Occupational Therapy Town Hall by

mental health!

2024-02-02 00:15:54 UTC

Quality of life

skyebarbic — 2024-02-02 00:15:59 UTC

Working with groups, organizations, communities vs. just individuals

2024-02-02 00:16:15 UTC

think it may be helpful to describe what a restricted activity is, as this has not been a component in our regulations in BC (but I believe are in other provinces). (i.e. OTs could do this activity, but requires additional training)

skyebarbic — 2024-02-02 00:16:37 UTC

Participation instead of "performance"

2024-02-02 00:16:44 UTC

Propose restricted activities for OT

2024-02-02 00:16:50 UTC

Send letters to MLAs as well as to the email address provided for the MoH

2024-02-02 00:17:23 UTC

Send individual letters

skyebarbic — 2024-02-02 00:18:02 UTC

Understanding what qualifies as a restricted activity to decide whether this is an avenue to pursue would be helpful.

2024-02-02 00:18:26 UTC

Media coverage!!

2024-02-02 00:18:27 UTC

psychotherapy

2024-02-02 00:19:11 UTC

Comments on proposed bylaw amendments should be submitted to both the College and the Ministry

skyebarbic — 2024-02-02 00:19:39 UTC

Pain education

2024-02-02 00:19:46 UTC

If this change occurs, I can no longer practice in the field of mental health

skyebarbic — 2024-02-02 00:20:01 UTC

psychosocial & psychotherapeutic means of intervention; use of occupation as a therapeutic means (in addition to being the subject of intervention)

2024-02-02 00:20:05 UTC

A draft template letter to share would be helpful- that could help with amplifying message at individual level and facilitate quantity of responses.

2024-02-02 00:20:10 UTC

Pain management support and treatment from a biopsychosocial perspective

2024-02-02 00:20:13 UTC

clients will not get access to mental health supports from OTs which would be a huge loss

2024-02-02 00:20:37 UTC

loss of services and supports

2024-02-02 00:20:48 UTC

Preventative education to promote independence in managing one's health

2024-02-02 00:21:04 UTC

health promotion / prevention

2024-02-02 00:21:44 UTC

in re: public safety OTs are a regulated profession and taking them away from providing mental health services may lead to individuals seeking out supports from people without qualifications

2024-02-02 00:21:52 UTC

I know the Ministry is concerned about recruiting and retaining OTs in BC. How do they expect to do this if OT practice becomes very limited/restricted? Perhaps this is something to add to letters.

2024-02-02 00:21:55 UTC

work that is more focused on enablement, prevention, and recovery, rather than a medical perspective of addressing specific issues after they have happened

2024-02-02 00:21:56 UTC

A template letter will need to be open access - not restricted to members of an association

2024-02-02 00:22:16 UTC

Get help from the people that fixed this in Ontario- lobbyists, other OTs

2024-02-02 00:23:50 UTC

Environmental adaptation/universal design

2024-02-02 00:24:01 UTC

fill this out (and get colleagues to fill out) https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdcDOThk1nGxnbw1Fnj7NlbshiJPRWWzKiNSr-gHUbrJO82MA/viewform

2024-02-02 00:24:26 UTC

Cognitive assessment could be a restricted act for us to claim?

2024-02-02 00:24:28 UTC

M?ore specifically, is the scope of OT practice being restricted in the same way, in other geographical areas

skyebarbic — 2024-02-02 00:24:29 UTC

Suggest identifying a few high level key messages of what the feedback is would be important. e.g. definition is too broad, definition does not reflect current state of profession etc. Less focus on the more granular pieces.

2024-02-02 00:24:35 UTC

Based on this current definition I will not be able to practice in my OT mental health role. Many other OTs will have the same issue. BC is not in a place to replace all mental health OTs will other staff. There is already a shortage and OTs have value in mental health.

2024-02-02 00:25:10 UTC

No psychological component in the amendment

skyebarbic — 2024-02-02 00:25:39 UTC

We need a strong definition of occupational therapy that articulates who we are, how we add value, and what we do

skyebarbic — 2024-02-02 00:26:17 UTC

We need strong support from CAOT, CAOT-BC, and the college. We need them to be aligned and give direction.

skyebarbic — 2024-02-02 00:26:57 UTC

must include emotional health, mental health and OT role within that

2024-02-02 00:27:01 UTC

health promotion

2024-02-02 00:27:09 UTC

short letter template:

2024-02-02 00:28:18 UTC

We are "hard to define" but please don't restrict us

skyebarbic — 2024-02-02 00:28:26 UTC

I'm worried that if we don't speak up now, psychology and PT will completely take over what we do..it's already happening with PT using psychotherapeutic techniques in their practice with no issues, they are being praised!

2024-02-02 00:28:32 UTC

Occupational participation and engagement

2024-02-02 00:29:28 UTC

Participation and quality of life!

2024-02-02 00:29:30 UTC

acute AND chronic barriers to performance

2024-02-02 00:29:45 UTC

My question is if larger organizations are going to be speaking up on this. It’s one thing for us as individual OTs to comment, but what about the health authorities, ICBC, WSBC, clients, other health providers, and how we could get support from those groups.

skyebarbic — 2024-02-02 00:29:47 UTC

I would be unable to continue in my work supporting youth with eating disorders - a group that is already marginalized, under-supported, and experiences significant occupational disruption and restriction

2024-02-02 00:30:31 UTC

prevention, health promotion, early intervention, intervention across the lifespan

skyebarbic — 2024-02-02 00:30:36 UTC

we need to move towards a non-colonial definition of occupational therapy

skyebarbic — 2024-02-02 00:31:00 UTC

Explore how Health Sciences Association can support OT role

2024-02-02 00:31:09 UTC

Engage our partners outside of the profession- client user groups, employer groups e.g. HSA, health authorities, funders ICBC, WSBC, Disability Alliance etc. External voices are important as well.

2024-02-02 00:32:11 UTC

Have funders backup the role / importance of OT (health authorities, WSBC, ICBC, etc)

2024-02-02 00:32:37 UTC

Ensure responses do keep "protection of the public" centred as that is the point of regulation.

2024-02-02 00:33:05 UTC

I find it concerning that the definition from the ministry would be so far from that of current understanding in OT practice. I wonder how, if at all, COTBC and CAOT-BC have been involved in the decision making process when defining OT. If no significant OT involvement was in place, then going forward there should be stronger advocacy efforts from our representative organizations to ensure that OTs are represented accurately

2024-02-02 00:33:18 UTC

I'm concerned with how 'off' and lacking this definition was by the MoH. It begs the question, of whether more work needs to be done to ensure more understanding of our profession within organizations such as MoH overall

2024-02-02 00:33:38 UTC

I think it will be helpful to have a definition of occupation in the legislation, given it defines the scope of our profession. The term occupation is used quite differently outside of the profession.

2024-02-02 00:33:53 UTC

2024-02-02 00:34:19 UTC

Community OT would be less effective as a whole if mental health is excluded. Many clients who have complex difficulties (physical, cognitive, psychosocial difficulties) would likely fall through the cracks. Many services are siloed and I found OTs have been the ones to provide care coordination between different health care professionals which has been hugely beneficial for clients. Having a broad scope that includes physical, cognitive, and mental health allows us to look at things holistically and collaborate with various health care professionals to ensure a streamlined treatment plan.

I not longer work in clinical practice. If the definition is kept to working with individuals only I worry I will not able to call myself an OT anymore under the regulation.

2024-02-02 00:34:59 UTC

we need to update our bylaws and guidelines because they themselves don't define or provide a list of restricted activities.

2024-02-02 00:35:01 UTC

Letters coming from individuals (OTs and others), groups, association - provincial and national and educators. Send those same letters to your MLA.

2024-02-02 00:35:07 UTC

Meetings with MLA, meeting with Ministry of Health. Do we know if any OT groups have met with MoH in advance of creating this definition?

2024-02-02 00:35:50 UTC

A broad client definition that includes individuals, groups, communities, organizations etc.

2024-02-02 00:36:28 UTC

In LTC we often support our clients' right to live at risk which I worry may not be reflected in the definition, particularly considering the focus on safe performance. Safe performance is not always client centered.

2024-02-02 00:36:57 UTC

Do we know if any OT groups met with MoH in advance of creating this proposed definition?

skyebarbic — 2024-02-02 00:37:05 UTC

2024-02-02 00:39:48 UTC

I understand this may be ableist, however in community OT I've found that private funders respond well when we explain our therapy aims at enabling client "function" from a physical, cognitive, and mental health stand point. I'm wondering if adding "function" as part of our definition would be beneficial and strategic as this is broad?

2024-02-02 00:41:01 UTC

I became an OT to work in mental health. I considered lots of other Heath professions and decided OT was the most holistic approach to MH. If this passes I'd have to leave the province to continue my work, or leave the profession as a whole

Id we lose specificity, we will lose OTs in mental health

skyebarbic — 2024-02-02 00:41:27 UTC

2024-02-02 00:41:50 UTC

Get psychologists and counsellors to speak out about the role OTs play is important and ADDS to their work - not take away

doesnt need to be specific definition

2024-02-02 00:41:52 UTC

i think we cannot encapsulate everything we do in a definition. i think that is ok. we can be general and focused on themes and specific areas, i.e. including psychological health and psychological treatments and assessment.

The means by which OT use- if we do not include psychosocial and psychological

skyebarbic — 2024-02-02 00:42:40 UTC

We need to hear from clients, WSBC/ICBC, psychologists, PTs etc on why it's important - not just OT voices

2024-02-02 00:42:48 UTC

We need strong advocacy. OTs do do psychotherapy!

skyebarbic — 2024-02-02 00:43:13 UTC

lack of understanding of OT

2024-02-02 00:43:35 UTC

i think there is lack of understanding of what OTs do and we can be proactive and start to provide more awareness and education of our profession.

OTs have unique training and ability to support clients to safely engage in meaningfully activities and tasks. They follow a client centred approach, led by the client's goals and break down tasks and activities to help clients achieve them. OTs have a broad scope, skills and training to support clients to across physical, pychological, cognitive, mental and social emotional health. OTs adhere to their professional standards to ensure they have the skills and training to provide care safely.

2024-02-02 00:45:19 UTC

It will be important for us to watch those restricted activities in other professions to make sure they do not exclude others (ie // us) being able to continue to do them.

skyebarbic — 2024-02-02 00:46:22 UTC

functional activities of daily life

2024-02-02 00:46:43 UTC

OTs roles in supporting environmental factors to promote safety and accessibility for clients with a range of functioning and abilities (mental, physical, social-emotional and cognitive health)

2024-02-02 00:48:16 UTC

consistent understanding of restricted activities that OTs have long standing established role in performing - to highlight loss of services that could be accessed in a timely way.

2024-02-02 00:48:59 UTC

Purpose and meaning from the perspective of the person or collective

2024-02-02 00:50:46 UTC

2024-02-02 00:50:56 UTC

I'd like to see a letter from the College explaining the definition and scope needs to be adapted, and having it signed by leaders in MH and addictions from each health authority, ICBC and WorkSafe (all government agencies that currently need OTs to address mental health challenges in our province)

Purpose related to the "why" of occupation (includes cognitive, affective and physical)

2024-02-02 00:51:09 UTC

Who do we need to convince? I see there is a letter template to the Minister, but there is a team within the ministry that proposed these amendments in the first place. I understand COT provided some guidance prior to these amendments being proposed. I would like to know if they learned anything through that process that would help at this time.

2024-02-02 00:51:50 UTC

This will impact client access to the recommended mental health and pain related services through their ICBC and Worksafe BC claims, putting the population at-risk for chronicity and long-term dysfunction.

2024-02-02 00:52:11 UTC

2024-02-02 00:52:36 UTC

i think we can keep it broad and somple but add in broader view: cognitive, physical, emotional, psychological, developmental, etc ax, tx, etc

I work with parents and infant feeding challenges. The OT's role in supporting a breastfeeding dyad (infant feeding difficulties) without addressing mental health would significantly be a disservice to new families. The parents are at risk for perinatal mood disorders, and many ppl report not receiving care from other professionals with care and consideration to their mental health needs. My services would be significantly impacted.

2024-02-02 00:53:06 UTC

have CAOT, COTBC, HSA engaging in this dialogue and supporting us

2024-02-02 00:53:15 UTC

get COTBC, CAOT, HSA on board and advocating alongside us

2024-02-02 00:54:01 UTC

CAOT BC/CAOT has been on this for the past week!

2024-02-02 00:54:51 UTC

supporting development of infants and children

2024-02-02 00:54:51 UTC

advocating, developing systems

2024-02-02 00:55:00 UTC

CAOT BC and CAOT is supporting the BC OTs that are advocating on this issue through CAOT BC

2024-02-02 00:55:44 UTC

psychotherapy?

2024-02-02 00:56:54 UTC

2fii) to administer a substance by inhalation (such as oxygen)

2024-02-02 00:57:06 UTC

substance use!!!!

2024-02-02 00:57:07 UTC

mental health and environment

2024-02-02 00:57:27 UTC

I've worked my entire career in MH so far. I've done my continued education and training in MH. I wouldn't have a job if I couldn't work in this area and would likely leave OT altogether if I couldn't work in this area.

2024-02-02 00:57:50 UTC

2bi) perform a procedure on tissue below the dermis

2024-02-02 00:58:34 UTC

2c) to set or cast a fracture of a bone

2024-02-02 00:58:54 UTC

2d) to reduce a dislocation of a joint

2024-02-02 00:59:10 UTC

why omitting mental health interventions? Is this an effort to delineate OT from psychologists?

2024-02-02 00:59:51 UTC

If so, highlight how our professions compliment each other and have different lens

Put them on alert that this needs to be reviewed if there is limited time

2024-02-02 01:00:15 UTC

OTs in SU - loss of opportunity for care

2024-02-02 01:00:17 UTC

we are so well positioned to provide care and supports for individuals who are using substance use and substance use disorders. this must be included within our scope and abilities. we have a toxic drug crisis.

Environmental considerations to behavioral health, sensory interventions, and how the OT lens aligns with addressing some of the social determinants of health.

2024-02-02 01:00:18 UTC

case management/care coordination!!!!

2024-02-02 01:00:51 UTC

learning to live WITH illness or injury, adapting to change.

2024-02-02 01:00:53 UTC

The CCPA is trying to move towards greater regulation of psychotherapy and who can perform it. should we be getting ahead of the curve on this and defining it in our practice if not in the definition, then somewhere in our bylaws

2024-02-02 01:01:33 UTC

The audience

2024-02-02 03:47:12 UTC

If the audience is the public, what is the public's interpretation of OT? Would past and current client experiences of OT be in alignment with the current amendments?

Could Health Quality BC (www.healthqualitybc.ca) be another potential voice?