Preparing for the Future: Current trends, occupational therapy and the role of the

1. 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

2. Identify current trends Review implications for occupational therapy Promote practice strategies Discuss role of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) Objectives:

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

4. Role of a professional association • Information and resources • Membership services • Advocacy and representation • Professional standards

5. Environmental Scan: Reviews factors influencing practice Used for monitoring and planning

6. P olitical • E conomic • S ocial • T echnological Factors:

7. Shaped by public opinion Health Environment Political Priorities:

8. Wait time strategies: • - Cancer • - Heart • - Joint replacements • - Diagnostic imaging • - Sight restoration Political Priorities:

9. Impact: Accountability measures difficult to implement Greater recognition of rehabilitation e.g. joint replacement specialty teams Concern for health problems outside of priorities

10. 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 Political Priorities:

11. Impact: Emphasis on interprofessional education Promotion of team-based approach (e.g. primary health care) Potential for increased role of occupational therapy

12. Enhancing Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Primary Health Care Canadian Collaborative Mental Health Initiative Occupational Therapy Primary Health Care Planning Tool Accreditation of Collaborative Practice Education CAOT Interdisciplinary National Projects

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

14. Occupational Therapy: - Distribution of workforce varies among provinces - Lags behind other countries e.g. Denmark, Sweden, UK

17. National Occupational Therapy Human • Resources Plan • National Occupational Therapist Database • Project • - Government advocacy CAOT Initiatives

18. 4. Foreign Credential Recognition Immigration 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) Political Priorities:

19. Occupational Therapy: Workforce Integration Project - Identified issues influencing the ability of international graduates to work in Canada - Provided recommendations

20. Reasons for Marginalization: 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

21. Coordinate and centralize registration requirements and process for working as an occupational therapist Improve national certification examination access, preparation resources and assistance Provide clear and accessible information to help international graduates to work in Canada Increase access to academic upgrading and language training to help international graduates meet registration requirements Help international graduates become linked with employers, occupational therapists and professional resources Advocate for the need for internationally educated occupational therapists in Canada Promote a diverse workforce for quality occupational therapy services Recommendations:

22. Follow-up Projects: - Pan-Canadian Orientation Program to the Health Care System - Plain language translation and shortening of national certification exam - Access and Registration Framework Project

23. 5. Armed Services - Increased commitment to role in armed conflict - Increased military spending Political Priorities:

24. Impact: - Origin of profession in working with WWI veterans - Little current involvement of occupational therapy in military health service

25. P olitical • E conomic • S ocial • T echnological Factors:

26. Economic Factors: - Globalizing economy - Slowing productivity growth - Demand for accountability - Increasing competition

27. Impact: 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

28. - Enabling Occupation II • Revised Profile of Occupational Therapy • Practice in Canada • - Economic review of occupational therapy CAOT Initiatives

29. P olitical • E conomic • S ocial • T echnological Factors:

30. Social Factors: - Dependence on immigration - Increasing diversity - Aging population: - longer lifespan - more age-related problems - more demanding for quality of life - less care-givers

31. Falls: 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

32. CAOT Projects: Tools for Living Well Post-fall Review Stable Able and Strong

33. Public Health Issues and Older Drivers: Promoting mobility and participation of older adults Safety of: - drivers - general public

34. Older Drivers: Driving incidents leading cause of accidental deaths (65-74 years) Fatality rate >85 years 9 times 25-65 year olds

35. Impact: Build capacity in occupational therapy for: - Screening - Driver assessment and remediation - Complex driving interventions

36. CAOT initiatives: Expert panel recommendations to ON chief coroner Review of Canadian legislation and jurisprudence National Blueprint for Injury Prevention in Older Drivers

37. Other impact of aging population: - Universal design housing - Low vision interventions - Retirement planning

38. P olitical • E conomic • S ocial • T echnological Factors:

39. Technological Factors: Continued rapid change

40. Impact: Improved service access (e.g. telehealth) Increased information access (e.g. electronic health record) More effective interventions (e.g. assistive technology)

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

42. Practice Strategies: 1. Remain aware of the context of your practice: Become informed Understand impact of PEST factors Optimize opportunities (e.g. become involved)

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

48. Regulatory 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.

49. National Certification Examination Developed and administered by CAOT Required for entry to practice in most provinces

50. Professional Liability Insurance Protects you as a professional Regulatory requirement in several provinces Provides payment for damages arising out of the rendering or failure to render professional services