Connections - June 2019

The magazine of Occupational Therapy Australia, the peak body representing occupational therapy in Australia JUNE 2019 | VOL 16 ISSUE 3

Print Post Approved PP340742/00147 ISSN 1832-7605

Connecting with Community

Learn about our OTs for Veterans advocacy campaign Meet your Faces of OTA for 2019 Be inspired with reflections on the value of volunteering

DISCOVER STORIES FROM YOUR PEERS

CONTENTS

NEWS

FEATURES

President’s Report

3

CEO’s Report

5

Connecting with the community’s representatives

6

Improving occupational performance in the NDIS and aged care sector

9

Connecting with the CPD community

11

Upcoming OTA CPD and Events 2019

14

WFOT Update

31

AOTJ Report: Connecting with the OTA Journal at the National conference 33 28th National Conference and Exhibition 2019

34

About Connections Connections is a publication of Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA), 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 Phone: +61 3 9415 2900 or 1300 682 878 Email: info@otaus.com.au Web: www.otaus.com.au Correction On page 28 of the April 2019 edition, the AOTJ article should have been attributed to: Associate Professor Genevieve Pepin, PhD, Discipline Lead, Course Director and Honours Coordinator, Occupational Science and Therapy, Faculty of Health, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University.

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Steps towards a model for OT on Palm Island

12

Meet your Faces of OTA for 2019

17

Reflecting on the 2019 National Rural Health Conference

15

Building connections in Victoria’s rural communities

26

Changes to the Health Professionals and Support Services (HPSS) Award

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You have Professional Indemnity cover... but is that enough?

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Spotlight on practice education

28

Bringing brain injury survivors together in Vietnam

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Call to arms: Occupational therapists taking up strategic leadership positions

23

Palliative care: Finding evidence and clinical guidance you can trust and why it matters

24

Contributions and Advertising 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?

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 August edition: 28 June October edition: 30 August December edition: 25 October Design Perry Watson Design

Disclaimer 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.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

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he theme of this edition of Connections is Connecting with Community, and a timely opportunity to report on the activity of your Board—the community that represents you and your professional interests. The Board of Occupational Therapy Australia meets many times in multiple forms. Our business is conducted either face to face, through Zoom video conferencing or via messaging/ emails to keep the momentum of the organisation moving between our jam-packed Board meetings.

One long-term focus of the OTA strategic plan is to enhance the capability of our profession, either directly within OTA itself or to encourage leadership of occupational therapists across sectors though participation in Governance.

So, let’s start with a quick refresher regarding our own system of governance.

As you know, the Board of OTA is formed via several processes enshrined in our Constitution and By-Laws. We are member elected, co-opted for casual vacancies or nominations committee recommended, and include our World Federation of Occupational Therapists delegate. The nominations committee is chaired by the immediate past President, with two Board members without conflict (i.e. not up for re-election) and two general member representatives (currently from NSW and SA). Once the member elected directors are known, the nominations committee applies a matrix adopted from the Australian

Institute of Company Directors (AICD) to balance the skills of the Board across finance, audit, risk and strategy, business, stakeholder relations and leadership.

Our Constitution states the Board must primarily consist of member occupational therapists. We cannot be a geographical or constituency focused board. Our fiduciary duty is always and foremost to Occupational Therapy Australia and the wellbeing of its entities and obligations.

As Chair, I speak with our CEO regularly and she updates me on operational matters and the progress of projects and initiatives. We also share our differing expertise, compare analysis, brainstorm ideas and stay connected to OTA’s values, culture, mission and vision. We attend the yearly Associations Forum’s CEO and Chairs Symposium—an excellent opportunity to benchmark our association and connect with, share and learn from peers. You might be surprised to know how diverse and vibrant the associations community is—I certainly was the first time I attended!

The Board also enact our roles via finance risk and audit, CEO performance and remuneration and conference management committees. We receive updates and reports from the Editorin-Chief of the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal and the Chair of Occupational Therapy Australia Research Foundation (OTARF), which is a Deductible Gift Recipient Charity of OTA. At Board meetings we are pleased to regularly hear from portfolio managers regarding the progress of projects and roles.

Angela Berndt, OTA President

The Board’s role is to be a collective decision-making group, to guide the organisation, always setting the ‘tone from the top’. We each engage in governance training and CPD. In the recent Company Director Magazine, their Editor-in-Chief posed four key questions a Board and CEO must ask: • What business should we be in?

• Who are our target customers?

• How do we add value and what value do we create?

• What skills and capabilities are core to our value proposition?

(Narelle Hooper, Company Director, AICD May 2019 p 8).

In 2018, we experienced change in leadership at OTA via the recruitment of a new CEO and we invested in increased finance and governance expertise to supplement our existing staff capability. The investment in our new website is about to be delivered—a complex project eagerly anticipated by members. At the April Board meeting we spent time reviewing our current Strategic Plan (2017 – 2020). Processes such as these enable the Board to stay connected to those four core questions and other critical thinking mechanisms that inform our decision making.

Continued next page CONNECTIONS JUNE 2019 3

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

PRESIDENT’S REPORT Continued from previous page

ONE LONG-TERM FOCUS OF THE OTA STRATEGIC PLAN IS TO ENHANCE THE CAPABILITY OF OUR PROFESSION, EITHER DIRECTLY WITHIN OTA ITSELF OR TO ENCOURAGE LEADERSHIP OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS ACROSS SECTORS THOUGH PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNANCE.

You will recall, our Strategic plan was developed in the 2016/17 period, launched at the 2017 Conference and became active at the AGM. The plan was developed via consultation with senior occupational therapists across the country who worked in existing, new and emerging sectors, direct service provision, policy, research and education. The Board interviewed people and we asked, what can OTA do better; what should the association be now and in the future; what does the profession need now and what challenges will it face in the future; what should our aspirations be; what are our opportunities and risks?

We distilled the consultation and our own analysis into a Strategy on a Page (SOAP) format (recommended for clarity of communication to stakeholders), and which also represents a form of program logic when read bi-directionally (top down and bottom up). That is, if we achieve X then we should also achieve Y. At the recent Board meeting, our objective was to identify the emerging outcomes and impacts of the strategic plan, consider what new KPIs we can integrate, what improved data we can collect with our enhanced capability and which aspects are likely to be longer term.

Before long we will begin the development of the next strategic plan. Reading the May 2019 AICD Magazine, I was struck by two articles that will inform my critical reflection. One author advocated the use of case studies to enhance risk awareness, a method the Board and CEO implemented in the last development process. The article presented the concept of the ‘freight train coming’ (Company Director, AICD May 2019) and described the case of the RACV; who foresaw the downward impact of improved motor technology on their core business offering of road side assistance, and then successfully diversified into new products and services. The article stated that RACV Boards had seen the ‘freight train coming and were able to plan and execute a timely transformation’ (p 41).

A second article considered 8 Megatrends, which are: solving dilemmas of doing more from less; risks associated with planetary push back and climate change; opportunities from growth of Asia-pacific region; thinking differently about data and people constantly on the move; the ageing population and their desire for health, wellbeing and ageing solutions; digital immersion and strategy;

adaptation to intelligent machines and AI in work and life; and conversely, the idea of ‘keeping it real’, with people seeking escape from digital disruption via real people, places and physical experiences (Stefan Hajkowicz, Company Director, AICD May 2019, p 60 & 61).

Is there a ‘freight train coming’ toward Occupational Therapy Australia? If so, what might it be? One role of the Board is to forecast, analyse and plan for risks or opportunities. What do they mean for our profession and for our association?

Our strategic plan and investments are committed to the sustainability of the association, continued improvement in member experience, quality contributions such as supported research, our journal, marketing, lobbying, awareness raising and so on, while being the peak body for the profession. Is growth a risk?

Can we achieve all three levels of our strategy when only a proportion of our profession financially contribute via membership fees? Feedback indicates our CPD is growing in quality, access, attendance and flexibility but is the mix right for future needs?

We learned at the recent Associations Forum Symposium that many thriving associations are moving from a reliance on membership to a market model via product and income diversification and other innovation. It’s food for thought and one of the many topics that your Board and CEO maintain a focus on via the sense of ‘chronic unease’ we bring to our risk and opportunities assessment (as suggested by Louise Petschler, Company Director, AICD June 2018 p 14).

Angela Berndt

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CEO’S REPORT

CEO’S REPORT

Earlier this year we witnessed the unimaginable horror of the events of Christchurch and, shortly after, what appeared to be retribution taken out far across the seas in Sri Lanka over the Easter celebrations. These events leave deep scars not only on the immediate communities in which they take place, but the ripples of grief, fear and anger spread far and wide across the world.

Closer to home on the verge of a federal election (to be decided by the time this goes to print), voices expressing division and difference seem to feed the media frenzy, while reasoned debate takes a backseat to hateful vitriol.

We witness inequity and injustices to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to refugees trying to find safety on our shores.

Perhaps now is precisely the time when we look deeply at the communities we belong to—both locally at home, as a citizen of our nation, and also as a global citizen. Consider, how can we bravely breach the divisions, ease the tensions and use our passion, our compassion and our integrity to influence our communities? Consider the communities we belong to, wherever they may be, whatever the cause or value that connects us.

As individuals within our wider communities, we all have a unique voice—we all have value to contribute. We can approach issues with understanding (and not judgement), we can offer support for those in need and we can ensure that the voices of others less privileged are heard. Each and every one of us can affect positive change for our communities.

I look forward to hearing you raise your voices for more compassion, more kindness, empathy and care for all.

Samantha Hunter

Samantha Hunter, CEO

“WE ARE FAR MORE UNITED AND HAVE FAR MORE IN COMMON THAN THAT WHICH DIVIDES US.” Jo Cox

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he theme of this edition of Connections, Connecting with Community, feels like it has come at such a critical time. A time when it is important for us to reflect on the various communities that we belong to and how we can support, shape and influence those we connect with for increased tolerance, respect and connectedness.

CONNECTIONS JUNE 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

CONNECTING WITH THE COMMUNITY’S REPRESENTATIVES Michael Barrett, OTA National Manager: Government and Stakeholder Relations Gayle Kissonergis, OTA Senior Policy Officer

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iving as we do in a representative democracy, in which the community elects individuals to represent its interests at no fewer than three levels of government, good advocacy involves effective engagement with those representatives. Be it a first term shire councillor or the Prime Minister, they are at once a connection to the community and the decision makers who determine the nature and quality of the environment in which we live and work.

At the time of writing, considerable attention is understandably focussed on Canberra. On 2 April, the Morrison Government brought down its 2019-20 Budget. OTA was once again invited to attend the Health Department’s budget briefing and was represented at the event by our National Manager of Government and Stakeholder Relations, Michael Barrett.

Within 24 hours of the Treasurer’s speech, OTA had posted a comprehensive analysis of the budget on our website, outlining in detail those initiatives which will have an effect on the way OTs do their work.

It was important to make this point to Ms Rishworth’s office because, at the time of the meeting, opinion polls indicated she would become the new Minister for Veterans’ Affairs on 18 May.

OTA will redouble its lobbying efforts, urging the new government to invest more in allied health, and will once again provide members with focussed analysis of Labor’s first budget.

Michael also met with a senior adviser to the Chief Government Whip in the Senate, Senator Dean Smith.

On 11 April, the Prime Minister called an election for 18 May, hoping that the first budget surplus in twelve years, and significant personal income tax cuts, would help narrow the gap in the opinion polls. On that day, OTA forwarded correspondence to the major political parties, outlining the concerns of members and seeking specific undertakings across a range of issues.

That correspondence, and any responses received, are posted on our website.

Lobbying is a long and often frustrating process. But there are occasional, and sometimes very big, wins. The recent announcement that the fee paid to OTs doing NDIS work will rise from $179 to $190 an hour from 1 July, is one such win. Just twelve months ago, a review of the NDIS had recommended that the fee for a significant proportion of services be slashed to $110 an hour. But sustained and vigorous lobbying of MPs and Ministers saw that recommendation dismissed out of hand, along with the recommendation that clients be categorised according to the highly problematic criterion of “complexity”.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has indicated that, if elected to government, Labor will bring down a major economic statement—effectively a new budget— in August. If this does come to pass,

Sometimes connecting with the community involves connecting with the community’s elected representatives.

And sometimes this achieves excellent outcomes for our members.

While in Canberra Michael took the opportunity to meet with a senior adviser to the Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, the Hon. Amanda Rishworth MP. Discussion centred on the ongoing failure of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) to pay a reasonable fee to those OTs working with veterans and war widows.

OTs for Veterans email signature 6 www.otaus.com.au

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

A fair go for OTs working with veterans and war widows Those of our members who work with veterans and war widows would be well aware of the inadequacy of the fees set for their services. DVA work has become increasingly difficult to sustain because remuneration for such work has, in effect, been frozen for nearly twenty years by successive Australian governments.

We have heard from members across the country about their struggles to continue servicing veterans and war widows, which they do out of loyalty and a reliance on subsidies from other schemes. It is simply not financially viable to work in this space, and the potential exodus of experienced therapists from DVA work would leave many of those who have served our country without any access to essential services.

This year’s federal budget was notably silent on allied health services for Australia’s veterans and war widows.

It can therefore be assumed that the reform package announced in last year’s budget, which will result in a total net saving of $40.7 million over the forward estimates, will continue as planned.

OTS FOR VETERANS CAMPAIGN RESULTS: • 2,000+ WEBSITE VIEWS ON WWW.OTSFORVETERANS.COM.AU • 250+ LETTERS OF CONCERN SENT TO THE MINISTER AND SHADOW MINISTER FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS • FACEBOOK POSTS HAVE REACHED 15,000+ PEOPLE, GENERATING 180+ LIKES AND 100+ SHARES The DVA Occupational Therapists Schedule of Fees was updated on 1 March to simplify the schedule, and a new treatment cycle will be implemented in July 2019. The next phases of the reform process – trials of new funding models and upgrades to fee schedules – are set to commence in February 2021. OTA understands that consultation with key stakeholders on potential new funding models will begin in the not too distant future, however occupational therapists are essentially being told to continue servicing veterans for another two years without any real increase in pay.

OTA is acutely aware of the damaging consequences of this situation and, as such, a decision was made to escalate our advocacy efforts during the federal election campaign. This involved the

creation of a standalone website – www.otsforveterans.com.au – which contains information for providers and consumers on the issue and how to bring it to the attention of politicians, as well as case studies demonstrating the firsthand effects of occupational therapists being stretched to breaking point.

We have been promoting the campaign on our social media pages, and have also drawn it to the attention of journalists across Australia. We encourage all members to get behind the campaign and share the link to the website with their colleagues and clients. Now is the perfect opportunity to write to your local MP to encourage them to raise this issue in the party room and the parliament. Instructions for doing so can be found on the website.

Mental Health Australia Members’ Policy Forum: 19 March 2019 Old Parliament House, Canberra

Geoff Lau, Mental Health Australia Delegate The recent MHA Policy Forum was a reminder that consumer and carer stories are powerful accounts of the mental health services provided across Australia.

These experiences also articulate the impact of mental illness on individuals and communities, and the precise systemic improvements urgently required. MHA Chairperson Jennifer Westacott expressed her concern that political campaigns for the federal election indicated weak platforms targeting mental health issues.

OTs for Veterans website design

Continued next page CONNECTIONS JUNE 2019 7

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

MENTAL HEALTH AUSTRALIA MEMBERS’ POLICY FORUM Continued from previous page

“There needs to be an urgent call out for both major and minor parties to have a policy on mental health, more specifically, practical, achievable and precise solutions”. Stories and accounts from people with a lived experience of mental illness reflect the challenges and achievements of the mental health sector much more than broad statements or aggregated data; for example, terms such as “percentages of integrated care” are ambiguous and lack the necessary descriptions for solutions and accountable actions for politicians.

Senators Deborah O’Neill (Labor) and Rachel Siewert (Greens) presented their party platforms, and the Hon. Greg Hunt, Minister for Health, prepared a short video message to MHA delegates. The focus was on investing in youth strategies (such as additional headspace services), particularly in rural areas. In response, some MHA delegates reminded us that despite positive outcomes for many adolescents who access headspace, most mental health issues develop under 14 years of age with a growing prevalence of mental illness in children across every community (one in seven nationally). Additional target areas of concern for all parties included the current and generational impact of housing and homelessness, NDIS eligibility and the large portion of people with psychosocial disability who will not access funded packages.

Productivity Commission Inquiry into Mental Health As recommendations will be made about State and Commonwealth funded programs, MHA will be seeking opportunities to prepare the political environment to reduce the risk of both governments and lobbyists rejecting the report.

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Assistant Commissioner Rosalyn Bell presented feedback from the fifty submissions to the inquiry received to date, mostly from users and their carers within various mental health systems. Common themes included:

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Gateways

Numerous ways to enter mental health systems with minimal support to navigate. Current incentives for GPs don’t lead to better connectedness and other gateways (including hospital EDs and justice systems) are fragmented.

Fragmentation

A confusing mental health system with options based on personal contacts.

Lack of service integration and coordination across health, housing and the sector generally.

Limited evidence

Need for more robust evaluations conducted by service providers including government and non-government services.

Multifarious funding channels

Improvements to Better Access with respect to outcomes and access to services, as well as the role of private hospitals with more complex patients.

Where should limited funding be targeted?

Reported neglect of consumers with complex needs including people with diagnosis of borderline personality disorder or an eating disorder.

Suicide prevention

More analysis of what works and what improvements can be made.

Systems design benchmarking

Refashion systems designed for physical ill health for mental ill health; for example, WorkCover, mitigation against mental ill health and prevention in primary workplaces.

Mental health workforce

A better trained mental health workforce, particularly in rural and remote areas, and roles with more impact for people with a lived experience.

A final report will be presented to Government with tabled recommendations.

Reliance on the Treasurer, Health Minister and Prime Minister to lead an appropriate response subsequent to multiple consultations with states and territories will be required. This means that the timeframe until real action takes place could be as late as 2021.

The Productivity Commission inquiry is an opportunity that requires active and united

participation from the mental health sector. Unless a small number of core themes are consistently communicated by service providers and consumers, the outcomes from the report will not be able to navigate the systemic barriers and provide the required recommendations for change. In line with this sentiment, OTA has provided a submission in response to the issues paper, which was informed by occupational therapists and the experiences of their consumers.

P R O F E SS I O N A L P R A CT I C E & STA N D A R D S U P D AT E

IMPROVING OCCUPATIONAL PERFORMANCE IN THE NDIS AND AGED CARE SECTOR What Does the Evidence Point to?

Anita Volkert, OTA National Manager: Professional Practice and Development

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or some time now at OTA, it feels like we have been riding the wave of changes that the NDIS has brought as the roll out progresses through the country. It’s a tough transition for those commencing it, or just getting to grips with it, as practitioners (particularly private practitioners) struggle with the additional layers of bureaucracy, and the sometimes opaque and inconsistent processes. We assist with many requests for more help with understanding the processes required by the NDIS and are working on ways to help practicing occupational therapists with this.

One topic of discussion from occupational therapists working within the NDIS that is now crossing my desk more often (in those states who are post-roll out) is that of a subtle shift in practice for occupational therapists working in the community. Or perhaps not a shift, but a refocusing onto capacity building, occupational performance focused interventions with consumers, such as social skill development, community access interventions, and specific independent living skills. I am frequently asked by occupational therapists where they can turn to for assessments to help guide them, and strategies for such interventions. Whilst this refocus is appearing primarily in NDIS work right now, we are very

likely to see this in the future aged care sector as well as approaches like reablement come to the fore—particularly for those living with dementia.

Crucially, Belchior et al (20105) found a lack of consistency in how occupational therapists use terminology about ADLs and assessment practices in general.

The evidence throws up some interesting issues and suggestions. Belchior et al (2015), in an article in the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, found in their Canadian based study that there is a lack of consensus in the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living assessment practices of occupational therapists and suggest that guidelines would be of help in this area. Their study found that some therapists were missing cues and key pieces of information in their assessment practices. Therapists were using 18 different assessment tools and 10 different cognitive assessments in their practice.

Wheeler et al (2016), in a systematic review of the interventions used by occupational therapists to improve occupational performance, found that occupational therapists used six key types of interventions. These are: educational approaches; peer mentoring; goal directed therapy; physical activity; functional skills training and cognitive behavioural therapy, with strong evidence for cognitive behavioural therapy, moderate for goal directed therapy, physical activity and functional skills training, and more limited evidence for education and peer mentoring.

Continued next page

“THE SPECIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PRACTITIONERS AND THE NATURE OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY INTERVENTIONS HAVE NOT BEEN WELL STUDIED MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT TO WHICH OCCUPATION AND ACTIVITY BASED INTERVENTIONS PROVIDED

BY OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PRACTITIONERS IMPROVE OCCUPATIONAL PERFORMANCE AND SOCIAL PARTICIPATION” Powell et al (2016)

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P R O F E SS I O N A L P R A CT I C E & STA N D A R D S U P D AT E

IMPROVING OCCUPATIONAL PERFORMANCE IN THE NDIS AND AGED CARE SECTOR Continued from previous page

A similar study by Powell et al (2016) points to the general lack of evidence base for occupational therapy interventions, stating that “the specific contributions of occupational therapy practitioners and the nature of occupational therapy interventions have not been well studied making it difficult to determine the extent to which occupation and activity based interventions provided by occupational therapy practitioners improve occupational performance and social participation” (Powell et al, 2016, p.1). As occupational therapists, we need to get out there and research!

Your Occupational Therapy Australia membership gives you access to the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal as well other international occupational therapy journals.

Please check our CPD events and online library for relevant courses and webinars.

We are currently very keen on expanding our NDIS offerings, so please contact Anita Volkert standards@otaus.com.au or Lindsay Vernon nationalcpd@otaus.com.au if you would be interested in working with us on that.

References: Belchior, P., Korner-Bitensky, N., Holmes, M., & Robert, A. (2015). Identification and assessment of functional performance in mild cognitive impairment: A survey of occupational therapy practices. Australian occupational therapy journal, 62(3), 187-196.

Powell, J. M., Rich, T. J., & Wise, E. K. (2016). Effectiveness of occupation-and activity-based interventions to improve everyday activities and social participation for people with traumatic brain injury: A systematic review. American journal of occupational therapy, 70(3), 7003180040p1-7003180040p9.

Wheeler, S., Acord-Vira, A., & Davis, D. (2016).

Effectiveness of interventions to improve occupational performance for people with psychosocial, behavioural, and emotional impairments after brain injury: A systematic review. American journal of occupational therapy, 70(3), 7003180060p1-7003180060p9.

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

CONNECTING WITH THE CPD COMMUNITY

Did this CPD meet your expectations?

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Lindsay Vernon, OTA Professional Adviser: Learning and Development

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hen I look up ‘community’ in the Oxford dictionary, it talks about:

• ‘A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common’.

• ‘A particular area or place considered together with its inhabitants’.

• ‘The people of a district or country considered collectively, especially in the context of social values and responsibilities; society’.

• ‘The condition of sharing or having certain attitudes and interests in common’.

• ‘A similarity or identity’.

• ‘A group of interdependent plants or animals growing or living together in natural conditions or occupying a specified habitat’.

Occupational therapy is, at its core, a helping profession. One main ethos is to help people connect with the activities they wish to do in life. Whether that be to have a shower in the morning, meet friends for lunch, write their name, gain paid employment or weed the garden (and any myriad of activities in between).

So many of the activities we engage in connect us to our community or our sense of community. As we can see from the definitions above, the concept of community ranges from a geographical, to an ecological, to a societal space.

To me, this shows the importance of community on many levels in many ways.

Reflecting on our CPD community, we have run over 50 CPD sessions so far this year, comprising of approximately 40 workshops and over 10 online opportunities for occupational therapists to engage with the association. This has provided us with the privilege of meeting (either face to face or in a virtual environment) over 1,000 members this year alone. Connecting with the OT community allows us in CPD to learn from a vast range of clinicians. We are in the privileged position to explore your clinical education needs directly from a clinician’s perspective and hear about what motivates you to help others.

We receive hundreds of evaluation surveys each year providing us with information relating to the value you gain from our CPD program. We read through each and every one of those evaluations. Some of your feedback and some of our actions include:

Feedback from our 2018 CPD Evaluation Results As a clinical team, we connect with consumers, multidisciplinary colleagues, families, carers, hospitals, schools, workplaces and many other stakeholders.

We work as a community to support people accessing their community.

In CPD we connect with venues, caterers, presenters, hotels, airlines, sponsors, other members in the OTA team and of course participants. Together, we work as a community to ensure successful CPD events across the country. For further information on our CPD program, please visit the PD page on the OTA website.

Would you recommend this CPD event to others?

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Yes

Mostly/Maybe

No

Your CPD Feedback You said: Please can we have COOP in Townsville.

We did: A COOP course will be run this November in Townsville.

You said: Please can we have more sensory related training.

We did: We have arranged two sensory related training workshops and one online series of webinars this year.

You said: The sleep training with Annie looks amazing, can you make it more broadly available.

We did: Sleep-Ability webinars are now available online for all to access.

You said: Can we please have some CPD for clinicians working with people who have an amputation or require prosthetics.

We did: A workshop focusing on amputation and prosthetics is currently being organised for late 2019.

CONNECTIONS JUNE 2019 11

F E AT U R E

STEPS TOWARDS A MODEL FOR OT ON PALM ISLAND Lindsay Vernon, OTA Professional Adviser: Learning and Development

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n February 2019 I was fortunate to undertake a visit to Palm Island with SOS Health Foundation. SOS Health Foundation is a not for profit organisation that supports the residents of Palm Island with their health and wellbeing needs.

Palm Island holds a rich, yet traumatic history. In 1889 an Aboriginal reserve was established and Aboriginal people were sent to the island if it was deemed that they had done wrong by western law or even for actions not related to the law.

Historical Conditions on Palm Island “There were 3,950 documented removals between the years 1918 and 1972 … Until the early 1970s, there were morning roll calls and nightly curfews for Palm Island residents. The settlement bell rang each morning at 8am, which was the signal for everyone to line up for parade and for allocation of work for the day. Anyone missing was punished by being deprived of food. At 9pm each night, the bell rang signalling the shutting down of electricity.”

Source: https://www.qld.gov.au/atsi/ cultural-awareness-heritage-arts/ community-histories/community-historiesn-p/community-histories-palm-island

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As a result of these actions, Palm Island has residents from 47 tribes who are collectively known as the Bwgcolman tribe but often still relate to their family and place of birth tribe. The island has approximately 4,000 residents with all housing being government owned. Community services include a small community hospital, TAFE, two schools, post office, pharmacy, supermarket, restaurant, fish and chip shop, and several community centres.

The school completion rate is low and the unemployment rate is high.

I was taken on a cultural tour by a local resident who provided insights to the island’s history, both geographical and political. External health services work with the community to address local needs and have strong relationships with many local Elders and residents. However, due to the history of the island, many residents remain distrustful of external people.

SOS Health Foundation has a permanent allied health clinician on the island who is available to support resident’s needs.

Until recently this role has been filled by a physiotherapist. One purpose of my trip was to explore how a sustainable OT model could be supported on the island if it were only volunteer OTs visiting once a month or once every two months.

During my time on the island I was lucky enough to meet with a number of residents. I visited their homes to complete work a previous OT volunteer had commenced and ran groups for ladies at the local shelter. As an OT, group work runs through my blood and I enjoyed

this rewarding experience. I participated in art and craft activities with the ladies and was able to lead a relaxation group.

Engaging in an occupation such as art can break down cultural or language barriers and enables all to come together to work towards a common leisure goal.

I was reminded of the strength of group processes and the value of meaningful participation. For these ladies it was an opportunity to feel safe and relaxed in an environment where they could achieve an activity in comfort and with confidence—something that was not a common part of their previous experience.

I met with the local school and saw first-hand the fantastic work they are doing to support kids (and their families) to stay in school and transition to high school, either on Palm Island or the local mainland town of Townsville.

With the SOS volunteer manager Shanta Parker, we developed a fledgling model for occupational therapy on Palm Island— a model where group work remains consistent for mental health and wellbeing, and enabling one to one work for home support or modification. Providing OT in a respectful and purposeful manner (while acknowledging the transitory nature of a volunteer role) remains key for the residents where trauma and distress are the foundation of their community.

Palm Island welcomed me into their community and accepted the support I was able to offer. As an OT, I was able to use the profession’s innate skills of engaging

F E AT U R E

with the environment, of working with a person’s strengths and of being adaptable. This is a core set of skills drawn from our OT models and theoretical underpinnings which all OTs (regardless of current area of practice) can draw on to engage in a volunteer role.

If you are interested in hearing more about my experience or would like to explore the opportunity of volunteering with SOS further, please contact either myself (nationalcpd@otaus.com.au) or Shanta Parker (s.parker@soshealth.org.au). If you are interested in reading more about Palm Island, look for the 2008 book by Chloe Hooper, The Tall Man: Death and Life on Palm Island, in your local book shop.

With permission we were able to take and share the following photos:

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Leading a relaxation session with the ladies

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Making wind chimes with the locals. A great opportunity to share skills and talk about local flora and fauna

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CONNECTIONS JUNE 2019  13

CPD CALENDAR

UPCOMING OTA CPD & EVENTS 2019 July – August 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

X

LOCATION

xx

JULY

xxx Workshop

Sydney, NSW

Workshop

Sydney, NSW

28th National Conference & Exhibition

Conference

Sydney, NSW

11

Careers Forum

Forum

Sydney, NSW

17, 24, 31

Business Basics: Establishing an OT Private Practice

Webinar Series

Online

19-20

Common Hand Conditions & Splinting

Workshop

Melbourne, VIC

25-26

Environmental Home Modifications – The Basics

Workshop

Hobart, TAS

26-27

Foundation Skills – Intro to Adult Physical Assessment & Management

Workshop

Fitzroy, VIC

31 Jul - 28 Aug

Understanding Neuroplasticity: From Knowing to Doing

Online Series

Online

31

SA Driving

Interest Group

Glenside, SA

5

Self-Leadership Development – Men’s Edition

Workshop

Warwick Farm, NSW

5

Evidence-based Cognitive Rehabilitation for OTs

Workshop

Bowen Hills, QLD

13-14

Introduction to Seating & Wheelchair Prescription

Workshop

Silverwater, NSW

13, 20

An Introduction to Functional Assessments – NDIS

Webinar Series

Online

17

Cognition – Assessment & Intervention in Neurological Rehabilitation

Workshop

Perth, WA

21-22

The LiFE Program

Workshop

Melbourne, VIC

21-22

Introduction & Advanced Home Modifications

Workshop

Brisbane, QLD

1-5

Assessment of Motor and Process Skills – AMPS

9

Education Day

10-12

AUGUST

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION To register and for further information please visit: www.otaus.com.au/professionaldevelopment 14 www.otaus.com.au

F E AT U R E

REFLECTING ON THE 2019 NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH CONFERENCE Nicole O’Reilly, OTA Deputy CEO/Chief Operating Officer

O

ver four days in late March 2019, more than 1,100 people met in Hobart for the 15th National Rural Health Conference. At the conference delegates heard about the latest industry developments, networked with leaders from across the sector, and helped set the rural health agenda for the next two years.

One of the key ways in which attendees were able to help set the agenda for rural health was through the Sharing Shed. As described on the conference website1, the Sharing Shed is an online portal through which conference delegates propose recommendations to the full body of delegates, with every individual delegate being able to express a view on these ideas by providing comments and ‘liking’ specific recommendations. This process leads to a set of recommendations for action to improve the health and wellbeing of people in rural and remote areas in Australia. At the 2019 conference, 213 recommendations were made. The full list can be found on the conference website www.ruralhealth.org.au/15nrhc.

These recommendations are a reflection of the issues raised and discussed at the conference, and were presented to Minister Bridget McKenzie. These reflections are structured around the high-level themes that came out of the recommendations. In doing so, it is acknowledged that these issues are interrelated and many of the topics could be placed under a different heading.

ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER HEALTH Delegates heard from many presenters via workshops, posters and keynote speeches about the poorer health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These start from an early age with infant and child mortality rates generally higher, life expectancy lower and a higher rate of disability/psychological distress2. Delegates also heard that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are disproportionately affected by suicide with an aged standardised suicide rate twice that compared with non-Indigenous populations.4 Delegates agreed that “The gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes remains completely unacceptable and the most pressing issue for all Australians”3. Delegates called upon government to endorse the Uluru Statement from the Heart, commit funding to expand Aboriginal community controlled primary health care services, and (in recognising the essential role of Aboriginal Health Practitioners and workers) delegates called for a greater investment in health training, support and career pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

DELEGATES AGREED THAT “THE GAP IN ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER HEALTH OUTCOMES REMAINS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE FOR ALL AUSTRALIANS”3.

SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH Many presentations focused on the social determinants of health highlighting the range of factors that influence a person’s health—either positively or negatively. Dr Bo Remenyi (a Paediatric Cardiac Specialist based in the Northern Territory) highlighted in her keynote presentation that Australia “uses surgical solutions to solve social problems”. She challenged policy makers, politicians and delegates to address the social determinants of health including access to safe housing, education and culturally appropriate health care.1 Given this call to arms, delegates called for a whole of government approach to rural poverty, a fully funded National Rural Wellbeing Strategy and a change to the way that health is measured to include wellbeing indicators. Delegates also sought that all government policies are developed and implemented so as to avoid increasing social and health inequalities. 3 Continued next page

CONNECTIONS JUNE 2019 15

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REFLECTING ON THE 2019 NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH CONFERENCE Continued from previous page

ACCESS Access to health care that is appropriate (including culturally safe), high quality and timely can improve health outcomes2.

Delegates, hearing from presenters and from their own lived experience, understand that primary care services in rural and remote areas are fragmented and not well coordinated. Funding mechanisms frequently result in short term funding commitments—frustrating continuity of services due to staff turnover.

Delegates discussed that current marketbased models are not viable for rural and remote services. As such, delegates called for immediate action to develop an integrated primary health care system maximising the value of MBS funding streams, that all funding agreements for remote and very remote locations are for a minimum of three years, and that models of service delivery in remote and very remote locations are co-designed with communities and frontline workers.

WORKFORCE The health workforce of Australia is maldistributed. A significant number of presentations and much discussion focussed around the maldistribution of the health workforce across Australia.

Delegates called for government to: “Identify workforce gaps across service and policy silos (housing, disability, aged care, education and health) and

increase flexibility in funding to enable collaborative workforce models for allied health. Including increasing the number of MBS funded occasions of service by allied health services, including dental and oral health services, to 10 per profession per year where a market based service model is suitable.”3 Delegates recognised that the workforce needed to be supported by appropriate infrastructure and, with the technology age upon us, it was discussed that access to the internet and other key infrastructure is inconsistent across rural and remote Australia. Delegates discussed the benefit of supporting capital investment to support access to the NBN to support the work of rural and remote therapists as well as retention (by supporting access to communication technology). Delegates sought government to commit to providing appropriate technology infrastructure.3

RESEARCH The value of research was well recognised by all delegates when they called for funding through the Medical Research Future Fund Mission to include research within and upon rural and remote communities to be commensurate with the burden of disease and disability.

Additionally, delegates sought to have the success of research not considered simply in the number of academic papers, but rather via community impact.3

THE CONFERENCE The National Rural Health Conference is organised by the National Rural Health Alliance—the peak non-government organisation for rural and remote health.

The Alliance receives funding from the Commonwealth Government and support from its member organisations and individuals through Friends of the Alliance.

Friends of the Alliance is a network of individuals and organisations that support the work of the Alliance. Through this, supporters have access and make contributions to the Alliance’s quarterly newsletter Partyline. The newsletter is a great way to share stories about health and related issues in your local area.

The National Rural Health Conference occurs every two years and in 2021 it will be hosted in Perth. The conference organisers are aware of the challenges that rural and remote workers face in physically attending conferences and professional development, so they provide an online stream of many of the plenary sessions. If you are not able to go, but are interested in the issues affecting the health of rural and remote Australians, we encourage you to access the stream of future plenary sessions!

References: 1. Sharing Shed http://www.ruralhealth.org.au/15nrhc/ 2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2018.

Australia’s health 2018. Australia’s health series no. 16.AUS 221. Canberra: AIHW. 3. 15th National Rural Health Conference 2019 Priority recommendations from the 15th National Rural Health Conference. Hobart http://www.ruralhealth.org.au/15nrhc/ 4. ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) 2017.

Cause of death, Australia 2016. BS cat.

No. 3303.0. Canberra: ABS

16 www.otaus.com.au

F E AT U R E

FACES OF OTA 2019

Discover stories from your peers and how their OTA experience has enabled them to grow along the pillars of: Advocacy, Knowledge, Community, Practice Support and Profile.

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FACES OF OTA 2019

W

e all have a story to tell. Stories about what we’ve learnt, who we’ve helped and how we’ve grown. As your professional association, we wanted to know, what’s your story?

Earlier this year, OTA put the call out to members to share their stories as part of the association. We were eager to hear about where they began, what they’ve achieved, who they’ve connected with and how they’ve grown throughout their careers.

In the following pages we invite you to learn and draw inspiration from your peers who have each walked unique paths throughout their occupational therapy journey. We hope their personal experiences and achievements encourage others to reach their potential—both within and beyond the profession.

If you have a story to tell (we all do!), please stay tuned to OTA’s communications in early 2020 for the opportunity to share your journey and become the next Face of OTA.

Thank you to Nicole, Andrea, Brock, Nicole and Michelle for graciously sharing their journey and how they’ve grown with OTA. The association and our profession

ADVOCACY

For nearly 30 years I have been a member of Occupational Therapy Australia, during which I had the privilege to serve as a national councillor/board member for OTA, at both state (SA) and national levels. I have been the program manager for professional development at OTSA and also the Chair of the Occupational Health Special Interest Group.

I have represented the profession through consultation with organisations and government departments, including workers compensation authorities, the state registration board and motor accident agencies. When my two daughters were babies, they attended many meetings with me. In fact, I think they were my secret weapons on many occasions, demonstrating the unique challenges of a predominantly female profession.

NICOLE NOTT, SA

I LOBBIED FOR PROFESSIONAL REPRESENTATION AND RECOGNITION —INCLUDING NATIONAL AHPRA REGISTRATION, WHICH WAS ACHIEVED IN 2012. I TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN HELPING TO ACHIEVE THESE WINS FOR OUR PROFESSION.

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is richer for their knowledge, their expertise and their voice. To read the extended Faces of OTA member profiles, visit: www.otaus.com.au/faces-of-ota

I want to assure my colleagues that they can reach out for support within the OT community. The association has a range of resources, while a number of experienced OTs, including myself, offer assistance through private practice business mentoring, services and NDIS systems. From my early days as a mentee, to now providing mentoring myself, this is such a supportive profession— one that I am proud to continue to play an active role in.

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F E AT U R E

KNOWLEDGE

As the Advanced Specialist Occupational Therapist in the State-wide Severe Burn Injury Service, I have the opportunity share my knowledge and skills at a state-wide, national and international level.

At this stage of my career I am involved with teaching, training and research activities on behalf of the profession and within the broader multidisciplinary team. As the current chair of the allied health committee for the Australian and New Zealand Burns Association, I believe sharing skills and experiences is core to improving client outcomes.

ANDREA MCKITTRICK, QLD

IT’S REASSURING TO KNOW THAT MY PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE IS SUPPORTED THROUGH MY MEMBERSHIP, PROVIDING ME WITH ACCESS TO PRACTICE SUPPORT AND VALUABLE RESOURCES.

COMMUNITY

BROCK COOK, QLD

NETWORKING AND PEER CONNECTIONS ARE VERY HIGH IN MY VALUE SET AND THE POTENTIAL FOR CONNECTION THROUGH OTA RELATED EVENTS HAS BEEN PIVOTAL THROUGHOUT MY CAREER PROGRESSION.

As the national body for our profession, I joined the association as I strongly believe that working collaboratively is an effective way of promoting client centred practice and developing the profession— working together on a united front allows us to achieve this.

Participating in OTA workshops and online Professional Development opportunities has enabled me to broaden my skillset and share my knowledge during networking events. Teaching roles at the Australian Catholic University and The University of Queensland have allowed me to enrich the next generation of undergraduate therapists, sharing my experiences in facilitating clients to return to their pre-injury status and occupations. Occupational reengagement post injury/illness is core to the restoration of our sense of self and our wellbeing.

I became a member of OTA in 2011 when I co-presented a workshop at the QLD State Conference on Social Media for Professional Uses with fellow OTs Dr Anita Hamilton and Elizabeth Ainsworth. The experience was a positive one—both professionally and personally—allowing me to share my expertise with likeminded peers and form productive new relationships. Building on the success of that conference, I was invited to be part of the 2013 National Conference Management Committee, as OTA’s Social Media Co-ordinator.

During my time as a member, I’ve attended 8 OTA conferences (at both state and national level), taking full advantage of the opportunity to network with countless amazing OTs all around the country. From the connections forged at these events, a number of amazing and fun projects were birthed, including presentations for the OT 24hr Virtual Exchange, international poster and conference presentations, and workshops/webinars for OTA and WFOT. Closer to home, involvement with the Mental Health SIG also allowed for the development of awesome resources with fellow clinicians.

I feel that I’m living proof that if you join, put your hand up, and take on some of the opportunities presented, the professional (and personal) benefits increase exponentially the more you put in and collaborate with your peers.

CONNECTIONS A DVOC AC Y | K N OW LE DG E | CO MMUNIT Y | PR AC TICE SUPP O R T | PRO FILE JUNE 2019 19

F E AT U R E I became an occupational therapist in 1993 and have been a member of Occupational Therapy Australia ever since.

PRACTICE SUPPORT

MICHELLE SHEARD, NSW

OTA HAS BEEN MY FIRST SOURCE FOR INFORMATION ON COURSES, CONFERENCES AND ONLINE TRAINING.

I am grateful that throughout my professional journey Occupational Therapy Australia has provided me with constant support and resources.

As a new graduate, the wise OTs ahead (who had already walked the path before me) urged me to join the association and I have never looked back. What I did not anticipate at the time—but upon reflection have come to value—was the access to further knowledge, practice support and advocacy that membership would provide.

Early in my career OTA’s Journal publications allowed my young enthusiastic brain the opportunity to keep abreast of the latest research in not only my own, but in all areas of practice. They kept me up to date and sparked interest in domains I had not previously considered.

The journals helped influence my move from Occupational Rehabilitation to Aged Care, allowing me to conceptually keep up with what was going on in this field of practice. Additionally, articles shared at various journal clubs provided good intellectual fodder for discussion.

While I was working in the Northern Territory in a non-traditional role as an Inclusion Consultant early in my career, my involvement on local OTA committees enabled me to develop my professional profile amongst local OTs. These networks and my established profile facilitated my progress into more traditional roles and then onto the policy and management journey of my career.

PROFILE

My role on these local OTA committees provided me with the experience and confidence to join the board of Occupational Therapy Australia in 2006. Through this opportunity I developed a national network of peers and a national profile within the profession. My active engagement with OTA also led to other representational activities including representing OTA at senate enquiries and on allied health committees (including AHPA Ruraland Remote).

NICOLE O’REILLY, NT

I BELIEVE IN THE POWER (AND POTENTIAL) OF PEOPLE AND I HAVE SEEN SMALL GROUPS WITH GREAT PASSION CREATE SIGNIFICANT CHANGE.

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Through my OTA membership, I have developed the skills, knowledge and relationships that have accelerated my career through management and other leadership roles.

As a member, I have benefited greatly from these opportunities and as the current Deputy CEO I now work to support other members to apply themselves in similar opportunities and develop their own leadership skills.

I’ve seen many OTs lead from a diverse range of areas and I encourage the next generation to apply themselves wholeheartedly when opportunities present themselves—both they and the profession will be stronger for it.

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F E AT U R E

CHANGES TO THE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND SUPPORT SERVICES (HPSS) AWARD Master HR Solutions

T

he Health Professionals and Support Services (HPSS) Award, the Award applicable to occupational therapists and health practices support staff, has seen further changes in 2018/2019. Changes to all Awards is normal as improvements and relevance are continuously sought to improving the pay conditions for Award based staff. Some HPSS Award changes are specific to this Award only, while others have been applied consistently to all Modern Awards.

Minimum Rates The most notable change to Awards over the past year was the 3.5% pay increase applicable from 1 July 2018. As is the case each year, there is expected to be an increase in Award rates from 1 July 2019 also. Details of the increase in wage rates applicable to all Modern Awards are typically released by the government in June each year. It’s therefore important for employers to plan for this in their annual labour cost budgeting and preparing their HR and payroll functions for applying the increase with effect from 1 July each year.

Full time occupational therapists are reported to earn on average $1,247 per week (similar to the national jobs average of $1,230)1. Not all employers of occupational therapists remunerate their staff according to the minimum wages rates prescribed by the HPSS Award. In some locations around the country, rates of pay significantly higher than the minimum Award rates are required in order to attract and retain

occupational therapists where the labour market for these professionals in those areas is competitive.

Flexibility An employee’s right to request flexible work arrangements has been part of the National Employment Standards under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) for some time. However, since 1 December 2018, all Modern Awards include this entitlement with detailed requirements on how this entitlement can be accessed and procedures employers must follow.

Under the Awards specifically, when an employee exercises their right to request flexible work arrangements, the employer is obligated to actually have a discussion with them and make attempts to try to come to an agreement. This must then be followed up with a written response to the request, including an explanation for a refusal of the request. Refer to clause 30A under the HPSS Award.

Casual to Permanent In response to an increasing problem across the country of casuals being engaged on a regular and systematic basis, Awards now specifically provide a clause that entitles certain casual employees to request conversion to permanent employment, either full time or part time. The employee entitlement which was made effective on 1 October 2018, applies to casual employees who are specifically defined in the Awards as a ‘regular casual employee’, which refer to a casual employees who has in the

Source: https://joboutlook.gov.au/occupation.aspx?code=2524

preceding period of 12 months worked a pattern of hours on an ongoing basis which, without significant adjustment, the employee could continue to perform as a full-time employee or part-time employee.

Refer to clause 10.5 under the HPSS Award.

A casual employee’s request for conversion to permanent employment can only be refused by the employer if: a) it would require a significant adjustment to the casual employee’s hours of work in order for the employee to be engaged as a full-time or parttime employee in accordance with the provisions of this award – that is, the casual employee is not truly a ‘regular casual employee’ as per the definition; b) it is known or reasonably foreseeable that the regular casual employee’s position will cease to exist within the next 12 months; c) it is known or reasonably foreseeable that the hours of work which the regular casual employee is required to perform will be significantly reduced in the next 12 months; or d) it is known or reasonably foreseeable that there will be a significant change in the days and/or times at which the employee’s hours of work are required to be performed in the next 12 months which cannot be accommodated within the days and/or hours during which the employee is available to work.

Continued next page CONNECTIONS JUNE 2019 21

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CHANGES TO THE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND SUPPORT SERVICES (HPSS) AWARD Continued from previous page

Termination Payments In 2018 Modern Awards included a model term in respect to the timeframe within which an employee’s termination payment must be received. Whilst some Awards provide for earlier termination payments, the HPSS Award contains the model terms. Specifically, from 1 November 2018 employers have been required under the Award to pay an employee no later than 7 days after the day on which the employee’s employment terminates.

HPSS Specific Changes Other changes specific to the HPSS Award which were made effective on 9 January 2019 include the following: • A new definition of ‘private medical, dental, pathology, physiotherapy, chiropractic and osteopathic practice’ • A minor change to the wording in clause 25 (Rostering) to now allow a roster to be changed at any time when an employee is absent on personal/carers

1 2 3

leave, compassionate leave, ceremonial leave, leave to deal with family and domestic violence, or in an emergency • A minor change to the wording of clause 26.1 (ordinary hours on weekends) to specifically state that part time and fulltime employees are entitled to a 50% loading when working ordinary hours between midnight Friday and midnight Sunday. Note, ‘ordinary hours’ are those included in the span of hours. This clause does not allow all work performed on weekends (including Sundays) to be paid with a 50% loading. Overtime rates will still be applicable at certain times • A new clause to state that an employee who works not more than 6 hours can forgo a meal break with the employer’s consent • Changes to clause 29 (Shift Work) to include a more-straight forward shift penalty (40%) to be applied to the base rate for casual employees performing shift work.

Following 9 July 2019, other changes coming into effect are in relation to the span of worked hours. The “span of hours” that dental practices have enjoyed since 2010, has now been expanded to accommodate other health practice disciplines and therefore will apply to occupational therapy practices also.

The current “span of hours” HPSS Award provisions that have been in place for private medical, dental and pathology practices under clause 24.2 will now be extended to include other health practitioners such as physiotherapy, chiropractic and osteopathic practices.

This may impact the hours or shifts worked by some employees which might currently attract penalty rates due to the current span of ordinary hours and no longer apply with the span changing. The span of hours changes will come into effect from the first pay period from 9 July 2019.

General Tips Don’t rely on print material. To ensure you and your staff are always referring to the most current version of the HPSS, it is recommended to refer to the online version only, rather than printed copies which may, at the time of viewing, have become outdated. The Award, always in its most current version, can be accessed via the Fair Work Commission website at: https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/documents/modern_awards/award/ma000027/default.htm.

The Award does include references to historical changes made and when for your to also check at any time.

Keep up to date. Stay in touch with Occupational Therapy Australia and refer to its publications like this one about employment entitlements, employer obligations and recommended employment practices. Award changes occur throughout the year, so just like you aim to remain current with best practice occupational therapy, it’s recommended to stay current with best practice employee relations and employment obligations.

Update policies. Policies tell employees about processes to follow and requirements of the employer with respect to the management of their employment. Employers should develop new and review existing policies when Award and other legislative changes occur to ensure that workplace practices remain compliant.

22 www.otaus.com.au

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CALL TO ARMS: OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS TAKING UP STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP POSITIONS Associate Professor Carol McKinstry, Head of the Rural Department of Allied Health, La Trobe Rural Health School

O

ccupational therapists need to become more strategic to position themselves for influential and leadership roles. We are a talented and hardworking health profession, yet at the same time, we are the unsung heroes of the health system. It is time to move from the shadows into the sun!

Recently at the Victorian Allied Health Research Conference, I asked the audience two questions: How many of you are on organisational boards? and How many of you are on health boards? Very few hands went up for either question.

Surprisingly, few allied health professionals, including occupational therapists, put themselves forward for community leadership roles. There are lots of doctors and nurses on health boards but unfortunately very few allied health professionals. Why is this so? Do we lack leaders or role models? Have our undergraduate or entry level courses concentrated too much on clinical roles and not enough on leadership roles? Do we undersell ourselves?

I currently chair the Rochester & Elmore District Health Service which is located in the Loddon Mallee region of Victoria.

That role has given me some insights into how rural health services operate.

In my regional area, very few rural allied

health professionals in leadership roles within rural health services—most of the CEOs and Directors of Clinical Services have a nursing background.

This astounds me because I know that there are very talented allied health professionals who have the potential and ability, but career advancement is difficult or non-existent in rural health services for allied health professionals.

It is the same for health services boards.

Board chairs in my region regularly meet every quarter to discuss topics of interest and concern. What I have noticed is that there are lots of business orientated people and lawyers, but very few clinicians. While you cannot be on the board of the organisation that you work for, you can be on another board and manage any conflicts of interest.

To test out my hypothesis that there were very few allied health professionals on boards in my region, I audited the websites and annual reports of health services within the Loddon Mallee Victorian Department of Health and Human Services region and the Primary Health Networks in regional areas of Victoria. I looked at who was listed as board directors and their qualifications. I used the AHPRA website and registered practitioner searching tool to determine the registered clinicians.

There are 6 Primary Health Networks in Victoria with 3 in metropolitan Melbourne and 3 regionally. In the regional PHNs, there were lots of GPs and nurses but very few allied health professionals and no registered occupational therapists. Allied health is a significant part of the primary health care so more representation is needed. If we are to change the perception that primary health is only the domain of general medical practitioners, we need to start at the PHN board level. We need practising clinicians who can give very accurate accounts of what their regional and rural communities need.

There are 18 health services or community health services in the Victorian Loddon Mallee region. This region runs from Mildura to Echuca and Kyabram and down to Kyneton and Maryborough. The Mildura Base Hospital which is managed by the Ramsay group and has a community advisory board which is not the same as a health service board. So of the 17 that have boards, only 9 have allied health professionals and only 1 or 2 at the most, including paramedics and chiropractors.

Apart from myself, there was one person who I knew was previously an occupational therapist but is not registered.

Continued next page

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CALL TO ARMS: OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS TAKING UP STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP POSITIONS Continued from previous page

Recommendations from the Target Zero report by Stephen Duckett on improving quality and safety following the Djerriwarrh Health Service Review, emphasised the need to have more clinicians on boards.

On the Rochester & Elmore District Heath Service Board, there are only 2 clinicians and we spend a lot of time educating accountants and business orientated people about the complexities of health.

Many health boards struggle to attract clinicians. Currently in Victoria, health services boards need to have a minimum of 40% female directors, and at least one registered clinician, while young people are also encouraged to apply.

Why get on a board? It can enhance your CV, particularly if you are wanting to move into senior management. It increases your knowledge about health services and especially complex funding arrangements.

It provides great CPD opportunities such as board director training. In additional, all Victorian health service board members receive a sitting fee so you are remunerated for your time and expertise.

There are also other leadership opportunities other than on boards. Health services have community advisory committees and also independent members on board committees such as the Quality of Care or

Clinical Governance Committees.

Universities also seek members for their course advisory committees— including recent graduates! Government departments of health often have working parties for clinicians with specific expertise. There are now Regional Clinical Councils in Victoria and they really lack allied health professionals. Don’t forget professional associations such as Occupational Therapy Australia who also have opportunities at various levels!

There are opportunities coming up relating to leadership positions within Occupational Therapy Australia so please consider these.

PALLIATIVE CARE:

Finding evidence and clinical guidance you can trust and why it matters Susan Gravier, Research Associate, CareSearch, Flinders University, South Australia Dr Deidre Morgan, Researcher and Lecturer, Palliative and Supportive Services, Flinders University

T

he National Palliative Care Strategy 2018 (Australian Government, 2019) highlights the importance of evidence and personcentredness as essential components of quality palliative care. This strategy advocates that people receiving and providing palliative care have access to trustworthy resources to help them make informed decisions about care.

The occupational therapy palliative care position statement recommends that 24 www.otaus.com.au

occupational therapists working across a range of settings have access to support and education that enables them to implement a palliative approach that is informed by best available evidence (Occupational Therapy Australia, 2015).

Occupational therapists make decisions relating to when and how to continue or modify care, and in the choice of advice and educational materials that they share with clients and families.

Occupational therapists draw on the best

available research evidence along with clinical expertise, the patient’s values and circumstances, and the clinical context. Clinical reasoning combines and synthesises all these elements.

Current best evidence is the foundation of effective, efficient and safe care (Dizon, Grimmer-Somers, & Kumar, 2012; Hoffmann, Bennett, & Del Mar, 2013), yet finding the best evidence can be timeconsuming. CareSearch and palliAGED assist by enabling rapid access to palliative

F E AT U R E

care evidence and evidence summaries. CareSearch provides evidence-based palliative care information across the lifespan and across the health system. palliAGED provides this information for the aged care sector and replaces two Australian guidelines.

These guidelines were the first ever world-wide to acknowledge, compile, and promote the availability and importance of evidence that could guide and support palliative care for older people.

The Allied Health section of CareSearch is specifically built for allied health professionals. The Clinical Evidence and Finding Evidence sections also provide information to inform provision of quality end-of-life care. Established PubMed searches on multiple pages provide access to relevant and up-to-date palliative care literature, including occupational therapy.

The CareSearch Systematic Review Collection collates current high-level reviews in an easy-to-find format on topics relevant to palliative care. More than 140 topics on clinical issues, health professionals, system and service issues, specific populations and disease groups, are available. The Clinical Evidence pages within CareSearch and palliAGED summarise the current best evidence to inform understanding of patient and system issues including advance care planning, symptom management, and carer support. Content is appraised for quality and relevance to the Australian setting.

CareSearch hosts evidence-based clinical resources relevant to palliative care allied health interventions. These include non-pharmacological management of symptoms such as breathlessness, pain, fatigue as well as a rehabilitative palliative care approach. The many high-quality evidence-informed resources include clinical web-based services, videos, factsheets and more. Rehabilitative palliative care is an approach that embeds assessment of function within the context of symptom management. Employing an interdisciplinary approach, a team works collaboratively with the person, their relatives and carers. They provide an active support system in which they seek to optimise the patient’s function and help the patient and those around them work with the inevitable losses that accompany deteriorating health and approaching death.

Appraising evidence quality means evaluating the soundness of the design and methodology, reported outcomes, and the applicability or generalisability of findings. CareSearch and palliAGED page authors appraise the literature using validated appraisal tools. As sections are built or refreshed, clinical experts also review the content to ensure that it resonates with clinical practice in the Australian context. CareSearch and palliAGED websites make recommendations about the strength and clinical importance of the evidence. They also highlight areas of controversy and research gaps.

CareSearch and palliAGED provide simple access to peer-reviewed, clinically-relevant resources and research about palliative care, including occupational therapy practice. Take a look at how they help make the evidence evident.

About the authors Susan Gravier, Research Associate, CareSearch, Flinders University, South Australia Susan trained as a physiotherapist in Adelaide. She coordinated the production of palliAGED, writing many of the topic pages in the Evidence and Practice Centres. Susan is currently leading the allied health component of the CareSearch and palliAGED Engagement Project (www.caresearch.com.au/EngagementProject).

Dr Deidre Morgan, Researcher and Lecturer, Palliative and Supportive Services, Flinders University Deidre is an occupational therapist with thirteen years of clinical experience in specialist inpatient palliative care. Deidre’s research investigates ways to optimise the performance capacity of people at the end of life and how to best support their occupational priorities (www.flinders.edu.au/people/deidre.morgan).

References: Australian Government. (2019). National Palliative Care Strategy 2018. Canberra, Australia Retrieved from http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/ Content/Palliative%20Care-1.

Dizon, J. M., Grimmer-Somers, K. A., & Kumar, S. (2012). Current evidence on evidence-based practice training in allied health: a systematic review of the literature.

Int J Evid Based Healthc, 10(4), 347-360. doi:10.1111/j.1744-1609.2012.00295.x Hoffmann, T., Bennett, S., & Del Mar, C. (2013). Evidence-based practice across health professions - E-Book. 2nd ed. . Sydney, Australia: Churchill Livingstone Australia.

Occupational Therapy Australia. (2015). Position Paper: Occupational therapy in palliative care. In. Melbourne, Australia.

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BUILDING CONNECTIONS IN VICTORIA’S RURAL COMMUNITIES Rural Workforce Agency Victoria (RWAV)

G

emma Lehmann is an occupational therapist (and an OTA member) who recently graduated from La Trobe University. Upon graduating, she sought out the services of Rural Workforce Agency Victoria (RWAV) and was recruited to Function Therapy Allied Health Services in the regional town of Horsham.

In deciding which pathway to choose, Gemma says, “I chose Function Therapy as there was an opportunity to see a vast range of clients that I potentially wouldn’t get to work with in a hospital position.”

In recounting the RWAV recruitment process, Gemma found it to be smooth and organised. “I would recommend utilising RWAV for job searching as they help you the whole way through and make sure that you are ready for the position you’re applying for”, said Gemma. “I was in contact with the RWAV recruitment consultant every step of the way and she kept me updated which was really helpful.”

Gemma also received an RWAV relocation grant to assist her with the move from Bendigo to Horsham. This was an expense that otherwise would have been difficult for her to make after four years of studying and working only part-time.

As an OT in the community, Gemma has had the opportunity to work in different specialties of occupational therapy such as: paediatrics, aged care facilities, adult physical disability, adult and child mental health, supportive living accommodations, hand therapy, and working within the NDIS, TAC, DVA, home care packages, and self-funded individuals.

She is grateful to experience the breadth 26 www.otaus.com.au

of responsibilities which she wouldn’t otherwise be exposed to as a graduate OT. Along with this invaluable experience, she credits working with a team of supportive allied health professionals as a highly rewarding aspect of her job.

Gemma says, “The team I work with are very close and they are supportive which I think in a larger workforce, you might not be able to develop such strong work relationships. In the office, I have my boss, who is also my mentor, and director of the clinic next to me, meaning I have my key supporter available to talk to and discuss at any time. It’s definitely something I value, especially as a new graduate.”

From Gemma’s perspective and the number of OT vacancies listed with RWAV, there is an ongoing need for OTs to work in rural communities. With the diverse range of lifestyles and conditions that she sees in her clients, having health professionals in local areas means that there is a reduced wait time, and clients do not need to travel long distances to get the required assistance. This can be anything from “wanting to be more mobile around the house, learning how to write, assisting with routine tasks to achieve daily goals, improving emotional regulation and behaviours, and the list can go on.”

Gemma has recently taken up the opportunity to apply for a RWAV CPD for Allied Health Grant (www.rwav.com.au/ professional-development/grants). She says, “Living rurally sometimes makes it difficult to access CPD courses—putting pressure on health workers who must fulfil many professional development

Gemma Lehmann

hours per year in order to maintain registration. Having access to this grant meant I could afford to travel and attend relevant courses, and learn more that would assist with my practice and develop me to become a better OT.” “RWAV has opened so many doors that I didn’t think were possible. I am working in a job that I love, helping people in my community, and attending courses that wouldn’t be possible without them. It has definitely been worthwhile working with them.”

About Rural Workforce Agency Victoria Rural Workforce Agency Victoria (RWAV) creates sustainable health workforce models that support Victoria’s rural, regional and Aboriginal communities. It draws on trusted relationships, smart data and best practice to establish models that are capable, connected and tailored to the communities they serve. RWAV supports health professionals at every level of their career. If you are seeking a position within regional and rural Victoria, contact RWAV’s recruitment service on 03 9349 7800 or email screeningahn@rwav.com.au. For a list of the current OT vacancies, visit www.rwav.com.au/vacancies/health.

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YOU HAVE PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY COVER... BUT IS THAT ENOUGH? Aon When you chose to embark on a career in occupational therapy, it’s likely you did so to be able to help people to live their best lives. But have you thought about how to ensure you too can live your best life?

W

hile many occupational therapists will have ticked the box of securing Professional Indemnity insurance, the risks that come along with an occupational therapy career can be daunting. Even if you’re 100% confident in your abilities and services, unexpected risks are always present. For example, what if a client slips while attending an appointment at your practice? A simple injury could result in a $100,000 compensation case. Or, what if a customer falls off a table during therapy causing injury? Compensation claims could exceed $100,000, with similar legal costs on your part. Scary? Yes. But manageable? Of course. It’s simply critical that you take the time to ensure you have the right insurance coverage, so you’re prepared for anything that could go wrong.

So where should you start? Here are a few top tips from Aon’s team of experts:

Check your coverage Unfortunately, not all insurance is created equally. It’s important to sit down with an expert to ensure you’re covered for the various risks your business might face. It’s important to find out whether your Professional Indemnity insurance also include Public Liability cover, and find out whether you have the appropriate liability limits in place.

Consider other forms of insurance Now you’ve checked your Professional Indemnity cover, it’s time to look further afield. A few insurance options you should be considering include: • Business Insurance—this is designed to help protect your workplace against property losses caused by fire, theft, broken glass, damaged computer/ electrical equipment or machinery.

If any or all of these things were to be affected, would you be able to continue running your practice?

• Public Liability—this insurance is a critical one for any professional running a practice, as it’s designed to cover your legal liability to a third party in the event that they suffer a bodily injury, disease, illness or even death while on your premises or as a result of your business activities.

• Income Protection—in the case that you’re unable to work for a period of time due to illness or another condition, Income Protection (or Salary Continuance) insurance will replace part of your income during this time.

• Personal Accident—we all know that accidents happen. So, Personal Accident insurance will replace part of your income in the event of accidental injury

• Key Person—if you’re now hiring staff, Key Person insurance can help protect your practice against the impact from the loss of staff whose capital, knowledge, client base or experience is vital to your company’s success.

• Cyber Liability—in today’s digital world, any information—be it personal or practice related—is attractive to cyber criminals. While some criminals use this information for purposes such as fraud and identity theft, other criminals recognise how valuable the data is to you (pictures of your family, records of your finances, client data and transactional information).

Make sure you’re protected against this common threat.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, know that help is at hand and that Aon can help you to navigate this complex area of insurance. If you’d like to know more, please contact Aon’s Health Team to discuss your insurance needs on 1800 805 191 or au.ot@aon.com Aon has taken care in the production of this article and the information contained in it has been obtained from sources that Aon believes to be reliable. Aon does not make any representation as to the accuracy of the information received from third parties and is unable to accept liability for any loss incurred by anyone who relies on it.

The information contained in this article is general in nature and should not be relied on as advice (personal or otherwise) because your personal needs, objectives and financial situation have not been considered. So before deciding whether a particular product is right for you, please consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement or contact the Aon team on 1800 805 191 to speak to an adviser.

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CONNECTIONS JUNE 2019 27

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SPOTLIGHT ON PRACTICE EDUCATION Joanna Murray, Access Therapy Services, Winner of the Excellence in Practice Education Award

P

ractice education is not only a vital part of an undergraduate occupational therapy student’s degree, but it instills a deeper understanding of the complexities of true occupational practice. It is where real learning happens, where students can put theory into practice, and it is where students are introduced to the wonderful and diverse world of occupational therapy.

All occupational therapists have a responsibility to our profession to provide practice education support to ensure that our profession continues to grow, to ensure that the next generation of OTs are equipped and ready to graduate and contribute to increasing workforce capacity.

When we started to supervise undergraduate students, we really enjoyed having them be part of our team. We enjoyed teaching and watching students learn and grow from their experiences but we also realised that it could be time consuming, challenging and hard work. Supervising students can be tough. Done well and effectively, student supervision requires patience, understanding, coaching abilities, leadership skills and a sense of humour. But most importantly, it requires a substantial time commitment for no remuneration. In private practice this can be a real challenge.

We wanted to support our local university, to be a leader in innovative practice, and to be a clinical education centre of excellence.

There had to be a more effective way where everyone benefitted—there was.

28 www.otaus.com.au

When we considered our clients and the organisations that we work with (and reflected on what the student needed to learn), we found the answer. There were numerous organisations, clients and parents who could not afford regular allied health support. We regularly work with children who would benefit from regular therapy, organisations who have expressed interest in group sessions (but did not have the budget), and clients who have limited income and are not eligible for financial assistance to increase their OT support.

We decided to develop a ‘student-led’, free of charge, therapeutic practice model.

Initially, we provided supervision to students to develop the student led sessions. Using evidence-based research and internal experience allowed us to build a resource that could be implemented by students on placement, in pairs, off-site and independently. We worked with existing partners and organisations to implement several weekly sessions for children and adults, who would otherwise not receive, or receive very little, OT at no cost.

The student led sessions have now been in operation for several years and the benefits are enormous. We offer multiple third and fourth year placements and the studentled sessions have supported our ability to increase our student numbers, assisting our local university to place more students.

This no cost option has supported a large number of individuals and organisations to participate in sessions providing them with important OT interventions.

Joanna Murray

Students are trained in their first week of placement and then they organise and facilitate different sessions with different organisations on a weekly basis during their placement. It requires students to gain, and build upon, professional skills such as time management, communication and organization. The training provides them with an invaluable opportunity to gain and build on their clinical skills.

Students need to be independent and autonomous and the model encourages them to practice vital observational and reflective skills with each other and their supervisor. As a result, students on placement have an extremely diverse and interesting placement through project work, student-led sessions, clinical work and professional administrative work.

They are well equipped with new skills and confidence in preparation for their subsequent placements and graduation.

This innovative project has enabled the practice to increase business reach into new organisations, increase community visibility and encourage new clients to access much needed services. Reflecting on the new model, we have developed and implemented a successful win-win solution where the student, the business, the university and, most importantly, our clients and partners benefit.

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BRINGING BRAIN INJURY SURVIVORS TOGETHER IN VIETNAM Sophie McMahon, Australian Volunteers Program Participant

“I

miss being able to control my emotions around my family— sometimes I can’t stop laughing and sometimes I can’t stop crying.” This man’s contribution is greeted with nods and an understanding chuckle around the circle.

It is mid June, 2017, and I am sitting with a group of men and women who have recently had brain injuries and strokes, along with two local Physiotherapy staff members, who are facilitating our first ever group therapy session at the Dong Nai General Hospital. It’s not common to talk openly about sensitive topics like emotions in Vietnamese culture, especially in a medical system where so much focus is placed on physical impairments. But with my counterpart, Huong’s, caring manner and gentle encouragement, the patients begin to open up about their lives. They are surprised to find that they are not alone in their struggles.

I am a volunteer occupational therapist as part of the Australian Volunteers Program, an Australian Government initiative.

Australia’s involvement with The Dong Nai General Hospital began in 1954, when the government provided financial and engineering assistance to enlarge the hospital. This year, my job has been to train staff in therapy techniques for patients with traumatic and acquired brain injuries.

Traditionally, the rehabilitation focus in Vietnam has been purely physical. Our goal this year has been to broaden our skills in the areas of cognitive, perceptual, speech, and emotional recovery. The staff have shown great interest and motivation to work in a more holistic framework, and continue to impress me with their creativity and compassion.

WHEN PATIENTS ARE ABLE TO BRAINSTORM TOGETHER WE OFTEN SEE THEM COMING UP WITH SOLUTIONS AND IDEAS THAT WE AS THERAPISTS NEVER DREAMED OF! THIS IS THE BEAUTY OF PLACING THEM AT THE CENTRE OF THEIR OWN GOAL SETTING PROCESS.

“Last week I smashed a bowl. Since my stroke, I am always dropping things and it really frustrates me,” confided one lady.

A man on the other side of the circle suddenly rose to his feet (with an apparent newfound balance) and leaned across the table to shake her hand. He responded to the woman in Vietnamese, which I feel would roughly translate in Australian to “Mate! The same thing happens to me all the time!” Everybody laughed and I felt the room relax. Huong and I exchanged excited looks—we were seeing a side of these patients that we had never seen before!

Two participants share a moment of relief when they discover they both have a frustrating habit of dropping and smashing plates at home due to upper limb weakness Continued next page CONNECTIONS JUNE 2019 29

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BRINGING BRAIN INJURY SURVIVORS TOGETHER IN VIETNAM Continued from previous page

We decided to trial group therapy as a way to ensure that a number of clients could receive therapy even when there is limited time/staff. The goals of our group were to give patients a chance to: • Receive cognitive therapy (retraining for memory, attention, problem solving, and other executive brain functions) • Practice their speech and communication in a real life setting • Incorporate upper limb therapy into functional activities • Discuss adapting to their new life post injury with other patients who understand, in order to increase insight and emotional adjustment • Increase their overall confidence to participate in family and community activities The benefits of group therapy are well documented in the literature, but the challenge has been to find a balance between what we know works in Australia, and what can be applied in Vietnam.

Imagine if it was as simple as applying every therapy technique we know to every person in the world with the exact same results! But, alas, we are a world full of unique individuals, and unfortunately

there’s no chance of ‘one size fits all’. Living with a Vietnamese family helped me to understand this on a deeper level. While my job has been to bring the theory, the local staff and I work together to come up with creative ways in which we can apply this to our cultural setting. Although this can be challenging at times, we have shared many exciting ‘lightbulb’ moments together.

The biggest change we have observed since running the groups is the patients’ lifted mood and motivation. As they continue to build their confidence in communication and functional cognitive skills, we are seeing a flow on effect with patients integrating back into community activities and family life. In the long term, I hope to see these patients starting to speak out and advocate for themselves within their communities. When patients are able to brainstorm together, we often see them coming up with solutions and ideas that we as therapists never dreamed of! This is the beauty of placing them at the centre of their own goal setting process.

I am so proud to have been a part of something in the early stages of recovery that empowers men and women to take charge of their own futures. “Nothing about us without us.”

One patient finds the humorous side of a difficult personal situation 30 www.otaus.com.au

Our Head of Department has expressed that he is committed to continuing this group therapy once my assignment has finished. I think it is a fantastic achievement of our regional hospital to be at the forefront of holistic rehabilitation, and their commitment to disability inclusion under challenging circumstances is admirable.

One staff member remarked recently that she had felt a big shift this year in the way staff think about and approach therapy.

Although this is difficult to measure, I feel this is a great step forward for us.

Everything considered, I have to say that the best part of the groups are the laughs we have. Life is messy, and when we can open up about this, laugh at ourselves, and forgive ourselves, we can all achieve emotional recovery and peace. It is not uncommon for the group to finish up with tears of laughter from both patients and staff alike. Their smiling faces will be forever etched in my mind.

About the Author Sophie McMahon is an occupational therapist who in 2017 completed an eight-month volunteer assignment in The Dong Nai Province, Vietnam, as part of the Australian Volunteers Program.

Her role was to work as a therapy trainer and develop an OT service within the local hospital. She was the second Australian OT to work with this health service, and also collaborated with an OT volunteer from JICA (Japanese International Cooperation Agency)

Local staff trialing new therapeutic activity ideas

WFOT REPORT

WFOT UPDATE Adam Lo, WFOT 1st Alternative Delegate Connecting with the global community through the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nation (UN) In 2019 the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) will continue to contribute to WHO and UN initiatives and work on many projects. WFOT has submitted its annual reports to both the WHO and the UN, maintaining its ongoing good standing with both organisations. It is through these official relations that WFOT can promote and support occupational therapy at the international level.

Examples of recent key engagements with the WHO included the attendance of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe, Rome, Italy in September 2018, by WFOT representative Giulia Zanaboni (delegate for Italy). A report to WFOT highlighted key outcomes including attention to WHO business in the region; promoting occupational therapy to relevant government Ministers; and sharing information with other countries and organisations.

Another example was in January 2019, in which Claudia von Zweck (Canada) represented WFOT to attend Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology in the Americas: Advancing data and information. The event was hosted by the National Institutes for Health (NIH) in partnership with Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) /WHO, in Washington DC, United States of America. This was a meeting of experts in the field of rehabilitation data and health information systems

to review critical considerations for prioritising information and data collection within rehabilitation systems.

Finally, WFOT submitted the report ‘WFOT-WHO Collaboration Tajikistan Situation Analysis’. The report is a review undertaken by WFOT to assess the quality of the occupational therapy professional entry-level education programme of Tajikistan, and consequently, the skills and capacities of graduated occupational therapists. This situation analysis will inform the development of rehabilitation services and education as core components of the health care services delivered within Tajikistan related to the Rehabilitation 2030 initiative.

WFOT-WHO Collaboration Tajikistan Situation Analysis

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PRACTITIONERS HAVE ALWAYS RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT ON OCCUPATIONAL PERFORMANCE AND SUBSEQUENTLY ON HUMAN HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.

Next WFOT Council Meeting Every two years the WFOT Executive Management Team and the official delegates of the Member Organisations meet at a formal Council Meeting to govern the responsibilities and strategic direction of the Federation. The last Council Meeting (the 33rd) was held just prior to the WFOT Congress at Cape Town, South Africa in 2018. The next one will be held in Hong Kong, in March 2020.

Associate Professor Lynette Mackenzie, the Delegate for Occupational Therapy Australia to WFOT, as well as I, the First Alternate Delegate, will be attending.

The Council Meeting allows representatives from member countries across the globe to share ideas, resources and knowledge. It provides a global voice for occupational therapists and sets the standard for our practice.

Continued next page

CONNECTIONS JUNE 2019 31

WFOT REPORT

WFOT UPDATE Continued from previous page

WFOT Bulletin: Connecting through the sharing of knowledge The WFOT Bulletin is the official publication of WFOT, published biannually in April and October. The most recently launched April Bulletin focussed on ‘practicing across cultures’. Previous themed topics included disaster response, human rights and health, assistive technology and information technology services, mental health service development, and healthy ageing.

The call for submission is now open for the April Edition in 2020, with a focus on sustainability. Occupational therapy practitioners have always recognised the importance of the environmental context on occupational performance and subsequently on human health and well-being. The recognition of the impact of climate change in the next few decades has recently placed the issue of sustainability into the spotlight as an area of significant concern.

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 and www.wfot.org/news/2019/wfot-bulletinvol-761-april-2020-special-issue-onsustainability-call-for-articles respectively.

Conference and Event Reminders The following is a reminder of some of the occupational therapy conferences and events that are coming up around the world, providing opportunities to connect with one another across the globe.

Occupational Science Europe Conference 2019 The Occupational Science Europe Conference will be held from 30-31 August 2019, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. A pre-conference program will start on 29 August.

The 2019 theme is ‘Europe in Transition: Impact on Occupation and Health’. Find out more at: http://www.amsterdamuas.com/achieve/events/ose-conference-2019/ ose-conference-2019.html OTNZ-WNA (Occupational Therapy New Zealand, Whakaora Ngangahau Aotearoa) 2019 Conference The conference will be held from 22-25 September 2019, at the Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre, Auckland, New Zealand. The overarching vision for the 2019 Conference is Tu mai e nga rangatira, tu mai hei mataariki, tu tei tirohanga mo te ao.

Leaders: Stand, be seen & shine.

The President of WFOT, Marilyn Pattison, will be one of the keynote speakers. For more information, visit: www.cmnzl.co.nz/otnzwnaevents/welcome-2 ACOT (Association of Caribbean Occupational Therapists) Biennial Meeting and Scientific Conference 2019 The 14th Biennial Meeting and Scientific Conference of ACOT will be held in Bridgetown, Barbados from 30-31 October 2019. The theme is Occupational Therapy: ‘Adding Innovation and Creativity to Function’. For more information, please go to www.caribbeanot.com/acots-14th-biennial-scientific-conference TOTA (Taiwan Occupational Therapy Association) 2019 Annual Meeting and International Conference The conference will be held at the National Taiwan University at Taipei, Taiwan, from 2-3 November 2019. The theme of this conference will be From Occupation to Health – Bridging Research and Practice. For more information, please go to: conference.ot-roc.org.tw/#eng KOTA (Kenya Occupational Therapists Association) National Scientific Conference 2019 The conference will be held in Mombasa, Kenya, from 27-29 November 2019.

For more information, visit: kotakenya.org WFOT Congress 2022 The 18th WFOT Congress will be held in Paris, France, from 28-31 March 2022.

The official Congress 2022 Facebook page is at: www.facebook.com/wfot2022.

More updated information will be provided at: www.wfot.org/Congress soon.

32 www.otaus.com.au

A O TJ R E P O R T

CONNECTING WITH THE OTA JOURNAL AT THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE Associate Professor Carol McKinstry, Assistant Editor of the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal

I

n keeping with the theme of the 28th National Conference: Together Towards Tomorrow, members of the Editorial Board are looking forward to connecting with conference delegates as the journal also looks to move towards tomorrow, together with OTA members, journal readers, journal reviewers and manuscript authors.

THE CONFERENCE AND JOURNAL ARE MAJOR WAYS FOR OTA TO DISSEMINATE RESEARCH EVIDENCE AND BRING RESEARCHERS AND PRACTITIONERS TOGETHER.

The conference and journal are major ways for OTA to disseminate research evidence and bring researchers and practitioners together. The conference provides the Editorial Board with a wonderful opportunity to connect, inform and discuss with delegates, all things related to the journal. Throughout the conference, Editorial Board members will be available at the OTA booth to answer questions and provide information. Many delegates presenting their research are potentially looking to publish in the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal due to the high impact factor and quality reputation of the journal. The traditions of the breakfast for reviewers and a workshop on writing for publication again feature on the conference program.

Reviewers are the life-blood of the journal. Without reviewers, the journal would not be sustainable or possible. Connecting with reviewers through the breakfast function provides us with the opportunity for reviewers to hear about any changes to the journal’s structure or administration, publishing metrics from Wiley Publishing, general trends in the journal publishing world and the overall performance of the journal. Reviewers can also clarify any specific issues they may be experiencing when reviewing. It is also our opportunity to sincerely thank reviewers for their past hard work and ongoing commitment to the journal.

The writing for publication workshop had a change in format at the last National Conference, with less emphasis on didactic conveying of information on the author guidelines. To better cater for delegates with varying levels of writing experience, we changed the format to have at least one editorial board member on each table, so we could work in small groups on issues specific to that group. This made the workshop more hands-on and the feedback we received on the workshop format was very positive.

CONNECTIONS JUNE 2019  33

TOGETHER TOWARDS TOMORROW

28th NATIONAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION 2019

10-12 JULY 2019 International Convention Centre

SYDNEY

www.otaus2019.com.au #otaus2019

9 201 S AU THE ON T O # JOIN SATI VER N O C

Occupational Therapy Australia 28th National Conference and Exhibition is nearly here! But it’s not too late to join us, with registrations available up until and onsite at the Conference.

Be inspired by 300+ oral presentations including a great line up of Keynote and Invited Speakers.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

INVITED SPEAKERS

PROF CHRISTINE IMMS

LYN MAHBOUB

DR ANNIE MCCLUSKEY

LEIGH SALES

INNOVATION PANEL: DR ALISON GERLACH

AIMEE BLACKER

A/PROF NATASHA LANNIN PROF GAIL WHITEFORD

PROGRAM AVAILABLE ONLINE

TO REGISTER

WWW.OTAUS2019.COM.AU

LEANNE HEALEY

NICK MAISEY

JORDAN O’REILLY

WORKING WITH ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLES PANEL: DR CHONTEL GIBSON, CORRINE BUTLER, TAHNEE ELLIOT, TIRRITPA RITCHIE

ePOSTERS

EARN UP TO 25 CPD HOURS

For 2019 we have a new and exciting ePoster platform with 190+ ePosters accessible on touch screen terminals in the ePoster lounge and on your own device. Sessions to meet the ePoster authors will also be taking place during the catering breaks within the ePoster lounge as well as ePoster spotlights *(4-minute presentations from the authors) to talk about their ePosters. Visit the website for further details or to view the ePoster listing.

GALA DINNER AT LUNA PARK

CAREERS FORUM

THURSDAY 11 JULY 2019

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to hear directly from experienced clinicians, employers and managers, and recently graduate OTs. Ask your questions, and interact with other graduating, new and experienced occupational therapists. Attendees will also have the opportunity to interact with Conference exhibitors and view a range of products and services currently available in the market. Visit the website to view the latest program!

» » » » »

THURSDAY 11 JULY 2019 1.35pm – 5.10pm

Arrive in style via private ferry Experience all the highs on the ferris wheel ride Enjoy a 3 course sumptuous meal and continuous beer, wine and soft drinks Dance the night away with the Baker Boys Snap away with the iconic Sydney harbour bridge and opera house as your backdrop!

CONFERENCE APP For the most up to date information, download the conference app by searching OTAUS2019 on the App and Google Play Stores.

FREE CUSTOMER EXHIBITION PASS After great feedback in 2017 the exhibition area will be open to the General Public with free admission on Thursday 11 and Friday 12 July 2019 from 10.45am until 12.15pm.

This is also an opportunity to invite potential customers/clients/consumers along to view the exhibitor’s products and services.

LARGEST OT EXHIBITION Engage with 100+ exhibitors to learn about the latest products and suppliers, including services in assistive technology, environmental and home modifications, mobility solutions, modified motor vehicles, disability support, rehabilitation and paediatrics to name a few.

For a list of which organisations are exhibiting, please visit the ‘Our Exhibitors’ page on the Conference website: www.otaus2019.com.au

To secure a ticket with free admission, visit the link on the website.

FURTHER INFORMATION

PHONE +61 3 9415 2900

EMAIL conference2019@otaus.com.au

Aon Professional Indemnity Insurance Get 15 months cover for the price of 12 Approved insurance provider of Occupational Therapy Australia Benefits include: • Receive 2 hours FREE legal advice!

• Product and Public Liability included up to $20m each claim • Pay no excess when making a claim • Protection even after you leave or retire from your profession • Retroactive cover for unknown incidents that occurred before you were insured with us

For additional information, speak with one of our Insurance Specialists:

1800 805 191 aon.com.au/ot

* Conditions apply. For full policy wording please contact 1800 805 191. © 2018 Aon Risk Services Australia Limited | ABN 17 000 434 720 | AFSL 241141.

This information is general in nature and should not be relied on as advice (personal or otherwise) because your personal needs, objectives and financial situation have not been considered. So before deciding whether a particular product is right for you, please consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement or contact us to speak to an adviser.

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