Report cites shortage of rehab professionals.Report Cites Shortage of Rehab Professionals The diminishing pool of physical and occupational therapists occupational therapist A person trained to help people manage daily activities of living–dressing, cooking, etc, and other activities that promote recovery and regaining vocational skills Salary $51K + 4% bonus. See ADL. and rehabilitation rehabilitation: see physical therapy. nurses is quickly reaching crisis proportions, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Crisis Ahead: Recruitment and Retention of Rehabilitation Professionals in the Nineties and Beyond, a report issued by the Professional Advisory Council of the National Easter Seal Society. "A simple ad in the Sunday paper Sunday paper n → (periódico) dominical m Sunday paper n → journal m du dimanche to fill a vacancy is no longer good enough," said John R. Garrison, Chief Executive Officer of the National Easter Seal Society. "If rehabilitation professional shortages continue to become widespread, then the very mission of rehabilitation becomes jeopardized." The "rehab flight" dilemma can be summed up as an inequality of supply and demand. In almost every area of expertise, demand is increasing and supplies in certain professions are shrinking. The report states that both elements of the equation seem to be out of control. The increase in needed services stems largely from medical technological advances in recent years. Increasing numbers of people are living into old age, often with multiple disabilities. Those born with disabilities and those who experience accidental trauma are surviving at greater rates. In addition, the growing awareness of the rights and needs of people with disabilities is increasing the demand for occupational therapy that will allow them to live independently. Significant federal legislation mandating the provision of occupational therapy services is contributing substantially to this demand. While the need for rehabilitation is growing, the supply of occupational therapists has leveled off with approximately 2,300 therapists and 900 assistants entering the field each year. In the area of physical therapy, the nation will need 42 percent more physical therapists than are currently employed, according to a 1984 Brandeis University Brandeis University, at Waltham, Mass.; coeducational; chartered and opened 1948. Although Brandeis was founded by members of the American Jewish community, the university operates as an independent, nonsectarian institution. Health Policy Center prediction. Bureau of Labor statistics Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) A research agency of the U.S. Department of Labor; it compiles statistics on hours of work, average hourly earnings, employment and unemployment, consumer prices and many other variables. indicate that physical therapy will be the third fastest growing occupation through the year 2000. The situation in rehabilitation nursing is exacerbated by the general shortage of nurses. The answers, according to the Easter Seal report, lie in both recruitment and retention. Creative efforts are proposed to attract new people in the areas needed; this includes greater use of direct mail, newspaper, radio and TV advertisements, professional and staff recruiters, sign-on bonuses, free housing, and participation in exhibits and open houses. A major effort should be directed toward showing young people the potentials of a career in rehabilitation. Efforts at retention may include: day care programs, part-time employment and job sharing job sharing Noun an arrangement by which a job is shared by two part-time workers job sharing job n → Jobsharing nt, Arbeitsplatzteilung f , expanded career ladders The Career ladder is a metaphor or buzzword used to denote vertical job promotion. In business and human resources management, the ladder typically describes the progression from entry level positions to higher levels of pay, skill, responsibility, or authority. , education and in-service programs, higher reimbursement Reimbursement Payment made to someone for out-of-pocket expenses has incurred. , as well as greater participation in patient management. Approaches for tapping unused talent include: attracting minorities, encouraging retired therapists to re-enter re·en·ter also re-en·ter v. re·en·tered, re·en·ter·ing, re·en·ters v.tr. 1. To enter or come in to again. 2. To record again on a list or ledger. v.intr. the profession, and awarding scholarships and/or stipends to students in exchange for rehabilitation work. "Easter Seals Easter Seals is an international charitable organization devoted to providing opportunities for children with physical disabilities. See
Brochures on rehabilitation and physical and occupational therapy are available from the National Easter Seal Society. Rehabilitation professionals and those interested in entering the field of rehabilitation who want more information can contact the Easter Seal affiliate in their community or the National Easter Seal Society at 70 East Lake Street, Chicago, Illinois 60601. The National Easter Seal Society is a nonprofit, community-based health agency dedicated to increasing the independence of people with disabilities. Easter Seals makes a difference in the lives of disabled adults, children and their families by offering a wide range of quality services, research and programs. Easter Seals is in the forefront of advocacy efforts on behalf of people with disabilities. Through 200 nationwide affiliates, more than a million people receive Easter Seal services each year. |
|
||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion