OT's on the net and more..

Hi Will,

I'm the Honours student assisting Merrolee with her Web 2.0 project - some of the results of the project will form the basis of my Honours dissertation. I agree with your posting and the reasons OTs aren't a bigger presence on the Web - number 3 resonates with me especially as a new graduate. I feel uncomfortable putting my inexperienced viewpoint out there - and I REALLY don't want to start a flame war!

Another key point is time: I'm a full-time student working two part-time jobs, married with 2, soon to be 3 kids. Finding time to write posts and comment on other people's blogs is a bit of a luxury at the moment!

Just my two cents...

Keep up the good work,

Nathan

PS My blog is at http://shigakiwi.wordpress.com if you're interested - although there's not a lot there at the moment!

After having a bit of a look around your blog Will, I''m very impressed, but it's also a little intimidating. That's not at all a criticism but for me I think twice about putting something out there as you've set the bar so high! Also, I think sometimes being the first to get something going can be a little scary, but participating in Merrolee's project has made the process a lot less scary, and some things are even becoming natural!

Thanks - visit me at janeoccupationaltherapy.wordpress.com

Thats a challenging post Will! I am guilty of your reasons 1, 3, and 5. And thats my disclaimer before you read my comment.

OT's do stuff, its what we do that noone else does that makes us indispensible. I guess in the midst of getting stuck in to other people's lives, we forget about our own, ourselves and the other OT's in the same boat as us.

We get taught to 'do', because noone else is! And indeed we are employed to get our hands dirty and think about OTHER people and the way they live.

We are engrossed, and most often it takes someone looking out for you and your sanity to pull your head out of the roles of your clients and remind you that you have a role of your own.

We forget, as simple as that. All of your above reason's dont even feature unless we are prompted to remember. So help me remember! Because myself and my profession are in desperate need of increasing our profile and learning to stand up for ourselves where ever we are, including the net! Check out my blog http://otexperiment.wordpress.com . It's still slow at getting started, but I'm working on it, and here's hoping that others will too.

Hi Will
I really enjoyed your post on OT's and the net and your statements certainly got me thinking! Until I was introduced to blogging through the Web 2.0 research group I am currently participating in, the only time I used the internet for work and OT purposes was to google something! I never realised the endless opportunities out there to gather and share information, research ideas and facilitate networking between other services and Occupational Therapists. I must admit it is a learning curve and initially quite time consuming - and thats from somone whe actually thought they were reasonably computer illiterate before starting the blog thing!! I imagine 'time' is a deterant to many people in that service pressures and limited time for self directed learning and study during the working hours are extremely limited (well from my experience anyway!) and to get more OTs on the net would require people to be prepared to spend time outside working hours!! In saying that this is what I am doing at the moment and am really enjoying it! Time will tell if I can keep this up outside of the research group!! I really enjoy your postings on your site - Keep it up......we can never put ourselves out there as a profession enough!
P.s If you are interested in checking out my blog so far my address is: http//:occupationaltherapyreflect.wordpress.com

I think...summise... that alot of OT's don't think about computers, cyber space etc as part of their practice. Perhaps it is also that "fear" of who reads what you write when reflecting on your practice. Also reflection and discussion about practice is not often encouraged in work places it is more about productivity, quality and getting through the waiting lists!! Computers are also "scary" to the uninitiated. Prior to attending the Web 2.0 project I would never have thought to use the web as a reflective/ discussion tool. However the Web 2.0 project has made me really excited about OT resources available on the net and I agree it is fun playing on the net!!! You might want to see what I am finding on my blog...http://occupationaltherapyrehab.wordpress.com/

Hi Will,

Great controversial post. I just wrote a whole comment but lost it when I hit F5 for the captcha validation. To summarize - I believe Ot's are IT literate to varying degrees as from experience in the US, Australia, and New Zealand. As a clinician, I am flat out with my casework and administrative tasks so struggle to have time for this type of thing.
In my Web 2.0 class, I have heard more about blogging (and created my own blog) and also about delicious which I had never heard of. Social bookmarking is not in my vocabulary.
Privacy is a big issue with sharing info online. Some hospitals have medical records on line which has caused quite a bit of controversy in the US. Hand held patient notes done by Ot's and PT's would be quicker and easier though and I would welcome it.
Research is critical to back up why we do what we do as OT's however for the busy clinician - it is tricky to find a balance. Could say a lot more...
Thanks for your work.

Okay Will - I hadn't found your entry for this topic on your blog before - reminds me I should search on the tags in people's blogs rather than just reading the most recent on....so my thoughts ( and I confess - I'm in the geek geek group!!!!)...

1. OT's aren't IT literate?
Most OT's in NZ don't have ready access to computers at work - they share - so I think in these situations the PC becomes a tool for completing work tasks, not a tool for learning. Their confidence and competence is linked to what they need to do for their work - online booking systems, word processing for reports, and ??? They are either blocked from accessing the internet, or don't have time to access the internet, or when they do, there isn't much on OT!

2. OT's who are IT literate dont think there are any other OTs out there who are
That's me - I'm literate but when I've looked there's been little - so I head into the educational online world as at least there's lots of resources there - which doesn't help the OT world build its presence (okay I'm trying to fix that with my blog come see: http://oteducation.wordpress.com ).

3. People think: What do I have to contribute?
This I totally agree with - I think we are comfortable with the notion that everyone else is more expert than me - what could I have to share that anyone would be interested in reading???? Surely someone else knows more than me, and is more articulate than me, and has more academic knowledge than me, and ... and ... and....

4. People guess: I know it all anyway - it took me xx years to learn all my stuff so why should I spread the word?
I think the active researchers, thinkers, philosophers of our profession are all so busy publishing and presenting that they're not even aware of this 'other world' and if they are - then they're too busy to put up a site? Or... perhaps do they think that if I they do post their thinking in action 'others' may come and 'take' their ideas and then present them as their own?

But I'm only one voice - tonight I'm bringing over another 8 or so people to have a go at answering this question! Is there any way Will that you can bring this posting back up and fresh as a new entry on your blog chronologically?

Hi all, just discovered you in a random google search for my assignment. I am doing my 3rd year placement and I attend James Cook University in Australia. Just finish my first one in a private mental health practice... very interesting! Starting new place on monday, can't wait!

Hi
Wondering if you still check out your old postings....I think I know some of the answers to your questions!!