Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists Association canadienne des ergothérapeutes Preparing for the Future: Current trends, occupational therapy.

Canadian Association of Occupational

Therapists

Association canadiennedes ergothérapeutes

Preparing for the Future:Preparing for the Future:

Current trends, occupational therapy and the role of the

Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists

Claudia von Zweck, PhD, OT (c) May 14, 2007


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Objectives:Objectives:

• Identify current trends• Review implications for occupational therapy• Promote practice strategies • Discuss role of the Canadian Association of

Occupational Therapists (CAOT)


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CAOT is the national voluntary professional association for occupational therapists in Canada


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Role of a professional association

• Information and resources• Membership services• Advocacy and representation• Professional standards


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• Reviews factors influencing practice• Used for monitoring and planning

Environmental ScanEnvironmental Scan:


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Factors:Factors:

• P olitical• E conomic• S ocial• T echnological


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Political Priorities:Political Priorities:

Shaped by public opinion

Health Environment


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1. Wait time strategies: - Cancer - Heart - Joint replacements - Diagnostic imaging - Sight restoration


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Accountability measures difficult to implement

Greater recognition of rehabilitation e.g. joint replacement specialty teams

Concern for health problems outside of priorities

Impact:Impact:


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2. Collaborative patient-centred care - Promotes active participation of all disciplines - Enhances patient and family-centred goals - Provides communication mechanisms - Optimizes collaborative decision-making - Fosters respect for all professions


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Emphasis on interprofessional educationPromotion of team-based approach (e.g.

primary health care)Potential for increased role of occupational

therapy

Impact:Impact:


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CAOT Interdisciplinary National ProjectsCAOT Interdisciplinary National Projects

Enhancing Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Primary Health CareCanadian Collaborative Mental Health InitiativeOccupational Therapy Primary Health Care Planning ToolAccreditation of Collaborative Practice Education


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3. Health Human Resource Planning: - Shortages reported by many disciplines - Little long term planning - Educating, deploying takes years


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- Distribution of workforce varies among provinces

- Lags behind other countries e.g. Denmark, Sweden, UK

Occupational Therapy:Occupational Therapy:


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41.1

37.6

37

32.1

31.8

31.1

30.2

28.3

25.3

21.5

34

0 10 20 30 40 50

Quebec

Manitoba

Alberta

British Columbia

New Brunswick

Ontario

Nova Scotia

Newfoundland

Prince Edward Island

Saskatchewan

Canada

Occupational Therapists per 100,000 in 2004 (CIHI, 2006)

Occupational Therapists per 100,000


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Provincial Disability Rate (Statistics Canada, 2002) vs Occupational Therapists per 100,000

8.4

30.2

21.5

31.8

25.3

37.6

31.1

37

28.3

41.1

17.1 14.5

14.4

14.3

14.2

1413.5

12.5

12.312.4

32.1

34

05

1015202530354045

Disability Rate (2001)

Occupational therapists per100,000 population (2004)


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CAOT InitiativesCAOT Initiatives

- National Occupational Therapy Human Resources Plan- National Occupational Therapist Database Project- Government advocacy


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4. Foreign Credential RecognitionImmigration needed for: - Social and cultural diversity - Stimulating economic growth - Compensate for aging and retiring workforce 100% of labour force growth from immigration

by 2012 (Citizenship and Immigration, 2003)


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Workforce Integration Project

- Identified issues influencing the ability of international graduates to work in Canada

- Provided recommendations

Occupational Therapy:Occupational Therapy:


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Long wait list to come to Canada

Difficulty accessing information

Failure to meet academic credentialing requirements

Failure to complete academic upgrading Failure to meet language requirements

Problems with passing certification examination

Difficulty understanding Canadian practice

Problems with linking with employers, occupational therapists, and professional resources

Inability to find employment

Discriminatory practices

Reasons for MarginalizationReasons for Marginalization::


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Recommendations:Recommendations:

1. Coordinate and centralize registration requirements and process for working as an occupational therapist

2. Improve national certification examination access, preparation resources and assistance

3. Provide clear and accessible information to help international graduates to work in Canada

4. Increase access to academic upgrading and language training to help international graduates meet registration requirements

5. Help international graduates become linked with employers, occupational therapists and professional resources

6. Advocate for the need for internationally educated occupational therapists in Canada

7. Promote a diverse workforce for quality occupational therapy services


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- Pan-Canadian Orientation Program to the Health Care System

- Plain language translation and shortening of national certification exam

- Access and Registration Framework Project

Follow-up Projects:Follow-up Projects:


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5. Armed Services- Increased commitment to role in armed

conflict - Increased military spending


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- Origin of profession in working with WWI veterans

- Little current involvement of occupational therapy in military health service

Impact:Impact:


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Factors:Factors:



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- Globalizing economy

- Slowing productivity growth

- Demand for accountability

- Increasing competition

Economic Factors:Economic Factors:


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Development of international standards e.g. for professional mobility, quality of service

Expected use of evidence in practice

Need to demonstrate value in economic terms

Impact:Impact:


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CAOT InitiativesCAOT Initiatives

- Enabling Occupation II- Revised Profile of Occupational Therapy Practice in Canada- Economic review of occupational therapy


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Factors:Factors:



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- Dependence on immigration

- Increasing diversity

- Aging population:

- longer lifespan

- more age-related problems

- more demanding for quality of life

- less care-givers

Social Factors:Social Factors:


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1 in 3 Canadian over 65 fall each year

Most frequent cause of injury in older adults

- 90% of hip fractures

- 40% of LTC admissions

20% falls reduction equals:

- 7,500 fewer hospitalizations

- 1800 fewer disabled older adults

- $138 million savings

Falls:Falls:


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Tools for Living Well

Post-fall Review

Stable Able and Strong

CAOT Projects:CAOT Projects:


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Promoting mobility and

participation of older

adults

Safety of:

- drivers

- general public

Public Health Issues and Older Drivers:Public Health Issues and Older Drivers:


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Driving incidents

leading cause of accidental

deaths (65-74 years)

Fatality rate >85 years

9 times 25-65 year olds

Older Drivers:


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Build capacity in occupational therapy for:

- Screening

- Driver assessment and remediation

- Complex driving interventions

Impact:Impact:


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Expert panel recommendations to ON chief

coroner

Review of Canadian legislation and

jurisprudence

National Blueprint for Injury Prevention in

Older Drivers

CAOT initiatives:CAOT initiatives:


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- Universal design housing

- Low vision interventions

- Retirement planning

Other impact of aging population:Other impact of aging population:


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Factors:Factors:



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Continued rapid change

Technological Factors:Technological Factors:


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Improved service access

(e.g. telehealth)

Increased information access

(e.g. electronic health record)

More effective interventions

(e.g. assistive technology)

Impact:Impact:


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Increased role of occupational therapy: - Implementation (e.g. low vision aids) - Research and design Ethical and privacy issues

Impact:Impact:


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1. Remain aware of the context of your practice:

- Become informed- Understand impact of

PEST factors- Optimize opportunities

(e.g. become involved)

Practice StrategiesPractice Strategies:


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2. Promote quality standards: - Understand expectations of practice - Recognize and address ethical issues - Use continuous improvement approach

Practice Strategies:Practice Strategies:


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Regulatory RequirementsRegulatory Requirements

Occupational therapists are regulated health professionals in all ten provinces.

Candidates must meet regulatory requirements to practice and/or use the title "occupational therapist".

Contact information for regulatory organizations is listed on www.caot.ca.


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National Certification ExaminationNational Certification Examination

Developed and administered by CAOTRequired for entry to practice in most provinces


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Professional Liability InsuranceProfessional Liability Insurance

Protects you as a professionalRegulatory requirement in several provincesProvides payment for damages arising out of the rendering or failure to render professional services


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3. Engage in life-long learning:

- Understand and address

own learning needs

- Contribute to learning

of others

(e.g. mentoring)



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Professional DevelopmentProfessional Development

Webinar presentationsOn-line coursesWorkshopsSelf study series


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CAOT Annual CAOT Annual ConferenceConference


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4. Create and use research evidence in practice:

- Define practice based

on evidence

- Promote knowledge translation

(e.g. journal clubs)

- Evaluate cost-effectiveness



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5. Promote teamwork skills:

- Contribute as valued

team member

- Demonstrate collaborative

approach based on respect



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6. Embrace diversity:

- Address ethno-cultural

issues

- Promote a diverse

workforce



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7. Increase awareness of value of occupational therapy:

- Promote the link between

occupation and health

- Ensure understanding

of your role in promoting

healthy occupation



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Questions?Questions?

[email protected]

Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists Association canadienne des ergothérapeutes Preparing for the Future: Current trends, occupational therapy.

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