least 15 years old. Some are much older than this - possibly older than me. Many are also home-made, poorly edited, and horrifically Read More...

321 views     1 comments »     

Let’s not forget to play
November 17, 2008 11:32 AM by Andrea Vourtsis

When I decided to return to graduate school, I asked my sister what it was like. She assured me it was easy and I would breeze through it. Clearly, she did not attend school for Occupational Therapy! You'd think a master's degree in Finance would be difficult, Read More...

277 views     0 comments »     

The Top Ten Most Terrifying Moments of OT School (so far)
November 10, 2008 8:53 PM by Andrea Vourtsis

10. Realizing that there is only one male in my class (estrogen fest, commence!) 9. The 115 slide PowerPoint lecture on funding sources for assistive technology 8. The day I almost chopped off the tip of my left index finger in a freak bagel accident Read More...

407 views     1 comments »     

The Dreaded Group Project
November 3, 2008 11:55 AM by Andrea Vourtsis

One thing I've noticed about OT school is the somewhat extreme prevalence of group work. Never before have I done so many assignments in groups. I guess we are, at our core, team players; in most settings, we tend to spend most of our time with physical Read More...

315 views     2 comments »