OT in the Bathroom: Where Independence Begins

Learner Outcomes

1. Affirm the evaluation and treatment of incontinence are well within the scope of general occupational therapy practitioners across various settings.
2. Apply dynamic components from the occupational therapy domain and process to reaffirm that pelvic floor interventions are within every OTs capability, without extensive, specialized training.
3. Observe the use of accessible, nonjudgemental language for optimal completion of an intake form relating to toileting.
4. Customize effective interventions by extrapolating client-specific details captured during the intake interview.

Abstract

Toileting, while a daily task, continues to be inconsistently addressed by clinicians. Both client and clinician can feel uneasy discussing this socially-sensitive topic; however, attaining client-centered goals expands a client's occupational performance in self-care, home and community mobility, social participation, and role management (AOTA, 2020).

Occupational therapy practitioners are experts in therapeutic use of self, task analysis, and both spoken and unspoken communication (AOTA, 2020). By fine-tuning these already-existing traits, clinicians will obtain a more accurate, robust occupational profile and leverage this information for the effective implementation of evidence-based methods in support of toileting routines.

 

Biography

Lindsey graduated as an OT from NYU in 2011 destined to be in pelvic health. She followed her destiny, knowing she was going to be a double horned unicorn. Not many people know what OT is and add in pelvic health, well, she knew she had to perfect her elevator speech. She became the proud founder of the first in-home pelvic health practice in NYC (the Functional Pelvis) run by an OT. Now, she teaches OTs how to become rock star pelvic floor therapists (aka double horned unicorns.).

She is the host of weekly live show called "OT Empower Hour" on her Facebook group OTs for Pelvic Health which has over 7,700 members. She is also the host of her 5 star rated weekly podcast "OTs in Pelvic Health" empowering fellow OTs with the path to take to have a successful and fulfilling career in pelvic health. Lindsey thrives on being a connector to bring people together and improve the way healthcare providers learn and help others.

 

References to support evidence-based practice

1. Fricke, A., Lark, S. D., Fink, P. W., Mundel, T., & Shultz, S. P. (2021). Exercise Interventions to Improve Pelvic Floor Muscle Functioning in Older Women With Urinary Incontinence: A Systematic Review. Journal of Women’s Health Physical Therapy, 45(3), 115–125. https://doi.org/10.1097/jwh.0000000000000202
2. Reisch, R. (2020). Interventions for Overactive Bladder: Review of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training and Urgency Control Strategies. Journal of Women’s Health Physical Therapy, 44(1), 19–25. https://doi.org/10.1097/jwh.0000000000000148

 

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