F E AT U R E
Looking ahead to the OT Exchange 2024
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head of the OT Exchange 2024 being held in Perth from 13-14 June, we spoke to co-convenors Kathleen Langford and Lisa Cooper about what you can look forward to at the event and how to make the most of your time in WA. Registrations for OTX2024 will open on 1 February 2024. Discounted prices will be available to OTA members, as well as special early bird rates. Discounted Perth accommodation and tour bookings are available now. Visit https://www.otausevents.com.au/ otexchange2024/ for more information.
Kathleen Langford
Lisa Cooper
What differentiates the OT Exchange from other conference events?
Kings Park and Botanic Garden
Kathleen: This is not an academic conference, but a conference for clinicians who work hard and strive to continually improve their skills and clinical outcomes for their consumers. There will be an array of hands-on workshops, occupation stations and ‘Pitch It’ presentations, which will provide loads of practical and real-world approaches to feast upon.
differently for greater client outcomes, and to ensure we are staying fresh and relevant in our skills – while earning CPD hours too. Visiting Western Australia is also a perfect opportunity to plan a holiday to recharge – and get a selfie with a quokka!
Lisa: OTX2024 is also a unique opportunity to bring together all fields of OT – from clinicians to academics, students to experts – to create a collaborative and creative space ensuring OT continues to be responsive and relevant now and in the future.
What kind of OTs will benefit from OTX2024?
What are you most looking forward to about OTX2024?
Why should OTs attend the OT Exchange 2024?
Kathleen: The conference represents a fantastic opportunity to “down tools” and reconnect with our profession. It’s an opportunity to see and hear about the work others are doing in our field, and to feel inspired by these innovative ideas. Attending this conference provides opportunities to network with other members and make connections within your practice areas that will support you into the future. And it must be said that Western Australia is a fabulous place to visit – the sun, sea and surf are at our doorstep! Lisa: OTX2024 is a wonderful opportunity for OTs to pause, reflect and share with others all the amazing work that is being done every day, across the diverse profession! In the rapidly changing healthcare landscape of technology and AI, be inspired by handson workshops, stories of lived experience and conversations with experts and peers. The conference shines the light on how OTs are embracing change and innovation – inspiring us to think, create and do things
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is also designed to spark collaboration between practitioners, students, managers, creators, suppliers, educators and academics in the pursuit of innovative practice and OT advancement. The five key practice areas – Knowledge Translation, Paediatrics, Older Persons, Disability and Emerging & Innovative Practices – are broad to ensure relevance for all OTs!
Kathleen: OTs at any stage in their career will find benefit in this conference – the clinical practice areas are diverse and within each a stimulating array of topics will be presented. Given the innovation lens of this conference, OTs with new ideas, products or an entrepreneurial spirit will find it highly beneficial. Lisa: All OTs should attend – from students to experts in the profession. The program is hands-on and clinically focused, but
Kathleen: I’m looking forward to connecting with colleagues past and present, as well as making new friends in the OT world. I love the feeling of sitting back and being emersed in the world of OT, which for me is more than just a job. We are ensuring all our clinicians are able to attend this conference, so they can feel the benefits of it being held in Perth this year. I’m also excited to tell others more about the niche work we do at Inside Out OT Group in Perth.
