I'm a junior undergrad and was seriously considering PT as a career but i don't think it fits my personality. I've been volunteering for about a year in PT and have noticed all the therapists are very athletic and sporty. I am not a very naturally athletic person but i want to help people and am very attracted to the rehab sciences. Would OT be a better fit for me? Can someone give me a breakdown of the differences of PT and OT? Anyone want to share why they decided on OT as a career?
why ot?
- Thread starter jloh
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I decided on OT because of many reasons. It seemed (in my VERY limited experience, so this could be completely untrue) as though OTs were more laid back than PTs... like you said, PTs seem to be more athletic, and almost more intense (again, only speaking from limited experience).
I love the different activities that OTs get to do. When I shadowed OTs they got to be really creative -- patients played with play-dough, on swings, worked with eating utensils (though working with the mouth is more the area of a speech pathologist - but OTs work with adaptive tools, so my OT was teaching someone how to use a specially designed fork). The only place I shadowed where the OTs didn't seem to get to be really creative was in the ICU, otherwise it amazingly creative, from clinics to the nursing home! OT is almost an art, really.
I also shadowed a PT at a nursing home (my OT wanted me to see the differences) and it wasn't nearly as fun. If you walked into the PT room you saw all kinds of large equipment, lots of benches, some balls, some practice stairs, etc., but once you walked into the OT room you saw puzzles and crafts, besides equipment.
So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, I feel like OT has more freedom to use creativity.
OT and PT tend to overlap -- but a patient often goes to BOTH.
An OT helps a person regain independence in daily activities. So if a person has been injured and can't dress himself, it's the OT that comes in and helps the person re-learn how to do it. The PT focuses more on the injury itself and regaining function.
And just in case you don't know, as a junior you can start entry-level MOT programs (and PT programs), instead of waiting to graduate. There aren't many -- I actually only know of 2. I'm also a junior and I'm entering an entry-level program in June that will get me my Masters of Occupational Therapy in 3 years. Something to look into 🙂
I love the different activities that OTs get to do. When I shadowed OTs they got to be really creative -- patients played with play-dough, on swings, worked with eating utensils (though working with the mouth is more the area of a speech pathologist - but OTs work with adaptive tools, so my OT was teaching someone how to use a specially designed fork). The only place I shadowed where the OTs didn't seem to get to be really creative was in the ICU, otherwise it amazingly creative, from clinics to the nursing home! OT is almost an art, really.
I also shadowed a PT at a nursing home (my OT wanted me to see the differences) and it wasn't nearly as fun. If you walked into the PT room you saw all kinds of large equipment, lots of benches, some balls, some practice stairs, etc., but once you walked into the OT room you saw puzzles and crafts, besides equipment.
So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, I feel like OT has more freedom to use creativity.
OT and PT tend to overlap -- but a patient often goes to BOTH.
An OT helps a person regain independence in daily activities. So if a person has been injured and can't dress himself, it's the OT that comes in and helps the person re-learn how to do it. The PT focuses more on the injury itself and regaining function.
And just in case you don't know, as a junior you can start entry-level MOT programs (and PT programs), instead of waiting to graduate. There aren't many -- I actually only know of 2. I'm also a junior and I'm entering an entry-level program in June that will get me my Masters of Occupational Therapy in 3 years. Something to look into 🙂
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I, too, was originally thinking I would do PT (hence my screen name), after having been a patient for several years (running injuries) and knowing several PTs. I experienced such relief from injuries I wanted to do the same for people. But I also observed OT in an outpatient setting (hand therapy mostly) in addition to thousands of hours consulting with/observing the OT I work with (I'm a special ed teacher) and after researching all the other settings OTs can work in (in the NICU with preemies, in nursing homes, spinal cord/Neuro units, home health, to name a few) I decided OT was more in line with my background and what I want to do. Like the other person said, there is a lot of creativity in OT, but you can also do more of the PT rehab type things (like upper extremity therapy) if you want.
I actually just had a few sessions with an OT because I broke my elbow and needed some help with range of motion and strengthening. It was really cool to see how after a few days of exercises my pain was gone and I could do all my daily activities again--something I will be doing as an OT myself! But I also love the fact that I can do more creative things in addition. When you graduate you can work in more than one setting at a time, if you want. Maybe your full time job will be in a nursing home, working more "creatively" at times, and a few hours a week you can work in an outpatient clinic, or in home care. You can do the same with PT of course--work in different settings.
Someone told me OTs actually have more options than PTs for how they practice because OT is very open-ended and flexible, and OTs are constantly evolving to new roles. You should definitely see if you can shadow some OTs at a hospital, nursing home, etc. Once you start talking to one you'll get a feel for the field and they may have a friend in another setting you can shadow. Good luck!
I actually just had a few sessions with an OT because I broke my elbow and needed some help with range of motion and strengthening. It was really cool to see how after a few days of exercises my pain was gone and I could do all my daily activities again--something I will be doing as an OT myself! But I also love the fact that I can do more creative things in addition. When you graduate you can work in more than one setting at a time, if you want. Maybe your full time job will be in a nursing home, working more "creatively" at times, and a few hours a week you can work in an outpatient clinic, or in home care. You can do the same with PT of course--work in different settings.
Someone told me OTs actually have more options than PTs for how they practice because OT is very open-ended and flexible, and OTs are constantly evolving to new roles. You should definitely see if you can shadow some OTs at a hospital, nursing home, etc. Once you start talking to one you'll get a feel for the field and they may have a friend in another setting you can shadow. Good luck!
Thanks for the replies.
Does an OT have to work with people who have psychological issues? I read that it is part of the curriculum in OT school to learn to treat people with behavioral issues which i wouldn't mind to learn about but i do not think i would enjoy that aspect of OT for any long period of time. can OT still be a potential career if i do not want to work with psych patients?
Does an OT have to work with people who have psychological issues? I read that it is part of the curriculum in OT school to learn to treat people with behavioral issues which i wouldn't mind to learn about but i do not think i would enjoy that aspect of OT for any long period of time. can OT still be a potential career if i do not want to work with psych patients?
Also, how competitive is admission into OT school? Here are my stats:
Cum. GPA: 3.2
Major: MCB with minor in Chem
Extra Curricular: marching band, 150+ hours volunteer at hospital
Observation hours: 50+ in outpatient PT clinic but did have hand therapy there, 0 with OT yet but will do soon
do i have a good chance at getting in my first try?
Cum. GPA: 3.2
Major: MCB with minor in Chem
Extra Curricular: marching band, 150+ hours volunteer at hospital
Observation hours: 50+ in outpatient PT clinic but did have hand therapy there, 0 with OT yet but will do soon
do i have a good chance at getting in my first try?
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It depends where you work -- for example, when I shadowed in the nursing home the OT had to work with a couple delusional patients. A patient thought a bird was in the room - the OT had to talk her through it. Another patient refused treatment because she felt out of control and needed the OT to recognize this and make her feel as though she had more control over the activities she was doing. You'll need some background in psychology for any health profession, but you won't be "treating" mental issues.
At a kid's clinic you'll probably often be dealing with kids with asperger's or autism, just because these kids may need extra help in learning to care for themselves and function as normally as possible. But you'll most likely be working alongside a psychiatrist - you won't be "counseling."
So, yes, you'll see patients with behavioral issues (especially when working with kids), but that won't be your focus - your focus will be to help the person learn how to function and do normal daily activities.
It really depends on the school you're trying to get into. All the programs I have seen require a 3.0 or above - which you have. You have fantastic volunteer background, which is very important in this field - the schools want to see that you are striving to help your community. They want to see that you're a well-rounded individual - marching band shows that you have other interests, and if you have been a member of any clubs/sports/etc then be sure to list those on your application.
Your GPA is okay - you need to figure out your pre-req GPA though (depends on the school. My school just wanted to see my science GPA instead of all pre-reqs lumped in together). Most programs want you to be over 3.0, so you fit that. Your volunteer hours are fantastic - they want to see that you are making a difference in your community. Extracurricular is very important to show that you're well-rounded. If your GPA was a bit higher then I'd say you have a great chance at getting in at the first try - you still have a good chance because you have a *good* GPA, but it just isn't outstanding.
At a kid's clinic you'll probably often be dealing with kids with asperger's or autism, just because these kids may need extra help in learning to care for themselves and function as normally as possible. But you'll most likely be working alongside a psychiatrist - you won't be "counseling."
So, yes, you'll see patients with behavioral issues (especially when working with kids), but that won't be your focus - your focus will be to help the person learn how to function and do normal daily activities.
It really depends on the school you're trying to get into. All the programs I have seen require a 3.0 or above - which you have. You have fantastic volunteer background, which is very important in this field - the schools want to see that you are striving to help your community. They want to see that you're a well-rounded individual - marching band shows that you have other interests, and if you have been a member of any clubs/sports/etc then be sure to list those on your application.
Your GPA is okay - you need to figure out your pre-req GPA though (depends on the school. My school just wanted to see my science GPA instead of all pre-reqs lumped in together). Most programs want you to be over 3.0, so you fit that. Your volunteer hours are fantastic - they want to see that you are making a difference in your community. Extracurricular is very important to show that you're well-rounded. If your GPA was a bit higher then I'd say you have a great chance at getting in at the first try - you still have a good chance because you have a *good* GPA, but it just isn't outstanding.
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You definitely do not have to work in a psych setting. But keep in mind that many of your patients may be a bit depressed due to whatever ailment they have. Same would be true in PT: If you are used to doing normal things, and because of an injury you suddenly can't walk without pain or you can't lift your arm to do your hair or makeup (or whatever), you might be depressed for a while. You don't realize how you take normal movements for granted until you can't move normally! It helps to have sensitivity and compassion if you are going to be an OT or PT.
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My last sentence made it sound like you don't have sensitivity or compassion, which was not my intent! I just meant that from time to time you'll have to access your compassionate side in these fields, and maybe a little more so in OT. But from what I've learned psych settings are just a small portion of what's available for employment as an OT.
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