04/03/2020
This was taken from an OT group on FACEBOOK. I think the therapist, Kristian Wilson, did a great job of summing up our overall role during this pandemic.
Encouragement and reminders for my OT friends searching for their role during the COVID pandemic:
Lately I have a lot of unanswered questions about OT vs.COVID. Iv wondered just what exactly is our role right now? What makes us front-liners?
Finding relevant research and evidence based practice for OT and its connection with COVID is nearly impossible because is a new beast. There is no history of it because we are making history. There are no protocols,standardized assessments,outcome measures or treatment guidelines in place to pull from pure tool kit thus forcing us to rely solely on critical thinking and clinical judgement skills. Last night I pulled out some old text books trying to piece this puzzle together myself. I flipped through pages and jotted down a few thoughts of what I found to be just the answers I was looking for! I hope this serves as a reminder of just how “essential” OT is and always has been!
As I read through old text books and various social media groups I finally had my light bulb moment!We are uniquely equipped to address the psychosocial impact COVID has on our clients!!! Think back to our roots!!
How would an OT address the following scenarios?
You’re laying in a hospital bed riddled with fear and anxiety waiting for your test results. To save on PPE, your doctor doesn’t come in your room but rather calls your room phone to share the news that you are COVID-19 positive. You are now another number added to the pandemic you have been watching on the news all morning. The hospital has just released a NO visitor policy. No family to visit or encourage you. No spouse to hold your hand at bedside as your struggle to breathe or distract you from racing thoughts. You’re not allowed to roam the halls for fresh air to clear your head.
What about expecting mother’s? No visitors allowed during delivery as they bring a fragile new life into the middle of a pandemic. Think about the daughter worried her mother with dementia will forget her because she is no longer allowed to visit her nursing home... her mother’s world of routine has been turned upside down and she doesn’t understand why she hasn’t seen her daughter in weeks! Imagine having your habits,roles and routines ripped from your hands and being told you can’t participate in occupations or activities that give you joy, or make life meaningful. Its evident that COVID has wreaked havoc across the lifespan.
I can’t help but think of our history deeply rooted in mental health dating back to World War 1, Great Depression, Polio and Tuberculosis epidemics and World War 2!!
Could you imagine what an OTs role looked like or the challenges our profession faced then?Imagine the physical,mental, social,emotional and economical tolls they were forced to navigate? How did they do it??
OT pioneer, Mary Reilly reminds us “Man, through the use of his hands, as they are energized by mind and will, can influence the state of his own health."
(My favorite OT quote)
Adolf Meyer’s theory of Psychobiology was that “mental disease was reflective of habit disorganization in the lives of those effected” and....
“through engagement in occupations patients could ward off depression and gain a sense of self-confidence that would help motivate them”
He also believed.....
“Forced idleness during convalescence was not only morally wrong but also disorienting and physical debilitating”
Despite the unimaginable hardships our founders faced and what we are facing now our profession continually makes advancements producing new and emerging areas of practice every time! (For example, Telehealth OT is now making leaps and bounds thanks to COVID!! 👏🏼👏🏼). This maybe a new diagnosis but our founders showed us exactly how to stand on the frontline amongst other healthcare providers during challenging times like this.
So what makes an OT an essential member of the COVID team? We are trained to assess and address the whole person not just the diagnosis!(thanks OTPF) We bring forth a collaborative and holistic approach. We know the frontline expands outside the walls of hospitals so we look to the community and see an opportunity to implement environmental modifications, prevention strategies, education, and support systems. We know that the depth of injury or illness can impact both the patient and their loved ones. What about our keen skills in activity analysis, adapting and tasks modifications? We can introduce restorative or compensatory strategies to meet the occupational needs of our clients and their families. All the times we were asked, “what is OT?” or“ oh you help people get jobs?” has made us masters of education and advocacy!
We have a purpose and a valuable role during this history making pandemic. Let our OT roots give you the support you need to stand on the frontline. It takes a team to save and change lives so remember you are a hero too!
*I think it’s safe to say my coping mechanism is reflecting journaling. I apologize for the lengthy post*
