The Value of Internet as an Information Resource for Occupational Therapists

The advent of computers in the workplace has impacted nearly every industry on a global scale, and in few places is the presence of technology so impactful than in the healthcare setting. Modern technology and the birth of the Internet have changed the way healthcare professionals search for, record and store critical patient information, and with the World Wide Web at our fingertips, occupational therapists are better able to connect with other professionals in the industry, find valuable resources for education and job growth, and broaden their expertise through the use of practical Internet skills.

 

Getting Started: Begin with the Basics

For those professionals less familiar with computers and navigating the Internet, it simply takes a little getting used to. The best way to obtain the information you need without getting overwhelmed is to begin with the basics. Here are a few pointers to help you get started:

 

 Navigating the World Wide Web

 

·         Pages and Websites: The Internet is essentially made up of billions of computers across the globe, all connected by an electronic network. A website is a collection of text, graphics and sometimes even audio and video clips. Websites may contain one or more pages, and the “home page” is like the front door of the website; it usually tells you something about the website, its owner, and the information/services it provides.

 

·         The Browser: The computer program that allows you to find and display web pages is called a “browser”. More than 90 percent of the world uses some version of the browser called Microsoft Internet Explorer, but there are other browsers such as Netscape Navigator. Each has slightly different features, but they are all tools for finding and displaying web pages.

 

·         The Internet Address: Each Internet web page has an address, and all browsers use that address to find and display that web page. The address is called the URL (universal resource locator). It is a series of words and characters that make up an address that will take you to a specific place on the Internet. Addresses begin with “http://” and are usually followed by “www” (which stands for World Wide Web). What follows is the site name. For example, http://www.aota.org is the URL for the American Occupational Therapy Association.  

 

If you have spent any time on the Internet, you are no doubt amazed at the volume of information that is available. So how do you begin to sift through billions of pages of information? First, come up with a plan or jot down some notes about exactly what you are looking for. Your best bet may be to begin with a “search engine” such as Google or Yahoo, which allows you to type a specific name, phrase or question in a search box.

 

Although every website is different, some basic rules apply. For example, every site has a way to get to the other pages within that site. Some use basic drop-down menus, and some have navigation buttons with graphics, while still others use animated icons to help you move from page to page. You may also see “hyperlinks” (typically in blue text), which are links that take you to other pages on the site or which may link to new websites altogether where you can find helpful information.

 

Tools for Occupational Therapists

 

As an Occupational Therapist, your professional responsibilities are very demanding. At any given time you may be working with an elderly stroke victim or counseling family members coping with a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease. The Internet provides access to a powerful set of tools to help you address these diverse demands. Here are just a few:

 

·         ELI Healthcare: www.elihealthcare.com scans government sites for regulation and reimbursement changes, as well as leading medical and health policy publications for the latest healthcare news. They even provide a periodic newsletter via email to help you stay informed.

 

·         Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: For those professionals working in the skilled nursing and post-acute care industry, visit www.cms.gov. Type “occupational therapy” in the search box and you will find numerous resources on a wide array of topics relevant to occupational therapists. This is an excellent way to stay current with what is going on in your industry.

  

·         Office of the Inspector General: As medical professionals we should all be aware of Medicare’s profound impact on our practice; regulations shape our documentation, patient contact, and practice protocol. The Office of the Inspector General provides a helpful Special Fraud Alert and Medicare Advisory Bulletin page (http://oig.hhs.gov/compliance/alerts/bulletins/index.asp) to help healthcare professionals understand the latest areas of concern with regard to Medicare.

 

As a healthcare professional, you are always working to educate and empower your patients and their families. Becoming familiar with the many online resources available for occupational therapists and others in the therapy industry is the first step toward improving your skills, connecting with colleagues and industry experts, and ensuring your patients receive superior care.

 

For more information on using the Internet as a valuable healthcare resource, including a list of beneficial sites for Occupational Therapy Professionals, view our comprehensive course The Wired OT: Ready-to-Go Internet Skills.

 

We are the leaders in providing interactive, online continuing education to the long-term healthcare industry. Our success is built on four key underpinnings.

 

Click here for more articles by Care2Learn.