Introduction

  • Presenters: Maxwell McKinney (Physical Therapist), Taylor Cockrell (Occupational Therapist)

  • Presentation Focus:
      - Role of physical and occupational therapists in various settings
      - Collaboration with speech-language pathologists (SLPs)

Background of Presenters

Maxwell McKinney

  • Graduated with a bachelor’s in health sciences from Ohio State University (OSU) in 2015

  • Completed Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2018 from OSU
      - Program duration: 3 years, combining coursework and clinical experience (42 weeks)

  • Clinical Rotations:
      - Five outpatient clinics, OSU Wexner Medical Center, skilled nursing facility

  • Current Role: Acute Care PT at medical center focusing on orthopedic and transplant populations

Taylor Cockrell

  • Graduated with a bachelor’s in health sciences from OSU in 2015

  • Obtained Master’s in Occupational Therapy in 2017 from OSU

  • Clinical Experience:
      - Outpatient pediatrics, skilled nursing facility, acute care in brain and spine hospital
      - Neuro patients

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the roles of physical and occupational therapists

  • Identify similarities and differences between physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy

  • Discuss proper posture and its effect on swallowing

  • Review case studies and interdisciplinary approaches to patient care

Overview of Coursework

  • Comparison of coursework in physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), and speech-language pathology (SLP)

  • Visual: Venn diagram illustrating overlaps and distinctions across programs

Role of Physical Therapists (PT)

Definition and Focus

  • APTA Definition: Movement experts who improve quality of life through exercise, care, and education

  • Key Focus Areas:
      - Improve mobility
      - Pain management (chronic and acute)
      - Restore function in daily tasks
      - Prevent deterioration and disability in aging or inactive patients
      - Maintenance therapy to preserve strength and mobility

Methods of Achieving Goals

  • PT Interventions Include:
      - Strengthening and range of motion exercises
      - Transfer training (bed mobility, gait)
      - Endurance and balance training
      - Manual therapy (hands-on techniques)
      - Modalities (ultrasound, traction, electrical stimulation)
      - Orthotics and braces

Patient Population

  • Wide range of patients:
      - Infants (e.g., premature babies)
      - Athletes (e.g., ACL injuries)
      - Adults (e.g., COVID-19 recovery)
      - Older adults (e.g., Parkinson's disease)

Role of Occupational Therapists (OT)

Definition and Focus

  • OTs assist individuals in participating in daily activities (occupations) through therapeutic use of everyday tasks

  • Holistic and client-centered approach

Categories of Occupations

  • Eight categories according to OT Practice Framework:
      1. Activities of daily living (ADLs)
      2. Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)
      3. Rest and sleep
      4. Education
      5. Work
      6. Play
      7. Leisure
      8. Social participation

Interventions and Approaches

  • Five Intervention Areas:
      1. Occupations and activities (ADL and IADL training)
      2. Preparatory methods and tasks (modalities, splinting)
      3. Education and training (advocacy and occupational justice)
      4. Groups (social interaction facilitation)
      5. Health promotion (e.g., fall prevention)

Clinical Settings and Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Acute Care Setting

  • Focus on promoting mobility and preventing deconditioning during hospital stay
      - PTs perform gait and transfer training, educate on mobility importance
      - Teaching patient precautions post-surgery/injury

  • Typical Patient Evaluation Process:
      1. Chart review (diagnosis, medical history)
      2. Subjective history (patient concerns, prior function)
      3. Physical assessment (ROM, strength)

Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) and Inpatient Rehabilitation

  • Offer 24-hour supervision, intensive therapy services

  • Primary goal: Improve overall functioning for safe home discharge

Home Health Care

  • PT/OT interventions occur in patient's personal space

  • Areas of focus include safety evaluations, ADL routines, and modifications

Outpatient Therapy Clinics

  • Structured evaluations and treatments

  • Focus on specific impairments or broader functional issues

Posture's Role in Swallowing

  • Research indicates posture impacts swallowing efficiency

  • Studies indicating varying degrees of difficulty swallowing based on posture
      - Seated upright: Mean difficulty rating of 0.52
      - Slumped posture: Mean difficulty rating of 4.69
      - Supine posture: Mean difficulty rating of 6.96

  • Practical implications for therapy

Case Studies

Case Study 1: 72-Year-Old Male Post-Stroke

  • Residual right-sided weakness, balance impairments, dysphagia

PT Interventions

  • Focus on transfer, strength training, gait pattern retraining

OT Interventions

  • Fine motor coordination, ADLs, education on lifestyle modifications

SLP Interventions

  • Swallow evaluation, cognitive assessments, nutritional recommendations

Case Study 2: 81-Year-Old Female with Parkinson's Disease

  • Issues: Forward-flexed posture, tremors, verbal communication difficulties

PT Interventions

  • Postural education, gait training, balance exercises

OT Interventions

  • Adaptive equipment, fatigue management, functional transfers

SLP Interventions

  • Evaluate swallowing, communicative strategies, assistive devices

Conclusion

  • Encouragement for interdisciplinary collaboration among PT, OT, and SLP for holistic patient care

  • Contact information for further questions

References

  • APTA - American Physical Therapy Association

  • AOTA - American Occupational Therapy Association