Health Care Profession Analysis

The healthcare system in the United States is facing many changes in the coming years as the population ages. The change in our population has lead to an increase in healthcare costs as more Americans enter the health care system with declining functional performance, mental impairments, and chronic conditions. With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the emphasis on decreasing healthcare expenditures, our healthcare delivery system is shifting to a health and wellness approach. With the changing dynamics, there is an increase in the implementation of interdisciplinary teams for patient care. The shift in healthcare delivery to a focus on population health, community health services, chronic condition management, and mental …show more content…
healthcare delivery system. Clinicians must emphasize evidence-based practice, provide a unique perspective in an interdisciplinary team, and advocate for the profession itself in the changing healthcare climate. I had the distinct honor to co-present at the Oklahoma Occupational Therapy Association state conference this year. Through that experience, I recognize the importance of participating in and contributing to the continuing education of clinicians in the community. I plan to continue my efforts to promote evidence-based practice among clinicians through poster presentations at conferences, in-service education at clinics, and informal training during clinical rotations. As a student at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), I participate in interdisciplinary education and distance learning daily. I am comfortable and experienced with collaborating in an interdisciplinary team environment. The distance education experience can be challenging, however it translates to telehealth communication. The use of technology as a communication tool to connect remotely to patients will continue to increase in our changing world. As I continue my education at OUHSC, I will participate in quantitative and qualitative research courses. As primary care becomes an emerging practice for occupational therapy, it is important that the profession have a body of research to support its use in the primary care setting. I plan to conduct my research on the benefits, barriers, and outcomes of occupational therapy in primary care. As a student and graduate assistant, I will advocate for university-affiliated partnerships in a primary care setting. Universities are on the forefront of many emerging practice areas, and I hope to contribute to the realization of occupational therapy as an interdisciplinary partner in primary patient