Dealing with Change to Support Our Communities

Carol Jewell, OTA Acting National Manager, Professional Practice and Development

COVID-19 had a profound impact on our nation and communities over the past year. In particular, we are acutely aware of the substantial impact it has had, and continues to have, on our members and profession as a whole. Some have had to adapt rapidly, and adjust clinical and business practices to provide continuity of care to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

Mindful that this has all occurred in a climate of uncertainty and, at times, ambiguity, we have done our utmost to help members navigate the challenges by providing information, resources, and practice advice. We appreciate this only goes so far in tackling a complex scenario for occupational therapists providing frontline services.

There is no doubt these challenging and uncertain circumstances will be with us for some time, and we may find ourselves needing to act immediately in response to new government restrictions. Dealing with these changes can be stressful.

We would like to share our lessons, and the lessons of some of our members over the last year, to help you respond flexibly to future challenges of the pandemic. We hope these learnings go some way to help you make that adjustments you need to make in the way you continue to provide services.

Firstly, ensure you know where to find the most current and relevant information. There are vast COVID-19 information sources and resources available for clinicians. However, it can be hard to find the latest information quickly. As state and territory governments carry principal responsibility for managing the COVID-19 response, they will have the most up-to-date information, and should be your first sources. Check their websites for updates.

Occupational therapists are listed as essential workers in the primary health care sector in all jurisdictions, so look for guidance that relates to your role as an essential worker (DoH, AHPA, 2020).

Be mindful that different jurisdictions adopt different approaches and different criteria for complying with restrictions. Some will provide specific information about how this applies to your role, but not always.

Take the time to do a workplace risk assessment and prepare a COVIDSafe Plan so you have a number of options to continue or adapt your services when restrictions are imposed. There are templates and guides on how to prepare these plans, and WHO has useful information on workplace risk assessments (Safe Work Australia, WHO, 2020). We encourage you to use your clinical reasoning to apply restrictions to your clinical practice. Develop a business continuity plan and share it clearly with your team. Consider your core purpose and mission, your clients, your own health, the levels of COVID-19 transmission in your community, and the degree of exposure your work colleagues have had before, during, and after work (ANU). Ensure you have strategies in place to implement the most up-to-date restrictions and monitor compliance. If you need clarity, contact the COVID-19 hotline in your jurisdiction or OTA.

Develop a clear communication strategy and keep your team, clients, and stakeholders informed. Involve your team in problem solving and decision making. Equally, involve clients and their families or carers in decision making, and build their capacity to take some control of the situation. Have screening processes and decision making principles in place to understand and manage risks in face-to-face sessions, and make sure telehealth options are available to ensure continuity of support.

We were committed to continuing services to vulnerable people and to do this in a way where there was no risk to our team and our participant— Leanne Healey We found investing in a communication strategy that included graphics, tables, decision making trees with scenarios to reinforce principles was much more effective for our team than words and verbal communications—Leanne Healey

Have screening processes and decision making principles in place to understand and manage risks in face-to-face sessions, and make sure telehealth options are available to ensure continuity of support.

Subscribe to the aged care website for regular announcements and updates on how to protect vulnerable groups in aged care—Jan Erven

Don’t stop communicating about COVIDSafe practices…build a culture of shared responsibilities, trust and open communication— Leanne Healey

Make the most of the resources available to you. The Department of Health (DoH) and WHO have excellent resources, training modules, and templates for dealing with COVID-19 that are freely available. They provide specific advice and updates for clinicians working with vulnerable people in the aged care sector that come highly recommended. The Australian National University has developed checklists specifically for allied health clinicians working in the clinic or home settings that are well worth reading.

We recommend you make use of the Australian Government’s COVID-19 business support initiatives and keep abreast of changes to funding schemes (Australian Government, Business). Most schemes will now support the provision of telehealth services. Medicare has also provided additional funding to allow aged care residents to receive more allied health services through their Chronic Disease Management scheme and their Better Access to Mental Health scheme. We hope you can make the most of these initiatives.

We are acutely aware of challenges you face providing vital services and continuity of care in such a testing and unpredictable environment—an environment that tests even the most resilient of us. We hope these insights and lessons help you continue to achieve the best for your clients, your team, and yourselves. We will continue to do our utmost to keep you informed, support you, and advocate for you. To get in touch, please email our team at info@otaus.com.au

FURTHER RESOURCES

• Subscribe to aged care sector announcements and newsletters: https://www.health.gov.au/ using-our-websites/subscriptions/ subscribe-to-aged-care-sectorannouncements-and-newsletters • Keep up to date with OTA’s COVID-19

Resources: https://www.otaus.com. au/member-resources/covid-19 • Stay connected and join the OTA

Member Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ groups/otamembercommunity

Acknowledgements I would like to acknowledge and thank Leanne Healey (Clinical Director, Everyday Independence) and Jan Erven (Subacute Aged Care Manager, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District) for sharing their insights, experiences, and expertise for this article.

References Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) (2020). Allied Health Professionals List for Primary Health Care during COVID-19, November 2020. Internal report AHPA, unpublished Australian Government, Business (n.d.). Support for Businesses in Australia: Coronavirus Information and Support for Business. Retrieved 17 January 2021 from https://business.gov.au/ Australian Government Department of Health (DoH) (n.d.a.). Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Retrieved 15 January 2021 from https://www.health.gov.au/sites/ default/files/documents/2020/02/australian-healthsector-emergency-response-plan-for-novel-coronaviruscovid-19_2.pdf Australian Government Department of Health (DoH) (n.d.a.). Advice for the Aged Care Sector during COVID-19. Retrieved 17 January 2021 from https://www.health.gov. au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncovhealth-alert/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-the-healthand-disability-sector/providing-aged-care-servicesduring-covid-19 Australian National University (ANU) (n.d.). Minimising COVID-19 Transmission Risks: Checklist for Allied Health Practices and Practitioners. Research School of Population Health. Retrieved 8 January 2021 from https://rsph.anu.edu.au/research/tools-resources/ minimising-covid-19-transmission-risks-checklist-alliedhealth-practices Parliament of Australia (n.d.). COVID-19 Australian Government Roles and Responsibilities: An Overview. Retrieved 15 January 2021 from https://www.aph.gov. au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/ Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1920/ COVID19AustralianGovernmentRoles Safe Work Australia (n.d.). COVID-19 Public Health Directions and COVIDSafe Plans. Retrieved 17 January 2021 from https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/ covid-19-information-workplaces/other-resources/ covid-19-public-health-directions-and-covidsafe World Health Organisation (WHO) (n.d.). Employers and Workers Guidance COVID-19. Retrieved 7 January 2021 from https://www.who.int/teams/risk-communication/ employers-and-workers?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9dnU1PSI7 gIVDXZgCh0TVQmWEAAYASAAEgLoJ_D_BwE World Health Organisation (WHO) (2020). Getting Your Workplace Ready for COVID-19. Retrieved 15 January 2021 from https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/ coronaviruse/getting-workplace-ready-for-covid-19. pdf?sfvrsn=359a81e7_6