Neurotransmitter Project

Neuro Note 2: Isolation and Addiction

In order to learn more about the brain and it's role in social isolation, I watched the TedxMidAtlantic Talk with Rachel Wurzman. She focuses on a specific area of the brain, the striatum, which she believes helps us better understand our body's habits and urges when social isolation begins to take its toll on our overall well-being. The striatum is an area of the brain responsible for voluntary movement and control. Studies have shown that the striatum actually contains neurons which are related to our movement and reward, more specifically, our social interaction and the internal reward that comes as a result. Rachel goes on to explain the many different social isolation situations that can severely impact our need for reward such as social media comparison and trouble connecting with others because of physical differences. However, due to current events, my mind couldn't help but relate everything she spoke about with COVID-19 and social distancing. (We will circle ba...

Knowledge Check #14

The AOTA’s Model of Continuing Competency is an essential part of growing as an OT Practitioner and current student. The document encourages Practitioners to engage in professional development, mentor ship and continuing education. Not only do these activities benefit the OT, but can also play a major role in current students education and learning experience. Key words such as Contact Hours and Continuing Education Units can help the practitioner measure how many learning activities and continuing education activities they are engaging in over time. It is necessary to keep up with these hours in order to meet requirements established by organizations such as AOTA. I do believe in the importance of continuing education and professional development for all professions. However, what makes health care specifically stand out, and in OT specifically, is the fact that we are centered around becoming Evidence Based Practitioners. It is vital for patients to be given the most appropri...

Transfers

The term “mobility” is defined as having controlled instability. The order in which we are able to restore confidence in mobility based on increasing activity demands is as follows: Bed mobility, mat transfers, wheelchair transfers, bed transfers, functional ambulation for ADL’s, toilet and tub transfers, car transfer, functional ambulation, and community mobility and driving. I do believe this is a logical order once you begin to examine what an individual must do, and is able to do, in order to perform certain tasks. For example, we wouldn’t want to begin working with a patient getting out of their car when they cannot even get out of their bed safely. I do believe I have seen this approach used in much of my job shadowing experience, specifically when the therapist is working on getting the client out of the bed and then safely to the bathroom. Many times, the therapist would work consistently on getting the patient out of bed safely, and if they were able to do so, move on to the...

Liz Burton MOT/S

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