WHAT IS EMERGING PRACTICE?

Starting, beginning, appear, rise up,surface, develop, grow are all synomyms of emerging, there are many more. Emerging practice is all about new avenues and opportunities where occupational therapists can use their skills to make a difference to their clients lives. Emerging practice is a relatively new development within the profession. These oportunities and avenues have come about in many ways due to the changing nature of the world and society today. Emerging practice will meet new and growing needs of communities and individuals. An occupational therapists' shared belief in the use of occupational engagement to promote health, well-being and full participation in life makes them the perfect candidate for filling many of these emerging roles (Fidler 2000). Examples of emerging practices include ergonomic consultation, driver rehabilitation and training, health promotion for aging communities, and vocational welfare-to-work services (Johansson, 2000). Emerging practice will provide scope to utilize the many skills that an occupational therapist has to offer, and transfer these to other practice areas and employment opportunities where previously an occupational therapist may not of been considered. Occupation is central to occupational therapy. Although occupation is a universal experience, occupational therapists need to consider the risks and opportunities of exploring new roles and maintaining existing services.(Letts 2011) Potential rewards of emerging practice may include increased understanding of the profession by others and opportunities for new development of the occupational therapy profession, improving clients' quality of life, and acting as change agents in communities and for certain populations (Holmes & Scaffa, 2009). This blog will look at the following emerging practices: ergonomic consultation, driver rehabilitation, community development, and occupational health and safety.

REFERENCES:
Fidler, G. S. (2000). The issue is: Beyond the therapy model: Building our future. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 54(1), 99–101.

Holmes, W. M., & Scaffa, M. E. (2009). The nature of emerging practice in occupational therapy: A pilot study. Occupational Therapy in Health Care, 23, 189-206. doi:10.1080/07380570902976759

Johansson, C. (2000). Top 10 emerging practice areas to watch in the new millennium. OT Practice, 5(7), 6.

Letts, L. J. (2011). Optimal positioning of occupational therapy, Muriel Driver Memorial Lecture 2011. Canadian Journal Of Occupational Therapy, 78(4), 209-219. doi:10.2182/cjot.2011.78.4.2

ERGONOMIC CONSULTATION

Ergonomics - its all about the people and the equipment they use and the environment that they work in order for the person to work efficiently, productively and safely. This videoclip explains what ergonomics is: Occupational therapists are well suited to fit into ergonomic consultancy. From our training we naturally take into consideration the concept of POE or the person, occupation and environment. We have training in kiniesiolgy so are well aware of basic muscle mechanics, and we understand the importance of efficient muscular actions on the human body and how this can impact on the way individuals are able to particpate in tasks. When people hear ergonomic consultation they automatically think that it just about setting up office/computer work stations to be more effective for workers, but it can also cover seating in other capacities such as machinery,inventions to make people's jobs easier, manual handling techniques, safe lifting techniques and even utilization of correct ergonomics in the home. In Machinery design process the placement of handles and stairs, and placement of the instrument panel in the machine are all carefully designed with ergonomic principles in mind. This clip features the truck purchaser for an American trucking company. She explains the importance of ergonomics when considering what she will buy for the company. Ergonomic consultancy could proove to be another area that occupational therapists would shine, based on their knowledge and expertise and understanding of the inter-related importance of the environment, person and occupation/task.

WHAT IS OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY?

Occupational safety and health is an area concerned with protecting the safety, health and welfare of people engaged in work and to foster a safe and healthy work environment. There are labor laws in place to protect employees at work and create a healthy working environment. In order to create a safe working environment it requires taking precautions to prevent occupational accidents, occupational diseases and any hazards. According to studies, 70% of occupational accidents result from insecure behaviors and 98% of them are preventable. The way to prevent them is education. This includes education on the risks that an employee could face in the workplace and precautions that they could taks to prevent any occupational accidents and occupational diseases (Tulukcu, 2012). If physical and psychological health of employees is protected and they can work more efficiently. Besides the personal benefits occupational health and safety provides to employees, it also generates important social economic results and benefits. When working in a safe and healthy environment, employees are less likely to get injured and take time off, which in turn increases production levels within a company. If the job site involves machinery and equipment, and this gear is properly maintained operated safetly, this will reduce machinery/plant breakdowns which will also increase production. According to ACC, from July 2012 to June 2013, there were 285,841 active claims. This created a cost to the New Zealand economy of $683,632,207.00. (Accident Compensation Corporation, 2013) When working in the occupational health and safety, there are many industries you can work within including oil and gas, mining, building and construction, industrial, and transport. The following YouTube videos helps to show some problems people can encounter in their workplaces. References: Accident Compensation Corporation. (2013). Injury statistics tool. Retrieved from http://www.acc.co.nz/about/injury-statisitcs/index.htm#results. Tulukcu, N. B. (2012). The Importance Of Education In Occupational Health And Safety. International Journal of Arts & Sciences, 5(1), 145-153. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1284535907?accountid=39660

WHAT QUALIFICATIONS ARE NEEDED TO ENTER THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY PROFESSION?

To become a health and safety adviser it is recommended you have a health and safety diploma or certificate. Massey University, the University of Otago and the Southern Institute of Technology are the only places that offer health and safety diplomas/postgraduate qualifications. However, a number of polytechnics, industry training organisations and private providers offer health and safety certificates. To specialise as a health and safety adviser in a particular industry, such as construction or oil and gas, it is recommended you complete further on-the-job qualifications relevant to that industry, such as unit standards through an industry training organisation. Massey University, Post graduate studies in occupational health and safety. Visit this link: The Southern Institute of Technology offers a 17 week long diploma level course. For further information click on the following link: Otago University, Post graduate studies in occupational health and safety. Visit this link: Health and safety in the petroleum industry intrest you? This link offers some information: For more information about courses and places to train try: NZ Institute of Safety Management (09) 473 0857 - enquiries@nzism.co.nz - www.nzism.co.nz Link to website: NZ Occupational Health Nurses' Association (Inc) 0272735595 - marlene.thomson@paradise.net.nz - www.nzohna.org.nz/ Link to website:

DRIVER REHABILITATION & TRAINING

Occupational therapists can work in the field of driver rehabilitation and training. Driving is a really important occupation for many people. It gives freedom and independance, and for some people driving enables them to make a living. At certain times in a persons life, they may need to be re-assessed if their driving skills are at a suitable standard to retain their drivers licence. These YouTube clips are American, but explain what driver rehabilitation programs involve. In New Zealand when a doctor has concerns over whether you're medically fit to drive the classes or endorsements you're applying for, they commonly seek a second opinion. They may refer you to an occupational therapist for a driving assessment (New Zealand Transport Agency, 2012). This assessment involves an approximately two-hour off-road assessment (assessment in the therapist's office), which may be followed by a 50-60-minute on-road assessment (practical driving assessment). The off-road assessment will take up to two hours. The occupational therapist will carry out a thorough check of: Client's vision (basic screening) Client's physical functions (such as range of movement, strength, sensation and coordination) Client's judgement and memory Client's directional orientation, movement and decision making times Client's knowledge of road rules and signs. The therapist may use a computer-based tool for part of this assessment (New Zealand Transport Agency, 2012). The on-road assessment further assesses the impact that any disability or illness, or aging, might be having on your ability to drive safely. During the on-road assessment, the occupational therapist is also in the vehicle as well and sometimes a specially trained driving instructor. The client experiences a range of driving situations - for example: Driving on both the open road and urban roads Driving through controlled and uncontrolled intersections Parking Manoeuvring The on-road assessment may involve approximately 40-60 minutes of driving (New Zealand Transport Agency, 2012). After the driving assessment the occupational therapist will write a report outlining their observations and providing a professional recommendation. This report will be sent back to the GP who asked for the driving assessment(New Zealand Transport Agency, 2012). In New Zealand if you are an occupational therapist that wants to enter the field of driver assessment there is currently no training options to become qualified, but Australia has options. These include places such as University of Sydney and La Trobe University in South Australia. The following link provides information for training from the University of Sydney: And one for La Trobe University, Victoria, South Australia: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/courses/occupational-therapy/short-courses References: New Zealand Transport Agency (2012). Requirements for drivers. Retrieved from http://www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/medical/drivers.html

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

This is an emerging area of practice that has huge potential for an occupational therapist to utilize their skills. Occupational therapy is a client centered profession that has a primary goal of enabling people to participate in activities of daily life. Occupational therapists believe that the abilities of a person, the characteristics of the environment and the task all interact to support or limit the person's ability to carry out daily activities. Occupational therapists employ a holistic view. They offer a unique way of looking at community needs, assets and resources by analysing people, performance contexts, tasks and activities that may support or hinder health(Watson & Wilson 2008). This can be very important in community development as communities can be quite complex. Community development occurs at the community level, responds to community-identified priorities, and emphasizes empowerment and capacity building. This is done by community groups identifying health issues of their community, and planning and acting for social action/social change. The result of this is increased community self-reliance and decision-making power by empowering the community and making it stronger. (Labonte, 2004, p. 90) By addressing the health issues and concerns of a community, it is enabling better opportunities for the people that live within it to engage in occupations by addressing things that may improve the communities access and ability to engage in occupations. (Lauckner, Pentland, & Paterson, 2007, p. 319 Check out the edible Bus stop network in the U.K: A pop-up park in Dandenong, Australia. The following link looks at ways to create a more inclusive community: REFERENCES: Labonte, R. (2004).Community, community development, and the forming of authentic partnerships: Some critical reflections.In M. Minkler (Ed.),Community organizing and community building for health(2nd ed., pp. 88-102). New Brunswick, NJ:Rutgers. Lauckner, H., Pentland, W., & Paterson, M. (2007). Exploring Canadian occupational therapists’ understanding of and experiences in community development. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74, 314-325. doi: 10.2182/cjot.07.005. Watson, D. & Wilson, S. A. (2008). Task analysis: An individual approach (2nd ed.) Bethesda, MD: AOTA Press.

WHY SHOULD OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS CONSIDER EMERGING PRACTICE?

Emerging practice is a relatively new development within the profession. Occupational therapists shared belief in the use of occupational engagement to promote health, well-being and full participation in life makes them the perfect candidate for filling many of these emerging roles(Fidler 2000). There are many occupations that a person participates in each day and an occupational therapist is the qualified individual that can analyse these if a person is facing barriers to their participation in the occupations that they find meaningful to them. Other health professions do not have the same occuaptional lens from which to holistically view an individual, in order to consider the many facets and aspects that may be impacting/impeeding their participation in their meaningful occupations. According to Christiansen and Townsend (2010), to take an occupational perspective of life and society, we raise questions and seek answers about occupations. There are many ways that people occupy their time, and many occupations that people participate in on a daily basis and going to work is one them. Occupation is central to occupational therapy. Although occupation is a universal experience, occupational therapists need to consider the risks and opportunities of exploring new roles and maintaining existing services(Letts 2011). Due to the need for increased efficiency and cost-effectiveness, the availability of new information and greater technology, and increased public expectation, there has been a greater emphasis on community- based services and primary health care. So this means that the generic occupational therapy role of being based in a hospital setting will not be as common in the future due to the expectation of people to stay in their own homes instead of hospitals and institions such as resthomes. Due to the advancement of technology the practice of occupational therapy is able to become more mobile and less institutionalized, people have access to more information more easily and occupational therapists need to address how best to adapt their practice in order to adapt for this and meet the needs of the client. Nothing in life is ever static. Things have to change and evolve in order for the world to progress. In the future occupational therapists should not define the need for their services by a persons illness or sickness but instead take occupation-based view of health and well-being that applies to all humans whether living with acute illness, chronic disease, life stresses, or dealing with the challenges of growing or aging. It also challenges occupational therapists to think beyond an individual focus of occupation to community, societal, and environmental aspects. Potential rewards of being part of an emerging practice may include increased understanding of the profession by others and opportunities for new development, providing services to meet underserved or unserved clients, improving clients' quality of life, and acting as change agents in communities and for specific populations (Holmes & Scaffa, 2009). REFERENCES Christiansen, C. A. & Townsend, E. A. (2010). Introduction to Occupation. The Art and Science of Living. United States of America. Pearson. Fidler, G. S. (2000). The issue is: Beyond the therapy model: Building our future. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 54(1), 99–101. Holmes, W. M., & Scaffa, M. E. (2009). The nature of emerging practice in occupational therapy: A pilot study. Occupational Therapy in Health Care, 23, 189-206. doi:10.1080/07380570902976759 Letts, L. J. (2011). Optimal positioning of occupational therapy. Muriel Driver Memorial Lecture 2011. Canadian Journal Of Occupational Therapy, 78(4), 209-219. doi:10.2182/cjot.2011.78.4.2

REFLECTIONS ON EMERGING PRACTICE

I have enjoyed learning about a few of the different emerging practice areas that an occupational therapist can enter. It is really exciting to see how transferrable the skills we have learnt in our degree are. I knew of a few of the paths that you could take when qualified, but researching for this blog has helped me learn how adaptable a degree in occupational therapy can be as there are so many ways and so many opportunities that can utilise the skills and the knowledge that we are taught. We are not just limited to staying in one area of practice for the rest of our working lives. Removing barriers to occupational participation for clients can occur not only in hospital environments but also other areas such as office spaces, workplaces and the community. The beauty of emerging practice is that there will always be new industries and new ways of utilising the skills that a occupational therapist holds. It is up to the therapist if they choose to open their minds to the variety of employment opportunities that are out there and the multiple industries that would benefit from the skills that occupational therapists have to offer.