Brittany Ferri

Much of the research that once regarded abstinence-based therapy as the solution to SUD is now shifting in favor of MAT as a more reliable and holistic method for long-term success. However, there are still some professionals who view MAT as a way of perpetuating prescription reliance by substituting one medication for another.
While some people may be deterred by hearing arguments against certain treatments, it’s important to remember that there will be criticism and discussion surrounding i...

Much of the research that once regarded abstinence-based therapy as the solution to SUD is now shifting in favor of MAT as a more reliable and holistic method for long-term success. However, there are still some professionals who view MAT as a way of perpetuating prescription reliance by substituting one medication for another.
While some people may be deterred by hearing arguments against certain treatments, it’s important to remember that there will be criticism and discussion surrounding i...

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is one of the most effective interventions for substance use disorders (SUDs), including opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder. This type of intervention has not only been proven to reduce the frequency and intensity of substance-related cravings, but it also improves treatment compliance and allows someone to maintain gainful employment by managing their symptoms.
There are a range of medications that may be recommended as part of an MAT program. Ea...

Most people who are familiar with naltrexone take this medication once or twice daily. The extended-release version of naltrexone serves the same purpose, but only needs to be administered once per month. Both the standard form of naltrexone and the extended-release option are recommended as part of a medication-assisted treatment program (MAT). MAT programs are recommended for individuals struggling with substance use disorders. A main component of medication-assisted treatment is prescripti...

Since the onset of the pandemic, most of the nation has seen exponential growth in the utilization of telehealth services. These gains remained steady for most of the past two years until mid-2022. As recently as May of this year, telehealth services made up 5.4% of all medical claims for Medicare Advantage members and those who are privately insured.
According to the FAIR Health Monthly Telehealth Regional Tracker, this number dropped to just 1.7% in June. This decline was especially notable...

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) offer several health insurance plans for older adults in need of health care coverage. Medicare Part A provides some reimbursement for home health visits, surgeries, hospital and skilled nursing facility (SNF) admissions, lab testing, and hospice care. Medicare Part B grants coverage for outpatient services such as doctor’s visits, rehabilitative services (speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy), and durable medical equi...

Vision is one of many crucial performance skills that occupational therapists address as part of their treatment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate 12 million Americans are living with ongoing vision concerns, which makes the low vision practice area an important one within our field. OTs are known to help individuals with chronic or acute visual conditions. However, there are other medical concerns that can lead someone to experience secondary visual deficits. The CDC says about 80 million Americans have health conditions that can potentially lead to blindness.

In this course, therapists will learn about the ins and outs of telehealth within occupational therapy. This includes but is not limited to regulations, licensure requirements, documentation, and reimbursement. This also includes clinical considerations such as how to tailor sessions for individuals with low attention or limited resources as well as equipment needed and evidence for the use of telehealth in each major practice area. This course will give occupational therapists a comprehensive view of the clinical and non-clinical considerations related to telehealth to better prepare them.

An occupational therapist's scope of practice for feeding and eating varies depending on the child's concerns. Children with medical needs may need modified diets and adaptive tools to assist with feeding. Kids with sensory problems may benefit from desensitization to reduce tactile defensiveness and improve tolerance of various food textures. An OT's intervention in pediatric feeding and eating can overlap with the role of a speech-language pathologist. The differentiation between the two is essential for understanding how OTs can effectively help children in this area.

Although occupational therapy (OT) is such a foundational part of mental health treatment, many people still don’t know the role that occupational therapists play in psychiatric settings. Sadly, this also goes for occupational therapists themselves. Interestingly, many OT schools don’t emphasize this subject enough, so many therapists enter the field without a solid understanding of how they can help people with behavioral health concerns. Even if a therapist never works in a mental health setting during their career, being aware of mental health topics is crucial.

Biofeedback is a mind-body technique that increases a person’s awareness of their body by using visual and auditory cues (also known as feedback). This feedback is used to make someone more attune to physical manifestations of stress, such as a faster breathing rate, spikes in body temperature, increased heart rate, and more muscle tension. Occupational therapists receive education and training in a variety of techniques to manage physical symptoms such as these. They can teach these techniques to patients or use them during sessions to improve someone’s ability to manage their health.

Fall prevention is a crucial aspect of rehabilitation in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. Falls can impact any population, but they are especially common in older adults due to an increase in risk factors that make them more likely to experience a fall. A fall, especially one that results in injury, can complicate an older adult’s discharge plan from an institutional setting. If a fall occurs within the home, this can lead an older adult to be admitted to a nursing facility. For these reasons, fall prevention is a hot topic in geriatric care settings.

Early developmental milestones are an essential part of occupational therapy treatment for a pediatric population. They help therapists write goals and structure treatment sessions, but they are also a good guideline for parents to follow when tracking their child’s development. All therapists should be abreast of these new milestones in order to effectively compare pediatric patients to their peers and treat them accordingly. While this information is important to therapists, it should be used to connect children with services such as early intervention.

Strokes are one of the most common and impactful neurological conditions that an individual can experience. As with many other conditions, occupational therapists can make a large difference in the world of stroke rehabilitation. One of the many ways that occupational therapists can help patients with a history of stroke is by helping change behaviors and habits to lessen the impact of modifiable risk factors. Therapists can also provide a range of therapeutic interventions that help people who have sustained strokes in rebuilding certain skills and regaining their independence.

With Medicare Part A & B coming as a bundle for those who enroll, only some subscribers choose to sign up for the optional plans offered by CMS. Members can make their own decision about whether or not they register for Part C (also known as the Medicare Advantage Plan) and Part D, the prescription drug plan.
Research now shows that 48% of Medicare members subscribe to the Medicare Advantage Plan. This number is expected to reach 50% by mid-2023. This same study showed that 55% of all governm...