AOTA Annual Conference Blog

Until next year..

I hope you all enjoyed your time here in St. Louis.  Every year, conference seems to go by faster and faster.  Once you come to conference, your perspective of our profession will be changed forever.  I hope you left with that feeling.  Don't lose the motivation and inspiration that you gained for OT from conference throughout the year.  As I am sure you are now aware, a lot of work is on our horizon as we work toward the Centennial Vision.  I challenge all of us students, as well as practitioners and educators, to ask ourselves how we can help AOTA and the profession achieve the Centennial Vision.  Ten years will pass before we know it.  It is hard to believe that it has been 3 years since the Visioning process started.

As I side note, since I did not have an opportunity to blog during conference, I wanted to share with you my favorite session at conference-A panel presentation on the work of Gail Fidler.  I consider Gail a mentor to me through her words and her work even though I never met her.  Her perspective on OT is timeless and I encourage all students to read her work.  If there is an issue today in OT, I am sure she addressed at some point in her career.  This is a valuable lesson I have learned from AOTA and the profession...whenever things seem complicated and insurmountable, take a step back and learn from our past leaders.  Our history keeps all things in perspective. 

Best wishes to all and I look forward to seeing you next year in Long Beach.

Sincerely, Tim Wolf

As the conference continues

Having just left the Annual Business Meeting, I have now learned that the statement on Health and Wellness was adopted by the RA. I was able to briefly touch base with Marge Scaffa, one of the authors of the statement, in the conference center between sessions. Also, I was able to hear about the progress of the document from the RA task groups form NY Rep Gloria Lucker. As an AOTA member, it is important to me that the Association has begun to more closely align itself with Community Health and Public Health initiatives. Having also attended the Slagle Lecture given this year by Dr. Jim Hinojosa of New York, I am mindful of his message that we need to embrace changes in public policy as they happen. So, while the terrific leadership of the RA and collaborative work through COP has generated process in the form of the statement, I am also mindful of the message in the future we may need to streamline process to be more in the forefront of leadership and inclusion of Occupational Therapy in policy as it changes and before implementation has already occurred.

At this moment in time, I am sitting in the member service area, the AOTA booth in the center of the exhibit hall, pausing before I meet and greet friends for the last time this year, and depart from the great city of St Louis. I would be remiss, if I did not mention the wide variety of both printed materials, books and products I have seen while in the exhibits. At this conference, in particular, I have heard many therapists speak about caring for themselves and the need to 'live in the moment', to pause and reflect throughout our daily lives. We are an aging workforce with an average age over forty. We are also becoming members of the older workforce. It is strategic that we apply the principals we use to help others to support and sustain ourselves.

So, signing off from the conference, I will say 'see ya again next year' and I hope that some of you who may be reading hilights from home will have an opportunity to come to Long Beach in 2008.

Ann Burkhardt

Presence

Greetings from St Louis! Sunny and 70 degrees....

On Thursday, the preconference institutes were a happening...I had a brief opportunity to visit the Institute on Complementary Therapies, Occupational Therapy and Evidence Based Practice with Guy McCormack, Judy Parker, Meryl Picard and Frank Stein. The attendees came from through the US and represented diverse practice and practice venues.

Several common themes were expressed by attendees concerning what they were hoping to gain from the session. One common theme was that attendees were seeking 'care for the caregiver' skills. As we, Occupational Therapists, age in our own practice of our profession, we are learning to reflect inward about our own occupational balance and well being. Some of the practice venues where we work are more demanding in terms of our time and work intensity than they once were. It was expressed that having tools to help oneself remain balanced can be a terrific asset.

Some attendees were self-described 'newbies' and seeing to learn more about a diversity of practice opportunities. Several participants mentioned they were seeking information they could apply to current programming in their workplaces that could be used to improve client experience and satisfaction with OT services. Finally, several participants were seasoned participants, each representing diverse prior experience and a mixed skill set for some CAMmodalities-from Chi Gong to Tai Chi, to Yoga, to energy therapies. Some of those present expressed they were managing their own painful and life conditions and had been helped by modalities they had consumed in the past and continue to utilize.

The energy was wonderful in the room. I wish I could've stayed for the entire institute. I did ask attendees to write in about their experiences and to add some photos, if possible...so stay tuned!

From lovely sunny St Louis in spring!

Ann Burkhardt

Finding Health and Wellness at Conference

Educational opportunities at conference abound with the posters, papers, short courses, workshops and institutes that offer information and experiences for increasing knowledge of health and wellness, but additional opportunities also are available in the form of activities. For those of us who like to walk or to run, on Saturday morning there is a SIS Fun Run and Walk. The event is planned to happen at the Jefferson Expansion Memorial where there is a 1.7 mile trail. There are beautiful views of the Mississippi and of the Gateway Arch. If you are interested in participating, meet at the corner of Washington Avenue and Memorial Drive at 6:45 am. The event is expected to last until 7:30 am. You can also always count on doing some dancing and foot stomping at conference, as well. There is a ‘Party in St. Louis’ event planned on Saturday evening to benefit a great cause, AOTPAC. AOTPAC events can always be counted on for some good foot stomping and for getting attendees ‘up and out of their seats’.

Many people in recent conferences have also joined in during opening ceremonies and danced in and around the hall to the musical offerings during the opening ceremony. Can you get up out of your seat and be a little wild? You'll find good company for dancing with delight at opening ceremony-that's a bet!

If you are weary sitting through session after session, get up out of your seat and meander through the poster presentations. Walking through, reading posters and having an opportunity to speak 1:1 with the presenters can broaden your knowledge while you can be ‘out of a seat’ and moving around. Going for an informative walk and earn CEUs in the process. Sounds pretty great, doesn’t it!

To expand your knowledge through learning a new model of occupation that can be related metaphorically to nature, why not sign up for the International Luncheon on Saturday. Dr. Michael Iwama will present on the Kawa Model. Broaden your conceptual understanding of occupation. Learn about this new framework and how it could change the way you approach the practice of our profession.

The countdown is in progress….many of you, like me, are now packing your bags to head to St. Louis early next week. It’s time to travel, to meet and greet, to open our minds, to teach and to learn, to network, to rediscover old friendships and make some new. Here’s wishing safe travels and stress free experiences to you all en route. Be healthy and well.

Ann

How many times have you heard: Show me the evidence?

How many OTs and OTA s who work in mental health (or any area of OT practice for that matter) have had to "justify" their practice within the last month, 3 months, 6 months, a year....Do you feel like you could use more knowledge and resources to enable you to effectively educate others regarding the evidence which exists to justify OT services? As occupational therapy practice in mental health is often provided with a comprehensive team of professionals including social workers, nurses, therapeutic recreation specialists, counselors, mental health technicians, at times our professional practice is challenged by other professionals who state they can do what we do. We all know OT practice in mental health has unique features. Do these other professionals clearly address engagement and limitations in engagement in occupation? Need some evidence to "prove" your services are effective?

I've got just the session for you to attend: Using AOTA’s EB Practice Products and Resources to Inform Practice, a short course (SC103) which is scheduled for Friday from 9-10:30 am will provide a new perspective on how to use evidence. The presentation will include a panel of AOTA staff, including Judy Thomas, Senior Policy Manager; Rob Black, Sr. Press Officer; Christine Metzler, Chief Public Affairs Officier; Sandy Schefkind, Pediatric Coordinator; and Deborah Lieberman, Program Director, Evidence Based Project. Marian Arbesman, consultant to the AOTA Evidence Based Project, also will participate. 

During the session, staff will discuss how to communicate evidence to multiple audiences (which could include: clients, payers, elected officials, colleagues).  In addition, audience members will have the opportunity to get experience developing this skill during a group activity. So whether you are speaking with a parent, client, payer, or legislator, join us at this session to learn how the experts use evidence to state their case persuasively.

I feel this will be a great benefit to new practitioners as well as experts in our practice area. All occupational therapy practitioners need to be aware of and able to utilize the best evidence to continue and advance occupational therapy practice. Conference is just around the corner! Happy OT month!

Christine Urish, PhD, OTR/L, BCMH

Almost Here!!

I can hardly believe that it is April 8th ALREADY!  Conference will be starting in hours and days, not months and weeks anymore!  It seems like yesterday that I submitted my short course proposal through the AOTA on-line submission link...and now I am preparing to present....wow...time flies!

By now, everyone who pre-registered for conference should have received their Conference & Expo Onsite Program Guide.  If you have, but have not opened it yet, then you have quite a treat waiting for you.  This years program is full of rich and exciting educational and networking opportunities.  Unlike the previous publications that we received, this one has all of the events listed as well as detailed descriptions of all of the educational sessions (including days, times and room numbers) and special events.  So, if you have not yet, now is the time to start planning out your experience. 

There are many ways that you can go about planning your agenda.  You can determine a "track" to follow, such as phy/dys or peds and find courses being offered throughout the days that deal primarily with those topics.  You can also explore the guide day by day and hour by hour and chart out an eclectic path of events that strike your fancy.  Which ever method that you chose to plan out your conference, the end result will be the same; you will create a full agenda of workshops and events that will occupy you every hour of every day that you are in St. Louis. 

Of course, don't forget to plan out some time to visit the exhibitors. AOTA has scheduled unopposed exhibit hall time each day,  but these hours tend to be busy...if you can pull yourself away from sessions, you might consider visiting the exhibit hall during quieter program times.

One more thing that is important to remember, especially if this is your first conference experience.  In order to receive credit for session attendance, your name badge will be scanned when you enter a lecture room.  If you attempt to leave the talk before it is completed, your badge will be scanned again. You will only receive credit for the time that you were physically in the session.  Sounds fair, right?  It is a great system...no need to keep up with forms or signatures, your list of credit will arrive in your mailbox within a few short weeks after conference.

Well, I must get back to preparing my talk....by the way, if you are interested, I am presenting "Measurable Goal Writing for Occupation-Based Practice" on April 22.  Check it out in the conference guide!  :-)

See you soon!!!

Debbie Amini 

Have you read this yet?

"We envision that occupational therapy is a powerful, widely recognized, science-driven, and evidence-based profession with a globally connected and diverse workforce meeting society's occupational needs"

First of all, I hope everyone has seen the 2017 Centennial Vision Statement prior to reading this blog.  If not, please go to the following link to read and learn more about the Centennial Vision Process.  Centennial Vision Home Page

The statement above may seem simple to you, but how do we make this a reality??  Many of our fellow colleagues, students, new practitioners, and seasoned therapists, have been working on this topic for years under the leadership of Chuck Christiansen, our current Vice President of AOTA. 

Many presentations and special events of the 2007 conference program will focus on the Centennial Vision. Your mission for the conference... is to find out how you can be involved in making the Centennial Vision Statement of 2017 a reality.  The visional statement represents not only the future of occupational therapy profession, but YOUR future as an occupational therapist. 

Kristen Lindeman 

Wellness Statement Being Considered by the RA

At Annual Conference, there is an overwhelming amount of activity. Most AOTA members and attendees, I think, often focus in on presentations at Annual Conference. Annual Conference also includes a number of meetings that are crucial to the Profession and to how our scope of practice takes shape. One of the experiences from conferences past that peaked my interest in Association process was the time I spent in the Representative Assembly observing and participating in process. If you've never sat in to listen to how task groups process, it is well worth the investment of time.

One of the upcoming pieces of business to be considered by the RA is the revision of the Associations statement on Health and Wellness. There is a call to membership currently on www.aota.org to review this document. You can download a copy, then give your opinion and feedback about the document in a zoomerang survey format. Incidentally, when members take the time to do this type of a review it does count as a development activity for your portfolio, so engaging in reviews of this kind is a 'win win' and well worth the time.

I read and submitted a review of the document. One of the concepts I like very well is the concept that occupational therapists can play a role in population-based initiatives. Approximately 9 years ago, when WFOT was in Montreal, I attended a small session with other OTs who are interested in influencing health and well-being of populations. At the time, there were very few of us who were interested. Inclusion of this concept in an official document of AOTA is extremely exciting to see. It also supports the vision of AOTA for 2017. AOTA is having meetings with the American Public Health Association (APHA) concerning potential collaborative efforts. OTs have been present in APHA, but only represented in small numbers in the past.

Do others in the reading audience of this blog have a similar interest? Do you believe there is a role for OTs in population-based initiatives within public health and community health models? What are you doing in your own communities to influence health and wellness? Please comment and sign-in.

I look forward to and hope for a discussion!

Ann Burkhardt

Board & Specialty Certification - What's in it for Me?

In the exhibit hall, there are so many things to look at, learn about, see and do. I've already mentioned the need for an extra suitcase and all the great people you'll get to meet. From a professional development perspective, I'd like to encourage OT's, OTA's and students to stop by the AOTA Member Resource Center in the exhibit hall and obtain information on board and specialty certification. Present at this booth will be current board and specialty certified practitioners. These individuals and AOTA staff members will be available to discuss the board and specialty certification process, benefits and answer your questions. I'm pleased to be board certified in mental health and strongly encourage other OT's, OTA's and students who are considering future mental health practice to consider learning more about board certification at conference.

So you may ask "board certification (or speciality certification)....what's in it for me?" Board Certification is a way for you to demonstrate your level of excellence in the area of mental health occupational therapy, to reflect on your past achievements and continue your professional development. It can provide a level of recognition among colleagues, referral sources, your employer, clients, your employer, and other important decision makers. Board Certification can affirm your involvement as an occupational therapist in mental health and possibly open new and different opportunities for your practice. Board certification can offer these things and more....want more information?, stop by the AOTA member resource center during the open exhibit hall times to find out more. Although I've focused on mental health, it is important to acknowledge all areas of board certification which include: gerontology, pediatrics and physical rehabilitation. Speciality Certification is available in Driving & Community Mobility, Feeding, Eating & Swallowing, Environmental Modification and Low Vision. Both board and specialty certification demonstrate a commitment to the profession of occupational therapy and to your own professional development. I look forward to seeing you at the member resource center and answering questions you have about board certification in mental health! Conference is right around the corner!

Christine Urish, PhD, OTR/L, BCMH

CAMs and Evidence

The unofficial launch to the annual conference is often the pre-conference institutes. One of the institutes this year is a team effort from four veterans in the area of complementary and alternative medicine (CAMS): Guy McCormack, Judy Parker, Frank Stein and Meryl Picard. In a previous Representative Assembly AOTA adopted a position paper (Giese, 2005). It is time for the Profession to apply principles of evidence based practice to the use of CAMs in Occupational Therapy practice.

Frank Stein emailed me concerning the institute: "Many occupational therapists are incorporating CAM into their OT practice. I think CAM provides OTs with alternative treatment methods that have clinical research evidence. CAM is compatible with OT practice. OTs who have a background in holistic treatment can use what they have learned in school and build upon that knowledge. The Institute will emphasize the rationale for applying CAM to practice, the research evidence demonstrating efficacy and hands-on examples of CAM. From the Institute I hope that the participants will be motivated to learn more about specific treatments through continuing education."

I also believe that many OTs have consumed CAM ourselves (I know I have!). When making decisions about using techniques and choosing educational experiences in the techniques, what has always been important to me was the chance to experience what I was studying and to have the opportunity to try out techniques as I learned them. The institute gives participants the opportunity to try several techniques as part of the experience-the best of both worlds!

-Ann Burkhardt