Connections - August 2019

The magazine of Occupational Therapy Australia, the peak body representing occupational therapy in Australia AUGUST 2019 | VOL 16 ISSUE 4

Print Post Approved PP340742/00147 ISSN 1832-7605

Connecting with Research 2019 National Conference Highlights Discover Research on Occupational Therapy For Older People Browse the OTA 2019 Awards Recap Learn About Becoming Research Active Step by Step

CONNECT WITH OTA ON SOCIAL @OTAUST

CAIRNS

2021

Bringing OTA’s Premier Event to Far North Queensland

SAthVe E DATE

23-25 JUNE 2021

CAIRNS CONVENTION CENTRE

QUEENSLAND www.otaus2021.com.au #OTAUS2021

29TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION

S

1

CONTENTS

NEWS

FEATURES

President’s Report

4

CEO’s Report

5

Advocacy and the Importance of Connecting with Research

6

Connecting Practice and Research

8

Supporting Professional Development Through Research

10

Upcoming OTA CPD and Events 2019

12

Do you Want to Write for Connections?

14

WFOT Update

36

AOTJ Report: Promoting Consumer and Community Collaboration in Research 38

Connections is a publication of Occupational Therapy Australia, the peak body representing occupational therapy in Australia.

Contact us Occupational Therapy Australia ARBN 007510 287 ABN 65 470 069 906 6/340 Gore Street, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065 Ph: +61 3 9415 2900 1300 682 878 Email: info@otaus.com.au Web: www.otaus.com.au Design: Perry Watson Design

Occupational Therapy for Older People

15

Highlights from OTA’s 28th National Conference and Exhibition 2019

17

Occupational Therapy Australia 2019 Awards Recap

Event Recap: Navigating Best Practice in OT Driving Assessment and Vehicle Modifications 30

24

International Award Win For Ted Brown

27

Introducing The OT Exchange 2020

Becoming Research Active Step by Step

32

29

Internationally-qualified Occupational Therapists

34

Contributions and Advertising

Disclaimer

Would you like to contribute to Connections, or do you have a product that is attractive to occupational therapists and would like to advertise your product?

This newsletter is published as an information service and without assuming a duty of care.

It contains general information only, and as such, it is recommended that detailed advice be sought before acting in any particular matter. The materials included in this newsletter by third parties are not attributable to Occupational Therapy Australia, and are not an expression of Occupational Therapy Australia’s views. Occupational Therapy Australia is not responsible for any printed expressions or views in any third parties’ inclusions. Any enquiries regarding inserts, advertisements or articles placed by these third parties should be directed to them.

Editorial material including letters to the editor, upcoming events, research material, and important information for inclusion in Connections should be sent by email to marketing@otaus.com.au. The editor reserves the right to edit material for space and clarity and to withhold material from publication.

Deadlines for submissions October edition: 30 August December edition: 25 October

Cover image: mitchgreenphotos.com

CONNECTIONS AUGUST 2019 3

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

I

n 2018, Occupational Therapy Australia was pleased to publish our position statement on evidence-based practice (EBP). Citing contemporary Australian occupational therapy authors and the earlier authors from evidenced-based medicine, the statement clearly says that ‘EBP is a responsibility of the profession and individual occupational therapists’ (p 2). My reflection in this edition draws on that sentence to consider the nexus between our profession and individual occupational therapists.

Every individual OT is part of our profession and therefore a custodian of our shared reputation, the community’s perception of the quality of our work, the effectiveness of our service delivery and resultant outcomes our clients achieve.

The Australian Council of Professions defines a Profession as ‘a disciplined group of individuals who adhere to ethical standards and who hold themselves out as, and are accepted by the public as possessing special knowledge and skills in a widely recognised body of learning derived from research, education and training at a high level, and who are prepared to apply this knowledge and exercise these skills in the interest of others’ (http://www. professions.com.au; viewed online June 2019). The 2018 Australian occupational therapy competency standards frame this expectation specifically through the ten practice behaviours detailed in

Standard 2 Knowledge and learning, but also through application in the Standards - Professionalism, OT process and practice and Communication (Occupational Therapy Board of Australia).

The profession of occupational therapy is a growing number of individuals, numbering over 22,000 according to latest AHPRA data (https://www.occupationaltherapyboard. gov.au/About/Statistics; viewed online June 2019). We are and can be more than individuals, however. Occupational Therapy Australia’s core mission and vision are to create the platform for the profession to be collectively responsible and active in connecting with research and evidence. We do so via the creation of Occupational Therapy Australia Research Foundation (OTARF), giving grants, publishing the Australian Journal of Occupational Therapy, providing reciprocal access to other journals, running continuing professional development programs and support for personal learning goals, contributing to World Federation of Occupational Therapists, and offering mentor programs, practice guides, position papers, symposia, conferences and special interest groups. These modes enable us to individually access and then share information that support OTs to ‘integrate information from their clinical experience, research evidence, knowledge about client values and circumstances, and

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AUSTRALIA’S CORE MISSION AND VISION ARE TO CREATE THE PLATFORM FOR THE PROFESSION TO BE COLLECTIVELY RESPONSIBLE AND ACTIVE IN CONNECTING WITH RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE.

4 www.otaus.com.au

Angela Berndt, OTA President

the practice context as part of their clinical reasoning when making practice decisions’ (Hoffmann, Bennett, Del Mar 2017; Sackett, Straus, Richardson, Rosenberg & Haynes, 2000, cited in OTA EBP position paper, p 2).

These descriptions and examples are not new information and reading them may sound like business as usual. I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight, and not take for granted, the enormous amount of work that sits behind the scene from paid staff and many volunteers to deliver these services to members and to the profession more broadly. In that light, let us stop for a moment and look at that list again. Consider the impact of our journal, reflect on the enhanced quality of our CPD offerings and the continued growth of our National Conference into a premiere scientific conference, the excellent feedback we receive from participants with one day symposia and webinars, and the fact we can now administer and give grants from our Association to our members. These are no small feats and I invite you to be proud of how far we have come and be part of our future as we continue to adapt and innovate.

Please connect with our community, our evidence and the growing body of research in our profession in every way

CEO’S REPORT

CEO’S REPORT

you can. Read your journal regularly, reflect on findings for your practice, apply something new and evaluate the impact, create practice based evidence in your work, read outside your focus area to make novel connections and keep your brains buzzing with new ideas, read on the train and proudly show your OT book to the world, have an Ah Ha! moment and share it with a colleague. You might like to write to an author and thank them for their research or ask them a question; there is nothing more satisfying after years of evidence production to know someone applied your findings! Get onto the OTA website and complete a survey. Did you know by doing so you are growing the future research capacity of our profession? Apply for a grant. Nominate a peer for an award. Donate to OTARF to help the next generation of researchers after you. Cite OT research in your reports, use occupational outcome measures and educate your funders about occupation-based evidence. Be proud of our evidence base and get involved when you identify a gap.

I’ve stated previously and will likely say again, we achieve these great things with the contribution and participation of one third of the potential number of individuals in our rapidly growing profession. Obviously, we want that number to grow and grow. When someone asks you, what do I get from being a member, answer ‘Connection to research and evidence!’ Together we can be a powerhouse of producing and sharing quality research, in our identification and application of theory in practice, and in creation and evaluation of new and existing evidence.

Angela Berndt

T

his edition of Connections highlights the importance of connecting with research and could not be more timely. OTA’s 28th National Conference and Exhibition took place from 10-12 July in Sydney attracting over 1,400 OTs (including 39 international delegates!).

Our largest conference to date presented delegates with a vast and robust program with over 370 presentations and papers being delivered across the three days.

Regardless of their particular areas of practice, topics of interest, experience or career stage, delegates had a myriad of options to choose from with countless opportunities to engage and network with presenters and their peers.

The conference heralded the announcement of Occupational Therapy Australia’s largest philanthropic gift. The Occupational Therapy Trust Fund gifted $500,000 to Occupational Therapy Australia and the Occupational Therapy Australia Research Foundation to establish the Occupational Therapy School of Victoria Clinical Award and to provide a research grants program.

What a fantastic opportunity to support and further OTs into the future!

The conference also saw the conferment of six new Occupational Therapy Australia Research Fellows. We warmly welcomed Associate Professor Sally Bennett, Associate Professor Helen Bourke-Taylor, Associate Professor Jodie Copley, Professor Louise Gustafsson, Professor Christine Imms and Associate Professor Karen Liu as Fellows. We look forward to their continued contribution to sharing their valued research and knowledge with our membership.

In another first for furthering research, Occupational Therapy Australia entered into a partnership with the Insurance Commission of Western Australia where

Samantha Hunter, CEO

a pool of up to $95,000 is available for research projects. We know that fostering, supporting and sharing research and resources is key to not only our own professional learning and development, but for the betterment of consumers and the broader community. We are committed to providing members with opportunities to access, undertake and understand research and new developments within the profession.

Our incredibly committed staff are still unpacking and debriefing over the conference and all the many highlights (the Gala Dinner at Luna Park was an absolute blast!). I will continue to reflect fondly on the amazing energy and excitement that over a thousand OTs can create together—we are already preparing for a bigger and better national conference in 2021, stay tuned!

Thank you to all of the OTA staff, to Mandy Stanley and all members of the Conference Management Committee, and to Justin Scanlan and the Scientific Program Committee for their tireless effort in bringing such a robust and rewarding conference to life.

I encourage all members to keep an eye out for the various research grants that are offered and consider how your research and learnings can be shared with your peers and colleagues.

Samantha Hunter CONNECTIONS AUGUST 2019 5

P O L I C Y, L O B B Y I N G & A D V O C A C Y U P D A T E

ADVOCACY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CONNECTING WITH RESEARCH Michael Barrett, OTA National Manager: Government and Stakeholder Relations

I

n a year notable for some highly significant challenges on the advocacy front, it has become abundantly clear that any case made by OTA to government is only as strong as the evidence we cite in support of that case. For this reason, connecting with research is fundamental to the success of our lobbying efforts.

Take for example the three ongoing reviews of Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items of direct relevance to occupational therapists: the allied health, mental health and eating disorder reviews. While OTA opted to collaborate with the other allied health professional associations in a joint submission to the taskforce reviewing allied health items, we made our own submissions to the eating disorder and mental health reviews.

With other professions sometimes calling into question the place of occupational therapy in mental health care, OTA’s submissions were based firmly on published, peer reviewed evidence of the efficacy of occupational therapy interventions.

Similarly, a Royal Commission into the safety and quality of the nation’s aged care arrangements, and another into Victoria’s mental health system, require us to prove—in what is effectively a court of law—the value of the occupational therapist’s role in these systems. And proof, of course, is another word for evidence.

At the state level, members are fighting a running battle with some state 6 www.otaus.com.au

governments around OTs’ access to schools. As we wrote to the major parties in the lead-up to the November 2018 Victorian state election: Occupational therapists are an integral part of learning support teams for students with disability and special needs in schools, bringing a unique and specialised perspective to maximising participation in the curriculum when students encounter barriers to their learning.

Occupational therapists also provide support and training to school staff and offer professional advice and resource information to parents and carers. They enable students with disability to socialise with their peers and participate effectively in classroom learning and schoolyard play.

They use evidence-based interventions to promote the participation of students with disability in all of the daily occupations that they want to or need to engage in.

Stubborn bureaucrats, for whom OTs in schools is a logistical or financial challenge they don’t wish to bother with, or politicians too busy to care, will only be moved by persistent lobbying and the weight of evidence. In the case of OTs in schools, this can (and should) be both scientific and anecdotal evidence.

OTA will be present at two conferences of importance to OTs in the second half of this year. Our poster presentation at the Australasian Association for Academic Primary Care Annual Research Conference is a literature review around the subject of

Improving patient care through enhanced access to occupational therapy services.

The objectives of our presentation are: To critically appraise the role of occupational therapists (OTs) in the sector in line with contemporary evidence in the field, client perspectives and expert opinion; and To explore innovative and emerging approaches to OT in the primary care setting.

In October OTA will have a presence in the Exhibition Hall at the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ Conference, being held in Adelaide. This will enable OTs to explain to GPs what exactly it is that they do. The decision to have a presence in Adelaide was born of our awareness that too few GPs—the people at the very forefront of primary care—appreciate the range of areas in which occupational therapists work and the proven value of your interventions.

Once again, the material available at our stall, while user-friendly, will be based on published evidence of this value.

This is one step in a long and strategic process to raise awareness of the role of occupational therapy among those who must decide the best way forward for patients struggling to set and reach health and wellness related goals.

There is no more visible example of OTs connecting with research than our biennial national conference. As we stated in our media release announcing the 28th National Conference in Sydney:

P O L I C Y, L O B B Y I N G & A D V O C A C Y U P D A T E

OTA President Dr Angela Berndt said a total of 66 concurrent sessions will be convened over the three days of the conference, involving such core areas of occupational therapy as falls prevention, cancer and palliative care, supporting people with dementia living at home, and working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

12 sessions—whichever comes first. It also involves new reporting requirements.

“As part of these sessions, some 347 academic presentations will be made.

Those delegates who have done particularly important work within their specialty have forwarded abstracts to OTA in advance of the conference and will be making formal presentations at it,” Dr Berndt said.

Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) is extremely concerned by the absence of preparation and guidance provided to the allied health sector to facilitate a successful transition to the TCI for both clients and providers.

As part of the conference, OTA issues several media releases a day in conjunction with scientific presentations deemed most likely to attract the attention of media. In so doing we aim to remind the community that occupational therapy is based on science and that the interventions made daily by OTs are the product of an expertise acquired first in undergraduate study, then often in postgraduate research, and finally over years of acquired clinical skills and ongoing professional development.

OTA and other member associations of Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) wrote to the Minister in the week before his announcement, expressing grave concerns about the rushed nature of the TCI’s implementation.

OTA CEO, Samantha Hunter, wrote:

To date, providers have not received any guidance from the Department to support implementation of this significant initiative, despite the introduction being only two weeks from now.

We are urgently requesting a delay in the introduction of the TCI, with a revised implementation date of 1 October 2019.

We anticipate this short postponement will allow sufficient time for DVA to work with the peak bodies to develop and disseminate the appropriate guidance for providers to ensure a smooth transition for veterans.

As a result of this correspondence, the Minister met with representatives of AHPA and subsequently agreed to the proposed postponement.

At this meeting another, crucially important matter—namely, the unsustainably low rates paid by DVA for services delivered by allied health professionals—was also raised with the Minister. This issue remains our highest priority and members are urged to visit our standalone website at: www.otsforveterans.com.au The postponement of the TCI is an important advocacy win, and OTA wishes to thank those members who supported and informed the representations we made to the Department and the Minister.

Advocacy win as introduction of new treatment cycle for veterans postponed OTA members working with veterans and war widows would be aware that on Friday 28 June that the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs announced a deferral of the new Treatment Cycle Initiative (TCI).

Originally to take effect on Monday, 1 July, the TCI was postponed until 1 October.

As members would be aware, the new treatment cycle is to run for 12 months or

Michael Barrett delivering the OTA advocacy update at the 2019 National Conference

CONNECTIONS AUGUST 2019 7

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE & STANDARDS

CONNECTING PRACTICE AND RESEARCH Connecting to the Research Work of Fellow Occupational Therapists

Anita Volkert, OTA National Manager: Professional Practice and Development

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ne aspect of my work that I enjoy the most are the communications I receive from occupational therapists who are currently actively engaged in research, and would like to access our members for surveys, focus groups and interviews via our Research webpage. Posting to this service is a free service for members (non-members and external bodies are usually charged a fee), and notifications of active research

recruitment are included in our now fortnightly OT Today newsletter update.

the backfoot in our current and future health and social care environment.

Researching the outcomes of occupation focused interventions is critical to the future of occupational therapy.

Whilst we as occupational therapists know and understand the power of occupation to create change in people’s lives, unless we can substantiate it with evidence we will increasingly be on

In the work I do with our lobbying and advocacy team, finding enough strong evidence to support claims about the difference occupational therapy can, or could make, to individuals, groups and communities, is always a challenge.

Outcomes in terms of enhanced participation (and hence health and wellbeing) and cost effectiveness are the ones we need most right now.

I am always heartened to see the wide range of topics that come through to me before posting to our page—a snapshot at time of writing this piece includes themes of the impact of assistive technology, occupational therapy adherence to models, guidelines and standards; the impact of digital technology on practice; the developing role and knowledge base of occupational therapists in areas such as community development, sexuality and neurology, and a range of studies aimed at unpicking the “how” of how occupational therapists practice and apply practice knowledge to specific areas and situations.

Anita Volkert delivering the OTA practice update at the 2019 National Conference

8 www.otaus.com.au

I encourage every occupational therapist to get active and become involved in researching the outcomes of our work— it is vitally important to our profession’s future and is truly everybody’s business.

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE & STANDARDS

If you work in an organisation, get to know if there is a research active arm of it that you can become part of. Contact a university if you have a research idea but nowhere to take it (it may suit a student project, or you may wish to undertake further research-based post graduate study yourself). If neither of these things appeal, or are not possible for you, then one simple thing you can do is jump onto our Research Surveys webpage once a fortnight, after your OT Today update and respond to surveys or volunteer to be part of a focus group or be interviewed.

The individual researchers will thank you, and the whole profession will benefit!

Evidence Based Practice Position Paper

OTA’s Evidence Based Practice Position Paper was published in January 2019, and

OTA’S EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE POSITION PAPER ...

AIMS TO SET OUT THE IMPORTANCE OF EVIDENCE TO THE BEST PRACTICE OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY.

aims to set out the importance of evidence to the best practice of occupational therapy, with research evidence being one component of four used by occupational therapists to best inform their practice (the others being clinical experience, client experience and client circumstance).

The Paper calls for occupational therapists to determine the best available research evidence for any given assessment or intervention and be able to make

a judgement as to the quality of that evidence. If you feel a bit out of your depth doing this, then why not make use of OTA’s Research Resources (under our Member Resources section) for online journal access and database searching. There are a range of critical appraisal tools widely and freely available online generally as well, and OTA’s Practice Standards team would be happy to guide and support our members to make the most of these tools.

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CONNECTIONS AUGUST 2019 9

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N AT I O N A L C P D U P D AT E

SUPPORTING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH RESEARCH Lindsay Vernon, Professional Adviser: Learning and Development

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t a CPD workshop I heard the saying that research should be show and tell, not hide and seek. With that in mind, how do we make research more show and tell and less hide and seek? At OTA we have instigated several systems to support our PD through research.

We have a presenter approval process where we ask all presenters to tell us about the evidence and research that guides their presentations. We know that there is some very highly evidenced interventions for OT and we also know that there is room for innovative and exciting emerging evidence.

The process will be in place for CPD focusing on evidence-informed interventions, emerging practice areas, clinical practice examples, and to a lesser degree information updates (such as policy or national practice guidelines).

Content experts, such as OTA’s research fellows, will review the information provided by presenters. Outcomes of the process will be discussed with presenters and the level of evidence available for the CPD topics will be documented on the CPD registration pages.

The presenter approval process aims to position OTA as a leading provider of evidence informed and peer reviewed CPD for occupational therapists within Australia and, where appropriate, internationally.

OTA’s work in this area was guided by the definition of evidence based practice and this diagram by Hoffman, Bennett and Del Mar (2017). Consumer choice and the environment in which we practice also influence the degree to which we are able to use best practice principles.

The approved presenter process requires presenters to provide details about their skills, experience, and the research and theoretical evidence underpinning their proposed PD. This information is reviewed by an expert group using elements of the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) and TIDieR (Template for Intervention Description and Replication) approach.

GRADE is a system that was developed in 2000 and has been widely adopted across the world. The system looks specifically at two items; the quality of evidence and the strength of recommendations (What is GRADE, retrieved on 12/12/18, http://www.gradeworkinggroup.org/).

The TIDieR checklist was developed to ensure reporting methods on the quality of the description of interventions in research publications are thorough and able to be replicated reliably (Hoffman et al., 2014).

Hoffman, T., Bennett, S., and Del Mar, C. (2017). Evidence Based Practice Across the Health Professions (3rd ed). Chatswood. NSW. Elsevier

10 www.otaus.com.au

N AT I O N A L C P D U P D AT E

OTA’s second area of work relating to connecting with research is in our upcoming Research Chat series that you will shortly see in the CPD pages. The aim of these chats is to introduce clinicians to the breadth of research opportunities available, and to prompt their personal exploration into undertaking some research of their own. We hope the series supports them in seeking to connect with other clinicians undertaking research in their practice area. These chats approximately 5-10 minutes long and offer a quick glimpse into a research project, the passion behind a PhD or encouragement to step into a quality improvement project… and more!

Research does not need to be a significant piece of work, either in its duration or the size of the study. Many health services support quality improvement projects and may well have templates to guide you through this process.

If you are interested in a larger research project and are working in public health, you could reach out to your research unit. If you work in a smaller organisation, have you thought about chatting about your ideas in a team meeting or with your manager? If none of these appeal, you could start by exploring online resources such as those available through the international centre for allied health evidence (iCAHE). Of course you can find plenty of evidence-based research articles through OTA’s reciprocal agreement with the British, Canadian and American Occupational Therapy Journals here: www. otaus.com.au/member-resources/research-resources We hope that these research chats will ignite your intrigue and help you to reach out and start exploring research opportunities in your work area.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AUSTRALIA AIMS TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE AND RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION AND RESOURCES THAT INTEGRATE VALID RESEARCH EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT CLINICAL DECISION MAKING AND PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENT. Look to clinical guidelines to support practice – these can be found via the national health and medical research council (NHMRC) https://www.clinicalguidelines.gov.au/ Our CPD always looks to support evidence based practice and this is articulated in our CPD aim: Occupational Therapy Australia aims to provide accessible and relevant professional education and resources that integrate valid research evidence to support clinical decision making and professional engagement.

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Ways to help explore research: • When you come across an interesting article save it on your desktop in a ‘To Read’ folder and when you get some spare time they’re available and easy to access.

• Book mark the OTA research page in your tool bar.

• Start your own journal club in your regular team meetings – it could be every other meeting or add on an extra 30 minutes.

• Download some podcasts or TED talks to listen to on your way into work – often these lead to exploring research articles.

• Follow researchers on social media – they will often talk about articles they have written or found, that way half the work is done for you!

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• Ask a friend to send you any interesting articles they have read recently.

CONNECTIONS AUGUST 2019 11

CPD CALENDAR

UPCOMING OTA CPD & EVENTS 2019 September – October 2019

Occupational Therapy Australia is excited about the vast selection of CPD & Events available to occupational therapists. Here is a quick overview of what’s coming up.

DATE

COURSE

TYPE

LOCATION

4

Practical strategies for Sleep Assessment

HOT TOPIC SERIES

Perth, WA

11–12

Professional & Clinical Supervision

WORKSHOP

Melbourne, VIC

13

Introduction to Motivational Interviewing

WORKSHOP

Brisbane, QLD

16

Foundations of Mental Health Practice

WORKSHOP

Perth, WA

16–20

Assessment of Motor and Process Skills – AMPS

WORKSHOP

Melbourne, VIC

17–18

Addressing Sleep in Children and Adolescents

WORKSHOP

Brisbane, QLD

18–19

The LiFE Program

WORKSHOP

Adelaide, SA

20–21

Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance – Learn the CO-OP Approach

WORKSHOP

Sydney, NSW

26–28

The Art of Paediatric Therapy – Developing Competence Through Confidence

WORKSHOP

Sydney, NSW

2

Positive Behaviour Support & Participation following Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)

ONLINE SERIES

Online

8–9

Basic & Bathroom Modifications

WORKSHOP

Adelaide, SA

10

Better Questions – Powerful Communications Skills to Engage, Empower and Motivate

WORKSHOP

Melbourne, VIC

11–12

Introduction to Oedema Management

WORKSHOP

Brisbane, QLD

17

Soft Tissue OT: Management of Subacromial Bursitis

HOT TOPIC SERIES Perth, WA

28–29

Essential & Advanced Manual Handling for Occupational Therapists

WORKSHOP

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION To register and for further information please visit: www.otaus.com.au/cpd-and-events

12 www.otaus.com.au

Melbourne, VIC

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WRITE FOR CONNECTIONS

DO YOU WANT TO WRITE FOR CONNECTIONS?

C

onnections magazine is currently seeking members interested in sharing their learnings, knowledge and experiences. In addition to our regular columns and features, we want Connections to provide a platform for members to tell their occupational therapy story. Perhaps you might share insightful research you collaborated on, a consumer success story or your reflections on your journey as an OT.

October 2019 Edition

• Related concepts to stimulate article ideas:

• Theme: Connecting with Ourselves

–– Educating current and future OT students

Each edition of the magazine is centered around a common theme, and whilst not mandatory, we do encourage articles that align to that theme as it helps to connect each separate article in that edition.

December 2019 Edition

• Submission Deadline: 30 August • Related concepts to stimulate article ideas: –– Setting or reflecting on personal/ professional goals and aims –– The importance and value of PD –– Looking after ourselves/ work-life balance • Submission Deadline: 25 October

–– Supporting new grads through mentoring/supervision –– Promoting the future of the profession If you have a story you’d like to submit, please contact digitalcomms@otaus. com.au with your idea—we’re happy to help you form and refine the article topic. We’re looking forward to receiving and sharing your stories!

• Theme: Connecting with The Next Generation of OTs

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F E AT U R E

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY FOR OLDER PEOPLE: A CONCEPT IN NEED OF MYTH BUSTING Miia Rahja, Occupational therapist and PhD Candidate Kate Laver, Occupational therapist and NHMRCARC Dementia Research Development Fellow

A

ged care is the third most popular area of occupational therapy practice in Australia (after rehabilitation and paediatrics). Over 2,600 clinicians report aged care to be their principal scope (National Health Workforce Dataset, 2018). However, the role of allied health professionals, including occupational therapists, in improving health outcomes for older people is poorly understood (Healthdirect Australia, 2018; Philip, 2015). Occupational therapists worldwide have shown concern about poor community awareness regarding the profession (Van’t Leven et al., 2012).

Our article in the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal (Rahja & Laver, 2019) assessed the public’s level of knowledge about occupational therapy and the profession’s role in supporting older people. We surveyed 1,004 people, aged 18 and over living in Australia and asked them: “What is your understanding of occupational therapy, and do you believe it has a role in supporting older people (people aged 65 and over)?”

One in ten respondents were able to give a good description of occupational therapy. These descriptions included Continued next page

About half of the respondents thought occupational therapy was related to general rehabilitation, physical therapies and return to work type interventions.

Response examples were: • “This is like physio therapy I believe it’s to get people moving” • “Helping people know what work they are best able to do” • “I feel it is along the lines of counselling for work place reasons, and I think it would help older people hold their positions for much longer”

CONNECTIONS AUGUST 2019 15

F E AT U R E

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY FOR OLDER PEOPLE: A CONCEPT IN NEED OF MYTH BUSTING Continued from previous page

detail about everyday activities, meaningful tasks, participation, and/or independence. An example response was: • My understanding of occupational therapy is when therapists help older people aged 65 & over perform daily tasks that may be a struggle.

They may show them a simpler or easier way to perform the task.

It may even be that an injury has stopped them from performing such a simple task that the therapists will be able to help them make a full recovery to be able to do it again.

We had 202 responses from older Australians (aged 65 or older) and of these only 17 (8%) could give a good description of occupational therapy.

Our study findings suggest that an urgent call for action is required to dispel the myths about occupational therapy only being concerned about workplace or physical health related matters.

OUR STUDY FINDINGS SUGGEST THAT AN URGENT CALL FOR ACTION IS REQUIRED TO DISPEL THE MYTHS ABOUT OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ONLY BEING CONCERNED ABOUT WORKPLACE OR PHYSICAL HEALTH RELATED MATTERS.

16 www.otaus.com.au

Miia Rahja (left) discussing new ways to describe occupational therapy with older people

Models of community aged care have recently changed with the introduction of consumer directed care in Australia. Older people who receive funding for care are allocated individualised budgets based on independently assessed care needs. They are then expected to choose their services based on their self-identified needs.

Research shows that only about 10% of the 128,000 older Australians receiving home care packages access physiotherapy or occupational therapy with their funds (Healthdirect Australia, 2018).

In an industry where consumers have increased control, there is a need to better educate the public about occupational therapy in order to facilitate service use.

To read the full article, please see Rahja & Laver, 2019.

References Healthdirect Australia. (2018). Home Care Package Research. Retrieved from https://agedcare.health. gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/02_2018/ home_care_package_research_report.pdf National Health Workforce Dataset. (2018).

Occupational Therapists 2016. Retrieved from http://hwd.health.gov.au Philip, K. (2015). Allied health: untapped potential in the Australian health system. Aust Health Rev, 39(3), 244-247. doi:10.1071/AH14194 Rahja, M., & Laver, K. (2019). What does the Australian public know about occupational therapy for older people? A population survey. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal. doi:10.1111/1440-1630.12578 Van’t Leven, N., Graff, M. J. L., Kaijen, M., de Swart, B. J. M., Olde Rikkert, M. G. M., & Vernooij-Dassen, M. J. M. (2012). Barriers to and facilitators for the use of an evidence-based occupational therapy guideline for older people with dementia and their carers. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 27, 742-748. doi:10.1002/gps.2782

28th NATIONAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION 2019

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM OTA’S 28TH NATIONAL GALA DINNER CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION 2019

EARLY BIRD CLOSES 7 APRIL 2019

Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) is the national peak body and professional association Thursday 11 July 2019, 7.00pm-11.00pm representing occupational therapists in Australia.

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REGISTER TODAY!

PROGRAM NO

EARLY BIRD CLOSES 7 APRIL 2019 REGISTRATION FEES The conference proved incredibly enriching for all involved and was OTA’s REGISTER TODAY! largest yet in terms of delegates, exhibitors and tweets. We would like to REGISTRATION TYPE FULL REGISTRATION DAY offer our sincere gratitude to Therapy the many speakers, delegates, volunteers, EARLY BIRD CLOSES APRIL 2019 Occupational Australia (OTA) is 7the REGISTER TODAY! Early Bird Standard Standard

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OTA’S 28TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION 2019 10-12 JULY 2019 | INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE | SYDNEY

CONFERENCE GALA DINNER LUNA PARK, 11 JULY 2019

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20 www.otaus.com.au

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SUBMISSIONS MEDIA OCCUPATION delegates at 1419 »» Careers Forum Thursday 11 Julyin2019 & territories.

We have a presence allSTUDENTS states and a number of Sydney hotels and apartments, starting from $216 per night.

EXHIBITORS ORGANISATIONS REGISTRATIONS RELEASES $139 – Ticket includes Dinner, Drinks, Dancing, STATIONS ACCOMMODATION NEW GRADUATES REGISTRATION FEES »» Exhibition Open to the General Public Thursday 11to July 2019, 10.45am-12.15pm Book the ACCOMMODATION on the website.

We look forward welcoming youvia to Sydney Ferry Transportpage and Ferris Wheel Ride.

MBER

283 FURTHER347 INFORMATION 168 120

1419 14 OTA REGISTRATION FEES ACCOMMODATION REGISTRATION TYPE

FULL REGISTRATION DAYJuly 2019, 10.45am-12.15pm Friday 12

for Australia’s major occupational therapy

Early Bird* Standard Australia Standard RE Austria CORD scientific conference. $765 $895 Canada $435 NUMBER

915 Member

New Zealand Singapore South Africa

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Canada Singapore SPECIALDenmark EVENTS South Africa $1355 $1465 $625 OTA Hong Kong Taiwan Countries REGISTER TODAY VIA New Graduate Member $355 $430 $230 Ireland ePOSTERS FURTHER INFORMATION MEMBERS United Kingdom Japan

915 642

Book via theACCOMMODATION page Student Non-Member $445on the $520website. $285 Conference fees are in $AUD and inclusive of GST Non-Member *Early bird fee only applies if booked and paid by 7 April 2019

6

»» Education Day Workshop

Tuesday 9 July 2019, 8.30am-5.00pm

»» First Timers Briefing

Wednesday 10 July 2019, 7.15am-8.15am

»» Welcome Reception Wednesday 10 July 2019, 5.00pm-6.00pm MEMBERSNon-Member New Graduate $725 $845 $395 Kenya SAVE UP TO »» Gala Dinner Thursday 11 July USA 2019, 7.00pm-11.00pm Phone: + 61REGISTER 3 9415BEFORE 2900 EARLY BIRD 50% ON 2019 Student Member $295 Forum$340 $185 CLOSES AND GO INTO THE KuwaitThursday 11 July Vietnam »» Careers 2019 Email:conference2019@otaus.com.au NATIONAL NEW DRAW TO WIN YOUR 2019-2020 CONFERENCE FOR »» Exhibition to the MATGeneral Student Non-Member $445 Open $520 $285PublicThursday 11 July 2019, 10.45am-12.15pm OTA MEMBERSHIP FEES Friday 12 July 2019, 10.45am-12.15pm Conference fees are in $AUD and inclusive of GST

MEMBER BENEFIT:

ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS

OCCUPATION STATIONS

40+

18

Friday 12 July 2019, 10.45am-12.15pm

SPONSORING Special discounted rates have been negotiated for Conference delegates at

*LIMITED TICKETS - BOOK EARLY*

STUDENTS & Denmark Non-Member $1355 $1465 $625 REGISTRATIONS NEW GRADUATES Hong Kong Taiwan Countries ORAL PRESENTATIONS New Graduate Member $355 $430 $230 Ireland Phone: + 61DAY 3 9415 2900 United Kingdom Japan MEMBERS TYPE FULL REGISTRATION New Graduate Non-Member $725REGISTRATION $845 $395 Special discounted rates have been negotiated for Conference delegates at USA Kenya Email: conference2019@otaus.com.au * Bird Standard Sales to aEarly full Pyrmont Theatre Member $295 $340presenting $185 Australia Kuwaitfrom Vietnam New Zealand a number ofStudent Sydney hotels andLeigh apartments, starting $216 perStandard night.

Austria www.otaus2019.com.au Member $765 $895 $435

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Wednesday 10 July 2019, 5.00pm-6.00pm

FIRST TIME »» Gala Dinner Thursday 11 July 2019, 7.00pm-11.00pm OCCUPATION »» Careers Forum Thursday 11 July 2019 EXHIBITORS STATIONS »» Exhibition Open to the General PublicThursday 11 July 2019, 10.45am-12.15pm

We look forward to welcoming you to Sydney Ferry Transport and Ferris Wheel Ride.

OTAassociation MEMBERSHIP national peak body and professional »» Gala Dinner 2019, 7.00pm-11.00pm for Australia’s major occupationalThursday therapy 11 July*LIMITED TICKETS - BOOK EARLY* Thursday 11 July 2019, 7.00pm-11.00pm in Australia.rates have been negotiated for Conference RECORD representing occupational therapists Special discounted scientific conference.

LUNA PARK NU NEW FORMAT

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ORG EXH

TIME 40+ FIRST EXHIBITORS

a number of Sydney hotels and apartments, starting from $216 per night.

Book via theACCOMMODATION page on the website.

ORGANISATIONS ORGANISATIONS ePOSTERS INFORMATION FURTHER EXHIBITING Phone: + 61 3 9415 2900 Email:conference2019@otaus.com.au

SPONSORING

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ORGANISATIONS www.otaus2019.com.au EXHIBITING MEDIA RELEASES

SPECIAL EVENTS

CONNECTIONS AUGUST 2019 21

OTA’S 28TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION 2019 10-12 JULY 2019 | INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE | SYDNEY

Delegates interacting with the ePosters

Meet the ePoster Author Session

S amantha Hunter photographing delegates as they met Leigh Sales Delegates engaging with the Occupation Stations

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28th NATIONAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION 2019

TOGETHER TOWARDS TOMORROW

REGISTER TODAY!

PROGRAM NOW AVAILABLE

EARLY BIRD CLOSES 7 APRIL 2019 Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) is the national peak body and professional association representing occupational therapists in Australia.

We have a presence in all states and territories.

We look forward to welcoming you to Sydney for Australia’s major occupational therapy scientific conference.

10-12 JULY 2019 International Convention Centre

SYDNEY

www.otaus2019.com.au #otaus2019

GALA DINNER Thursday 11 July 2019, 7.00pm-11.00pm LUNA PARK $139 – Ticket includes Dinner, Drinks, Dancing, Ferry Transport and Ferris Wheel Ride. *LIMITED TICKETS - BOOK EARLY*

REGISTRATION FEES REGISTRATION TYPE

FULL REGISTRATION

DAY

Early Bird* Standard Standard Member

$765

$895

$435

$1465

$625

$430

$230

New Graduate Non-Member $725 $845 Delegates networking with exhibitors Student Member $295 $340

$395

Student Non-Member

$285

Non-Member $1355 ePoster authors at the ePoster Lounge New Graduate Member $355

$445

$520

$185

Conference fees are in $AUD and inclusive of GST *Early bird fee only applies if booked and paid by 7 April 2019

MEMBER BENEFIT: REGISTER BEFORE EARLY BIRD CLOSES AND GO INTO THE DRAW TO WIN YOUR 2019-2020 OTA MEMBERSHIP

MEMBERS SAVE UP TO 50% ON 2019 NATIONAL CONFERENCE FEES

Student volunteer assisting delegates Gail Whiteford delivering the Sylvia Docker Lecture

SPECIAL EVENTS »» Education Day Workshop

Tuesday 9 July 2019, 8.30am-5.00pm

»» First Timers Briefing

Wednesday 10 July 2019, 7.15am-8.15am

»» Welcome Reception

Wednesday 10 July 2019, 5.00pm-6.00pm

»» Gala Dinner

Thursday 11 July 2019, 7.00pm-11.00pm

»» Careers Forum

Thursday 11 July 2019

»» Exhibition Open to the General Public

Thursday 11 July 2019, 10.45am-12.15pm Friday 12 July 2019, 10.45am-12.15pm

ACCOMMODATION Special discounted rates have been negotiated for Conference delegates at a number of Sydney hotels and apartments, starting from $216 per night.

Book via the ACCOMMODATION page on the website.

FURTHER INFORMATION Phone: + 61 3 9415 2900 Email: conference2019@otaus.com.au www.otaus2019.com.au

REGISTER TODAY VIA

www.otaus2019.com.au CONNECTIONS AUGUST 2019 23

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OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AUSTRALIA 2019 AWARDS RECAP At the recent National Conference 2019 in Sydney a number of awards were presented to members for their contribution to occupational therapy. Occupational Therapy Australia congratulates all the award winners for their ongoing service to the profession.

Occupational Therapy Australia Research Academy Conferment Fellows The Occupational Therapy Australia Research Academy was launched in 2017. It both recognises scholars in the occupational therapy profession and also works to enhance research capacity building in the profession. One of the highlights of the 2019 conference was the conferment of a further six Fellows to the Occupational Therapy Australia Research Academy. The following were announced as the 2019 Fellows:

Associate Professor Sally Bennett PhD, BOccThy (Hons), BOccThy Key Areas of Research: • Evidence-based practice • Knowledge translation • Evidence based occupational therapy intervention for people with dementia and their families

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Associate Professor Helen Bourke-Taylor PhD, MSc, Grad Cert Online teaching and Learning, BAppSC (OT) Key Areas of Research: • Participation and education issues for children and young people with disabilities • Support for families • Maternal health and wellbeing • Psychometrics related to scale and outcome tool development

Associate Professor Jodie Copley PhD, BOCCThy (Hons I) Key Areas of Research: • Occupational therapy clinical reasoning and clinical training • Upper limb neurorehabilitation • Occupational therapy practice with Indigenous Australians • Clinical education

Professor Louise Gustafsson PhD Key Areas of Research: • Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation • Promoting community mobility and participation

Professor Christine Imms PhD, MSc Rehabilitation Science, BAppSc (OT) Key Areas of Research: • Enhance the participation of children and youth with cerebral palsy, and other childhood-onset disabilities • The effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions and development of measures

Associate Professor Karen Liu PhD, MPhil, Bsc,PDOT, OT registered (AHPRA), HKROT, OTR, OTC Key Areas of Research: • Neurological rehabilitation with a research focus using metacognitive strategies such as mental imagery and self-regulation

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Early Career Researcher: Amelia Di Tommaso

2019 Fellows to the Occupational Therapy Australia Research Academy

Occupational Therapy Australia Awards

Elaine B Wilson Award The Elaine B Wilson Memorial Award is in recognition of the life’s work of Elaine Wilson to occupational therapy with children and their families and is awarded to a recent occupational therapy graduate. At the 2019 Conference it was awarded to Bryony van Hoffen.

Bryony graduated from the University of Queensland with Honours in 2017.

She commenced work almost immediately with O.C.C. Therapy. Bryony was described by one of her nominators as an exemplary novice occupational therapist, and in a short time has established herself as a highly regarded and often requested occupational therapist. Noting that she is an asset to

the occupational therapy profession, and a keen advocate for her clients and their families, and will be a positive force in all of her future endeavours.

Bryony has demonstrated exceptional initiative in personal professional development, seeking supervision and opportunities to learn from others, both in the occupational therapy profession and in medical, allied health and education fields. She engages in her own research and readings, and attends all internal professional development events. Bryony has attended several professional development workshops.

Bryony is an adaptable, supportive and enthusiastic member of her team. She is a willing and proactive contributor to all aspects of service, including program development. Bryony takes the initiative to support all other members of her team, across both occupational therapists and administration.

Research Awards 2019 OTA’s Research Awards acknowledge a member’s contribution towards the advancement of the research base of occupational therapy in three categories: Open, Postgraduate and Undergraduate. In 2019 two awards were presented at the conference.

This research award is for research conducted by an occupational therapist on completion of their PhD or up to a maximum of four years’ academic research experience following the completion of their PhD, or be of equivalent professional standing.

Amelia Di Tommaso was awarded her PhD in 2018. She received the 2019 Early Career Researcher for the study: Uncovering educator perspectives of occupationcentred education in Australia: A qualitative study.

Clinical Researcher: Laura Jolliffe This research award is provided to an occupational therapist who holds a substantive clinical position.

Laura Jolliffe is a PhD Candidate who is currently employed as a Senior Occupational Therapist, Knowledge Translation at Alfred Health. Laura was awarded the 2019 Clinical Researcher for the study: Using audit and feedback to increase clinician adherence to clinical practice guidelines in brain injury rehabilitation: A before and after study.

Continued next page CONNECTIONS AUGUST 2019 25

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OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AUSTRALIA 2019 AWARDS RECAP Continued from previous page

Sylvia Docker Lecture 2019 delivered at the 4th Conference of the AAOT in 1966, by Miss Gwendoline Sims, Senior occupational therapist at the Royal prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney.

At the Occupational Therapy Australia 2019 National Conference, the tradition was continued with the award conferred upon Professor Gail Whiteford. Gail presented her lecture “Together We Go Angela Berndt presenting Gail Whiteford with the Sylvia Docker Award 2019 Further” at the 2019 The Sylvia Docker lecture was established Occupational Therapy Australia National

by Occupational Therapy Australia Conference. Members can find the lecture in 1964 to honour Miss Sylvia Docker in the AOTJ 2019 Conference issue. who established the first training Gail has been an active contributor to, and school for occupational therapists in influencer in, occupational therapy and Sydney in 1941. It is the association’s occupational science for three decades. preeminent award and is awarded Over time she has served in clinical, by the board with much diligence. managerial, academic and consulting roles The purpose of the lecture is to including for the Department of Foreign encourage occupational therapists in Affairs, and was an invited facilitator their professional careers and to honour on two European Commission funded those who have outstanding contributions programs in Southern and Eastern Europe. to occupational therapy. The lecture She has given occupational therapy also commemorates the foundation of keynotes presentations in 11 countries. the AAOT in 1945. The first lecture was Her contribution to the profession has

GAIL HAS BEEN AN ACTIVE CONTRIBUTOR TO, AND INFLUENCER IN, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AND OCCUPATIONAL SCIENCE FOR THREE DECADES.

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THE PURPOSE OF THE LECTURE IS TO ENCOURAGE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS IN THEIR PROFESSIONAL CAREERS AND TO HONOUR THOSE WHO HAVE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY. been recognised through awards from international and national bodies including the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists and OTA in the form of the Freda Jacob Award. She was made an inaugural Fellow of the Occupational Therapy Research Academy in 2017.

Professionally, Gail has held a number of senior academic, executive and conjoint appointments in Australia, New Zealand and Canada and served as Australia’s first Pro Vice Chancellor of Social Inclusion. In 2014 she was appointed by the Minister of Health in NSW to one of the district Boards and currently holds the position of Strategic Professor and Conjoint Chair of Allied Health and Community Wellbeing.

Additionally, Gail is Project Lead and Chief Investigator for the WFOT Occupational Narratives Data Base Project and Chief Investigator of a linked international study on the relationship between occupation, social connectedness and wellbeing.

Occupational Therapy Australia provides its sincerest congratulations to Gail on the conferment of this award.

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INTERNATIONAL AWARD WIN FOR TED BROWN Associate Professor Ted Brown receives international occupational therapy award for recognition of his “excellence in education, research, and service” contributions to the profession

T

ed Brown is an Associate Professor and Undergraduate Course Coordinator in the Department of Occupational Therapy, Monash University, Peninsula Campus. He was one of the first four foundation staff members hired in 2005 to set-up and develop the undergraduate occupational therapy course offered at the Peninsula Campus at Monash University.

In July 2018 Ted was nominated by Professor Sharon Gutman, Professor of Occupational Therapy, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York (a fellow

academic colleague in the United States), for the “Roster of Fellows for the American Occupational Therapy Association” (AOTA) award. The AOTA Roster of Fellows (FAOTA) award recognises occupational therapists who, through their knowledge, expertise, leadership, advocacy, and/ or guidance, have made a noteworthy, sustained contribution over time to the profession with a measured impact on consumers of occupational therapy services and/or members of the AOTA. Continued next page

Dr Amy J. Lamb, AOTA President, presenting Associate Professor Ted Brown with the award

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INTERNATIONAL AWARD WIN FOR TED BROWN Continued from previous page

Successful FAOTA nominees must demonstrate significant contributions across multiple areas (written, oral, audiovisual, research and education) in addition to involvement in volunteer leadership and service to the occupational therapy profession. It should also be noted that very few individuals from outside the United States are awarded the FAOTA designation. Ted was selected by the AOTA Awards Committee to receive the FAOTA designation based on his “excellence in education, research, and service” to the occupational therapy discipline in the United States and internationally.

He received the award at the 2019 AOTA Annual Conference held in New Orleans, Louisiana on 6 April 2019 from Dr Amy J. Lamb, AOTA President, during the Annual Awards & Recognition Ceremony.

Ted was recognised for his contribution to the occupational therapy discipline nationally in 2017 by being made of the inaugural Fellows of the Occupational Therapy Australia Research Academy (FOTARA). Ted has served on the editorial board of the Australian Occupational

TED WAS RECOGNISED FOR HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY DISCIPLINE NATIONALLY IN 2017 BY BEING MADE OF THE INAUGURAL FELLOWS OF THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AUSTRALIA RESEARCH ACADEMY.

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In Professor Gutman’s FAOTA nomination letter for Ted, she stated that: “Dr. Brown has served as an AJOT associate editor over the last 11 years, and as an AJOT Research Scholar Initiative Program Mentor (between 2010-2014) The associate editor position is an unpaid position, demands that editors juggle their full-time faculty service, education, and research positions with an extraordinarily high level of journal work (approximately 8 hours per week), and requires selfless service to AOTA. Dr. Brown demonstrated these qualities with undeviating dedication to the journal, AOTA, and to the profession both nationally and internationally. His service to AOTA through his 11-year AJOT associate editorship is significant and should be recognized.

His contributions to the profession, internationally, are prodigious and far-reaching. Internationally, he is considered an expert in instrument development and peadiatric practice. The extensive reach and impact that his work has achieved has increased both awareness of and respect for our profession. And as an educator for 14 years, he has mentored hundreds of students, many of whom have gone on to assume positions of leadership within practice and academic communities.

I urge the AOTA Awards Committee to recognize this accomplished and prolific occupational therapist whose service to both AOTA and the profession has been considerable, though understated and quiet.

Dr. Brown’s lack of fanfare attests to the kind of person that he is: highly loyal to the profession; dedicated to AJOT; and a respectful, generous, and unpretentious scholar. This is why I am nominating Dr. Brown for FAOTA— because I was privileged to see first-hand, and in a way that few other people witnessed, his staunch and unwavering service to AOTA through his years of AJOT editorial board work; all done behind the scenes and without ceremony.”

Therapy Journal (AOTJ) since 2004 and was the first international candidate to serve as an Associate Editor of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT) starting in 2008. Both the AOTJ and AJOT are Q1 journals in the occupational therapy discipline. Ted was also one of four editors of the first edited book by Australian occupational therapy authors for an Australian occupational therapy student audience titled Occupational Therapy

in Australia: Practice and process issues published by Allen and Unwin in 2017.

It is an outstanding achievement for Ted to have received the FOTARA award in 2017 and then more recently receive international FAOTA award. Occupational Therapy Australia congratulates Ted and the Monash University Department of Occupational Therapy in his success and accomplishments. Well done Ted!

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INTRODUCING THE OT EXCHANGE 2020 Featuring: Driving, Environmental Modifications, Paediatrics and Rehabilitation

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ccupational Therapy Australia is pleased to introduce Australia’s inaugural OT Exchange, taking place 22-23 June 2020 in Melbourne.

Designed to be accessible and approachable, the OT Exchange is an inclusive event for all working within the broad spectrum that is occupational therapy. The OT Exchange will foster relationships, spread important ideas and ignite discussions amongst peers.

At its core, the OT Exchange is an interactive event where participants are encouraged to contribute, share and employ ideas of value. It is designed so that all participants—whether they are practitioners, students, managers,

educators or academics—will implement solutions into their own work.

The Exchange is themed around three key concepts of Learn, Practise and Enrich. Learn supports the evidencebased approach at the core of our profession. Practise focuses on the application of that knowledge and learning. While Enrich ensures that the work of our profession achieves positive outcomes for our community and supports the lives they want to live.

These three ideals do not operate in isolation. The process isn’t linear, but is a continual cycle/feedback loop. Each of the three themes feeds into and supports one another. This is reflected in the Exchange

THE OT EXCHANGE WILL FOSTER RELATIONSHIPS, SPREAD IMPORTANT IDEAS AND IGNITE DISCUSSIONS AMONGST PEERS.

through its emphasis on collaboration, discussion and lived-experience panels.

Practice domains included in the OT Exchange 2020 will focus on the four streams of Driving, Environmental Modifications, Paediatrics and Rehabilitation. The Exchange will bring together thought-leaders in each field, present the latest approaches to practice and invite leading exhibitors to share and discuss their innovative solutions.

The Exchange is truly for all occupational therapists of all levels of experience. While it focuses on certain streams of practice, it also welcomes those interested in those practice areas (not just those currently working in them). The approachable nature of the Exchange is a great first step into presenting for those who are eager to present at scientific conferences.

The OT Exchange is a new and collaborative format that we are excited to host for all occupational therapists.

We are looking forward to June 2020 as we come together from across Australia (and beyond!) to learn about the latest developments, discuss innovative approaches to practice and work towards enriching our communities.

CONNECTIONS AUGUST 2019 29

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EVENT RECAP: NAVIGATING BEST PRACT OT DRIVING ASSESSMENT AND VEHICLE John Trent, OTA QLD Division Manager

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n Friday 17 May 2019 we held the Navigating Best Practice in OT Driving Assessment and Vehicle Modifications workshop at the Glen Hotel Glen Hotel in Eight Mile Plains, QLD. The event was a great chance for occupational therapists working in this area of practice to come together, share their knowledge and network amongst sponsors who had their modified vehicles on display.

The day was highlighted by the attendance of Duncan Pegg MP—the local member for Stretton. Mr Pegg was very impressed with the vital work that many occupational therapists undertake in consumer driving assessments. Mr Pegg committed to further discuss the possibility of Occupational Therapy Australia having a day in parliament to present a stronger case around the important role occupational therapists play in performing driving assessments to enable consumers to safely remain active and mobile in their environments.

The day was very informative with an array of great sponsors and speakers showcasing current research and trends around driving assessment criteria.

We would like to share with you a summary of the research presented

by Dr Jacki Liddle on the importance of the OT profession in assisting individuals with maintaining access and mobility within their community.

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Occupational therapists supporting community mobility Dr Jacki Liddle, Research Fellow, Occupational Therapist, The University of Queensland Occupational therapists continue to have a vital role in assessing, monitoring and supporting community mobility.

Within Australia, driving is an important aspect of the community mobility

of adults. Decisions around medical fitness to drive and driving cessation are key issues experienced by older people and people living with dementia.

Specialised occupational therapy on and off-road driving assessments are still regarded as the gold standard assessment for driving performance1.

There are many other aspects of occupational therapy that seek to

MP Duncan Pegg, occupational therapist Jenny Gribbin and client George Warren

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TICE IN MODIFICATIONS support people’s continued access to and involvement in their communities.

Measuring these outcomes may help to document the value of this role.

Lifespace, the geographic area in which activities are conducted, can be measured using questionnaires2, plotting key locations on maps3, or more recently, with geolocation data from a smartphone app4.

CarFreeMe (formerly UQDRIVE) is an education and support program for people experiencing the transition to nondriving5. A randomised controlled trial with older people indicated that it is effective in increasing travel into the community, use of alternative transportation6, and in meeting individual participation goals for older people7.

Simple, practical solutions for your clients with

There is currently a trial underway led by Dr Theresa Scott with a version of CarFreeMe supporting people living with dementia8. Please contact the research team for information about trial locations and how to refer people living with dementia to the trial: Donna Rooney donna.rooney@ uq.edu.au ph: 3365 6392 and Amy Nussio a.nussio@uq.edu.au.

Do your clients with Vision Loss need help in achieving their goals?

For any enquiries, please contact Jacki via j.liddle@uq.edu.au and on Twitter @jacki_liddle References 1. Walsh, L., Chacko, E., & Cheung, G. (2019). The process of determining driving safety in people with dementia: A review of the literature and guidelines from 5 English speaking countries. Australasian Psychiatry, 1039856219848828.

2. Peel, C., Baker, P. S., Roth, D. L., Brown, C. J., Bodner, E. V., & Allman, R. M. (2005). Assessing mobility in older adults: the UAB Study of Aging Life-Space Assessment. Physical therapy, 85(10), 1008-1019.

3. Liang, P., Liddle, J., Fleming, J., & Gustafsson, L. (2016). Family members’ narratives of lifespace: Mapping changes before and after a brain injury causing driving disruption. Australian occupational therapy journal, 63(3), 164-174.

4. Liddle, J., Ireland, D., McBride, S. J., Brauer, S. G., Hall, L. M., Ding, H., ... & Chenery, H. J. (2014). Measuring the lifespace of people with Parkinson’s disease using smartphones: proof of principle. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 2(1), e13.

Vision Loss For over 30 years Quantum RLV has been assisting Australians of all ages adapt to Vision Loss. Here is how we can help: Professional in-home vision aid assessment and trials Joint visits with you for consultation and assessment On-going support and advice Individual and group training for you and your team Contact us today on 1300 883 853 to discuss your clients individual needs.

For a copy of our catalogue email your name and address to: catalogue@quantumrlv.com.au

5. www.carfreeme.com.au 6. Liddle, J., Haynes, M., Pachana, N. A., Mitchell, G., McKenna, K., & Gustafsson, L. (2013).

Effect of a group intervention to promote older adults’ adjustment to driving cessation on community mobility: a randomized controlled trial. The Gerontologist, 54(3), 409-422.

7. Gustafsson, L., Liddle, J., Liang, P., Pachana, N., Hoyle, M., Mitchell, G., & McKenna, K. (2012). A driving cessation program to identify and improve transport and lifestyle issues of older retired and retiring drivers. International psychogeriatrics, 24(5), 794-802.

8. Scott, T., Liddle, J., Mitchell, G., Beattie, E., & Pachana, N. (2019). Implementation and evaluation of a driving cessation intervention to improve community mobility and wellbeing outcomes for people living with dementia: study protocol of the ‘CarFreeMe’for people with dementia program. BMC geriatrics, 19(1), 66.

T: 1 300 883 853 I E: info@quantumrlv.com.au Registered Provider to: NDIS I MyAgedCare I DVA I JobAccess I ENABLE CAETI

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BECOMING RESEARCH ACTIVE STEP BY STEP Susan Gravier, Research Associate, CareSearch, Flinders University Dr Deidre Morgan, Lecturer, Palliative and Supportive Services, Flinders University

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s occupational therapists, we are strongly encouraged to use relevant and high quality evidence to inform our clinical practice. But determining what is high quality evidence and deciding how to implement it is not a straightforward process. Evidence may be high quality but not relevant to a particular workplace. The relative value of a randomised controlled trial and a qualitative study may be difficult to determine. Research outcome measures used in studies may not be relevant to a particular clinical setting.

All these factors influence our ability to implement evidence into clinical practice.

A group of palliative care clinicians in the United Kingdom sought to address this in an innovative way (Miller, McCarthy, & Hudson, 2018). They are sourcing their own evidence to a) inform their clinical practice and b) to contribute to service evaluation. Lessons learned have implications for clinicians and health services everywhere as we grapple with how to implement evidence into practice.

Together with a local university, these multidisciplinary clinicians from five different hospices formed a collaborative with a goal to become research active.

Their approach was informed by a Hospice UK publication that suggested hospices could not afford to be research inactive (Payne, Preston, Turner, & Rolls, 2013).

This report proposes a framework with the

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following three tiers to support clinicians to become research active in several ways: 1. Raising clinician research awareness 2. Engagement in external research projects 3. Conducting your own research projects

Raising research awareness

When it comes to creating evidence and participating in clinical research, there will be varying levels of interest, confidence and skills. The first step is to proactively raise awareness about the type, scope and relevance of research that currently exists in your area. Can you apply any of this in your workplace? Consider including journal article reviews in staff meetings to explore this. A journal club can be a useful way to highlight new research findings, foster skills and interest in searching for and appraising publications, and improve confidence in presenting to a group. As palliative care can be offered by a multidisciplinary team, you can use a journal club to build skills and knowledge within a profession or to share and disseminate information across professions.

Rigorous service evaluation is expected at departmental and hospital levels and can form the foundation for future research projects. Starting out at this level and in a local environment may be more achievable for some who consider research daunting. palliAGED acknowledges the scope of research

opportunities in palliative care for older people and has published a list of research gaps (https://www.palliaged.com.au/ tabid/4345/Default.aspx) which could incite discussion or a research project.

Engagement in external research projects

There are many ways clinicians can dip their toe into the research space. If you are not confident to engage in your own research, consider getting involved in research projects that others are running.

This might be through participation in surveys or interviews that are posted on the OTA website under Practice Support.

There may also be an opportunity to collect data for clinical trials run by others.

Engagement in an Australian Context

OTs in South Australia (Flinders Medical Centre) and Victoria (Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre) are working collaboratively on a research project with Flinders University and the Palliative Care Clinical Studies Collaborative (PaCCSC).

Occupational therapists will collect data about routine OT interventions used to optimise independence in toileting.

Researchers will conduct interviews with patients and carers about their priorities and needs around toileting. Findings from this study will inform development of a future exploratory pilot study and will also provide evidence that the OT departments can use to evaluate their clinical practice.

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Conducting your own research

Postgraduate study is another option for those who are passionate about creating clinically relevant research. But what if this is not for you? This is where the UK hospice model comes in. Clinicians from five hospices identified a shared research and clinical interest which was to develop and evaluate a rehabilitative model of palliative care. They set about investigating this in a systematic way.

Dr Deidre Morgan, Lecturer, Palliative and Supportive Services, Flinders University

Deidre is an Occupational Therapist with a clinical background in acute, rehabilitation and palliative care. With thirteen years of clinical experience working in specialist inpatient palliative care, Deidre is a researcher and lecturer at Flinders University, Discipline of Palliative and Supportive Care and the inaugural chair of Australian Allied Health in Palliative Care (AAHPC). Deidre’s Firstly, the university helped the hospices conduct a literature review research interests (www.flinders.edu.au/people/deidre.morgan) which raised staff awareness about quality existing research in the area. Clinicians in each hospice then conducted a service evaluation of are around ways to optimise the performance capacity of people existing outpatient exercise groups. No ethical approval was required at the end of life and how to best support their occupational priorities. Deidre is an academic member of the Research Centre for the project as it was deemed to be a service evaluation. However, the university provided guidance about how to conduct an evaluation for Palliative Care, Death & Dying launched in May 2019. that was guided by ethical principles. They also assisted with data References analysis and the writing of the project report. Importantly, this Miller, B., McCarthy, A., & Hudson, S. (2018). The impact of physical scaffolding support from the university also supported a subsequent activity on self-management in palliative patients: A collaborative service evaluation and a step towards becoming research active. Progress in research proposal for which funding is currently being sought.

Useful tools

CareSearch provides easily accessible tools to help new researchers.

Getting Started in Palliative Care Research (www.caresearch. com.au/caresearch/tabid/2631/Default.aspx) can help new researchers understand the research process and includes tips and resources. The CareSearch Research Studies Register of Australian research projects and studies in palliative care provides a means of sharing information, developing linkages, preventing duplication and promoting awareness of current research activities.

Palliative Care, 26(3), 142-147. doi:10.1080/09699260.2018.1467604

Payne, S. A., Preston, N. J., Turner, J. M., & Rolls, L. (2013). Research in palliative care: Can hospices afford not to be involved? A report for the Commission into the Future of Hospice Care. London: Help the Hospices.

The CareSearch Team is interested to hear of research publications including projects in progress or completed and work done for Masters and PhD. Publication is not a requirement for inclusion.

We invite researchers to complete the Research Studies Proforma so that the project appears on the Research Studies Register.

So, think laterally about implementing evidence by creating your own that is clinically relevant to your service. Consider partnering with your local university, approach them! Utilise information and tools that can support you to develop as a researcher. Share resources that are mutually beneficial for universities and health services, and ultimately, people receiving palliative care.

About the authors Susan Gravier, Research Associate, CareSearch, Flinders University Susan trained as a physiotherapist in Adelaide and worked in regional Victoria, Canada and Hong Kong. She is now a researcher in palliative care. In 2016-2017, Susan coordinated the production of palliAGED, writing many of the topic pages in the Evidence and Practice Centre. Susan is currently leading the allied health component of the CareSearch and palliAGED Engagement Project (www.caresearch.com.au/EngagementProject).

CONNECTIONS AUGUST 2019 33

F E AT U R E

INTERNATIONALLY-QUALIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS 1

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Have you assisted an internationally-qualified occupational therapist to gain full registration by being a supervisor during a period of supervised practice?

Occupational Therapy Council of Australia Ltd

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Roles Obtained by Area of Practice

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2018 Snapshot Applications Received In 2018, occupational therapists seeking to meet the requirements for general registration to practise in Australia as OTs trained in various countries, including Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Iran, Kenya, the Philippines, Portugal, Sweden, South Africa, Taiwan, UK, and the USA. OTs from those countries completed applications towards requirements for registration as an occupational therapist in Australia. OTs undertaking Stage 2 of this process were supervised by practising registered occupational therapists around Australia to demonstrate the requirements.

Practice Locations by State In 2018, as in previous years, New South Wales supported the most internationally-qualified therapists, with 27% of supervised practices occurring in that state. Victoria supported 18% of applicants.

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f you have assisted an internationally-qualified occupational therapist to gain full registration by being a supervisor during a period of supervised practice, you will know this is required of OTs who have trained in a country other than Australia in order to practise in Australia.

The period of supervised practice is overseen by the Occupational Therapy Council of Australia Ltd (OTC). Support as required is given to the applicant and the supervisor, according to the needs of the applicant. In addition to providing valuable support to an internationally-qualified occupational therapist and also to the profession, supervisors are able to claim the supervision as a component of CPD requirements.

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Paediatrics

Mental Health

Academia

Hand Therapy

Aged Care

Injury Management

General Medicine

Rehabilitation

25 Queensland (12%) and WA (14%) had similar numbers South Australia (11%). The ACT supported 4.5% of applicants, and Tasmania 3%.

Hand Academia In 2018 no applicants undertook the Stage 2 period Therapy of supervised practice in the Northern Territory. of applicantsMental along with Paediatrics Health

Aged Care

Injury

Settings Management General In 2017, 77%Rehabilitation of internationally-qualified applicants undertook Medicine the Stage 2 period of supervised practice in private settings.

The 2018 data indicated an increase in this trend, with a total of 91% of applicants undertaking this stage in private settings.

Of those in private settings, most applicants worked for private companies with multiple locations, with a remaining few working in single site multiple staffed practices. Some were multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary practices, while others were OT specific.

In 2018, no applicants undertook supervised practice with private sole practitioners. Nine per cent of applicants were located in public health and service settings.

Area Of Practice Over 2018, the trend continued for high numbers of Stage 2 applicants seeking to do the period of supervised practice in the areas of aged care and paediatrics. A trend was also evident for an increasing number of supervised practice positions where interventions are funded through the NDIS.

F E AT U R E

Overall in 2018, 28% of applicants obtained roles in the areas of paediatrics. This indicates a similar continuing pattern of practice to previous years. Some of these OT positions are in-reach positions to schools, offering support to school aged children in that environment rather than in a clinic-based setting, and some are employed within the education setting directly.

Interestingly, another cohort—28% of applicants—obtained roles for the period of supervised practice in the area of aged care. Many of the aged care practices specifically involved pain management under the ACFI. This is a significant increase from 2017, when 13% of applicants indicated they worked in this area.

Eleven per cent of applicants obtained roles for the period of supervised practice in mental health. Injury management practice was 13%, which represents a significant decrease from 2017 when 37% of applicants were in this practice area.

In 2018, community-based occupational therapy and general rehabilitation seems to be a growing area of applicant presence.

TRAUMA EDUCATION

with Dr Leah Giarratano

Goal Formulation Internationally-qualified practitioners undertaking the Stage 2 period of supervised practice formulate practice informed goals. These goals shape the learning and development undertaken during the period of supervised practice.

In 2018 the OTC, on occasions, provided additional support to applicants developing the goals of the supervised practice plan around the following themes: • cultural competency development; • understanding of wider legislation in an Australian health setting; • reflecting the Occupational Therapy Practice Process in practice; • including an OT specific perspective, and • ensuring direct observation by the supervisor during assessment and treatment of clients.

As the new Australian occupational therapy competency standards 2018 became effective from January 2019, the Stage 2 Supervised Practice Plan has been adapted to reflect the new benchmarks.

EVENT: THE ACTION IS IN THE INTERACTION DIR / FLOORTIME

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This training offers a unique opportunity to experience an integrated approach to the child’s sensory processing capacities, emotional development & developmental language acquisition.

“The DIR model provided me with a whole new way of working with children and families. Kathy and Mari have an enormous amount of experience and generate such positive energy and warmth as they take you through the components of the DIR model and the Floor time approach” — Past Training Participant MELBOURNE: SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER, 2019 www.sensoryconnections.com.au/events Phone: 08 9382 8538

CONNECTIONS AUGUST 2019 35

WFOT REPORT

WFOT UPDATE Adam Lo WFOT 1st Alternative Delegate New WFOT Resources Four new Position Statements from WFOT

W

FOT approves all position statements to provide guidance to the occupational therapy profession at the international level.

These also help to clarify the WFOT views and expectations on a range of issues. WFOT has recently released four new Position Statements: 1. Occupational Therapy and Assistive Technology 2. Occupational Therapy and Community-Centred Practice 3. Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation 4. Role of Professional Occupational Therapy Organisations in Monitoring Practice You can access the new WFOT Position Statements here: www.

wfot.org/news/2019/launch-of-4new-wfot-position-statements

WFOT Resource Manual: Occupational Therapy for Displaced Persons This manual provides general knowledge and resources for occupational therapists working with or wanting to work with displaced populations.

It presents the

36 www.otaus.com.au

basic principles for any occupational therapist who is interested in working with people who are displaced, applicable to frame their thinking and approach to intervention.

In addition, it contains the thoughts and reflections of occupational therapists who have experience of working with displaced people and populations. The document can be located here: www.wfot.org/resources/ wfot-resource-manual-occupationaltherapy-for-displaced-persons

WFOT Executive Management Team Meeting

• President and Programme Coordinators – Leadership and Advocacy: Marilyn Pattison • Vice President: Margarita Gonzalez

and the development of the WFOT/WHO Collaboration Plan 2020 – 2022. This Collaboration plan will be submitted to WHO later in 2019, and following approval, will guide much of the work of WFOT over the next three years.

A review of the format of future Council Meetings, and the related logistics and documentation procedures was also initiated. WFOT is working to use online technologies to streamline many of these activities, aiming for more timely and efficient operations.

The WFOT Executive Management Team is now following up on an extensive Actions List from the EMTM 2019 in many areas: • Leadership and strategy • Governance and organisational structure

• Vice President Finance: Samantha Shann

• Financial management

• Executive Director: Ritchard Ledgerd

• Communications

• Programme Coordinators – Education: Tecla Mlambo

• Research

• Programme Coordinators – Practice Development: Sandra Bressler

• WFOT Awards and Recognition

• Programme Coordinators – Research: Liliana Alvarez Jaramillo The Executive Management Team Meeting (EMTM) was held 1-5 April, in Seoul, Republic of Korea. The focus of the meeting was to discuss both leadership and operational priorities and retain oversight of the many projects that WFOT undertakes. This includes engagement with international stakeholders particularly the work of the World Health Organization,

• Education

• Practice Development Each EMTM is held in a different country, providing wonderful opportunities for the Executive Management Team to both learn about, and contribute to the development of occupational therapy in the host country. They were able to meet up with members of the Korean Association of Occupational Therapists (KAOT) and its leaders in health and education in South Korea.

WFOT REPORT

subsequently on human health and wellbeing. Lack of sustainability both threatens the environmental context within which meaningful occupational participation occurs and is the result of human activity.

Factors such as pollution, weather events, desertification and environmental change are significant factors in public health, life expectancy and life quality.

Executive Management Team Meeting

World Health Organization (WHO) and WFOT

WFOT is well supported by a team of expert occupational therapists who are contributing to several WHO projects, including: • Peer Reviewers of the 2nd draft of the Rehabilitation Competency Framework • WHO Competency Framework Steering Group • WHO Draft Global Strategy on Digital Health • WHO Quality Rights E-Consultation - Good Practices of CommunityBased Mental Health Services • WHO Consultation on Schoolbased Health Services Guidelines The volunteering of time and expertise by these members to WHO activities within the framework of ‘Health for All (2018)’ is crucial to WFOT’s promotion of better access to meaningful and quality participation in daily life for vulnerable individuals and communities.

This edition includes the WFOT Congress 2018 Keynote ‘Building globally relevant occupational therapy from the strength of our diversity’ by Karen Whalley Hammell, and several articles regarding practicing occupational therapy across cultures.

To access your WFOT Bulletin, all Individual Members will need to activate your membership by registering your account on the new website, even if you had registered on the old website. Please register via this link: www.wfot.org/account/register.

As mentioned in the last report, the Call for Submission is now on for the April Edition in 2020, with a special issue on sustainability. Occupational therapy practitioners have always recognised the importance of the environmental context on occupational performance and

This special issue of the WFOT bulletin is seeking research, theoretical, or case report manuscripts illustrating why sustainability is a relevant topic in occupational therapy, and how occupational therapy practitioners can work with interested occupational therapy service users to facilitate sustainable occupational lifestyles. For more information about the Bulletin and submission guidelines, please go to www.wfot.org/bulletin

World Occupational Therapy Day 2019

World Occupational Therapy Day is 27 October in 2019. The theme for 2019 is “Improving world health and wellbeing”.

Be sure to mark the date in your diary now if you have not done so already.

There will be resources, information, logos, posters and other materials which will be available soon on the WFOT Website for download. Please go to: www.wfot. org/world-occupational-therapy-day To browse some of the pictures from the World Occupational Therapy Day celebrations around the globe in 2018 visit: www.yogile.com/wdcya4ikbsr#41s

WFOT Bulletin: Connecting through Research and Shared Learning

The WFOT Bulletin is the official publication of WFOT, published biannually in April and October. The April Bulletin focussed on ‘practicing across cultures’.

Occupational therapists from Sri Lanka on World Occupational Therapy Day last year

CONNECTIONS AUGUST 2019 37

A O TJ R E P O R T

PROMOTING CONSUMER AND COMMUNITY COLLABORATION IN RESEARCH Louise Gustafsson, Editor in Chief of the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal

Member Benefit: Accessing the AOTJ

T

OTA members can access current and past issues of the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal online by logging into www.otaus.com.au and then visiting the Research Resources page: www.otaus.com.au/ member-resources/researchresources

he National Health and Medical Research Council statement on consumer and community involvement in health and medical research (NHMRC, 2016) recognises the important need for stronger partnerships to be developed between researchers and the stakeholders who are the focus of the research. Occupational therapy, with enablement at the core, is in a key position to lead the way for conduct of research that includes collaborations and capacity-building of consumers and community members (including industry and clinical partners).

At the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, we value the important contribution of research towards the growth of professional knowledge and the evidence-base. We equally value the important contributions that people with lived experience can provide to the development and conduct of this research and towards understanding and implementing the research findings.

We encourage all occupational therapists undertaking research to investigate and develop ways to more actively and meaningfully involve people with lived experience throughout all aspects of your

research. An important first step might be to explore research priorities with your consumer and community groups.

Reference National Health and Medical Research Council.

(2016). Statement on Consumer and Community involvement in Health and Medical Research, Consumers Health Forum of Australia.

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