HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	64
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

urging the university of hawaii to develop a physical therapy and occupational therapy degree program within the university of hawaii system.

     WHEREAS, occupational therapists and physical therapists help individuals improve their health, well-being, and overall lives through treatments that aid individuals in engaging in everyday activities and rehabilitating from ailments or injuries; and

     WHEREAS, occupational therapy helps people of all ages address challenges that impair their ability to perform daily life tasks, which can be physical, developmental, emotional, or cognitive related to a traumatic brain injury or a stroke; and

     WHEREAS, an occupational therapist can help a client gain greater self-awareness through daily occupations and facilitate a client's ability to create and engage in daily activities, which gives meaning to the person's life; and

     WHEREAS, physical therapy treatment can span a wide range of ailments, including such areas as pediatrics, geriatrics, orthopedics, sports medicine, neurology, and cardiopulmonary physical therapy; and

     WHEREAS, a physical therapist conducts tests and develops treatment strategies to restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or diseases; and

     WHEREAS, occupational therapy is closely related to physical therapy; and

     WHEREAS, physical therapists and occupational therapists often consult with each other, as well as other professionals, including physicians, dentists, nurses, educators, social workers, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists; and

     WHEREAS, when one experiences physical or mental illness or injury, it is the job of the occupational therapist or physical therapist to help the individual return to work, family roles, and satisfying life; and

     WHEREAS, demand for occupational therapy will increase to address the needs of a growing population of aging adults, children with developmental disabilities, and those who struggle with traumatic injuries and illnesses; and

     WHEREAS, additionally, widespread interest in the promotion of health and healthy lifestyles, as well as the number of individuals requiring therapy services, due in part to an aging population, demand for physical therapy and qualified physical therapists will continue to increase over the next several years; and

     WHEREAS, although the University of Hawaii at Manoa currently supports a degree program in Kinesiology and Leisure Science, which has been designed to allow students to fulfill the requirements for entry into graduate programs in the area of allied health sciences, including physical therapy and occupational therapy, no separate degree program for either occupational therapy or physical therapy exists at any University of Hawaii campus; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, the Senate concurring, that the University of Hawaii is urged to establish a School of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy within the University of Hawaii System; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the programs may be established as separate schools or combined into one school, as deemed appropriate by the University of Hawaii; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University of Hawaii present a report on the formation or reasons for not forming a School of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy to the Legislature twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2008; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the University of Hawaii System and the Chairperson of the Board of Regents.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

UH; Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Programs