''What strategies are occupational therapists interested in mental health going to develop to both assert the field as an effective treatment and practice it as such?'' This question was posed by an OT student in her comments on my assertion that advocacy groups such as the Icarus Project can provide new ideas - and ''re-emergent'' practice ...

Several weeks ago I was at our daily OFT (Outcome Facilitation Team) meeting when we heard over the speaker system, ''Code 4. 5th floor. Room 12.''  A Spanish-speaking patient had passed out and became unresponsive, and a code was called for the Stat team to her room for resuscitation.  As the nurse would later describe, she was ...

This week I was discussing the roles between PT's, PT students, and PTA's with my professor. I mentioned that, though I have had interactions with PTA's during my last two clinicals, it has been relatively limited in me directly supervising them. While talking to her I expressed my concern with supervising a PTA who has been practicing for an ...

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 than the first.  I was in an acute rehab setting, working primarily with ...

My internship is coming to an end and I am really going to miss it. I am finding it harder and harder to have to tell my patients that I will not be seeing anymore. Some of my patients I have seen since the very first week of my clinical! As with all things though I must prepare for it to come to an end. The good thing about it coming to its ...

''The best laid plans of mice and men...''  I do have some well laid plans!  I'm a planner.  I love to plan.  But sometimes I get stuck in the planning stage.  Like the perpetual college student, I can be the perpetual planner.  If I'm being totally honest, sometimes planning is an excuse to avoid doing.  When ...

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 sure that any grad student can attest to the strain that comes along with ...

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 one... I can understand the necessity and utility of such things for artists.  ...

I'm all about lists this year, it seems. Well, here's another addition--my list of thanks for a wonderful year.  These are the things I am thankful for: 1. My education. With only two weeks left of academic life, and as I transition to a career in physical therapy, I am grateful for my education at Marquette University 2. My family ...

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, but for her, it wasn't - she obviously got the lion's share of the ...