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
OT Experiences in Regional, Rural and Remote Practice Carol Jewell, OTA Acting National Manager, Professional Practice and Development
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ccupational therapists working in regional, rural and remote Australia have a uniquely challenging and rewarding role supporting their communities (Boshoff and Hartshorne, 2008, Pidgeon, 2015). Typically, these communities have higher rates of hospitalisations, mortality, injury and poorer access to, and use of, primary health care services compared with those in metropolitan areas (AIHW, n.d.).
Many of these communities have also experienced the devastating and lasting impacts of extreme weather—events that test the core of communities and the health and wellbeing of locals. What is it like working in regional rural and remote Australia as an occupational therapist? What are the opportunities, what are the challenges, and what is a typical day like?
I invited Kathy Luke and Katrina Pacey to share their thoughts, insights and experiences of regional, rural and remote practice. Ms Luke and Ms Pacey are codirectors of RAR Therapy and long-time friends. They have more than 20 years of experience working as occupational therapists, and have a passion for reaching out to people living in regional, rural and remote (RRR) Queensland. Here’s what they have to say.
Reflections and Insights from the Heart of Australia Kathy Luke and Katrina Pacey, Co-Directors RAR Therapy Thankful for Qantas Link still operating amidst COVID-19 restrictions to reach our rural, regional and remote communities
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n 2013, Rural and Regional Therapy Services formally began in the small country town of Ayr, one hour south of Townsville.
Our dream to reach out to people of all ages living in RRR areas began more than 20 years ago as occupational therapy students sitting on the bank of the Brisbane River after a day of university lectures. We were talking about our RRR student placement experiences and noted the need for better support for occupational 10 otaus.com.au
therapists living and working in RRR areas. This was a time when computers were relatively new, and the best form of contact with other therapists was by calling on a landline (as mobile phones were rare, expensive brick-like packs). This was also a time when there was no NDIS funding, and people with disabilities were being moved from larger institutions into much smaller, supported and funded group homes in the community.
Since the more recent introduction of the NDIS scheme, we have been excited at the increase in the opportunities for occupational therapists to reach people living in RRR areas. As occupational therapists, we are often at the front line, seeing people with significant challenges for the very first time—people who have been getting by and struggling with minimal or no funding, supports or equipment their whole lives. Commonly, living in old, raised homes built on stumps (to avoid floods and snakes).
