OT Potential Podcast | Occupational Therapy CEUs

Heart disease is the most common serious chronic condition among adults. In fact per the latest report staggering 1 in 3 US adults received care for a cardiovascular risk factor or condition in 2020. The same report projects that annual inflation-adjusted health care costs attributable to cardiovascular conditions will nearly quadruple from $393 billion in 2020 to $1,490 billion by 2050.Truly astounding numbers. Heart disease is an umbrella term that encompasses coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular disease, arrhythmias, congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathies, and other structural or functional heart disorders.But, despite this complexity, there is clear guidance from the American Heart Association about what to do to improve and maintain heart health, they call them them Life’s Essential 8: 1. Consume a healthy diet emphasizing vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, lean proteins (including fish), and minimizing trans fats, red and processed meats, refined carbohydrates, and sweetened beverages.2. Maintain a healthy body weight through caloric restriction and counseling for those with overweight or obesity.3. Engage in regular physical activity, specifically at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity exercise.4. Avoid tobacco products and exposure to secondhand smoke.5. Limit alcohol intake to moderate levels, if consumed at all.6. Manage blood pressure through lifestyle changes and, if needed, medication.7. Control blood cholesterol with diet, physical activity, and medication when indicated.8. Prevent and manage diabetes with lifestyle modifications and appropriate pharmacologic therapy when necessary.We know that behavioral counseling for these lifestyle changes can be effective. But, to date, occupational therapy has been underutilized in this critical public health initiative. In today’s course, we’ll talk to one occupational therapist, Sabina Kahn, who is using her OT skill-set to help tackle this large scale problem, through new technologies. We’ll discuss why OT has been under-utilized to date, what opportunities exist for OTs to play a larger role, and what new technologies might help us step into this critical role, with our unique expertise.Support the show

Hot take: I loved working in a Skilled Nursing Facility. Skilled nursing facilities are one of the highest paid settings for occupational therapy professionals. And about one-fifth of us work in one. But, work in one can have a bad rap. In today’s intro to SNF OT course, we’ll walk through the common challenges, and immense opportunities of working in a SNF. We’ll cover the specific things you need to know, from payment models to common assessments. And, we’ll paint a picture of how you as an OT can really be a driver of culture and care in this unique and important setting.We’ll be joined by Trent Brown, MOT, OTR/L, ATP, CGCP, CFPS, BCG, a practicing occupational therapist, who is also a part of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) as an assistant office director with a focus on developing and operating quality improvement programs, particularly in SNFs.Support the show

It’s no secret that I believe occupation therapy is entering its prevention era. We are starting to leverage our skillset not after a terrible health incident has occurred, but at the first sign of trouble. As I imagine this not-too-distant reality, there is one deeply personal area that I am so eager to see us shift our energy toward: Cancer prevention. Across the healthcare community, we are learning more and more about the specific lifestyle and environmental factors that put people at a higher risk for cancer. Case in point: My own county in rural Nebraska, where above-average pediatric cancer rates have been associated with high levels of nitrates in our water.On today’s podcast, we are lucky to be joined by Dr. Jesse E. Bell, one of the world’s leading experts on water and human health and the Claire M. Hubbard Professor of Water, Climate, and Health in the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Department of Environmental, Agricultural, and Occupational Health.Dr. Bell—who also is the author of the paper we will discuss during this episode—will help us understand where the science stands on the connection between nitrates and multiple health conditions. We’ll talk through ways the medical community can provide education on these risks—as well as the simple solutions OTs could potentially bring to high-risk families to help address this basic ADL safety concern. This episode is meant to highlight the cutting edge of what’s becoming possible—where new large datasets on environmental health risks converge with new opportunities in value-based care to create pathways for OTs to intervene earlier than we ever thought possible.Support the show

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming healthcare—and pediatric occupational therapy is no exception.This course aims to spark your imagination about AI’s potential to strengthen how we support child development. From enhancing your assessments with rich data to making interventions more accessible, AI holds promise for both clinicians and families. This course offers insights into how these innovations are beginning to reshape early childhood developmental support.In this OT Potential Podcast episode, we welcome Mati Kochavi, founder of Korro AI, to explore the opportunities and challenges of applying AI to your therapy practice. You’ll learn how AI can complement clinical judgment and data tracking, improve the accuracy of milestone monitoring, and provide real-time support for families.By the end of the course, you’ll have a grounded understanding of AI’s potential in positively supporting child development—and the practical and ethical considerations that therapists must weigh as these tools move into practice. Whether you are cautiously curious or already excited about integrating AI into your pediatric work, this course will equip you with the knowledge you need to engage confidently with these innovations.Support the show

School-based OTs is one of occupational therapy’s most distinct practice areas. The style of practice and the systems you work within, all take a mindset shift. Whether you just landed your first school OT job or are a seasoned professional looking to refine how you manage your days, this course will walk you through essential day to day considerations. You’ll leave more confident about organizing your time, and delivering high-quality care to your students. Joining us will be returning guest, Bryden Giving. Bryden successfully survived  the shift from outpatient OT to school based practice, several years ago and we have so much to learn from him. He is also the editor of the forthcoming book Neurodiversity-Affirming Occupational Therapy. Support the show

When you adjust for inflation, OT and PT reimbursement is down around 40% since 2002 on our key CPT codes. Now the 2026 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule has ANOTHER cut to OT written in pencil. We simply cannot sustain continued cuts to the value of our services. So, we clearly need to reconsider our advocacy approach and identify key opportunities to help influence meaningful change.. At OT Potential we are equipping YOU to raise your voice. We are going to spend an hour diving deep into the relevant parts of the new proposed rule, so you can understand the challenges and opportunities. We’ll be led by The incredible Dana Strauss, a doctor of physical therapy and healthcare public policy expert.We’ll share the comment letter that OT Potential has drafted to share with CMS, so you have a template to work from  by the deadline on Sept. 12th.Support the show

OT reimbursement from traditional models is on the decline, while the need for OT services on the risesThus, entering into private practice is an important avenue for OTs to consider. But, with this comes all kinds of legal considerations. In the first part of this two part series, we talked about choosing a legal entity, working with your full scope of practice as laid out by your licensure laws, and navigating Medicare covered services. Now in part two, we are getting into more considerations from navigating anti-trust, Stark Law, anti-kickback, to monopolization laws. This is truly information that all OTs need to be savvy about (whether or not you run a business.) We’ll welcome back two returning podcast guests, Monika Lukasiewicz, OTR/L (who is looking to start her practice) and Alyson Stover, MOT, JD, OTR/L, BCP (a pediatric occupational therapist/private practice owner, who also has a degree in health law.) This is live webinar! So we answer listener questions at the end! Please note, we cannot give legal advice during this time—but, we do want to help equip you to understand these basic legal considerations- so you can run (or at least be part of) a sound, profitable business. Support the show

Unfortunately, rates of cancer have been on the rise for young adults in multiple cancer types—including breast, pancreatic, and gastric cancers.Cancer rehab for these individuals introduces multiple special considerations given their age and life stage. In this one hour webinar, we will use our clinical decision support page to walk through assessment, goal-setting and treatment for adolescents and young adults with cancer.We’ll be hearing from Vanessa Monique Yanez, PhD, MSOT, OTR/L. Vanessa is  an occupational therapist specializing in cancer rehabilitation—she is also herself a cancer survivor.Support the showSupport the show

While many therapists dream of private practice, the risk of hitting a legal landmine holds many back. In this episode, we are going to zoom in on one OT who is looking to partner with a doctor who is providing concierge dementia services. We’ll use this as a case example to talk through what legal considerations OTs need to make when starting a practice: from choosing the right legal entity, to partnering with a specific provider, to navigating Medicare, to understanding anti-trust and anti-kick back laws. Yes. We are getting in the weeds. But, this is essential. We’ll welcome back two returning podcast guests,  Monika Lukasiewicz, OTR/L (who is looking to start her practice) and Alyson Stover, MOT, JD, OTR/L, BCP (a pediatric occupational therapist/private practice owner, who also has a degree in health law.) You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/legal-considerations-for-otSupport the show

Here’s a question I can’t stop thinking about: Is “sense of purpose” the true secret ingredient that makes occupational therapy unique and effective? I ran a survey of my OT peers earlier this year, and I was shocked that 17% of respondents selected “sense of purpose” as the main treatment area they address—second only to “daily activities,” which is what I traditionally think of as our bread and butter. This tells me that, on the ground, a surprising number of therapists see “addressing sense of purpose” as their most effective intervention. The article we are looking at today reveals why sense of purpose may be such a profound lever to pull. (Hint: It is associated with many health benefits!) After we review the article, we are excited to welcome to the podcast one of occupational therapy’s leading thinkers about our role in sense of purpose: Dr. Alix Sleight. Together, we’ll unpack the science behind sense of purpose—and the small and large ways you can address it in your OT sessions. You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-and-purposeSupport this show by using the The OT Potential Medbridge promo code (code: OTPSummer) which gives you the BEST discount available. The code will be active June 23-July 9th, 2025. You’ll get the best savings possible of $126 off individual plans and 10% off group plans. Learn more here: https://otpotential.com/blog/promo-code-for-medbridgeSupport the show