Embracing Change in Pediatric Rehab - A Leader's Perspective (RTS Newsletter #8)

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Community Spotlight: Embracing Change in Pediatric OT - A Leader's Perspective

For Eliza, discovering occupational therapy was an unexpected detour that turned into a passionate career. After completing her undergraduate degree in psychology and spending a year and a half in a clinical psychology PhD program, she found herself searching for a different path in healthcare. When she stumbled upon occupational therapy, she was immediately drawn to its holistic approach and the way it encompasses all aspects of daily life.

"I had never heard of OT during my undergraduate career," Eliza recalls. "When I finally discovered it, I was amazed. I thought, 'Wow, what a cool area - how have I never heard of this before?'"

Perhaps even more surprising was finding her niche in pediatrics. "Kids were definitely not on my radar when I started grad school," she laughs. "I was adamant - no kids! Then I did a pediatric rotation and fell in love." Today, as the OT Director at Recess Therapy, she embraces the way working with children brings out her playful side. "I can be quite a serious person, but I love that this work lets me play all day long."

Embracing Technology in Pediatric Care

At Recess Therapy, Eliza and her team work with children facing various challenges, from developmental delays and autism to feeding and oral motor difficulties. She's been at the forefront of incorporating technology to enhance care delivery, particularly through telehealth services.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of virtual sessions, which Eliza sees as a positive development. "Virtual sessions have been particularly valuable for feeding therapy," she explains. "We can observe what's actually happening at the family's table during mealtime and make real-time recommendations about adjusting the environment."

This approach has proven especially beneficial for medically fragile children who might be at high risk for infection. "For families who aren't close enough to visit in person or have children who need to avoid exposure to germs, virtual sessions have been a game-changer in maintaining continuity of care."

Looking to the Future

Eliza is particularly excited about the potential of AI and other emerging technologies to transform pediatric OT. "The AI component is really exciting," she says. "To be able to potentially do documentation so much faster and give us, as clinicians, more prep time to dedicate to the children and families we're seeing - that's super exciting."

She envisions technology making home programs more accessible and effective, potentially incorporating video clips of therapy sessions that families can review at home. Her enthusiasm extends to innovative therapeutic tools, like Social Cipher, a game designed to help autistic children develop social skills through interactive scenarios.

Staying Current in a Rapidly Evolving Field

To stay informed about the latest developments in pediatric OT, Eliza relies on a combination of professional organizations and digital resources. She's an avid podcast listener, particularly enjoying Two Sides of the Spectrum, which focuses on working with autistic individuals. She also emphasizes the importance of seeking out technology that can engage children, especially those with autism, in therapeutic activities.

While she acknowledges that cost can be a barrier to implementing some technological solutions in pediatric practice, she remains optimistic about the future. "I think pediatric practice needs more technology in it," she reflects. "When we hear about practices using tech in a less costly way, it's really beneficial because that's still something that's lacking in our world."

For other OTs who might be hesitant about embracing new technologies, Eliza offers encouraging advice based on her own experience: "We have to not be afraid to try new things and see if they might improve our ways of being a clinician. Technology is awesome, and I think it will help grow us as clinicians and make us think about new ways of doing things."

As she moves forward in her career, Eliza continues to champion the integration of technology in pediatric OT, always with the goal of enhancing care delivery and making therapy more accessible and effective for the children and families she serves.

World of Rehab 🌐

• [Speech] ASHA's 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) details 2025 Medicare payment policies and fee schedules for audiologists and speech-language pathologists, including key changes affecting outpatient and hospital services.

• [Physical] A University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee engineering professor has developed a portable robotic arm called iTbot that enables stroke patients to receive physical therapy at home while therapists monitor and adjust their treatment remotely through a digital twin interface.

• [General Rehab] Learn how stroke survivor Marcia Kruse received a combination of in-person and virtual therapy services at Good Samaritan Society in Waukon, Iowa, where she accessed physical therapy locally while connecting with occupational and speech therapists remotely in Minnesota and Texas to support her recovery.

Indie's Insights: When Profitability Powers Better Patient Care 💡

Let's talk about the elephant in the room: money in healthcare. I know - mention "profit" or "revenue" in a clinical setting, and you might get some eye rolls from healthcare providers. And honestly? That's pretty understandable. After all, you went into healthcare to help people.

But here's the thing - running a profitable practice isn't about turning into Wall Street. It's about giving yourself the tools to do what you do best: provide amazing care for your patients. And if you're rolling your eyes right now, stick with me…

See you in two weeks,

Eddie

P.S. Have suggestions on how practices can improve their margins and quality of care? I'd love to hear them - reply to this email!

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