04/11/2026
It’s OT month and I’m getting ready to leave my full time position working for a hospital system to focus fully on building my private practice. This past week I had the privilege of sitting down with a group of fellow OTs from all over our health system—the first time I’ve gotten to do this in the two years I’ve worked there. We had a great conversation about how we can support one another across the continuum of care and what our expectations are when we get a new referral. I’ve had a day to think on it now and I feel more equipped to answer.
Pelvic health can and should be central to any OT evaluation, regardless of the setting. We are called to assess ADLs and ask the hard questions. We are the providers that dig deep into the lives of our patients. So to the OTs who work in acute care, rehab, neuro, and home health—I implore you to dig in, when you ask about toileting, ask the specifics (bowel and bladder function, frequency, and ease), when you ask about falls find out the why behind it (Urgency? Balance? Pain?), ask about SEX—because I guarantee no one else is. These conversations can feel hard when you aren’t used to talking so openly about it, but approaching it from a helpful and curious lens will work every time. All OTs are pelvic health therapists, you just don’t realize it.
We are called to assess the entire person and you guys are the first line in the continuum of care and you pave the way for the rest of us. Explain what OT is and differentiate yourself from the other disciplines, because we are different. Our approach is different, our conversations are different—they’re deeper.
So if you’re still with me, my expectation is this, I expect my fellow OTs to advocate for our role and to ask the hard questions, communicate with other providers, make your presence known in your health system, and practice at the top of your license—but mostly—talk to your patients about their pelvic health! You know more about it than you think you do, and ifyou get stuck, message me I love chatting with other OTs ❤️ Happy OT month, we’re lucky enough to celebrate this profession daily!
