Implicit Bias

Based on what we have learned and experienced over the years, we may have developed some negative stereotypes towards groups and/or individuals. This is defined as implicit bias. In the 4 minute podcast with Alexis Johnson, she states that you can retrain your brain to see people differently. However, it takes a long period of time to actually do that.

It is interesting to see how our brains focus on certain bits of information in order to process things quicker. Like the implicit bias test I took, it wanted me to answer as fast as I could to see if my brain could keep up with the pace. Sometimes my brain would get ahead and cause my finger to hit the incorrect key. Same goes for the exercise given in the "4-Minute Listen" podcast. The start of the test administered, had phrases and to those phrases were answers that all seemed to rhyme with one another. When it came to  the phrase "the white part of the egg is called the..." Ailsa (podcaster) answered with the word yolk, when actually the answer was an egg white. Her brain didn't think about that fully, because each answer prior to had a connection and rhymed. I find it interesting that this exercise is used for implicit bias.

In the field of OT, it is important for us to challenge ourselves. We are human, but we want to train ourselves to remain open and overcome certain biases we may have.

Scapulohumeral Rhythm

Scapulohumeral rhythm is based on the ratio of movement between the scapula and humerus. For full ROM (range of motion), the humeral head must rotate laterally. It is important for the therapist to pay close attention to this movement. The glenoid fossa needs to maintain a good position in order to move correctly on the head of the humerus. By moving the scapula with one hand and the humerus with the other, the therapist is able to check and see if both are moving simultaneously. If not, this could be caused by impingement, where the scapula would not be able to participate in upward rotation. If the scapula doesn't move at all, that could also be another sign of impingement. Both cause pain for the client.
 Joint congruency results in decreased shear forces of both the glenohumeral joint and scapulothoracic joint. The ratio of both are 1:2 - where every 3° of shoulder movement, there is 1° of scapuloothoracic motion and 2° of glenohumeral motion. For example, shoulder flexion of 180° would be calculated as 120° of glenohumeral movement and 60° of scapulothoracic movement. To maintain pain-free scapulohumeral rhythm, the muscles and their movements must remain normal and in good-length.

Conceptual Model of Occupational Therapy

I decided to create a video for my conceptual model project! I hope you enjoy!

Please click the link below:

https://www.powtoon.com/m/diYZQVmwnMC/1/m?utm_source=email

Biomechanics Blog 2 - Test Positioning

When measuring range of motion (ROM), it is important to palpate for bony landmarks on the client. It is best we do that, in order for us to feel where each arm of the goniometer should be placed to get a more accurate number for ROM. That way, documentation would add up correctly.

The purpose of the "test position" in MMT, is to place our client where their muscle(s) are positioned for optimal muscle contraction. MMT measures strength in MID range. We use MMT to determine weak muscles, which can cause difficulty in the clients daily life and can cause more harm as they start compensating movements. We also use it for data collection to determine baselines, repeated measurements, and decrease the cause of dysfunction that could be happening. We want to make sure our treatment plan is working.

Biomechanics Blog I: Activity Analysis

Since I have been staying at home more, I have been wearing my glasses rather than my contacts.
When I wake up and go get my glasses they are typically on my bathroom counter. My starting position consists of standing upright with my arms extended down beside me, palms facing towards my body. As I go to reach for my glasses on the counter, both of my arms become slightly flexed at the elbows as I bring them up from the starting position. Next, both of my elbows extend out in order to reach my glasses laying on the counter. This step can also include shoulder flexion, depending on how high the counter/shelf your glasses are on. My MCP, DIP, and PIP joints all gently flex to grasp the sides of my glasses.

Health Literacy

When we have to go to a healthcare provider, we usually have paper work to fill out. Lets face it, we all have had a question we have seen and not fully understood how they wanted us to respond. One thing we do as humans, is sit there and answer to the best of our ability, because we don't want to feel ashamed to ask for help. This goes for our clients as well. There are clients out there that read on a different level, some may not be able to read at all, so it is our job as OT's to assist and make this process easier and less stressful.

As I finish up the material on health literacy, two things stood out to me the most.