CAOT-BC supports Minister Terry Lakes’ announcement to invest $90 million over three years to bring
integrated team-based primary care services to more communities throughout
British Columbia.
“The increased funding is a necessary step to
begin to shift care to the community rather than in the hospital” said Giovanna Boniface, National
Director of Professional Affairs of CAOT. “This is a move in the right
direction that will lead to better use of non-physician resources such as
allied health professionals. We are pleased to see that occupational therapists
(OTs) will be included in these primary care teams. Occupational therapists
first authored guidelines for patient centred practice in the 1980s, and this
approach to practice has been embedded in the training curricula for decades.
Occupational therapists are well poised to assist family doctors to better
manage elderly patients with chronic and often difficult issues that interfere
with the job of daily life. The care provided by OTs enables people to carry
out their daily activities (“occupations”) so they can enjoy a full and
independent life”.
However the CAOT-BC is concerned
about where those additional occupational therapists will come from. to support
the expansion of this model of team-based primary care across the province.
“Currently there are just 48
occupational therapists graduating from the UBC Faculty of Medicine, Department
of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy program every year,” added
Boniface. “That is simply not enough to support the expansion of this model of
team-based primary care across the province”. We are forced to recruit from
other provinces or even other countries. What is needed is increased funding to
train OTs right here at home.”
CAOT-BC is looking
forward to assisting the bringing integrated team-based primary care services
to B.C. communities. We believe that training more occupational therapists in
British Columbia will assist in making that plan a success.
About Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists are integral parts of interdisciplinary teams, and offer practice and interventions that complement and enhance a team-based model of care. Investment in occupational therapy enables British Columbians living with injury, illness and/or disability to maintain their abilities and independence so they can remain healthy, happy, and independent.
For media requests, please contact:
Giovanna Boniface, OT
National Director of
Professional Affairs
Canadian Association
of Occupational Therapists
613-523-2268 or 800-434-2268 ext. 265 Fax: 613-523-2552
No comments:
Post a Comment