Supporting people to engage in activities they find meaningful
SPRING 2020 | VOL 17 ISSUE 3
Print Post Approved PP340742/00147 ISSN 1832-7605
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Innovate & Influence Supporting the Transport Needs of Children with Disability Exerting Influence in Elections and Beyond Exploring Occupation in a New Light through Photography
B O N U S L I F T O U T: O T W E E K 2 0 2 0 P O S T E R
OT MENTAL HEALTH FORUM NOW HYBRID
Crown Promenade, Melbourne, Victoria Monday 16 November 2020
*(Online and in-person)
REGISTER TODAY! EARLY BIRD CLOSES 9 SEPTEMBER 2020 Occupational Therapy Australia is pleased to invite you to the 2020 OT Mental Health Forum, being held Monday 16 November 2020. This forum has a long and successful history, starting as a grass-roots NSW initiative and expanding to the large National event it has now become. The event will become hybrid for the first time offering a combination of face to face and online attendance. We look forward to welcoming you to Melbourne or seeing you online for Australia’s only occupational therapy mental health forum!
WHY ATTEND? • • • • •
Be inspired by over 40 oral presentations, 3 occupation stations and 20 ePosters Engage with other like-minded OT’s working in Mental Health Access discounted rates for nearby hotels and apartments Earn up to 8 CPD hours With virtual and face to face registration available, you now have flexibility and choice for your participation
PROGRAM NOW AVAILABLE For the latest program visit www.otausevents.com.au/mentalhealthforum/program
SPONSORSHIP AND EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES To discuss how you can be involved, please contact Rebecca Meyer, Head of National Conferences, CPD Events and Business Development via events@otaus.com.au or phone 0451 807 647.
FURTHER INFORMATION P: + 1300 682 878 E: mentalhealthforum@otaus.com.au
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Maggie Toko Deputy Commissioner Mental Health Complaints Commission
Carolynne White Participation and Engagement Advisor, MIND AUSTRALIA
#OTMH2020 www.otausevents.com.au/mentalhealthforum
*Member and non-member rates for delegates and students and new graduate members are available for virtual and in-person registration. Early bird pricing is available until 9 September 2020.
CONTENTS
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 007 510 287 ABN 27 025 075 008 5/340 Gore St, Fitzroy, VIC 3065 T: 1300 682 878 E: info@otaus.com.au W: www.otaus.com.au 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?
Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy: Innovative Practice at the Farm
For advertising enquiries, please email advertising@otaus.com.au Editorial material including letters to the editor, upcoming events, research material, and important information for inclusion in Connections should be sent by email to digitalcomms@otaus.com.au. The editor reserves the right to edit material for space and clarity and to withhold material from publication. DEADLINES FOR SUBMISSIONS
Summer 2020 Issue: 9 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.
UPDATES
29
FEATURES
04
President’s Report
05
CEO’s Report
06
Policy, Lobbying & Advocacy Update
08
Professional Practice & Standards Update
21 OT Week 2020
11
OT Exchange Update
22 Bonus Liftout: OT Week 2020 Poster
12
AOTJ Report
13
WFOT Update
24
CPD Calendar
26 Reflections on the Impact of a Role-Emerging Placement on Student Learning: A Community Aged Care Experience
14 Healthy Mothers Healthy Families: Promoting Health and Wellbeing among Mothers of Children with a Disability 17
Supporting the Transport Needs of Children with Disability
29 Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy: Innovative Practice at the Farm 32 Innovating during COVID-19: A Tele-Wheelchair Educational Video to Enable Occupational Participation for People Living with Acquired Brain Injury 34 Using OT to Support People in COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine 36 Exploring Occupation in a New Light through Photography
Supporting the Transport Needs of Children with Disability
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38 Innovating at Home: Managing Household Tasks to Retain a Sense of Self 40 Key Strategies for Managing Change in Your Practice 42 Finding the Perfect Match: A Guide to Hiring the Right Talent as a Small Business Owner
CONNECTIONS SPRING 2020 3
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President’s Report Associate Professor Carol McKinstry | OTA President
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ccupational therapists are certainly creative and innovative, but are we very good at influencing? Can occupational therapists work a room or identify strategic working relationships to cultivate? Do we think our actions and good work will be enough? An age-old problem I keep hearing over and over is that our role and contribution to the health and wellbeing of people in our communities is not recognised, but what are we doing as a collective and as individuals to change this? Although I am biased, I believe our profession is one of the best, and we tick all the boxes when it comes to the things that policy makers and managers are looking for to make long term differences to those who receive our services. We work with all ages and are not limited to specific health conditions. We are fantastic problem solvers and produce the goods when it matters. We work well in teams, putting the client or the community at the centre of our services and interactions. As collaborators, we influence other team members, particularly in how we view the world and approaches (such as a strengthsbased approach rather than seeing only people’s deficits). We also recognise that the world is ever evolving, therefore we need to ensure that future occupational therapists have the skills to be change
agents. Now and into the future, therapists need to be able to lobby and influence policy makers, and pioneer practices in emerging areas where occupational therapists can make substantial contributions. As individuals, including OTA student members, we are frequently asked what does an occupational therapist actually do? This is our golden opportunity to educate and influence the perceptions of every person who asks. Highlighting the unique contribution that an occupational therapist can make (particularly in less known or emerging areas) can help progress the profession and build our reputation. An example of this is occupational therapists taking up mental health positions within schools. Some may consider this to be an emerging area of practice even though it is an established area for occupational therapists. Occupational therapists are innovators, and during COVID-19 there have been countless examples. Adapting to different ways of practising, particularly using telehealth, has been evident, and innovations in practice will continue in our future new normal. Occupational therapists are always looking for ways to innovate and for positive outcomes for the people we work with to improve their quality of life and meaningful occupational engagement. During COVID-19, many of the occupations
Adapting to different ways of practising, particularly using telehealth, has been evident and innovations in practice will continue in our future new normal 4 otaus.com.au
we have taken for granted have assumed new importance. Advising on how to manage and cope with self-isolation is another feature of occupational therapy with the work of Lorrae Mynard being highlighted in Australia and abroad. Lorrae’s latest resource ‘The New Normal: Navigating Everyday Life During COVID-19’ is a great example of the contribution of occupational therapy. With all adversities, there are also opportunities—particularly for those who are innovative. Identifying those opportunities, influencing the right people to make it happen, and taking risks will advance not only individuals but also our profession. At OTA we are conscious of establishing enduring relationships with key organisations and people. We need to ensure that we are at the negotiation table lobbying for our profession and those receiving our services. We need to be known as a profession that has solutions to the issues that are challenging the funding organisations and policy makers, rather than being a profession that complains. We need to join with others, like allied health professions, to collaborate effectively. Sometimes, however, we need to recognise who our competitors are and be prepared to lobby alone. For our profession to prosper in the future, we need to continually look for opportunities including new fields of practice, but also be prepared to let go of things that are holding us back. I hope you are all taking the time to engage in self-care occupations for yourselves and your family and friends—that you are maintaining positive mental and physical health, and most importantly, staying safe.
CEO’S REPORT
CEO’s Report Samantha Hunter | OTA CEO
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his year is not what any of us had planned.
Having passed the halfway mark, we thought the new normal would have arrived, but life continues to be tumultuous for people both personally and professionally. Not only are occupational therapists dealing with their own disruptions, but many are working with clients who are themselves dealing with major disruptions. We’re all trying to make sense of, and adjust to, a new (and seemingly ever changing) rhythm and routine. This is a time when the importance and influence of occupational therapy is at the fore. It is a time when the agility, flexibility and innovation of the profession can truly shine. It is a prime time to proudly and loudly proclaim the enormous importance of occupational therapists within our health system, the community, and as educators. As a membership association, we rely on the amazing network and commitment of members who volunteer right across the nation. I want to thank each and every one of you who have stepped up to support, advocate, educate or simply offer a helping hand in our communities. You deserve our sincere appreciation and gratitude. You are information gatherers and influencers. You amplify the voice of occupational therapy. You connect the association to the issues affecting the everyday lives of clinicians, academics, managers and students. You open doors
This is the time for courage and compassion, and I know all of our members will step forward to help our communities rebuild, recover and re-engage and build relationships, and by working together you provide a broad, robust and thoughtful view to the issues at hand. The strength of our association, and the regard in which it is held, relies on our members who make the commitment to continue to push for and promote the profession. Whilst our staff and volunteers continue the work of advocating and influencing on behalf of the association, I invite all members to reflect on how your roles have changed and flexed in response to recent changing events—both at the national and community levels. How have your contributions adapted to changed environments, innovated as situations evolved, and anticipated future needs to prepare for what’s next? These reflections are important as we see opportunities as well as risks to the profession and the community. These considerations help to advocate for, and influence future policy for the benefit of occupational therapists and for clients.
To educate and engage our stakeholders across the industry—to take our seat at the table with government, statutory authorities and compensable schemes across the country—we must be present and heard every step of the way. Together we will promote the value of occupational therapy and the enormous benefit of the profession working at the top of scope. Events that have rolled across the nation this year—fires, floods, ongoing drought and now a pandemic—have a momentous impact on individuals and communities. Our daily occupations have changed, and there is uncertainty about what the future may hold and look like. This is the time for courage and compassion, and I know all of our members will step forward to help our communities rebuild, recover and reengage.
CONNECTIONS SPRING 2020 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
Exerting Influence in the Context of Elections, and Beyond Michael Barrett, OTA National Manager: Government and Stakeholder Relations
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n the context of Australian politics, an organisation’s influence is most pronounced when governments and oppositions are most in need of its support. This is in the period leading up to an election. It follows therefore that OTA must be well prepared for all state, territory and federal elections. While this is easier in those jurisdictions that have precise election dates designated by law, very few elections in Australia come as a great surprise. In 2020, for example, we know that elections will be held in the Northern Territory on 22 August, in the Australian Capital Territory on 17 October, and in Queensland on 31 October. So, there is no excuse not to be ready. By the time an election is called, OTA aims to have: • Identified the issues to be raised with the government, opposition, other parties and influential independents • Compiled a “wish list” of initiatives to be proposed to the incoming government • An election strategy in place In past election campaigns, we have prepared multiple letters, varying their content according to the portfolio of the recipients. This is unwieldy and unnecessary.
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An organisation’s influence is most pronounced when governments and oppositions are most in need of its support In the 21st century, political parties instruct all parliamentary members and candidates to forward all such correspondence to campaign headquarters, where a special questionnaires unit drafts responses. This ensures consistency of message and minimises the risk of individual candidates making promises that do not accord with party policy or that an incoming government has not budgeted for.
during the few weeks leading up to election day, when the public service, rather than the incumbent government, effectively oversees the day to day management of the country or state. During this period, the public service ceases doing any work of an even vaguely political nature for the government.
Accordingly, OTA now sends just one letter to each of the major parties and influential independents, outlining all of our concerns and wishes. It will normally be addressed to the party’s campaign director, but might, if we are so advised, be addressed to the party’s parliamentary leader.
So, before the caretaker period, an incumbent government can instruct a team of public servants to draft a thorough response to OTA’s correspondence, complete with costings and analyses of our proposals. After the commencement of the caretaker period, however, the government has no recourse to such luxury and its parliamentarians or their staff must draft responses.
The timing of these letters is important. While they are finalised well in advance of the election being called, they are not forwarded to the political parties until the so-called caretaker period has commenced. This is
Given the responses to our correspondence are posted on the OTA website for members to read, it would be unfair to give the incumbent government a huge advantage by forwarding our correspondence before the
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
caretaker period begins. It would also run the risk of alienating the alternative government. Our letters nominate and detail issues of concern to our members and their clients. Where possible—and this is genuinely appreciated by governments and oppositions alike—our correspondence doesn’t just identify problems, it proposes realistic solutions. Our letter usually include a short and realistic “wish list” of initiatives. The letter nominates a deadline for responses and explicitly states that all responses of all parties will be posted on the OTA website so our members can make an informed choice at the polling booth. We also assure recipients that similar letters, outlining exactly the same concerns, have been sent to all major parties. The proposed deadline for responses is usually nine days prior to polling day (i.e. the penultimate Thursday of the campaign). It is highly likely all parties will miss this deadline, as the questionnaire units have to respond to literally hundreds of such letters, covering every conceivable area of government. On the day after the deadline, we contact the campaign headquarters expressing concern that no response has been received and offering an extension until Monday morning. This gives the campaign questionnaire units a weekend in which to prepare a response. We make it clear that if no response is received by then, this disappointing fact will be noted on our website, alongside the responses which have been received from their political opponents. This politely worded ultimatum usually elicits a response. Once received, we post on our website the parties’ responses along with our initial correspondence and the media release outlining our reaction to the correspondence received. This simple strategy has in the past elicited undertakings from incoming governments to the advantage of our members and their clients. Another common and useful by-product
of the exercise is invitations to meet with ministers or shadow ministers once the dust of the campaign has settled.
Appointment of a Chief Allied Health Officer
OTA is mindful of the fact, however, that elections in a given jurisdiction come along only every three or four years, and there is much lobbying to be done in between— when the business of government actually occurs, and decisions of importance to occupational therapists and their clients are made. We are keen, therefore, to mobilise the practical experience and enthusiasm of our membership base on an ongoing basis, helping ensure the voice of occupational therapists is heard by decision makers. We want to assist our members to “influence up”.
OTA is pleased to report the appointment of a Chief Allied Health Officer. On 8 July, the federal Health Minister, the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, announced that Dr Anne-marie Boxall would hold a post that occupational therapists and other allied health professions have been advocating for.
To that end, we are working on developing advocacy training for our members. A series of webinars and articles aimed at helping members to identify decision makers and the best means of reaching them meaningfully are in development. While cabinet ministers might make the final decision on a public health issue, they always do so after considering the advice of senior public servants—advice that, in turn, has been scrutinised under a sharply political lens by ministerial advisers. At any point in this policy process, the timely intervention of an informed occupational therapist— pointing out the practical implications of a proposed initiative—might prove decisive. Lobbying is no longer considered the exclusive preserve of lobbyists. Occupational therapists are ideally placed to advocate on behalf of their profession and clients, and we will be providing the guidance and encouragement to do so. Significantly, the 7th Asia Pacific Occupational Therapy Congress (APOTC), originally to be held in Manila later this year but now rescheduled for November 2021, includes Celebration of Leadership, Service and Advocacy as one of the four streams in its scientific program. It is to be hoped that such recognition of the occupational therapist’s capacity to influence becomes more widespread; OTA will be working hard to ensure it does.
In a media release, the minister said the appointment of Dr Boxall “strengthens the Government’s focus on delivering major primary health care reforms for the benefit of all Australians”. Mr Hunt noted that: “Allied health professionals have essential roles in primary care and in the prevention, management and treatment of chronic disease across Australia, including in regional and rural areas. Australia’s 195,000 allied health professionals represent more than a quarter of the health workforce and deliver an estimated 200 million health services each year.” Dr Boxalll trained as a physiotherapist, has worked in the public and private sectors, and has undertaken extensive research in the field of health policy. Most recently, she has worked in high-level policy roles in the Australian Public Service. OTA has advocated for the creation of this position, believing it will ensure the needs of allied health professionals and their clients are brought to the attention of decision makers on an ongoing basis. Allied Health Professions Australia is also to be congratulated for its concerted advocacy on this issue. By bringing our influence to bear, and by working alongside other professions, OTA has helped ensure greater influence for allied health professionals into the future.
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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
Aged Care Quality and Safety: Innovation and Influence Carol Jewell, OTA Acting National Manager: Professional Practice and Development
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he Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s Interim Report has found the aged care system fails to meet the needs of its older, vulnerable citizens (RCAC, 2019). As a result, the aged care sector is embarking on a period of major change with new quality standards being introduced. These standards are expected to profoundly influence the way residential care is provided. They provide an excellent opportunity for us to use our expertise to shape and influence the quality and future of residential aged care. Conservative estimates indicate around half of the people living in aged care today have dementia, depression, or another mental health or behavioural condition (ABS, 2016). These factors have an enormous bearing on the health, wellbeing and quality of life of older people in residential aged care. Consequently, it is no surprise that occupational deprivation and social isolation are most often encountered in residential care (Petrova, 2018; ABS, 2016). Occupational therapists have a pivotal role to play in promoting and facilitating the mental health and wellbeing of older people. We are well versed in assisting older people overcome barriers to meaningful activity and participation—barriers that have a significant bearing on wellbeing, livelihood and quality of life (D’Amico et al., 2016; Mountain et al, 2016; DoH, 2019). We achieve this through our unique occupationally focused approach and through our contribution to the Better Access to Mental Health initiative. While our
role in aged care is highly sought after, our profession is profoundly under-represented in the residential aged care sector. We have the opportunity to show how our unique approach to care—together with our initiative, innovation and creative problem solving—can meet the challenges encountered in aged care. The planned changes in the aged care sector offer a great opportunity to increase our presence in residential care and provide much needed services (that are contemporary, evidencebased and fit for purpose now and into the future). To this end, the OTA National Aged Care Reference Group has vigorously contributed to the two RCAC submissions advocating for the role of occupational therapy. It has effectively outlined the gaps in aged care and identified opportunities for substantial improvement in the sector. OTA members working in the aged care sector have also represented the association in the National Aged Care Alliance (NACA). NACA’s standpoint is that the aged care sector should be driven primarily by the need to achieve optimal health and quality of life outcomes for older people. To achieve this, NACA has stipulated the need to get the right model of care with the right staffing levels, skills mix and capabilities into the aged care workforce. To create the impetus for change, the Australian Government Department of Health has funded an Aged Care Mental Health Workforce Training project. The
Occupational therapists have a pivotal role to play in promoting and facilitating the mental health and wellbeing of older people 8 otaus.com.au
Australian Psychology Association is leading this multidisciplinary project, and OTA is contributing through the Expert Reference Group. The project deliverables include the development of a comprehensive and innovative multimodal training program (outlined on the following page). A muchneeded program building workforce capability to support the mental health and wellbeing of older people in residential aged care facilities—a program that by nature is both innovative and influential. References D’Amico, M. L., Jaffe, L. E., & Gardner, J. A. (2018): Evidence for interventions to improve and maintain occupational performance and participation for people with serious mental illness: A systematic review. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy: Official Publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 72(5), 7205190020p1-25A. doi:10.5014/ajot.2018.033332 Department of Health (DoH) 2019. Better access to mental health care: fact sheet for professionals, retrieved from https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/ main/publishing.nsf/Content/mental-ba-fact-prof Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (RCAC), 2019. The Royal Commission into Aged Care and Safety: Interim Report. Retrieved from https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au/ news-and-media/royal-commission-aged-carequality-and-safety-interim-report-released Jackson, J., Carlson, M., Mandel, D., Zemke, R. and Clark, F. 1998: Occupation in Lifestyle Redesign: The Well Elderly Study Occupational Therapy Program. AJPT Vol 52, Pg. 326-336 doi:10.5014/ajot.52.5.326 Mountain, G., & Chatters, R. (2016). The “Lifestyle Matters” Study: Results From a Trial of an Occupational Therapy Lifestyle Intervention for Older Adults. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 70(4_ Supplement_1), 7011515242p1-7011515242p1 National Aged Care Alliance, 2004. Principles for Staffing Levels and Skills Mix in Aged Care Settings Petrova, S., 2018: Essential reading to get your head around Australia’s aged care crisis. Sept 17, 2018 The Conversation. Retreived from https:// theconversation.com/essential-reading-to-get-yourhead-around-australias-aged-care-crisis-103325
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
Aged Care Workforce: Innovation, Influence and Capability Development
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ith funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, the Australian Psychological Society has developed a series of online training modules, webinars and resources for the mental health workforce to support the provision of clinical mental health services for older people living in residential aged care. The funding forms part of the Australian Government’s commitment to spend $82.5 million over four years to provide mental health services for residents of aged care facilities who are at risk of, or diagnosed with, a mental health disorder who are currently ineligible to receive some Medicare rebated psychological services through the Better Access initiative.
Online Training The online training courses aim to enhance and up-skill clinicians in the provision of clinical mental health services for older people living in residential aged care facilities. The courses have been developed with input from a range of professional and consumer groups with expertise in aged care, and are available free of charge until 30 December 2020 to a number of health professionals including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, mental health nurses, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers. Two training courses will be available for nonmental health allied health workers (Training Course 1) and mental health professionals (Training Course 2). Currently Training Course 2, ‘Applied Mental Health in Residential Aged Care: Practical Program for Clinicians’ is available for registration encompassing four Modules equating to eight hours of Continuing Professional Development. A certificate is available upon completion of the training.
The modules include: • Module 1: Introduction to Ageing: Facts, Attitudes and Myths • Module 2: Aged Care and the Australian Residential Aged Care Environment • Module 3: Mental Health Issues of Older People Living in Residential Aged Care Facilities • Module 4: Evidence-based Treatments At completion of the course, participants should be able to: • Describe the typical trajectory of ageing and common physical/ functional, neuropsychological/ cognitive, and emotional changes that occur during late adulthood • Describe the broader aged care system and the application of the Aged Care Quality Standards within residential aged care • Understand the types of experiences older people transitioning into RACFs may have and name factors that may hinder or benefit transitions into residential care
• Apply ethical and legal standards with particular attention to ageingspecific issues such as informed consent, confidentiality, capacity/ competency, end-of-life decision making, and elder abuse and neglect
Webinars A series of webinars will be available free of charge to eligible health providers (including occupational therapists) who have registered for the online training courses. The webinars are intended to supplement the online training and build on specific mental health topics in more detail. They are additional (optional) resources for eligible health providers to engage with to further their knowledge in this specialty area. Upcoming webinars include: • Working with Older People with Dementia and Mental Illness • Aged Care and Ethics
• Identify mental health issues occurring in older people living in residential aged care settings, and the biopsychosocial factors involved in their development and maintenance • Demonstrate an understanding of the assessment of mental health of older people in residential aged care, including the appropriate use of screening and assessment tools • Identify evidence-based interventions for older people, including an understanding of appropriate modifications to accommodate the distinctive biopsychosocial functioning of older people
MORE INFORMATION
A web portal has been developed to provide access for eligible health professionals to the online training courses, webinars, and other useful resources for practitioners and consumers. For more information, visit: https://mhcareinracf.com.au/
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OTX U P D AT E
Adapting and Innovating the Virtual OT Exchange Anita Volkert and Liz Ainsworth, Virtual OT Exchange Co-Convenors
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ho knew there would be such disruption to our lives 12 months ago when Occupational Therapy Australia commenced planning the OT Exchange conference? With such a significant disruption this year, there have been challenges, positive change, and innovation to help deliver this enriching event. Planning for the Melbourne-based conference commenced late last year, but significant changes had to be quickly made with the intrusion of COVID-19 into our lives. The challenges included thinking through whether to proceed, and how we would still deliver an excellent event for all involved. At the start of March this year, the conference organising committee met to determine how to take the information online to support a high-quality conference with a range of speakers from around Australia. Discussion occurred about how guest speakers and presenters could deliver their own speeches, papers and posters, and still have opportunity to network with each other and with attendees.
Interesting new topics for papers have emerged as there has been extra time for occupational therapists to learn new information and skills
Similar conversations occurred about how sponsors and exhibitors would market their services and interact with occupational therapists attending the event. Importantly, there was consideration about how loss of referrals and income may affect the capacity of individuals and organisations to attend. Decisions were made to proceed, but to postpone the dates of the original event. This would enable more time to plan, to provide opportunity for therapists to submit abstracts that would showcase innovation and leadership during current changing times, and to allow more people to register and attend. With the new dates planned, it has emerged that there have been positive and unexpected benefits associated with the online format: • The Virtual OT Exchange has attracted submissions from international presenters who ordinarily would not be flying into the country to attend the event. • Interesting new topics for papers have emerged as there has been extra time for occupational therapists to learn new information and skills working in health systems and community services preparing for the pandemic and while working with people experiencing COVID-19. • The two co-convenors and members of the conference organising committee who are based in Australia and the UK have learnt that the world is getting smaller as they have used technology
Anita Volkert
Liz Ainsworth
continuously and successfully throughout this process, adapting to differences in time zones and skill levels of committee members using technology. • Committee members have been learning from their international contacts how to adapt conference activities to suit day long attendance as this method of conference delivery is progressively being adopted by other occupational therapy associations and other organisations around the world. • Presenters and committee members are learning how to use technology in new and innovative ways to develop high quality presentations and activities in preparation for the event. Consequently, at the conference, attendees will be introduced to virtual showbags, discussion rooms, and online social events. We are really excited about the upcoming conference, and while it is sad that we will not be in one venue together to network and socialise in person, we will be able to do this virtually,and creatively. See you online in September!
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A O TJ R E P O R T
Navigating the Challenges of a Rapidly Growing Evidence Base Professor Angus Buchanan, Head of School, Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology, Curtin University
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he Australian Occupational Therapy Journal provides evidence to support contemporary practice. How quickly does our practice need to change in response to these unprecedented times and new opportunities? As a profession, do we have the evidence to support the value of occupational therapy within these rapidly emerging opportunities? Between the time of writing this column and being read, it is hard to predict how many more significant events may occur that have impacted on us individually, our families, work places, and local and global societies. However, within the disruptive space there remains a constant need for evidence-based approaches that support health and social outcomes. The Social Research Centre1 COVID-19 Update stated, “It is a critical time to gather evidence to assist policy makers, health and human service providers, researchers, and program administrators in navigating during COVID-19 and beyond. Timely data on health, employment, education, resilience, well-being, financial status, stress, and family violence, for example, are essential for supporting informed decisions now and in the future.� If you conduct a quick online search regarding COVID-19 research, it will highlight the challenge of sorting through a rapidly growing evidence base. There are now
regular reports in the media of research that focus on areas such as unemployment, family and domestic violence, mental health, loneliness, financial stress, educational attainment, and community wellbeing. While none of these issues is new, COVID-19 has only exacerbated the situation for vulnerable people and brought a new reality for many who would never never considered themselves vulnerable. There are areas where COVID-19 has pushed current practice boundaries and opened opportunities to explore and develop evidence for practice. Beyond the current immediacy, over the coming years there will need to be significant exploration regarding the impact of COVID-19 on our lives and society, predominantly through the lens of health, economic, political and social impacts. The opportunity is also now open to the occupational therapy profession to evidence the impact of COVID-19 through the lens of occupation. Over the last three months I have been involved in discussions relating to practice innovations that include but are not limited to telehealth and its effectiveness across a range of practice areas. These areas include community and residential aged care, technology and communication, mental health, workplace and home office ergonomics, occupational justice and citizenship, and tertiary education delivery.
The sharing of new evidence to support practice is critical for the development of occupational therapy 12  otaus.com.au
While occupation will always remain at the core of the profession, occupational therapy has been characterised by its innovation in practice within emerging areas and environments. The ongoing strength of the profession will be its ability to rapidly adapt and change, and to deliver quality outcomes to consumers. The sharing of new evidence to support practice is critical for the development of occupational therapy. The development, recording and sharing of evidence is usually a collaboration of consumers, clinicians, and researchers. Opportunities exist on many levels to conduct research that will benefit the profession and its future development. These are generally characterised by strong mutually beneficial partnerships between services and universities and research centres, and result in jointly funded roles and clinical and community research projects via student and honours projects, higher degree studies and research grants. Importantly, this research is published in scholarly journals like AOTJ. If you have a great idea to research an innovative area of practice, reach out to your networks. All Occupational Therapy Australia members have access to the Journal via the Member Resources > Research Resources page on the OTA website. You also have reciprocal free access to the American, British, Canadian and New Zealand occupational therapy journals on that page. Watch this space as I hope we will see COVID-19 related research become available. Reference 1. https://www.srcentre.com.au/socialresearch-centre-covid-19-update
W F OT U P D AT E
WFOT Update Adam Lo, WFOT 1st Alternate Delegate
WFOT Congress Scientific Programme Committee The newly appointed WFOT Scientific Programme Committee has started to plan the call for papers for the 2022 WFOT Congress, expected to be available later in 2020. Following a successful Congress in 2018 in South Africa, the next WFOT International Congress and Exhibition will be held in Paris, France, from 27-30 March 2022. The theme is ‘Occupational R-Evolution’, and the program will feature leading experts, unique social events and an exhibition.
Associate Professor Elspeth Froude is also the Deputy Head of School of the Allied Health on the North Sydney and Strathfield campuses of the Australian Catholic University. Her research interests are in the area of working with children, cerebral palsy, autism, developmental coordination disorder and knowledge translation, as well as in the area of scholarship of learning and teaching in simulation.
The WFOT Congress Scientific Programme Committee will be chaired by one of our very own Australian occupational therapists, Associate Professor Elspeth Froude. Elspeth is the Head of Discipline in Occupational Therapy at the Australian Catholic University and is responsible for the national occupational therapy program across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.
Members of the Committee are made up of representatives from across the world: • • • • • • •
Dr. Elspeth Froude (Chair) Dr. Peter Bontje Dr. Tongai Chichaya Dr. Ana Malfitano Dr. Aliki Thomas Dr. Karen Liu Dr. Cynthia Engels
WFOT 2020 Council Meeting Further Postponed Until 2021 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 WFOT Council recently decided in an electronic vote to postpone the Council Meeting scheduled for August 2020 in Hong Kong. More information will be provided in the coming months about the date and location of the Council Meeting in 2021.
WFOT Human Resources Project
WFOT Statement on Systemic Racism
The Human Resources Project is undertaken every two years by WFOT and generates a vital data set of the global demographics of the occupational therapy profession. It is utilised by governments, the World Health Organization and other international stakeholders. The report of the WFOT Human Resources Project 2020 is now available on the WFOT website.
The WFOT Statement on Systemic Racism was published on 18 June 2020. WFOT has advocated for human rights since its inception in 1952. It condemns systemic racism and stands in solidarity with the global Black Lives Matter movement. WFOT recognises that systemic racism exists and needs to be addressed as a global priority.
REPORT LINK
https://www.wfot.org/resources/ occupational-therapy-humanresources-project-2020-alphabetical
MORE INFORMATION
Read the WFOT Statement on Systemic Racism and access the related resources here: https://wfot.org/news/2020/ wfot-statement-on-systemic-racism
WFOT Launches the Quality Evaluation Strategy Tool (QUEST) WFOT recently announced the introduction of the Quality Evaluation Strategy Tool (QUEST). This resource developed by WFOT enables occupational therapists to improve the quality and outcomes of their practice. QUEST describes a set of seven quality indicators applicable to all occupational therapy settings. Implementation of QUEST provides evidence and accountability of how occupational therapy advances health outcomes, enhances satisfaction and optimises the use of limited resources. Intended for use by occupational therapists, students, managers and funders, free QUEST resources available on the WFOT website include: • QUEST instructional guide (available in English, French, Spanish and German) • Instructional videos • Worksheets • Case studies MORE INFORMATION
For more information, please visit: https://www.wfot.org/quest
Coming Soon: Working with Displaced Persons Online Module A new WFOT education module will be offering an online learning opportunity for occupational therapists and other health professionals regarding working with people displaced by war, conflict or natural causes. The module uses case studies, narratives, and reflective learning activities to understand working with displaced people in a diversity of contexts and situations. REGISTER YOUR INTEREST
Visit the following link to obtain more information and register your interest: https://wfot.org/news/2020/occupationaltherapy-working-with-displaced-personsonline-module-coming-soon
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Healthy Mothers Healthy Families: Promoting Health and Wellbeing among Mothers of Children with a Disability Associate Professor Helen Bourke-Taylor, Monash University
Creating a Program for Mothers of Children with a Disability As an occupational therapist who worked with children with disabilities for many years, I was always so in awe of how well mothers managed. Mothers are usually the parent most knowledgeable in their child’s needs, organising services and providing the most substantial direct care. However, mothers experience much higher stress and may experience greater mental health disparity than fathers [2, 3].
O
ccupational therapists who work with children and young people with disabilities and their families are acutely aware of the responsibilities that parents shoulder in everyday life. Daily life may be packed with direct activities including helping with, or providing, personal care, setting up and using technology, and managing behaviour and sleep routines. [1] Other necessities such as transporting children, organising and liaising with therapists, doctors, teachers or the National Disability Insurance Scheme/ other insurers, and following up on the 14 otaus.com.au
all of recommendations and suggestions made by the child’s team, can make daily routines full and child focused. Further, more recent evidence-based interventions implemented by occupational therapists rely on a healthy, available and capable parent to engage with therapeutic programs such as coaching approaches, parent led approaches to increase the child’s participation, and management of behaviour or sensory differences. It isn’t difficult to understand why parents with such daily routines report higher stress than other parents.
Estimations of maternal depression and anxiety top 50 percent, and mothers also experience higher rates of other chronic health conditions [4]. Mothers attend education groups and interventions related to their child’s condition or needs or their own stress in much higher numbers than fathers [5]. Mothers prefer the company of other similar mothers because they relate and feel better supported by women who do not need an explanation about their life. Mothers are also underserved. While several service sectors could extend services towards mothers, mothers fall between the service sectors of disability (for their child and the focus for mothers), mental health or Medicare services (not enough time to access these services and not often recognised) and carer services (mothers most often reject the ‘carer’ role, identifying as a mother). Hence, Healthy Mothers Healthy Families (HMHF) was created to bring mothers together, and provide health and education to empower mothers towards changes in health and wellbeing.
F E AT U R E
What are the modules about?
• Physical activity: what’s essential and why.
Module 5: Active Healthy Mother
• Barriers to physical activity • Benefits to physical activity • Finding help to get your physical activity back on track
The modules have some great information! The contents is summarised in the table below:
• Phases that mothers identify with as they parent their child with a disability over time
Module 1: The Journey of Mothers
• Building a healthy body image. • You, your child and healthy eating. • You, your family and healthy eating.
• Suggestions about why self-care can be difficult at different phases and how to plan healthy change • Aspects of care and responsibilities that make mothering a child with a disability different to mothering typically developing children
• Overview of research findings about the health and wellbeing of mothers of children with a disability
Module 2: Health & Research Findings
• Health and lifestyle • Making healthy changes • Seeking professional support for health issues
• Stress and mental health: Research about mothers and how they feel.
Module 3: What Mothers Say About Stress
• Identifying the main issues that cause stress and compromise mental health. • Understanding your emotional wellbeing: When and how to help yourself.
• Finding inner and outer balance: suggestions for looking after yourself
Module 4: Healthy Mind Healthy Mother
Figure 1: Modules 1-4 Explore the program online
• You, food and healthy eating.
Module 6: Healthy Eating
• Strategies that help on an everyday basis • Making regular health promoting and social activities a part of your lifestyle.
→
Module 7: Bringing Support Around You and Your Family
• Overview of types and purpose of supports
Module 8: Managing Healthy Home Routines and Having Fun in the Community
• Understanding the complexities of families to be able to manage healthy changes
Module 9: Time-for-Me Planning
• Recognising the need for support.
Module 10: Managing and Staying Strong
• Bringing it all together—what was available in this site and how to use the information going forward
Figure 2: Modules 5-10 healthymothers-healthyfamilies.com Explore the program online
Healthy Mothers Healthy Families HMHF is an evidence-based program that is a day workshop for 10 to 20 mothers, or an online package for mothers to access. The HMHF program was created in 2011 in response to evidence that mothers had much higher mental health and other medical issues and that a workshop providing health information and helpdirecting elements may be useful. Since inception, the program has evolved to include mothers in co-design and co-delivery with 50 workshops reaching 800 women in Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania and Chicago, USA, between 2012 and 2020.
• Improving supports in your life • Bringing supports around you and your family
• Making family routines around health and wellbeing • Prioritising activities that lead to balance • Having fun in the community
• Managing resources and support • Learning about needs and finding the expert to help
• Building resilience: self- care and nourishing yourself • Top tips to stay focused on healthy lifestyle design.
→
healthymothers-healthyfamilies.com
The HMHF program has been evaluated and effectively increases health promoting behaviour, improves positive wellbeing and empowerment while reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress [6, 7]. Further research is in press supporting the effectiveness of HMHF. Since the online e-learning package was launched during COVID-19 stage 3 restrictions in Australia, over 2000 people have accessed the site, with each of the videos of mothers watched over 1000 times. The e-learning package is explained above .
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How Can Occupational Therapists Better Support Parents?
The areas are for emotional wellbeing, physical activity and healthy eating. Videos are available from a counsellor, physiotherapist, and dietitian for ideas.
HMHF is specifically designed for mothers. However, occupational therapists can play a part in alleviating parental stress and supporting the health and wellbeing of parents in several ways. Remain family focused in all interactions by asking yourself:
a. Suggestions include spending time with a supportive friend and avoiding people who may be contributing to stress (emotional wellbeing), sitting less and walking more (physical activity), drinking less coffee and more green tea (healthy eating).
• What do I need to learn about wellbeing and promoting healthy activities for mothers who prioritise others and have very little time? • How can I create a therapeutic environment that fosters empathy, understanding and communication between myself and the family when my primary focus is their child? • What is the best, most effective and least time and resource-consuming option available to this child and family at this time? • How can I promote shared responsibility among important people in this child’s life? • What can I do to direct this parent and the family to find supports and services that will enable health and wellbeing?
Using the Healthy Mothers Healthy Families Program to Better Support Mothers HMHF is a freely available online learning resource for occupational therapists to share with mothers of children with disabilities. As the author and an occupational therapist with substantial experience working with mothers, I recommend the best entry points into the HMHF site are as follows: 1. Viewing the video stories of six mothers. These vignettes are inspiring and may motivate mothers. Everyone needs to connect with hope to achieve better health and plan how to get there. 2. Suggesting the ‘little changes’ activity for mothers. This activity involves setting goals for small changes within the week and asks mothers what they can do more of and what they can do less of this week. 16 otaus.com.au
3. Providing access to the Health Promoting Activities Scale. These self-selected occupations—whether about organising a healthy schedule, being social, active, creative, spiritual or just taking time out—are the keys to better health and wellbeing for all of us. 4. Directing mothers to view the introduction module to see if any content piques their interest. There is no hurry. There is no cost. There is no pressure. Sometimes just knowing that a resource is available when the time is right is enough to support mothers. Let mothers know they have complete control over what they read and explore on the site. There are many ways for occupational therapists to support mothers to participate in occupations and daily routines that promote health and wellbeing. As an expert in the team of professionals providing occupational therapy for local children and families in your area, other ideas may come to mind. Use your creativity and connections to share the assets and opportunities available in your community. Could you gather information on support groups, organisations or community leisure and health programs and provide them in waiting rooms or as part of a welcome to therapy at your practice? How about keeping a bowl of free herbal teas or fresh fruit on the registration desk of your practice? A little bit of help or advice could make a huge difference to a mother who is ready for changes to her own health and wellbeing.
Balance is achievable for mothers with time, education, planning and the right supports. In the near future, a new section for professionals will open in the HMHF site. This will include education and training and provision of tools for health professionals to use when working with mothers. You can register your interest under the “For Professionals” tab on the website. About the Author Helen Bourke-Taylor is the author of HMHF, an associate professor at Monash University and a Fellow of the Occupational Therapy Australia Research Academy. MORE INFORMATION
To find out more, visit: healthymothers-healthyfamilies.com References 1. Bourke-Taylor, H., Howie, L., and Law, M. Impact of caring for a school-aged child with a disability: Understanding mothers’ perspectives. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 2010. 57(2): p. 127-136 2. Bourke-Taylor, H., et al., Self-reported mental health of mothers with a school-aged child with a disability in Victoria: A mixed method study. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 2012. 48(2): p. 153-159 3. Marquis, S.M., McGrail, K. and Hayes, M., Mental health of parents of children with a developmental disability in British Columbia, Canada. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 2020. 74(2): p. 173 4. Brehaut, J.C.P., et al., Health Among Caregivers of Children With Health Problems: Findings From a Canadian Population-Based Study. American Journal of Public Health, 2009. 99(7): p. 1254-62 5. Da Paz, N.S. and Wallander, J.L., Interventions that target improvements in mental health for parents of children with autism spectrum disorders: A narrative review. . Clinical Psychology Review, 2017. 15(4): p. 1-14 6. Bourke-Taylor, H. and Jane, F. Mothers’ experiences of a women’s health and empowerment program for mothers of a child with a disability. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2018. 48(6): p. 2174-2186 7. Bourke-Taylor, H.M., Jane, F. and Peat, J. Healthy Mothers Healthy Families Workshop Intervention: A Preliminary Investigation of Healthy Lifestyle Changes for Mothers of a Child with a Disability. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2019. 49(3): p. 935-949
F E AT U R E
Supporting the Transport Needs of Children with Disability Helen Lindner, CEO and Founder of Mobility and Accessibility for Children in Australia
D
uring this unusual period of COVID-19, I have found myself returning to comforting rituals, like going for long walks, cooking family favourites and dusting off the jigsaw puzzles. Last weekend as I attempted my third 1000-piece puzzle—the challenging one with all the blue sky—I reflected on why I am drawn to puzzles and the similarities to my work. It was this same attraction that led me to step out of my executive role at VicRoads last year to return to an earlier, unfinished and most complex puzzle, to address the challenges of supporting the transport needs of children with disability.
‘Why?’ and ‘Why Can’t We?’ ‘Why?’ and ‘Why can’t we?’ are two of my favourite questions. In 2009 I started working in road safety to implement the Child Restraint Road Rules in Victoria. Having spent most of my career in the early childhood sector, I was alarmed to find that the rights of children with disability (including medical conditions) were not being considered with the road rule changes. I was surprised by the lack of research, and that there was very little information available for parents and allied health professionals. I also discovered that child restraints for children with disability, known as special purpose child restraints, did not comply with Australian standards, and as a community we knew nothing about their safety. Why was no one considering the road safety needs of children with disability?
Dan and his daughter, Fleur, getting ready to head off to school.
If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you—Steve Jobs CONNECTIONS SPRING 2020 17
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MACA is confident that this is one puzzle we can solve—as we are working in collaboration with families, health professionals, industry, researchers, and government—which is where all good innovation starts Children with disability are particularly vulnerable road users. Research shows they face an increased risk of injuries and fatalities in a crash compared to other children. A literature review in 2019 reflected little change in how children with disability are being transported since a previous review in 2001, noting that “children with disabilities continue to be inappropriately restrained in vehicles, constituting an ongoing road safety problem”. Research (2013) also shows that 74% of children with autism escape their child restraint, and more than 20% of parents report their child demonstrates aggressive or self-injurious behaviour during travel, affecting their safety and that of others. 2 What I quickly found back in 2009, is that I was not the only person asking questions. Soon a stakeholder partnership was formed, known as the Transportation of Children and Youth with Additional Needs (TOCAN). TOCAN was instrumental during 2009 to 2015 in influencing national policy, practice and knowledge relating to the transport of children with disability. TOCAN partners initiated and conducted the review (2013) of the Australian/New Zealand Standard 4370 Restraint of Children with Disabilities, or Medical Conditions, in Motor Vehicles and led research (2012) to understand the knowledge of, and challenges faced by, occupational therapists.
This research found that: • Occupational therapists do not have access to the information they need to assess the car seating/transport needs of children with disability • 61% do not have access to AS/NZS 4370 • 79.5% make car seating recommendations in response to children’s behavioural challenges It was through this partnership approach that I gained government support to lead a safety review of special purpose child restraints. We crash tested the nine restraints available (2012) and three failed, one significantly. The outcomes of this work informed the Victorian Government’s contribution funding towards special purpose child restraints until the introduction of the NDIS.
Establishing MACA I established Mobility and Accessibility for Children in Australia Inc. (MACA) in 2019. MACA aims to address the gaps in Australia between policy, research and practice relating to the transport of children with disability. MACA’s vision is that every Australian child has access to safe and equitable transport, regardless of circumstance. Today, many of the original TOCAN members are working with MACA—with a deep commitment to tackle and close the systemic gaps that continue to disadvantage children with disability.
We know that to achieve our vision, MACA needs to not only respond to the current situation, but to reimagine and promote new ideas, thinking and innovations that meet the transport needs of children with disability into the future. Our timing could not be better as transport services and products are evolving at a rate unseen since the introduction of the automobile at the turn of last century. With the emergence of automated vehicles and increasing technology capabilities, it is possible to design transport responses that meet the needs of all road users.
NDIA Grant MACA has been funded (2019-2022) by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to deliver a National Information Resource supporting the rights of all children to safe and accessible transport and participation in community life. MACA will: • Develop a ‘one stop shop’ website, with trusted and reliable information (available early 2021) • Work with health professionals to support best-practice approaches • Work with transport regulators and disability organisations to support informed development of inclusive strategies, policies and practices • Provide an expert support service for families of children with disability and health professionals (scheduled for mid 2021) • Progress the evidence base by working with leading research organisations, including Curtin University and Monash University Emerging Technologies Research Lab • Raise awareness of the needs of children with disability for safe transport
MACA’s vision is that every Australian child has access to safe and equitable transport, regardless of circumstance 18 otaus.com.au
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Fleur with her sister Eva
We know allied health professionals find it difficult to access up to date information that gives assurance that transport recommendations meet best practice and legal requirements. MACA will take the hard work out of this by providing a ‘one-stop-shop’ website where you can access all the information you need to support you in your work, in line with AS/ NZS 4370:2013 and legal requirements. The website will include information on products, cases studies and best-practice approaches. We will also be providing an expert support service and training for allied health professionals to support you in your important role (available from late 2021).
What Else is MACA Working On? MACA is collaborating on a range of other activities, including: Safety Assessment Program MACA is seeking funding to develop a sustainable safety assessment program for special purpose child restraints. This program is important in ensuring the safety of products used by children with disability.
Car Seating for Children in Hip Spicas/Hip Braces MACA is seeking to understand the current challenges in managing the transport needs of children in hip spicas. We are working with allied health professionals in the hospital setting, universities and families. Our aim is to progress the evidence base and develop information resources and services that support families in accessing suitable child restraint systems.
Help Us Develop Information Resources MACA, together with Curtin University, has developed a survey to understand the experiences, perceptions and knowledge of those involved in, or responsible for, the transport of children with disability and/ or medical conditions; and to evaluate the effectiveness of MACA’s information resource. The national survey is aimed at:
Restrictive Practice
• Parents/guardians
MACA has undertaken a review of online information relating to restrictive practice and transport and it is clear that states and territories are varied in their current approach, advice and information. The confusion relating to the use of accessories in motor vehicles (e.g. buckle covers) is also contributed to by the differences in transport and disability legislation in each jurisdiction.
• Health professionals
MACA is working with regulators and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission to support the harmonisation of legislation and the development of consistent information.
• Organisations/government representatives To complete this survey and help MACA develop much needed information resources, visit: http://bit.ly/macasurvey MACA is confident this is one puzzle we can solve—as we are working in collaboration with families, health professionals, industry, researchers and government, which is where all good innovation starts.
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About the Author
References 1. Angela Downie, Angela Chamberlain, Rebecca Kuzminski, Sharmila Vaz, Belinda Cuomo & Torbjörn Falkmer (2019): Road vehicle transportation of children with physical and behavioural disabilities: A literature review, Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, DOI:10.1080/11038128.2019.1578408
In 2019, Helen Lindner founded MACA—Mobility and Accessibility for Children in Australia Inc. A natural innovator and collaborator, Helen has worked in road safety and the transport sector for the past decade. As MACA’s CEO, Helen continues to advocate for the rights of children with disability to access safe and equitable transport.
2. Janell Yonkman, Bryanna Lawler, Judith Talty, Joseph O’Neil and Marilyn Bull (2013): Safely Transporting Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evaluation and Intervention. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 67, 711-716. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ ajot.2013.008250 3. Baker, A., Galvin, J., Vale, L. and Lindner, H. Restraint of children with additional needs in motor vehicles: Knowledge and challenges of paediatric occupational therapists in Victoria, Australia. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 2012, 59(1), 17-22
FOLLOW MACA
For more information, follow MACA on LinkedIn (search for MACA Inc.) or contact Helen Lindner helen@macahub.org or Lisa Vale (Principal Occupational Therapist) lisa@macahub.org
TRAUMA EDUCATION
Unpack, Unfold and Go
with Dr Leah Giarratano
This portable fold up scooter gives you the convenience and freedom to get around. 8 Luggie models to choose from including: • Wide track version for more stability • Soft suspension and pneumatic tyres for a softer, smoother ride.
These two acclaimed, highly practical, evidence-based workshops will underpin your clinical practice in this field for both adult and adolescent populations. Each attracts 14 CPD hours and are endorsed by AASW, ACA & ACMHN in Australia.
Treating PTSD ( Day 1-2) Highly practical (case-based) for treating traumatised clients. Techniques are cognitive behavioural, evidence-based, and will be immediately useful and effective for your clinical practice.
Treating Complex Trauma ( Day 3-4) Based on phase-based treatment for adult survivors of child abuse and neglect. Incorporates practical, current experiential techniques showing promising results with this population. You must have first completed Day 1-2 to attend Day 3-4.
Offered in Adelaide, Auckland, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney
Leah Giarratano is a clinical psychologist with clinical and teaching expertise in traumatology.
To register, please visit www.talominbooks.com 20 otaus.com.au
Online sales & free delivery*
1300 622 633
www.scootersAus.com.au *Conditions apply.
SCA34422 Scooters General OT_Oz_119x87mmW_REVISED_2.indd 1
SCA34422_R_2
3/7/20 3:26 pm
OT WEEK
OT Week 2020: Supporting Our Communities to Rebuild, Recover, and Reengage
D
uring OT Week we celebrate occupational therapy and promote the many ways occupational therapists help all people to reach their potential. OT Week coincides with World Occupational Therapy Day on 27 October and in 2020 our local OT Week will be held from 26 October to 1 November. Last year we reflected on and promoted the value of occupational therapy. Out in the community, we are often asked, “What is occupational therapy?” which is why we highlighted how occupational therapists work to support all people to engage in activities they find meaningful. Through the hashtag of #ThisIsOT, people shared stories from their occupational therapy journey, learnings to offer, team photos, information on their practice area, and why they love OT. Together, we created a visual dictionary of occupational therapy in action—and we want to expand that even further in 2020.
OT Week 2020 Given the recent onset of droughts, bushfires, and the global pandemic, in 2020 our OT Week theme is: Resilience: Supporting our communities to rebuild, recover, and reengage. This year the event not only shines a spotlight on the value of occupational therapy in our communities, but also serves as a call to arms to support those hardest hit.
In supporting people to participate in activities they find meaningful, occupational therapists are vital in helping our communities through disaster recovery. As disaster survivors reengage in disrupted occupations (such as daily routines, activities and employment), they can better cope with stress and be supported through their recovery. In 2020 we are hosting an interactive online event on 27 October. The event will feature a selection of thought leaders to discuss and promote resilience in our communities. The panel will be broadcast throughout the day, followed by breakout networking sessions where attendees can connect and discuss the concepts explored amongst each other and with prominent occupational therapists. More information will be released here: https://www.otaus.com.au/otweek In support of the resilience theme, we have professionally designed a poster which can be lifted out of the centre of this magazine, or downloaded as a PDF here: https://www.otaus. com.au/otweek. We encourage members to display the poster in offices, waiting rooms, classrooms and elsewhere to help promote the positive impact of occupational therapy in our communities.
How You Can Get Involved • Download our free OT Week Resources Pack: https://www.otaus.com.au/otweek – Access social media graphics, email signatures and more – Browse our range of exclusive OT Week 2020 merchandise • Join us online at the official OT Week 2020 breakfast event on 27 October • Holding a local OT Week event? Email us with your event details to be included on the OTA website: info@otaus.com.au • Start conversations with your communities about occupational therapy and fostering resilience through recent challenges • Join the conversation on social media – Share updates and photos and tag them with #ThisIsOT and #OTWeek2020 • After your local event, send your photos to info@otaus.com.au to be included in our OT Week 2020 wrap-up
CONNECTIONS SPRING 2020 21
CPD CALENDAR
CPD Calendar September – November 2020
Please note: The information below is correct at the time of printing, and is subject to change given the evolving situation with COVID-19.
Workshops – Online DATE
COURSE
10-11 September
Professional & Clinical Supervision
12 October
Home Modifications: Introduction
13 October
Home Modifications: Advanced
14 October
Home Modifications: Bathrooms
15, 23, 31 October
OT with Children: Principles of Assessment & Intervention
4-5 November
Leadership for Health Professionals
eLearning – Live Webinars DATE COURSE 30 September Understanding Stroke Recovery: From Knowing to Doing 8 October
Positive Behaviour Support and Participation Following Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
16, 23, 30 October
Occupational Therapy in Pressure Injury Assessment and Management
21 October
Narrative Storytelling: Facilitating Positive Identity Growth
27 Oct, 24 Nov, 15 Dec
teapOT talk: Aged Care [Series]
ELEARNING – RECORDED (CPD LIBRARY) Have you browsed the online library of CPD opportunities? Explore a range of topics to support your learning, including the following areas of practice. Visit www.otaus.com.au/cpd to find out more. NATIONAL CONFERENCE EVENTS 14-15 September 2020 Virtual OT Exchange 2020 – Online 16 November 2020
OT Mental Health Forum [Melbourne, Vic] – Hybrid
23-25 June 2021
OTA 29th National Conference and Exhibition 2021 [Cairns, QLD] – Hybrid
24 otaus.com.au
CPD CALENDAR
To support clinical decision-making, continued learning and professional engagement, OTA offers a range of evidence-based CPD webinars, workshops and online resources. To browse and register for upcoming CPD events, visit: otaus.com.au/cpd Thank you for your understanding and please check online for the most up-to-date listings.
AREA OF PRACTICE
INTERESTED
REGISTERED
INTERESTED
REGISTERED
Leadership/Management, Non Clinical Professional Development Assistive Technology, Modifications/Access, NDIS Practice Assistive Technology, Modifications/Access, NDIS Practice Assistive Technology, Modifications/Access, NDIS Practice Paediatrics Leadership/Management, Non Clinical Professional Development
AREA OF PRACTICE Neurological Conditions Neurological Conditions Older Adult Care, Palliative Care and Oncology, Disability, Assistive Technology, Acute Care Rehab/Hospital Care Neurological Conditions, Rehabilitation, Disability, Carer/Consumer Focus Research and Education
• Acute Care Rehab/Hospital • Cultural Competency • Disability • Foundation Skills • Hand Therapy • Knowledge Translation • Leadership/Management • Mental Health • NDIS • Neurological Conditions • Older Adult Care • Paediatrics • Palliative Care and Oncology • Policy and Process • Private Practice • Rehabilitation • Research/Education AREA OF PRACTICE Driving, Environmental Modifications, Knowledge Translation, Paediatrics and Rehabilitation
INTERESTED
REGISTERED
Mental Health All Areas of Occupational Therapy
CONNECTIONS SPRING 2020 25
F E AT U R E
Reflections on the Impact of a Role-Emerging Placement on Student Learning: A Community Aged Care Experience Amelia Di Tommaso & Jacqui Broadbridge, Lecturers in the Discipline of Occupational Therapy, Griffith University
T
he hallmark of the Griffith University Occupational Therapy program is the occupational focus. Students concentrate on understanding humans as occupational beings, and the relationship between occupation and health. To this end, students explore topics such as occupational science, the history and development of occupational therapy, the complex nature of human occupation, the impact of illness and contextual issues on occupation, health and wellbeing, methods of assessing occupation, and approaches to enhancing occupational performance and engagement. The program aim is to enable students to become occupation-centred, theorydriven, evidence-based and clientcentred occupational therapists, able to practise in current, emerging and future settings, to enhance the health and wellbeing of individuals, communities and populations through occupation. In addition to the courses taught, practice education provides students further opportunity to embed and apply their knowledge and skills. Practice education provides a critical and potentially transformative experience in the education of student occupational therapists. By connecting theory and
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practice, students realise the emergence of professional skills and identity with the profession that lies ahead.1 In recent years, role-emerging placements have become increasingly prominent in occupational therapy education.2 Given the changing job market, graduates will work in health and social care settings, but an increasing number will create new roles to address some of the major issues impacting Australia and other areas of the world. In preparing students for emerging and future places of employment, every student in the Griffith University program completes a role-emerging placement within their third year of study. The focus of this placement is to develop, implement and pilot/evaluate an intervention related to an occupational issue, in an area and setting where occupational therapy does not have a well-established or traditional role. This model requires students to use their initiative and employ a process
whereby they come to understand the organisation, identify the contribution that an occupational perspective might make, and then plan, develop and implement an intervention for groups, communities or populations depending on the setting. In line with the program philosophy, there are opportunities within this placement to embed occupation-centred practice,3 raise the profile of occupational therapy in the local community and to expose students to emerging future roles. To share the positive innovations that role-emerging placements can have on a service, and the impactful and transformative nature of these placements on students’ learning and skills, we share the experience of one of our graduates and her reflections of her role-emerging placement within a national aged and community care service provider on the Gold Coast in Queensland.
In recent years, role-emerging placements have become increasingly prominent in occupational therapy education
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A Graduate’s Perspective: Reflections on a Role-Emerging Placement Tiffany Chan, Occupational Therapist
Overview of the Placement Students are usually allocated placements in pairs, using a collaborative placement model, and are linked with an onsite hosting agency supervisor as well as an off-site university practice educator, implementing a long-arm supervision model. Students attend the setting two days per week for twelve weeks, have weekly supervision meetings with their practice educator, and attend university-based workshops at key points, prior to and over the duration of the twelve-week period. Together with a co-requisite course providing content for working with groups, communities and populations, students are provided multiple supports in what is often seen as a more challenging placement.2 Hosted by an aged care service provider, Tiffany Chan, explored the nature of how service users were assessed as they entered the community-based in-home care program. Using an occupational perspective and guided by the Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and the Canadian Practice Process Framework, Tiffany uncovered that leisure occupations were often missed from aspects of the care provided, and enhancements could be made to increase the occupational focus of the organisation. As a result of this placement, the organisation has enhanced its information gathering of clients’ areas of interests and care needs, integrating this into its national service provision, forming part of its admission processes and building staff capacity to incorporate meaningful leisure occupations with clients.
In my third year of study, I completed a role-emerging placement with the support of on-site supervisors (two registered nurses) and my practice educator from university. Although this was a challenging placement, I am grateful for the experience I gained and the skills I learned, which I use in my practice today. A major difference (from more traditional practice education) was that early in the placement I had to collaborate with many people to establish an occupational issue, rather than identify occupational issues with an individual client. In working collaboratively with the stakeholders (including the service manager and coordinators, personal care workers, nurses, service users, intake officers and other support workers) in the organisation, I had to use varying communication techniques and data gathering methods. These included informal and formal interviews, developing surveys and completing presentations during the placement. From these key communication strategies I was able to identify an occupational issue and develop an intervention plan.
Griffith University graduate Tiffany Chan in her role-emerging placement.
Although this was a challenging placement, I am grateful for the experience I gained and the skills I learned, which I use in my practice today
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Role-emerging placements hold the potential to make lasting impacts on the health and wellbeing of individuals, communities and populations During the placement, I learned about project management, and used these principles to plan my time and the tasks I was required to complete over the twelveweeks. I conducted a literature review and reviewed the available research which focused on service users’ participation and engagement in leisure occupations in aged care and community health services. I supplemented the literature review with an audit of the services provided to service users, which allowed me to understand the service from multiple perspectives. While the service users predominantly used the social support services to go shopping, attend medical appointments and complete their personal banking, I identified the potential enhancement or value-add to the service using an occupational lens. I found there was opportunity for the service users to increase engagement in leisure occupations. After identifying this service enhancement, I was able to develop a suite of materials to educate and promote the importance of, and participation and engagement in, leisure occupations, which in turn benefits social and mental health and wellbeing.4 With input from key stakeholders, I developed a client-centred and leisure-based Leisure Toolkit. The toolkit included an ‘About Me’ form, which was designed to allow intake and support workers to understand the service user as an occupational being, and identify areas for group-based leisure opportunities if applicable; the Leisure Occupation Checklist, an evidence-informed proforma for a wide range of leisure occupations that can form the basis of an individualised
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leisure engagement plan; and evaluation surveys. The aim of adding this Leisure Toolkit into the initial assessment process was to assist care workers to obtain further information about clients’ leisure experiences and preferences, allow for community connections, and engage clients in their chosen and meaningful leisure occupations during the service period. Feedback on the use of the Toolkit was favourable. Following the placement, aspects of the Leisure Toolkit were adapted by the organisation for use nationally, with the Toolkit used as part of intake and service support planning.
The Impact of Role-Emerging Placement in the Workforce Reflecting on my experience of a roleemerging placement, there were many skills I acquired that I use in my practice as an occupational therapist. There were many benefits and areas of learning that I have taken from this experience, both professionally and personally, including increased confidence in my skills and abilities, working in teams, developing professional resources, time management and communication skills, and increased application of professional reasoning and evidence-based practice. Crucially, this experience enabled me to develop a critical understanding of my profession and our role within social care and emerging settings. Today I am proud that I am an occupational therapist as we have so much to offer in emerging practice settings. I hope my experience will inspire future graduates to work in emerging practice settings, as I have chosen to do, and continue to advocate for our profession and the occupational perspective!
Future Impact Role-emerging placements hold the potential to make lasting impacts on the health and wellbeing of individuals, communities and populations. They allow students to deepen their understanding of the impact of the profession, and to make innovative contributions. Most remarkably, students can create a considered approach to working with diverse client groups in diverse and emerging settings, and in doing so consider areas of potential practice as they emerge as future professionals. About the Authors Dr Amelia Di Tommaso is a Lecturer in the Discipline of Occupational Therapy at Griffith University. Jacqui Broadbridge is a Lecturer (Practice Education) in the Discipline of Occupational Therapy at Griffith University. Tiffany Chan is an Occupational Therapist and Gold Coast & Northern NSW Team Leader at Australian Health Professionals, and also works at Gold Coast Private Hospital. References 1. Sylvia Rodger, Cate Fitzgerald, Wendy Davila, Frances Millar and Heather Allison, What Makes a Quality Occupational Therapy Practice Placement? Students’ and Practice Educators’ Perspectives. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal 58, no. 3 (2011): 195-202. https://doi. org/10.1111/j.1440-1630.2010.00903.x 2. Matthew Lau, and Michael Ravenek, The Student Perspective on Role-Emerging Fieldwork Placements in Occupational Therapy: A Review of the Literature, The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy 7, no. 3 (2019): 1-21. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.1544 3. Heather Hunter, and Anita Volkert, Issues and Challenges of Role-Emerging Placements. World Federation of Occupational Therapists Bulletin 73, no. 1 (2017): 57-65. https://doi.org/ 10.1080/14473828.2016.1162485 4. Neda Agahi, Merril Silverstein and Marti G. Parker. Late-Life and Earlier Participation in Leisure Activities: Their Importance for Survival among Older Persons. Activities, Adaptation & Aging 35, no. 3 (2011): 210-22. https://doi.org/1 0.1080/01924788.2011.596758
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Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy: Innovative Practice at the Farm Sarah Munn, Director at Barefoot Therapists
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ural, outdoor, nature and animal focused therapy programs are emerging stronger than ever and becoming more popular in education and health settings. We have been running outdoor programs since 2012 and equineassisted therapy programs for the last six years, with returning clients suggesting this service is valued by the local community with referrals from schools, therapy professionals, GPs, paediatricians and psychologists. It seems to be a time when occupational therapists are seeking more authentic positions and evidence-based interventions with a non-clinical feel. Innovative practices do not only need to be in technology or cutting-edge science. Sometimes it is about delivering hands on programs with a desire to work in settings other than the clinical, educational and medical environments. Maybe we are getting back to our roots through innovation. Therapists are seeking positions in forwardthinking organisations where work-life balance and a view of trees from the office window is possible. Across the workforce, people are looking at the environments in which they spend much of their week, and occupational therapists like myself have gone back to our holistic roots to address function over pathology. We do this with the science and theoretical approaches in our heads, and feeling and compassion in our hearts. And better still, with a tree in the background and a pony in the stable.
The NDIS has also given clients more choice and created new opportunities for them to consider to reach their therapy and participation goals in ways that are motivating and engaging
Individual clients and families are also looking for a new kind of service delivery. They are better informed than ever and want to choose from a full smorgasbord of previously unavailable options. The NDIS has also given clients more choice and created new opportunities for them to consider to reach their therapy and participation goals in ways that are motivating and engaging. The general perception in the community about equine-assisted interventions is that they are effective for children and adults with a whole range of health, emotional and functional concerns. We hear more and more in the media about the benefits of horses for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, mental health issues and trauma. Horses have been assisting us with hippotherapy and psychodynamic trauma sensitive interventions for decades, but it is still not common in occupational
therapy practice in general, and the evidence base from the research literature worldwide is confused and not very robust. Mainly, I think this is because of the interchanging terminology around what kind of intervention it is, and if the therapy is provided by therapists or non-therapists. In Australia there is an increasing amount of services cropping up calling themselves equine therapy. But again, with a range of labels from equine-assisted therapy to equine-facilitated learning, it is hard to know at face value what it actually is. Some models have two facilitators, one being a mental health practitioner and the other being a horse handler. Others have just one person, often a horse person, not a registered therapist. Psychotherapists and counsellors are providing services, as are unqualified facilitators, with only a smattering of registered therapists and
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Doing therapy differently: Sarah Munn (occupational therapist) and Star with Ike.
a handful of occupational therapists, most of whom use the hippotherapy (mounted) approaches where the evidence is stronger for the physical dysfunction population (e.g. cerebral palsy).
though, there can be no better marriage for an occupational therapist who is also an experienced horse person to build an equineassisted therapy practice. It is motivating both for the therapist and the client.
Having said all that, any activity can be used in occupational therapy, and farmbased activities and animal care are no exception. If we approach it as a range of tasks and activities relating to hobbies and vocational work, then it provides us with a lot of flexibility and great engagement. As long as the insurance is in place, and our skillset is clear and established, it is possible.
I like to think children with, say autism or down syndrome for example, will not spend their childhoods in clinics, special schools and hospitals to get practical help on their
We also need to work within our scope of practice, which can make this a difficult juggle if we mix a registered profession with an unregistered sector. In my mind
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goals to wellbeing, independent living and lifelong learning. I hope they can find engaging and interesting places to attend therapy that will provide opportunities for vocational work in the future—so this is what we have developed. I have taught plenty of girls to braid and plait their hair on a pony’s mane, and the chopping board and knife for the horse’s carrots can be more interesting than being in the kitchen.
We find many opportunities for communication, social thinking and building relationships with our quirky horses
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Initially this was why I was driven to include horses in my practice. I wanted to get some of our clients out of the clinic environment and back into nature and the garden. What started as a desire to let the kids do some gardening and brush the pony in my back yard or give it a carrot, soon opened a pandora’s box of insurance, risk and competency issues. I pushed on and found the most suitable training I could locally at the time. However, this was not targeted at therapists and I had to adapt a good deal of what I had learned to fit in with the therapy process. Since then, I have developed a skilled team including occupational therapy, speech pathology and psychology. I offer mentoring, coaching and training to other therapists to try to enhance this area in a safe, competent and responsible manner. I have to say, it is the hardest work I have ever done. To be aware of both the child’s and horse’s processes, behaviours and abilities requires focus, attention and intuition from the therapist on top of the evidence-based practice we are weaving into husbandry and horse training activities to assist kids and families to reach their goals. Not all of the horses are perfect, in fact none of them are, and this is a benefit to the children and families who work with them. We find many opportunities for communication, social thinking and building relationships with our quirky horses. On the farm or in the stables, there are many opportunities for gross and fine motor activities, and tasks that require cognitive processing and organisational skills to be assessed and developed. We have seen hundreds of children with autism spectrum disorder, the majority of whom also had anxiety as a reason for referral, and this environment offers a rich sensory experience where kids can learn to self-regulate and manage their emotions and responses. At Barefoot we believe all qualified and registered allied health professionals can provide clinical expertise in a relaxed and natural environment, which can foster friendships and develop a strong work ethic or focus on hobbies and skills. Barefoot now offers courses to help therapists with an interest in this field because
we need to be building safe and effective interventions if horses are included in activities, and there is no blueprint for this. It is certainly not covered in our undergraduate studies and there is little official postgraduate training available for occupational therapists. To develop a strong evidence-based practice and good reputation in the clinical field, things must be set up correctly from the start. To work with horses and humans together requires significant experience in therapy and equine skills. The humans enabling this partnership require techniques to maintain the horse’s enjoyment and positive engagement in the work. Therapists working in this field often need guidance and structure to set up their practice safely and utilise their core professional skills utilising evidencebased practice developed initially for clinical application. Equine services are expensive to establish, but once the client base has been identified and the environment is set up, you are halfway there. About the Author Sarah Munn graduated in 1996 with a BHSc (Hons) working in community paediatrics before moving to Australia in 2004. Sarah was an OT Manager and Paediatric OT when her first child was born with Trisomy 21 (down syndrome) in 2009. Her second child was born a year later and was later diagnosed with anxiety, ASD, ODD and ADHD. Sarah established her private practice Barefoot Therapists in 2012 which provides OT, speech pathology and psychology at its Barefoot Child and Family Centre on the Mornington Peninsula. MORE INFORMATION
For more information, contact Sarah at sarah@barefoottherapists.com.au or visit barefoottherapists.com.au
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To work with horses and humans together requires significant experience in therapy and equine skills
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Innovating during COVID-19: A Tele-Wheelchair Educational Video to Enable Occupational Participation for People Living with Acquired Brain Injury Ana Brown, Lead Allied Health Researcher at Independent Rehabilitation Services
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he ramifications of a social lockdown have been devastating—emotionally, physically and mentally for all, particularly those living with disability. It only magnified the unconscious privilege of the able-bodied members of society who have been scrambling for essentials at the supermarket. Most people who are not healthcare workers wouldn’t consider how people living with acquired brain injury in the community are going to safely buy their groceries during a social lockdown, let alone how they are going to be assessed for their wheelchairs. But the occupational therapy team at Independent Rehabilitation Services (IRS) set to work on doing just that. IRS is a multidisciplinary private practice consisting of occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech therapists, based in Ashburton, Victoria. The clinicians are specialised in neurological and general rehabilitation for people living in the metropolitan and suburban community of Melbourne. IRS was founded by a visionary physiotherapist, Kate Phillips, in 1999. Over the last 20 years, IRS has grown into one of the primary community rehabilitation services for people receiving NDIS, TAC and Workcover support. In that time, numerous policies and procedures were developed
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‘Never waste a crisis’ were wise words spoken by our Allied Health Leader, Natalie Pribil, in March 2020. I don’t think even she realised the impact those four little words would have on our occupational therapy practice for the coming months
and refined for all scenarios imaginable: risk situations, complex cases and mental health. But there was no pandemic policy. One of IRS’s values is leading change, and with Kate passionate about research and evidencedbased practice, this enabled the team at IRS to lead change during a world-wide pandemic, an unforeseeable scenario back in 1999. The journey of developing this telewheelchair assessment resource was three-tiered. First was to survey our staff and understand how confident they felt in facilitating a wheelchair assessment through telehealth as a service model. Not surprisingly, most reported no prior experience in this and not much confidence to trial it. Video recordings were identified by the team as the preferred teaching modality. Secondly, we conducted a scoping review to determine what the
literature could tell us about providing tele-wheelchair assessments. We found 92 papers, with only three meeting our inclusion criteria that could be used as recent evidence to inform our educational video. Thirdly, we scoured the internet for any prior recordings on how to practically conduct a tele-wheelchair assessment and, to our surprise, found only two, which were short and not overly informative. With limitations in the literature and time pressure as key factors, we set to work in developing two tele-wheelchair education videos: one to demonstrate how to conduct a postural assessment through telehealth, and the other on how to conduct a seating assessment with a paraprofessional supporting the client (in this case a wheelchair technician from Linds Rehabilitation in Melbourne).
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Our ‘client’, Shannon Rothschild, is an occupational therapist and one of the IRS Telehealth Champions, and the occupational therapist was acted by Ana Brown, the Lead Allied Health Researcher at IRS. To remain as authentic and natural as possible in the videos, nothing was scripted or rehearsed. This allowed for realistic problem-solving that our occupational therapists would likely encounter. These practical ‘how-to’ videos have been embedded into a PowerPoint presentation which details the results from the scoping review as strategies on how to optimise the tele-wheelchair assessment. These include: Human and Communication Factors • Support person: Organise the appointment so that a paraprofessional (e.g. friend, relative, support worker) will be with your client to assist with the measurements. The most ideal scenario would be a physiotherapist • Placement: Encourage the client and support person to be in view of the camera throughout the session • Swap photos: Send reference photos to the support person and receive asynchronous images of the client to inform the postural assessment • Timing: Sometimes a pause longer than usual is required after asking a question due to audio delay. Be aware and avoid talking at the same time. Consider your audience and how much time they will need to process information and complete the measurements Environmental and Equipment Factors • Lighting: Client and clinician locations should have adequate lighting • Sound: The microphone should be located near the client. A separate microphone, to be attached to the clothing of the client, should be considered • Clothing: Consider contrast in clothing for visual ease (e.g. light coloured wall, dark coloured wheelchair, light coloured clothing) • Tape measure: Have a tape measure to demonstrate to the paraprofessional of how to measure
David (paraprofessional), Ana Brown (IRS occupational therapist using telehealth), and Shannon Rothschild (IRS occupational therapist acting as the client), demonstrate through an educational video how to conduct a postural assessment using telehealth as a platform.
• Assessment: Have your assessment document printed and prepopulated where possible¹ Incorporating these optimisation strategies can assist in reaching the best outcomes for clients receiving their wheelchair assessment through a telehealth platform. Telewheelchair assessment and interventions using these strategies have rendered similar satisfaction ratings for clients as face-to-face wheelchair intervention and assessments². It is reported in the literature that clients are as likely to have their goals met through tele-wheelchair assessment as seen faceto-face². However, where possible, use synchronous means of conducting the tele-wheelchair assessment as this provides more information than asynchronous assessments alone³. This does not mean that photos or pre-recorded videos are not of any use, only that alone they are not sufficient to conduct a thorough assessment. Developing this educational resource has been an interesting and novel experience given the context in which it was required. What we have learnt in this short space of time is difficult to express in just two pages, which is why IRS is presenting the results formally at the Virtual OT Exchange Conference in September. IRS has thrived in this scenario of leading
change and continues to be excited to support other occupational therapists across the country in optimising clients’ capacity to engage in their rehabilitation through tele-wheelchair assessments, during this pandemic, and beyond. About the Author Ana Brown has worked in the field of neurorehabilitation for over a decade. She recently joined the IRS team as the Lead Allied Health Researcher and is passionate about evidenced-based practice. Ana is also a PhD Candidate at La Trobe University studying the conceptualisation and utilisation of sensory modulation interventions in the field of acquired brain injury rehabilitation. References 1. Fichten, Catherine S. and Lefebvre, Genevieve. 2004, A Telerehabilitation Pilot Study: Videoconferencing and Wheelchair Positioning in a Bilingual Context, 1-18. (Unpublished). 2. Barlow, I., Liu, L., & Sekulic, A. (2009), Wheelchair Seating Assessment and Intervention: A Comparison between Telerehabilitation and Face-to-Face Service, International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 1(1), 17-28. doi:https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2009.868 3. Schein, R. M., Schmeler, M. R., Saptono, A., & Brienza, D. (2010), Patient satisfaction with telerehabilitation assessments for wheeled mobility and seating. Assistive technology: the official journal of RESNA, 22(4), 215–222. https:// doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2010.518579
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Using OT to Support People in COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Matthew Snook, Senior Occupational Therapist
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s a result of COVID-19, a Health and Wellbeing team (HWB) was established in early March 2020 within the Western Australian State Health Incident Control Centre (SHICC). The role of the HWB team was to provide ongoing specialist psychosocial support to guests in COVID-19 hotel quarantine within the Perth CBD. Following the high volume of guests staying in compulsory quarantine (between 500 and 2000 people at any one time), a 10-member multidisciplinary team was created to provide support. The team included myself (a Senior Occupational Therapist), as well as social work and welfare assistant staff. Referrals were made to the HWB team from the WA police, Public Health, Quarantine Management Team (part of SHICC), onsite medical staff at the hotel, and also directly from the hotel guests in quarantine.
The aim of the activity program was to reduce the prevalence of mental health issues and to provide guests with productive and meaningful activities. The initial feedback from guests who had completed quarantine identified that an activity program would be extremely beneficial, not only for their mental health, but for the enjoyment of quarantine. I created a 14-day activity program to provide guests with productive and therapeutic activities whilst in quarantine. The program was developed and based on concepts and contemporary models of care that are utilised throughout mental health settings in East Metro Health Services, Perth Children’s Hospital, Ngala multicultural services, and the Migrant Resource Centre.
Ngala and the Migrant Resource Centre were contacted to ascertain the requirements and needs of the many international travellers returning to Western Australia who were non-English speaking or where English was a second language. Suggestions for culturally appropriate activities and information on cultural routines and activities from the above organisations were included in the edited versions of the program. The activity program development included four modified versions appropriate for differing populations in quarantine: 1. Two adults 2. One adult 3. Family with young children 4. Culturally and linguistically diverse
My occupational therapy specific role included, but was not limited to: • Initial interview • Assessment of cognition (insight and judgement) • Specialised mental health assessments including risk assessments • Functional assessment and equipment assessment and provision • Development and facilitation of a 14-day scheduled activity program addressing both physical and mental health needs • Consultative role for other team members in regard to occupational therapy specific assessments and interventions
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The initial feedback from guests who had completed quarantine identified that an activity program would be extremely beneficial, not only for their mental health, but for the enjoyment of quarantine
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The research suggested that people are at high risk of experiencing distress and poor mental health due to the confinement, loss of usual routine, and reduced physical and social contact with others
In my occupational therapy role on the team, I worked closely with educating and upskilling hotel staff who disseminated the program activities each day to the guests. Feedback and evaluation of the activity program is ongoing throughout each guest’s quarantine period. The HWB team makes contact with all guests who are in quarantine on day five, and evaluation of the program is included as part of the overall day five general and mental health screening and assessment conducted by all HWB team members. The activity program was developed after reviewing the relevant literature and determining needs obtained from consumer feedback (the journal articles that were reviewed in depth are included in the references at the end of this article). The articles explored the psychological impact of people going through quarantine as a result of COVID-19. The research suggested that people are at high risk of experiencing distress and poor mental health due to the confinement, loss of usual routine, and reduced physical
and social contact with others. These are all factors shown to cause frustration, boredom, and feelings of isolation and are distressing for people in quarantine. As the occupational therapist on the team, I also completed functional assessments as required. These have primarily been conducted via phone contact and have been required for multiple reasons including: • Assessing suitability for a disability access room • Assessing how someone is managing with personal ADLs in quarantine and if further support/equipment provision is required • Assessing how safe someone is, such as physical and mental health status in the quarantine environment (specifically persons quarantining alone) There is potential scope for the development of a basic functional assessment screening tool for the hotel staff to administer on admission for all quarantining hotel guests. This would enable staff to quickly ascertain the person’s need for a disability access room.
The screening tool needs to be sufficiently straight-forward and simple for hotel staff to administer, but sensitive to capture any functional problems and risks the guests may be experiencing, so they can be referred to an occupational therapist for a complete and comprehensive functional assessment. The plan is for the occupational therapist to develop and deliver the screening tool and provide education and training for the hotel staff. Overall the experience has been extremely rewarding and I have developed many existing and new skills. I have enjoyed the diversity to the role and the opportunity to bring occupational therapy expertise to a multidisciplinary team working in a unique environment. About the Author Matthew Snook graduated as an occupational therapist from Curtin University Western Australia in 2016. His experience includes work in geriatric rehabilitation, acute adult mental health inpatient—both secure and open wards at the Bentley Health Service, Royal Perth Bentley Group within the East Metropolitan Health Service, Western Australian Department of Health. He was seconded to the Health and Wellbeing team as a SHICC initiative in March 2020. References Samantha Brooks, Rebecca Webster, Louise Smith, Lisa Woodland, Simon Wessley, Neil Greenberg and Rubin Gideon, The psychological impact of quarantine and how to reduce it: rapid review of the evidence. Department of Psychological Medicine 395: 912-20. Cristina Mazza, Eleonora Ricci, Silvia Biondi, Marco Colasanti, S. Ferracuti, C. Napoli and Paolo Roma, A Nationwide Survey of Psychological Distress among Italian People during the COVID 19 Pandemic: Immediate Psychological Responses and Associated Factors, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17,3165: 2-14
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Exploring Occupation in a New Light through Photography Matthew Molineux, Tenelle Hodson, Morgan McAllister
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n Trimester 1 this year, first-year Griffith University student occupational therapists completed a photography-based assessment. The assessment is part of the course ‘Occupation and Occupational Therapy I’ which provides students with foundational knowledge and skills about occupation and the relationship between occupation and health. The exhibition is typically presented in libraries on the Nathan and Gold Coast campuses, but as teaching was moved online for most of the course due to COVID-19, the exhibition also moved online. Living in South East Queensland: An Occupational Perspective launched
online in May, and has received praise from occupational therapists as far afield as the United States, Scotland and France. Student Kristi Brinkman returned to Griffith University to study the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy in 2020 after working in aged care. She says the unusual assessment has opened her eyes to how important occupation can be for every person, regardless of age, gender or job. “This photography exhibit allowed me to work in a group of dynamic people all with varying ideas of what occupation was and what was important to them, and together we found that balance is so important in work, study and play,” she says. Watching the Waves—Hayley Corby, Jessica Whitting, Jacqui Zealley
As occupation is the central concept in occupational therapy, it is vital that students develop a very deep and sophisticated understanding of it. Students have many opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge and skills using words—often written and sometimes orally—but this photography assessment requires them to engage at a more aesthetic and artistic, even emotional, level.
Mind, Body & Soul—Tenzin Dobrota, Madeline Marshall, Georgia Mackellar 36 otaus.com.au
Within Four Walls: Occupation in a Different Light—Holly Dirckze, Freya Englert, Blade James, Raine Le Lievre
The assessment is an example of medical humanities—using the arts to support students’ learning about human experiences of health and life. It is hoped that using this method deepens students’ knowledge of the course content and helps them connect with the human side of occupation and health.
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The overwhelming joy that is clear on his face highlighted for me the complex nature of occupations often took the form of critiques of their developing ideas. Students described their idea, presented an initial test image, or shared their artist’s statement for fellow students and academic staff to respond to and provide constructive feedback. These whole class critiques were an opportunity to check and clarify students’ understanding of the course content.
Just a Shower Amelia Leavey became interested in occupational therapy when she felt its benefits firsthand after her cousin was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma in 2019. “Ewing’s Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that occurs in bones; the image we submitted was of my cousin who was receiving treatment,” she said.
“Many patients undergoing chemotherapy have a central line placed in their chest that cannot get wet. Due to an infection, my cousin’s central line was removed which meant he could enjoy his first shower in eight months. “The overwhelming joy that is clear on his face highlighted for me the complex nature of occupations. Where some might see having a shower as just a way to get clean, for my cousin it was about experiencing the feeling of running water over his bald head for the first time ever. He had about five showers in a 24-hour period before the line was replaced, just to make the most of it! “The photography exhibit has given me a greater appreciation for the complexities and hidden messages that can be found in a photograph. Where a description is from the writer’s perspective, a picture allows the viewer to interpret their own meaning and draw their own conclusions.” About the Authors Prof Matthew Molineux, Dr Tenelle Hodson, and Morgan McAllister taught the course Occupation and Occupational Therapy I in Trimester 1, 2020. They are all academics in the Discipline of Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Griffith University, Queensland. Contact: m.molineux@griffith.edu.au
Students worked in groups to create a complete exhibit that includes a title, artist’s statement, and an image or a number of images. They could choose any idea for their exhibit but it had to educate the general public about either the complexity of occupation or the relationship between occupation and health, and sometimes a combination of both. They were permitted to either capture images of people in natural scenes or create a scene to portray their message. Students were required to draw on their growing theoretical knowledge of occupation to help them produce an engaging and informative exhibit. They received regular support in class which
ONLINE EXHIBITION
The online exhibition can be viewed here: https://bit.ly/2OlAWTD
Just a Shower—Kishani Balnaves, Amelia Leavey, Katherine McDonald CONNECTIONS SPRING 2020 37
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Innovating at Home: Managing Household Tasks to Retain a Sense of Self Sarah McMullen, Occupational Therapy Team Leader at UNLIMIT-ED
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n my experience as an occupational therapist, we are notoriously bad at following our own professional advice. When it comes to housework, vacuuming especially, I would never pace it out, or maintain a symmetrical anatomical position. Who has the time? But in July 2019 I sustained a lumbar disc injury. I’ve had back injuries in the past that have been incapacitating, but nothing like this. I couldn’t sit, I couldn’t put on my trousers, let alone my shoes and socks. Standing and walking made me cry. Thankfully, as team leader I was able to continue performing my work duties from home, albeit in a horizontal position from home, but life continued to go on around me. My family needed me in the same capacity as always. There was no Fairy Godmother waiting in the wings, ready to wave her magic wand and keep the wheels turning. We couldn’t afford to hire a cleaner. I have an amazing, supportive, helpful family who did as much as they could to help around the house. Even before I was injured, I loathed housework, in particular vacuuming using a barrel vacuum cleaner. I despised pulling and lifting the heavy, unwieldy machine out of the cluttered storage cupboard, dragging it around corners and unsnagging it from chair legs. The room is always just a little bigger than the cord can reach. As a mother
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of four children under the age of ten and a fluffy puppy, living in a two-storey home in a forest, we need to vacuum every day to manage the ever-increasing pile of detritus. What I wasn’t prepared for when I hurt my back was the feeling of disempowerment associated with my incapacity, and the subsequent emotional slump. I didn’t want people to help me. But I had no choice. My body was telling me I couldn’t perform activities of daily living that I usually took for granted. My world shrunk. I have always defined myself with my physicality—a strong, independent, capable person with a sense of adventure and a need to say ‘yes’. But without the physical ability to engage in the world (to work out at the gym and hear my best friend tell her funniest stories, to rough and tumble with the kids), I felt lost, sad and depressed. My eight-year-old asked me daily if my back was better, as he wanted to wrestle and climb trees like we usually did. Even now he continues to ask how my back feels. I didn’t want the kids to feel emotionally burdened by my functional restrictions, but in the acute injury phase my body told me not to participate in any physical activity. Consequently, words such as ‘modify’, ‘adjust’, ‘pace’, ‘slow-down’ were no longer evidence-based education themes that we as occupational therapists use with our clients. Applying these words
in my life became my reality because I desperately wanted and needed to maintain engagement with my world. I realised I had to adjust my expectations, and focus on how to maximise my independence as a mother, partner and worker within my home environment, mindful of my temporary physical restriction. I had a candid discussion with my employer about my predicament and how I was feeling following my back injury. They understood the strength of my internal locus of control and knew I needed a modified tool to help manage household tasks and retain a sense of self. Their solution: a Dyson V11 vacuum in exchange for writing about and recording my experience. After using the new tool for the first time, my mechanically minded eight-year-old son (whom is usually allergic to housework) asked if he could vacuum every day. I’m used to the child-helping enthusiasm waning after a couple of days, but it hasn’t stopped. The clear vacuum canister offers visual feedback about how much debris he collects which, surprisingly, motivates him more than pocket money. He often says: “Mummy, look how much I collected. I’m going to do some more!” And he is obsessed with the LCD screen, which displays how much run time remains for the three cleaning modes. For me, with an inherent boom/bust mentality, the provision of a battery
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operated, lightweight vacuum cleaner has enabled me to manage my lumbar disc injury along with the demands of my environment and lifestyle, purely due to its unique specifications. I am free to roam wherever the debris calls me, without having to twist and turn the cord around chair legs. I don’t have to bend to remove the plug from the wall. The vacuum is stored at chest height on the wall in the garage—all I need to do is slide it out of the drop-in dock, and with a weight of 3kg this feels manageable. The bin volume is small and needs to be emptied regularly, which forces me to take regular rest breaks. Using the vacuum has also helped guide my recovery. Instead of a pain scale, I think about how many rooms my back pain will allow me to vacuum in one session. And if I can manage only a couple of rooms, I know it will be easy to get the vacuum out again later or the following day, without the associated feeling of wanting to throw it against the wall in frustration. When our new puppy chews through rolls of toilet paper I don’t feel overwhelmed at the prospect of getting the vacuum out to spot clean. Given its lightweight, upright design, I have no choice but to implement correct anatomical alignment.
What I wasn’t prepared for when I hurt my back was the feeling of disempowerment associated with my incapacity, and the subsequent emotional slump
Little did I know of the innovative impact that a common appliance (which used to perform a previously despised task) would have for me and my family. Although I can’t say that I look forward to vacuuming, I no longer shrivel up with dread every time I encounter a dirty floor. About the Author Sarah McMullen is an occupational therapy team leader who has worked at UNLIMITED, one of Victoria’s largest providers of specialist occupational therapy services to the compensable sector, for the past 10 years. Graduating with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from Otago Polytechnic, New Zealand, in 1998, Sarah has practised occupational therapy in a variety of clinical and compensable settings across three continents. CONNECTIONS SPRING 2020 39
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Key Strategies for Managing Change in Your Practice Anna Pannuzzo, Director of WorkPlacePLUS
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xternal influences such as lower cost competitors, technology and now a pandemic can have a dramatic impact on a healthcare practice, resulting in the practice owner reviewing their business strategy. This allows the practice to take advantage of its key competitive advantages and ensure it survives and thrives. This also requires the practice to make changes to its business model. Workplace change can involve restructuring a healthcare organisation or private practice, which can include increasing the use of technology, modifying the skills/ knowledge base to create greater efficiency, and outsourcing functions, all of which will have an impact on employees. The ability for practices to survive and thrive through times of change is greatly influenced by the workplace culture (particularly the individual and collective mindset of leadership and staff), and whether people are open to growth and ready for a shift. In business, innovation is a positive way to describe workplace change as it has a shiny and new appeal. Indeed, one definition of innovate is ‘to make changes in something established, especially by introducing new methods, ideas, or products’. There is a range of business lingo used to discuss workplace change, such as “diversify”, “review”, “restructure”, “merge”, “upscale”,
“downscale”, “expand”, “downsize”, “develop (or re-develop)” and “transform”. Through many years of HR consulting, my team has observed that, regardless of the terminology, workplace change can steer the culture towards triumph or trouble, depending on how the process is managed. We often see clients diving right into implementing workplace change when, all of a sudden, the change management conversation crops up as an afterthought with inadequate planning. Factoring change management in too late can cause: • A rough transition • A lack of advocacy • A vague change vision • Overall resistance • Workplace conflict • Decreased sustainability of the change required Having an effective change management strategy not only helps employees adapt, but it can also create stronger bonds between employers/practice owners/ senior managers and employees by taking everyone on the journey. Here are four key strategies that healthcare leaders and practice owners can implement to pave the way for effective change management.
The ability for practices to survive and thrive through times of change is greatly influenced by the workplace culture 40 otaus.com.au
1. Create a Change Impact Statement Identify who will be part of your change management team and, together, clearly identify your business reasons for change. For example, COVID-19 restrictions may have created a significant downturn in your practice which requires a review. Creating your Change Impact Statement will involve a combination of big picture visionary thinking and strategic planning skills. Your Change Impact Statement will be an important resource for decision-making and communications throughout the process. It should include an assessment of how the changes are expected to affect your key stakeholders.
2. Communication and Consultation Staff are key stakeholders in a practice. It is important to consult with staff by listening to their feelings and ideas, and identifying any personal impact. Using the example of COVID-19 restrictions, it would be appropriate to consult with employees to hear their ideas and concerns regarding flexible working arrangements or workplace health and safety. You should also have a communication plan that supports the change process. Regular, transparent updates will help to mitigate fear and build trust. This is important as the more you communicate, the better your staff will adapt to the changes. When communications around change are occurring, we can all hear a consistent message, but each team member may react
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differently. Change can be easy or exciting for some, and challenging or daunting for others. The role of leadership is to be aware of this and check employees’ understanding/ comprehension of what’s happening, and their reactions and emotional responses. The Bridges Transition Model, for example, describes three main emotional phases of transition, with accompanying management tips: • Ending: People feel it’s all come to an end. A sense of letting go. Things won’t be the same. Tip: People need to receive recognition for past achievements so they can close that part of their career or life before moving forward. • Neutral Zone: People have let go of the past and are starting to be introduced to the new process, system, structure or change. Slightly unsure of what to do. People are moving out of their comfort zone. This time of transition can be ambiguous. Tip: Leadership needs to communicate regular updates, train and coach, and set short term goals for the team to focus on. • New Beginning: People have started to feel comfortable with the change. Systems, processes are becoming routine and the team is becoming focused on the new direction. Tip: Recognise when people achieve goals. Communicate to the team about where success is occurring. Continue to encourage the team. Gauging staff understanding/reaction and addressing people’s concerns is not about judging or telling people where they should be, but rather working to get them onboard. Help your team members through the change process by discussing the benefits. Keeping employee morale high with a culture of strong communication, feedback and employee recognition can work wonders in ensuring that your change initiative leads to a positive outcome.
3. Support The potential impact of workplace change on the mental health of employees cannot be underestimated. Transition is a major stress trigger. According to Kate Berardo’s 5Rs of Culture Change, the main areas of stress around cultural change are: • Routines • Reactions • Roles • Relationships • Reflections about ourselves Workplace stress is becoming widely recognised as a significant workplace health and safety risk factor. Under various legislation, employers are legally responsible for ensuring that the working environment does not cause psychological or physical injury or worsen an existing condition. Employers are therefore obligated to provide appropriate employee support throughout the change process. Identify what avenues of support are available to help your staff adapt to the change. Key avenues of support may include: • Identified change agents within the team, whose role is to collect feedback from staff members and make recommendations to leadership regarding the types of support needed • Managers or contact support officers, who are trained and knowledgeable in the organisational policies, culture and employee support resources • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing confidential counselling, psychological support and educational resources • Staff training programs to provide upskilling and support the professional growth and development of your staff Make sure you communicate regularly with staff regarding what support is available and how they can access it. Some people may be unable to adapt, regardless of the support that has been put in place. Most staff members, however,
will benefit from having access to a range of support options, which will all assist in maintaining positive, high performing teams throughout the change process.
4. Review Assessing your results, implementing corrective actions and celebrating your successes are all key components of reviewing the change process. Gathering evidence to show your successes (or shortfalls) of the change process can be carried out by: • Collecting feedback from users (anecdotal or survey) • Carrying out compliance audits on new processes, systems and job roles • Reviewing areas of resistance and working through your strategies • Identifying areas of success for the project (make these visible in the organisation to reinforce the change) Done well, reviews and self-assessments of your change management strategy will promote continuous improvement of your processes and culture. Organisational change is usually motivated by either a need to adapt (for example, to meet new regulatory requirements or to weather the economic climate), or by a vision to evolve and improve. It might be a combination. Whether you are getting ready to diversify, restructure, redevelop or innovate, a thoughtful change management strategy is the best practice place to start. About the Author Anna Pannuzzo is the Director of WorkPlacePLUS, OTA’s preferred HR provider. OTA members can receive professional support for addressing complex HR issues such as restructuring, bullying and harassment claims, industrial audits, employment agreements, and more. LEARN MORE
Learn more at www.workplaceplus.com.au or by calling (03) 9492 0958.
CONNECTIONS SPRING 2020 41
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Finding the Perfect Match: A Guide to Hiring the Right Talent as a Small Business Owner Aon
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ecruiting—you’ll be hard-pressed to find a business owner who would describe it as their idea of a good time. It may have even been your sheer dislike of interviews that led you to start your own business in the first place. Over the last decade, there have been many changes to the way employees are recruited, from AI tools that use speechto-text to remove bias from the interview process, to psychometric testing and even having candidates complete mini projects. As a small business owner, you may feel challenged without fancy tools to thoroughly assess candidates, or a human resource management team to look after the entire process for you. Below, we share our top tips to help small business owners ensure they’re hiring the right fit, and what the should look out for.
#1 Look Beyond Experience So, you’ve found the perfect candidate— with their experience, qualifications and achievements, you’re slightly surprised they’ve even accepted the role on offer. However, if a candidate seems too good to be true, it’s possible they actually are. Hiring overqualified candidates may present challenges later, as it’s possible they will no longer find the role challenging and leave within a few months. Therefore, instead of going for the candidate with the most experience, try to look at other factors such as progression in previous organisations, attitude and willingness to learn. If you do hire an overqualified candidate, be prepared to
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offer career progression, or manage requests for a higher salary sooner rather than later.
#2 Second Interview Traditionally the first interview is a ‘get to know you’ interview, whereas the second round tends to be more detailed, where you can truly determine a candidate’s suitability for a role. While you don’t have to follow this order, a second interview should still be part of your recruitment process. You can use it to introduce the potential candidate to an existing employee, or to assess their suitability more thoroughly. It will help give you a feel about how the candidate will fit in with the existing team and give you a helpful second opinion.
#3 Humanise Your Business Your business has a journey driven by passion, which is a story worth telling. During interviews, not only should you highlight the benefits of working for your business, but also take your candidate on your journey by telling them the story of how your business came to be, how you grew over time and how your people have helped drive your success.
#4 Be Honest Interviews should be two-way—you’re interviewing the candidate, but the candidate should also be given the chance to interview you, or at least ask questions about your business. Whilst you don’t want to deter any candidates, it’s also important to give them an honest view of the job so
they don’t get any unpleasant surprises. Outline some of the key challenges in the role, and ask how the candidate would approach these challenges, or whether they’ve experienced anything similar.
#5 Take Your Time (But Don’t Let it Drag for Too Long) There’s no such thing as the perfect candidate. Whilst it’s important not to rush to a decision, letting recruitment carry on for too long might give potential candidates the impression that you don’t know what you’re looking for, and deter them. If you’re really struggling to find the right fit, hire someone on a contract or a trial basis. If they’re 70% right for the role, it’s possible you can teach the rest. When hiring new staff, there’s no crystal ball to help you predict how perfect an employee will be. There’s always a risk they may not be the right fit for your business, which is why probation periods can be very helpful for both employers and candidates. Embedding some due diligence into your recruitment process can seem like a tedious process but can prevent you from staffing pitfalls in the long run. Aon has taken care in the production of this document 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 recipient of this document is responsible for their use of it.
Bringing Australia’s Major Scientific Conference for Occupational Therapists to Cairns
23-25 JUNE 2021
www.otaus2021.com.au
CAIRNS CONVENTION CENTRE QUEENSLAND
#otaus2021
29TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION 2021
CALL FOR LAUNCHING OUR PAPERS INAUGURAL HYBRID CLOSES 6 SEPTEMBER 2020 NATIONAL CONFERENCE The Occupational Therapy Australia 2021 National Conference will combine the live in-person event on location in Cairns with a virtual online conference. Bringing you oral presentations, occupation stations, workshops, ePosters, Keynote and Invited Speakers, panels and more to the Hybrid Program – this innovative event is not to be missed! What does this mean for delegates? More choice and flexibility. For those of you who prefer in-person networking and learning, you can still attend on location – don’t forget your sunblock and swimmers! For those of you who are unable to travel, or prefer to learn from the comfort of home, you can still attend sessions virtually and connect with your peers. As the first National Conference held outside a capital city in 10 years, OTA selected Cairns as the host city in 2021 to support, and generate conversations with our rural and remote OT community. Now embracing the hybrid format, we can extend that vision to include each and every occupational therapist across Australia and internationally. See you online, or in-person – in 2021!
The Scientific Program Committee are now providing more choice and flexibility with the hybrid conference program. With the option to present in person or remotely, you can submit an abstract from anywhere in the world to be considered for inclusion in the national conference program. Simply go to www.otaus2021.com.au and click on Call for Abstracts.
SPONSORSHIP AND EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES
To discuss how you can be involved in person in Cairns or virtually from the comfort of your home or office, please contact Rebecca Meyer, via events@otaus.com.au or phone 0451 807 647.
FURTHER INFORMATION Ph: +1300 682 878 Email: conference2021@otaus.com.au www.otaus2021.com.au #otaus2021
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