NEWS

President’s Report

Associate Professor Carol McKinstry | OTA President

Having commenced a new year, we are all hoping 2021 will be a lot less challenging than the last. Over the summer, many of us may have paused to reflect on the past year and look to the year ahead, particularly to plan and utilise any presenting opportunities. Considering what we learnt from the global pandemic is central to these reflections. Although each region of Australia had varying issues, some occupational therapists were more impacted than others, and required additional or new ways of working. As a result, new knowledge and skills will change the way we work, and our view of community may be different.

For those having to work from home for most of 2020 observing strict COVID-19 restrictions, interactions with our communities changed. Increased use of technology for shopping, video conferencing for meetings, and less faceto-face interaction with family, friends, and colleagues were marked changes. Perhaps we now value our communities more, and can hopefully recommence some of our valued community-based occupations.

The theme of this issue, Supporting Our Communities, will mean different things to different people depending on how you view your community. In the occupational therapy literature, there is an increasing focus on working with communities rather than working in communities. There are increasing opportunities for occupational therapists to work in communities and have an impact on policy, resource allocation, and improvement of access to services. This is not new, however, as more occupational therapists appreciate the advantages of working in communities and considering them as clients.

Most Australian occupational therapy education programs provide students with an opportunity for service learning or community-based project placement, which enables awareness of the benefits of working at a community level while developing the necessary skills. These placements are a win-win for all involved, and often highlight strategies to address occupational justice issues, and identify broader benefits of occupational therapy in our communities.

There are increasing opportunities for occupational therapists to not only support their communities, but have a leading role. Occupational therapists often underestimate their leadership skills or potential to be change agents. And the skills and knowledge needed for community leadership are not restricted to those with a few miles on the clock—they apply to graduates and early career occupational therapists, too. Working with communities provides opportunities for personal and professional development. I know of many occupational therapists who are community leaders. Last year, an early career occupational therapist, Harley Hayes, was recognised as the Rising Star in the 2020 Victorian Health Awards as well as the 2020 Bendigo Young Citizen of the Year. Harley is a member of the Bendigo Mental Health Professional Steering Committee, volunteers for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal, has been an active volunteer for a number of sporting clubs, and devotes time to work with local occupational therapy students. Another occupational therapist, newly elected OTA Board Director Leanne Healey, was awarded the Victorian 2020 Telstra Business Women’s Award for founding and leading her business Everyday Independence.

As an OTA member, you are also a member of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT). There are many examples of WFOT working with communities or partnering with organisations such as the World Health Organisation to undertake community development projects. Resources such as the Advocacy Toolkit and the Disaster Management module can help occupational therapists work with communities or at a community level. Visit the WFOT website for more inspiration and ideas.

This is the International Year of Health and Care Workers—very appropriate given the global pandemic. This will highlight the value of occupational therapists and why we are one of the fastest growing professions in Australia. This will be an exciting year for OTA members, with key events such as the national conference and its fitting theme of Inspired Insights for Brighter Futures. I encourage everyone to plan for a successful and enjoyable year.

There are increasing opportunities for occupational therapists to not only support their communities, but have a leading role.