Physiotherapy (Pt) Compared With Occupational Therapy

[Yellowhead]

Hi guys,

 

For those (like myself) who have considered OT and PT as a career, why did you end up choosing one or the other? Feel free to touch on any important differences, i.e. workplace environment, job stress, pay, scope of practice, demand for job etc.

 

I was accepted into an OT program, but feel that I would equally be suited for a career as a PT, hence the dilemma.

 

Thank you!

[Bambi]

Disclaimer: I have a MD.

 

I would think the scope of practice is quite wide for OT (see https://www.aota.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/AboutAOTA/OfficialDocs/Position/Scope-of-Practice-edited-2014.PDF).

 

If this is your only acceptance, then I presume you would accept. Both are rewarding careers.

[Yellowhead]

My hesitancy towards OT has to deal with the relative number of geriatric clients an OT deals with in comparison to a PT. I enjoy working with seniors but the capacity in which an OT assists an elderly patient (i.e. bathing, toileting) would not be my first choice.

 

Anyone who feels they can add to the topic, please do so.

 

Thank you

[Littlelionwoman]

From what I've observed, OT's are involved with toileting and bathing to the extent that we make sure patients can do this safely and independently. We determine whether an assistive device (like a raised toilet seat, navigating a walker, ect) would make this process easier, and we teach people how to use them. But all of the assessments I've observed so far are "dry runs", meaning we teach or observe when the client isn't actually performing those functions. Actual toileting and bathing are nursing or nursing assistant duties.

 

However, I will say that I think part of being on a healthcare team means not passing off the "icky" tasks to nurses, so if a patient happened to need to use the toilet during our dry run, I'll step in and help where needed. YMMV.

 

Also, if you'd like to work in a general hospital setting, then working with the elderly is going to be a common occurrence whether you're a PT or an OT. If you'd prefer to work in a specialized clinic, (which hire both PT and OT), then you might work with different patients.

 

I think one of the biggest difference between the two fields would be that PTs seem to focus on general mobility while OTs focus on function. A PT checks for muscle tone, stability, range of motion, ect. An OT checks for safety, environmental modifications, independence, cognition and reasoning, ect.

[OT__2015]

I wouldn't say OT's primarily work with geriatrics. From what I've observed, they work with people of all ages! You could be a Pediatric OT, community OT, stroke OT, hand therapist, etc! There are so many options to work with all different kinds of People. And I agree with the post above that OT's focus on function and safety !

[MDwannabe02]

From what I've observed, OT's are involved with toileting and bathing to the extent that we make sure patients can do this safely and independently. We determine whether an assistive device (like a raised toilet seat, navigating a walker, ect) would make this process easier, and we teach people how to use them. But all of the assessments I've observed so far are "dry runs", meaning we teach or observe when the client isn't actually performing those functions. Actual toileting and bathing are nursing or nursing assistant duties.

 

However, I will say that I think part of being on a healthcare team means not passing off the "icky" tasks to nurses, so if a patient happened to need to use the toilet during our dry run, I'll step in and help where needed. YMMV.

 

Also, if you'd like to work in a general hospital setting, then working with the elderly is going to be a common occurrence whether you're a PT or an OT. If you'd prefer to work in a specialized clinic, (which hire both PT and OT), then you might work with different patients.

 

I think one of the biggest difference between the two fields would be that PTs seem to focus on general mobility while OTs focus on function. A PT checks for muscle tone, stability, range of motion, ect. An OT checks for safety, environmental modifications, independence, cognition and reasoning, ect.

Agreed. From what I've seen on PT placements so far anyway. Good post, Littlelionwoman.

[Yellowhead]

Thank you for your input everyone! Liitelionwoman your post was particularly helpful. I absolutely agree that health care professionals should work collaboratively and not merely pass down "icky" duties so to speak.

 

Can anyone speak to an OT vs PT's level of autonomy within the workplace; either in the private or public sector? How about salary/career outlook?

 

Also, given the two fields share similarities I'm curious to know why it is that PT seems more competitive and perhaps even more desirable than OT? Any thoughts?

 

Thanks for the interesting input and discussion everyone!

[Littlelionwoman]

I don't know that one is more desirable than the other, but I think the general public is more informed about (some of) what physiotherapy entails for several reasons.

 

For one thing, PT is covered by many more people's insurance than OT, which suggests that the latter is "optional" compared to the perceived "necessity" of physiotherapy.

 

For another, physio is much easier to understand in concrete terms. OT's scope is so broad (mental health! social issues! wound care! stroke! assistive devices!) that it can be hard to define. In theory, this diverse skill set should make us indispensable (and super fundable ) but that is not always the case. I think OTs overlap with so many roles that it's easy to assume there are other roles who are collectively qualified to do those jobs.

 

If I could envision a future for the profession (a vision which is limited by my current experience and which I'm sure may change), it would be as a leader within healthcare teams who understands how all of the pieces fit together under a truly holistic model of care. An OT would be GREAT at discharge planning for example, but that role is generally geared towards nurses. Or they would be great as specialists in inclusion and diversity. One of the reasons that I love OT is the incredible diversity, but the profession as a whole really needs to work on its elevator pitch.

 

I don't fully understand why PT admission is more competitive than OT, but if I had to guess, I would say one reason is the perception (i.e illusion) of safety. Lots of people will look at a job that is easy to define and possibly funded, and interpret that as stability. I personally think stability and opportunity are not necessarily synonymous. Maybe PT is more stable for the very short term, but when the market is well and truly saturated, an enterprising OT can use their diverse skill set to find a new way into the system. The ability to reinvent yourself, show initiative, and be useful is an invaluable skill for both professions.

 

Sorry for blathering, I have a lot of OT feels, ha! Both PT and OT seem like wonderful, fulfilling careers

[Yellowhead]

Hi Littlelionwoman.

 

Thank you for your input! You have certainly raised some very important and interesting points. I definitely agree that public awareness for PT is far greater than OT (hence, perhaps why it is that more people apply to the former, thereby making it more competitive to get into).

 

I also think that OT can be a hard sell, especially when many of its duties border or overlap with other professions i.e. nurse, PT etc. For this reason, I'm curious to hear more about your thoughts on OT career outlook and stability? Do you believe that our healthcare system will allow for another profession into the field? One that by all accounts may be perceived to infringe on the duties and responsibilities of another?

 

Thanks again!

 

[B.OT]

I don't really think that OTs responsibilities infringe on others like nurses or PTs. They all work together in many settings but they all have very different scopes of practice. Physios are obviously geared towards what is physically ailing the patient. Nurses are a bit of a melting pot and do a TON of different things, depending on the setting in which they work. OTs are primarily about function - mainly coming up with and teaching strategies about how to function independently regardless of what may be ailing you. They specialize in adaptive aids and strategies, as well as edema control, many hand related injuries (specifically those that require splinting, casts, and other hand rehab devices), and they are the ones who deal with screening for dementia and similar things. I work in a rural hospital as a rehab assistant right now and I can definitely say that each position is too busy to absorb any of the other professional's duties and responsibilities. Of course it will vary depending on the setting and their resources, but in general I do not foresee there being a shortage of jobs for OTs any time soon. The demand is definitely there, it just seems that the funding for more OT jobs is what is lacking.

[OThopeful27]

I don't know that one is more desirable than the other, but I think the general public is more informed about (some of) what physiotherapy entails for several reasons.

 

For one thing, PT is covered by many more people's insurance than OT, which suggests that the latter is "optional" compared to the perceived "necessity" of physiotherapy.

 

For another, physio is much easier to understand in concrete terms. OT's scope is so broad (mental health! social issues! wound care! stroke! assistive devices!) that it can be hard to define. In theory, this diverse skill set should make us indispensable (and super fundable ) but that is not always the case. I think OTs overlap with so many roles that it's easy to assume there are other roles who are collectively qualified to do those jobs.

 

If I could envision a future for the profession (a vision which is limited by my current experience and which I'm sure may change), it would be as a leader within healthcare teams who understands how all of the pieces fit together under a truly holistic model of care. An OT would be GREAT at discharge planning for example, but that role is generally geared towards nurses. Or they would be great as specialists in inclusion and diversity. One of the reasons that I love OT is the incredible diversity, but the profession as a whole really needs to work on its elevator pitch.

 

I don't fully understand why PT admission is more competitive than OT, but if I had to guess, I would say one reason is the perception (i.e illusion) of safety. Lots of people will look at a job that is easy to define and possibly funded, and interpret that as stability. I personally think stability and opportunity are not necessarily synonymous. Maybe PT is more stable for the very short term, but when the market is well and truly saturated, an enterprising OT can use their diverse skill set to find a new way into the system. The ability to reinvent yourself, show initiative, and be useful is an invaluable skill for both professions.

 

Sorry for blathering, I have a lot of OT feels, ha! Both PT and OT seem like wonderful, fulfilling careers

 

I certainly agree, there is work to be done. In fact from some of the discussions I had with OTs, it can be pointed out that the profession has moved forward slowly due to the lack of males and leadership in the profession. I hope that those trends get changed because this profession has so much to offer.