Source
r/OccupationalTherapy•
caraper

Any new grads or younger appearing OTs get comments on the quality of care based on your age?

I'm a new grad and have been working for ~6 months and I've been experiencing some feedback where patients feel that they aren't getting the best of care since I'm newer/younger? I definitely understand their concerns (who doesn't want the most experienced professional in regards to medical care). I was curious how others have been dealing with interactions such as this?

Posted Sep 19, 2019, 12:23 AM UTC · edited

138
LaLaBlacksheepCanada•

My random two cents:

  1. Please don't snark at them with something like, "I'm old enough to have my masters/doctorate" etc. Seen it done. Comes across as very aggressive.

  2. Keep in mind that most patients are not aware we are a masters level profession. In my experience, the vast majority of people will assume you have a two or three year college diploma. Saying you are 24 or 25 is young, but most people won't immediately assume you are 6 months out of school.

  3. Accept it. Thank them! Tell them how about great the team is here, how much support you have. I flip it around - sometimes with an older therapist, they are set in their ways. With a younger therapist, you are getting someone who is open to change and doing things differently. Take their concerns seriously. Look them in the eye and tell them, if I am ever doing something with you, and you are not sure why, or you think there is something I could be doing differently or doing better, tell me.

  4. Role play this out with a supervisor or colleague (of any profession!).

18
caraperOPOTR•
  1. I def don't do this for sure.

Yeah, most of the comments have not actually been towards me but to my co-workers. I really don't offer my age or I'll say (I'm older than what I look). I let most of it roll off my shoulders and don't let it bother me, but I was curious how others responded. When it has come to me directly, I def accept it and add that I've been in the therapy setting for years (which I have).

3
puppiesandmoney•

Confidence is key. Patients can smell self doubt from miles away, and if you’re not confident in yourself then they won’t be confident in you either

13
Nekokonoko•

Although I'm still a student, I heard that we should use our therapeutic use of self skills to acknowledge and assure them in such cases. They are in therapy because they are hurt for whatever the reason, so apparently its a good opportunity for some psych therapy time.

6
-myhau5-•

I’m 26 and Asian so I look anywhere from 18-30. Never had this issue. Confidence is the key. Need to be assertive as the therapist even if you are unsure if an answer. Need to be reassuring.

3
jimiyo•

LOL, I'm hafu. What's cool is we'll look late 30's for most of our 40s.

1
jimiyo•

You rock your white/lab coat? +35 Charisma/respect points.

1
OT4236•

Whomever said confidence is key, this is absolutely 100% correct. Many OTs in the field are 24, 25, 26 and look young; however, they appear capable and competetent. That is all your patients will care about.

1