The Data Behind The Petition
Inclusion Rates of Science Courses In OT Programs
The FSOTC has gathered information about the inclusion of hard sciences related to rehabilitation (human anatomy, kinesiology and neuroanatomy) within the curriculum of accredited OTD and MOT programs in the United States as of 2023 to support some of the issues raised in the FSOTC petition.
Many programs are not offering foundational versions of these courses to OT students at all, and many programs are instead offering courses that only partially cover the material insomuch as it relates to occupational performance directly. Both versions of these courses are included in the data above to demonstrate the percentage of schools that have moved away from teaching these courses.
In addition to courses addressing social factors affecting clients of OT, we believe the full presentation of these hard science courses is crucial to produce OT practitioners who can effectively use their full scope of practice to treat the entire person (body, mind, and soul) and become leaders in the myriad of OT roles within the medical system.
Timeline of Petition
Timeline of Petition
Petition dispersed to US OT Program Directors
It was reported to FSOTC that the petition was introduced as an announcement/matter of discussion to program directors. This is a significant advancement. FSOTC has scheduled a meeting to discuss amplifying efforts to finalize and disseminate substantiating data for the FSOTC position.
Again, it has been formally made known that FSOTC is seeking to complement the efforts of our national bodies and support their efforts to ensure all voices at the “ground level” of our profession are heard.
Third Meeting with Federal Data Specialist
Michelle met with FDS to discuss finding unemployment data by region.
Reformat and Rephrase
None of the petition points were modified. The “voice” and “tone” of the petition were revised to remove heavy emotion and replaced with a more objective tone. Those supporting the petition feel the overall tone may elicit more defensiveness than interest. For this reason, the phrasing was modified.
FSOTC desires to convey concern without condemnation. We want the petition to express genuine passion for change and support vs. insult and disrespect.
Contacted Teresa L. Brininger, PhD, MBA, OT of ACOTE
It has come to my attention from a source who wishes to remain anonymous that ACOTE intends to make many changes to the upcoming standards that will further push the narrative that “OT is moving away from the medical model”. These changes may include removing requirements for science and anatomy classes. The changes, if verified, will be a detriment to this proof. We must stop this narrative. We must advocacte.
“Draft 1” will be uploaded in a couple of weeks. Interested stakeholders will meet in an open forum to read and build a unified constructive response to proposed changes.
Updated Petition Format
The petition has been updated to convey its purpose better. We know that completely changing academia from fieldwork to fellowship is NOT an easy ask, nor is it likely. This petition is to open a conversation and demonstrate that clinicians, students, and educators have their eyes wide open to what is happening in this current climate of clinical practice. We do not want to face an existential crisis or be overtaken by other professions who are choosing now to use their complete scopes as well. The petition has been updated to include many concerns we must address and form action plans to amend. It is time for everyone on the organizational level to be held accountable for the status of the “working man” (i.e., The student and clinical level).
Call to Action on Instagram
Consulted with a Federal Data Specialist
(1) Changed 12 weeks to 24-week fieldwork responsibility
(2) Added and refined the solution and benefits for this conversion
**Both feedback offered from educators/practitioners who support the petition
(3) Met with a Federal Data Specialist for an initial consultation to extract national data and discussed obtaining the following information: Growth of accredited university programs in the US over the last 4 years, Socioeconomic status and demographics of occupational therapy students over the last 4 years, Tuition increases over 4 years, Occupational Therapy employment over the last 4 years, Amount of state, private, and federal funding that each school could lose vs each student potentially gaining.
Petition for Academic/Clinical Change Formed
Petition to convert current OT fieldwork model to a fellowship-based model so increase accessibility and clinical competence among occupational therapy practitioners immediately following academic completion.
Petition for Academic/Clinical Change Formed
Petition to convert current OT fieldwork model to a fellowship-based model so increase accessibility and clinical competence among occupational therapy practitioners immediately following academic completion.
Consulted with a Federal Data Specialist
(1) Changed 12 weeks to 24-week fieldwork responsibility
(2) Added and refined the solution and benefits for this conversion
**Both feedback offered from educators/practitioners who support the petition
(3) Met with a Federal Data Specialist for an initial consultation to extract national data and discussed obtaining the following information: Growth of accredited university programs in the US over the last 4 years, Socioeconomic status and demographics of occupational therapy students over the last 4 years, Tuition increases over 4 years, Occupational Therapy employment over the last 4 years, Amount of state, private, and federal funding that each school could lose vs each student potentially gaining.
Call to Action on Instagram
Updated Petition Format
The petition has been updated to convey its purpose better. We know that completely changing academia from fieldwork to fellowship is NOT an easy ask, nor is it likely. This petition is to open a conversation and demonstrate that clinicians, students, and educators have their eyes wide open to what is happening in this current climate of clinical practice. We do not want to face an existential crisis or be overtaken by other professions who are choosing now to use their complete scopes as well. The petition has been updated to include many concerns we must address and form action plans to amend. It is time for everyone on the organizational level to be held accountable for the status of the “working man” (i.e., The student and clinical level).
Contacted Teresa L. Brininger, PhD, MBA, OT of ACOTE
It has come to my attention from a source who wishes to remain anonymous that ACOTE intends to make many changes to the upcoming standards that will further push the narrative that “OT is moving away from the medical model”. These changes may include removing requirements for science and anatomy classes. The changes, if verified, will be a detriment to this proof. We must stop this narrative. We must advocacte.
“Draft 1” will be uploaded in a couple of weeks. Interested stakeholders will meet in an open forum to read and build a unified constructive response to proposed changes.
Reformat and Rephrase
None of the petition points were modified. The “voice” and “tone” of the petition were revised to remove heavy emotion and replaced with a more objective tone. Those supporting the petition feel the overall tone may elicit more defensiveness than interest. For this reason, the phrasing was modified.
FSOTC desires to convey concern without condemnation. We want the petition to express genuine passion for change and support vs. insult and disrespect.
Third Meeting with Federal Data Specialist
Michelle met with FDS to discuss finding unemployment data by region.
Petition dispersed to US OT Program Directors
It was reported to FSOTC that the petition was introduced as an announcement/matter of discussion to program directors. This is a significant advancement. FSOTC has scheduled a meeting to discuss amplifying efforts to finalize and disseminate substantiating data for the FSOTC position.
Again, it has been formally made known that FSOTC is seeking to complement the efforts of our national bodies and support their efforts to ensure all voices at the “ground level” of our profession are heard.