14th SAOT SC Newsletter

THE OT TIMES

Brought to you by the 14th SAOT SC

EDITOR'S WORDS On behalf of the 14th Singapore Association of Occupational Therapists Student Council (SAOT SC), we would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the SAOT Council, the lecturers and student body for your contributions, big or small, in making the journey serving as part of the SAOT SC an amazing one.

It has been such a privilege to serve the student body, especially as part of the pioneer batch of the Occupational Therapy (OT) program in the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT). In the past work year, the SC has endeavored to enhance and expand our yearly programs, as well as develop new programs to meet the changing needs the ever-growing OT student population. The support for our programs and initiatives has been overwhelming and once again, we would like to express our gratitude for the continuous support.

The main aims of the SAOT SC in the past work year was to create a culture of cohesiveness among the OT student body and to create sense of identity as student occupational therapists. As we step down as part of the 14th SAOT SC, we hoped to have laid a solid foundation in these areas for future budding OTs for many years to come.

Editor-in-Chief: Muhammad Izikeil Bin Ramli Vice-President and Head of Publicity, 14th SAOT SC

Assistant Editor: Neo Shi Hui Cynthia Publicity Officer, 14th SAOT SC

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MESSAGE FROM ASSOC PROF TAN BHING LEET PROGRAMME DIRECTOR, SIT BSC (HONS) IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Dear occupational therapists and occupational therapy students, Occupational therapists around the world celebrates the World Occupational Therapy Day in October this year. For Singapore, we mark a milestone in the education of occupational therapists. Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) faculty have fully transited to the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), to join the other SIT faculty in training the nation’s occupational therapists at the undergraduate degree level! SIT is currently the only university that trains occupational therapists and we are proud to announce that we have attained the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) accreditation! We celebrated this achievement on 8 June during Soiree 2018, which was a continuation of the tradition from NYP. Our students put up excellent performances, ranging from dances, to skits and musicals. Kudos to the SAOT Student Council committee and sub-committee members for organising the event!

In September, we welcome our 3rd cohort of occupational therapy students! Since SIT enrolled our first batch of occupational therapy students in 2016, our cohort size has risen steadily. This is due to the government’s recognition of the need for more occupational therapists, both in healthcare as well as the social services sector. With Ministry of Health’s ‘One-Rehab’ initiative, as well as Ministry of Social and Family Development’s ‘3rd Enabling Masterplan’, occupational therapists are certainly wellplaced to have a substantial role in enhancing the health and well-being of our local population.

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MESSAGE FROM ASSOC PROF TAN BHING LEET PROGRAMME DIRECTOR, SIT BSC (HONS) IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

With such exciting landscape changes come challenges, both for occupational therapists as well as students. Students need to know that in the community, there is no standard protocol for interventions. The practice of occupational therapy requires us to make sense of the complex and dynamic interplay among person, occupation and environmental factors, in order to meet person-centred goals that can be meaningful to each individual. Knowledge is constantly evolving, hence the objective of an undergraduate training is not to provide as much knowledge as possible, but to instil in students a thirst for learning. Hence, clinical practice education (CPE) is an essential component of undergraduate training. Our two cohort of students had their clinical practice education (CPE) in the middle of this year. Many thanks to occupational therapists who had supervised our students and provided them with valuable learning experiences. Our Year 3 students will also be embarking on their research honours thesis and a number of them may be working on projects initiated by practising occupational therapists. Such industry collaborations are necessary, so that academic research projects continue to be relevant to real-world practice. Let’s wish the students all the best in their research!

To all the Year 1 occupational therapy students, welcome to the occupational therapy family! May you be humble in learning, open-minded in thinking and enthusiastic in playing! Â

Best Regards,

Assoc Prof Tan Bhing Leet

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SAOTSC YEARLY BONDING EVENTS Each year, the SAOT SC will organise a number of events aimed at fostering cohesion within the student body. A cohesive student body is increasingly important especially with the growing OT student cohort in SIT.

Jolly Xmas 2017

Sincerely,

The Christmas Party was a really fun way to interact and get to know our peers especially the seniors from NYP. It was nice to get to know them and to hear about their OT journey and have an idea of what we might have to go through. The party was also really fun with all the games that were quite meaningful in a way where we had to work with our peers and bond with them. It also showed the essence of Occupational Therapy for the scavenger hunt game, we had to help our friend who was blindfolded, maneuver around the room and like pick stuff up and get to places (which is kinda like how we may have to help our patients with visual impairment get back to their daily life). And I think the whole secret santa was really good cause it brought out the spirit of giving and it's always nice to receive gifts!

De Silva Rachel Alyssa, Year 2

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SAOTSC YEARLY BONDING EVENTS Jolly Xmas 2017 The event was overall a great and fun-filled one. It is wellbalanced with the right amount of games such as the blind fold game which promotes team building and teamwork, the delicious pizzas and the thrilling Secret Santa segment. I personally enjoyed the interaction with other OT students from Nanyang Polytechnic, Year 2 and Year 1 through the various games. Â

Chu Zhi Qing, Year 2 Jolly Xmas 2017 was organised by Liang Hui Lin Bernice

Year 1 Induction 2018 The Year 1 Induction is a yearly event where seniors and juniors bond through fun and games.

This event marks the incoming Year 1 students’ first interaction with their seniors and lecturers and also serves as a warm welcome to the SIT OT family.

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SAOTSC YEARLY BONDING EVENTS Year 1 Induction 2018 We all came together as strangers, not knowing each other names and whatnot. But after the ice breaking we had as a sub group, we got to know each other names and why we chose OT. And I realized, strangers we may be now, we had a lot of similarities. We were all influenced one way or another to choose OT as a career. We may have shadowed an OT before, we may have someone in the family who is in the healthcare, we may have some personal reasons. But one thing I know after the ice breaking, we chose OT because we want to help someone and the goals of OT aligned with us.

I felt really honoured to be one of the few lucky ones to get into this course. Because we are one step nearer to what we want to achieve in life.

The morning was a breeze, the games we had were so fun that time just fly by. And soon, it was time for a talk by our PD Prof Tan Bhing Leet. The talk was really informative and I really enjoyed it a lot.

Moreover, I really like how Prof Tan is always smiling and always so cheerful; it just makes me feel that even though she is a prof, she is also like our big Sister.

I really like how the OTs treat each other as part of a big family. The most touching moment for me would be the part where we each received a letter from an OT in Singapore. It just made me affirm my decision to choose OT as a career. I'm really Glad that I will be embarking on this special journey together with my future colleagues.

Tuieng Wei Ting, Year 1

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SAOTSC YEARLY BONDING EVENTS Year 1 Induction 2018 The Year 1 Induction has allowed the freshmen to get to know one another and interact with some of their seniors where they get the opportunity to ask questions regarding our experience studying in the University. There were fun and interactive games planned, which helped to break the ice and bond the students together. Overall, it was a great initiative by the SAOTSC!

Program Director Assoc Professor Dr Tan Bhing

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Leet introducing the Year 1 students to the OT

Natalie Yeo Si Yu , Year 2

program

Each student receives a letter from a clinician encouraging them in their journey in becoming an OT. Students will then write letters to their future selves and receive them upon graduation.

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GRADUATION NIGHT 2018

The theme for this year’s Graduation Night was Pyjamas Party and it was indeed a fun and laidback celebration. Comfortably dressed in cute onesies and colourful pyjamas, it was the perfect way to mark the end of the intense course, almost like saying ‘We’ve all worked hard, so let’s take tonight to relax’. Kudos to our juniors in the Graduation Night Planning Committee 2018 for their thoughtfulness in planning the event!

From the live band to the dance and game items by talented course mates and sporting lecturers, it was a time to let our hair down and also appreciate the people who have been with us on our journey.

We have gone through so much in the past three years. We’ve celebrated together and cried together, experienced joy and experienced disappointment. And we made it through as a cohort.

It is bittersweet to come to the end, treasuring the times we had but also looking forward to the bright future. As one journey ends, so another begins and I believe we will continue to strive and to support each other as we become fully fledged occupational therapists. May the force be with you and all the best!

Noelle Fong Cheok Ern, NYP OT 1503

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GRADUATION NIGHT 2018 Graduation Night was a memorable gettogether filled with laughter and fuzzy feelings (just like our Pyjamas Party theme). The fairy lights, the rustic wooden furniture and thoughtfully organised seating gave the venue a warm and cozy ambience. It was where we had conversations reminiscing our undergraduate years, sharing about our current season of life, and anticipating our future work as therapists – some with excitement, others with uncertainty Indeed, change is not easy, but I am confident it will be a fruitful process of unlearning and relearning.

As I looked around at my cohort mates, I am filled with thanksgiving for being blessed with these wonderful individuals to grow with in occupational therapy school. I believe that none of us were placed here by chance, instead there is a greater purpose for which we were placed in this course. And as we embark on the journey of finding that purpose, may we be encouraged by how we overcame each challenging tasking in school, by the support our friends readily render, and by the passions and values our lecturers stood by. More importantly, may we never forget that we are called to serve our clients, each so unique in their life narratives and personalities.

As Vitamin C aptly writes in her song, “As we go on, we remember all the times we had together. And as our lives change, come whatever, we will still be, friends forever.” Thank you, OT Class of 2018!

Crystal Yee Ying Jie, NYP OT1501.

Graduation Night 2018 was organised by Neo Shi Hui Cynthia and New Cai Shan Amelia

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SOIREE 2018 Soiree is an annual OT showcase that has been ongoing since the NYP OT days and this year we celebrated Soiree's 10th Anniversary! The theme for Soiree 2018 is "Celebrating Diversity", a celebration of individual differences, and students were encouraged to dress in their best mismatched.

The Year 2 and Year 3 students put up amazing performances, ranging from skit to dance.

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SOIREE 2018 Not to forget, we also had special performance by Assoc Professor May and her children who captured the hearts of the audience with their vocals!

"Soiree was really casual and fun. It was a great way to celebrate the end of the academic year. My group was so cooperative and sweet, there were no problems at all. Honestly, I was quite reluctant to lead the Soiree performance at first but as the rehearsals went on, I got more excited for the event. It was a running joke that we HAVE to win. Because I told my group we already put in all these time, let’s play to win. But honestly we were surprised by the results because all the other groups were so so good. Winning the $10 voucher each is the best prize we could ever ask for."  Koh Kah Yong, Year 2

Soiree 2018 was organised by Gwee Gin Jen and Ng Xin Rong

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH The SAOTSC aims to be rooted in the community by providing opportunities and organising events that allow OT students to give back to the community

Bishan Home 2017

The visit to the Bishan Home was very unique personally because whenever I were to visit a home it would be to do simple activities. However, it was the first time I was able to do something so hands on together with the residents, where it is equal participation on both ends. Even though the cookies came out in all different shapes and sizes, it was about the enjoyable process that managed to put a smile on us and the residents. I would definitely continue to go for such adhoc activities planned by SAOTSC to help shape me to be a better OT and encourage pro-bono work in the future.

Pevlynjit Kaur Sangah, Year 2

It was really enjoyable to participate in baking and activities with the residents at Bishan Home.

Through this event, I understood how it’s like interacting with residents of the home, which will definitely help me in future if I were to work with people of similar profiles. I am thankful to be part of this event and would definitely wish to participate in more of such events in future!

Goh Sock Ting, Cinthya, Year 2

Bishan Home 2017 was organised by Tan Thiam Soon Ivan

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH Public Health Screening 2018

PHS was an eye opening and enriching experience into the process, flow and transition of healthcare system and how the care of a patient is moved and collaborated upon between healthcare professionals. It offers insight into the needs of community dwelling older adults, and also highlights the potential role of OT in preventive health and tailoring advice and recommendations to the well elderly who are generally well. The compressed timeframe to work with each elderly at the station is an important motivator to exercise clinical reasoning to decide the priorities and extent of recommendations to be given, which is essential to the role of an OT in any setting. The diverse population of elderly seen at PHS offers interesting insight to the potential needs of the elderly population, triggering more reflective thoughts about how we may cater our treatment and practice for different groups of elderly. It is a good platform to learn to socialise with elderly and even caregivers, fellow OT coursemates, clinicians and even students from other healthcare professionals.

Kwa Fang Yin, Year 3

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CPE Sharing 2018

The following is a reflection by OT student on her experience during her Clinical Practice Education in the Institute of Mental Health which she shared during the session.

If I were to describe the entire CPE journey in a few words, it would be “it was like a moving seesaw”. There were equally both ups and downs, and sometimes even stagnant. But something for sure, it was a meaningful and enjoyable learning journey which I’m privileged to have undergone.

There were numerous opportunities for learning and the 7 weeks in IMH definitely welcomed me to the Occupational Therapy world. There were instances where I had to step out from my comfort zone which I’m eternally grateful for as I managed to seize the opportunities. It was definitely an experience coming into the Mental Health setting and having to conduct varying interventions and initial assessments. Being a bubbly person in nature, I slowly learned to manage my energy, matching the suitability of the clients and atmosphere. As I can honestly say that there were times had to be firm (which is very unlike me), I learned the significance of managing personal boundaries, which I managed to acquire some skills but there will always be room for improvements. I managed to overcome the fear of being too domineering and dominating if I were to draw the professional boundaries and I am definitely glad that my clients were not taken aback with my switch.

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CPE Sharing 2018 The entire 7 weeks has definitely been fulfilling. Every time a client (regardless whether I see him/her for individual or group sessions) shares his/her story, I am extremely thankful. One thing for sure, it is definitely not easy opening up to others, especially to a student OT like me who wasn’t around with them from the start, yet they are comfortable with sharing their stories. And that’s when I appreciate the uniqueness of every individual.

While 2 people can go through the same experiences, how both of them perceive it is certainly different, what more about those who went through different experiences. I began appreciating the value of listening, validating and acknowledging both their happiness and struggles. Furthermore, it’s as though as they’re indirectly telling me that they trust me. All in all, this clinical placement has been an eye-opening experience, further validating the reason why I chose and want this profession.

Nurulizyan Bte Zulkiflee, Year 3

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Job Shadowing at Institute of Mental Health and Thye Hua Kwan Hospital

"A new initiative by the SAOTSC, the one-day job shadowing program was brought about to allow current OT students to shadow an OT clinician for a day to experience what being an OT entails and put into context the things learned in the classroom into the clinical setting.

The one-day job shadowing at Thye Hua Kwan Hospital was an eye opening experience for me. It was a very real experience as I got to witness what an OT do for an entire day at work, from attending their daily morning roll calls to meeting the different patients to keying in patient notes at the end of the day. I also got to know that besides regular therapy sessions, the hospital also work with various VWOs to make the sessions more interesting for them like dog therapy. Overall, it was very interesting seeing what we learn in school come to life."

Lim Jia Yi, Year 3

"My experience with IMH was an enriching and fulfilling one. Through this experience, I interacted with different OTs in the acute mental health setting and also learnt more about the different aspects of mental health that an OT can be part of in the future. It also gave me a greater understanding of how interacting with clients in the mental health."

Cheryl Lee Jia Yi, Year 3

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SPECIAL THANKS We would like to thank the following for their contributions Photographers for SC events:

Tan Ying Jun, Jasper, Year 3 Raine Yong, Year 2

Thank you for supporting SAOTSC events!

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