Interview with CAOT-BC Outstanding Occupational Therapist of the Year Award recipient Janice Duivestein
Why did you choose OT as a career?
During high school, I volunteered
with kids who had developmental disabilities, planning and running activities and
found I really enjoyed it! With the counselor at school I did an aptitude test
which led me to apply to the UBC rehab medicine program, which at the time was
a combined OT/PT program. I’ve worked as both an OT and Physio, across many
fields, populations and various roles for over 30 years. Now I’ve come full
circle and have returned to my passion of working with children and adults with
developmental disabilities.
What do you like about OT?
I think
more than any other healthcare profession, OT strongly values creativity; it is
not as prescriptive or confined by structures, enabling the capacity to address
each person on an individual basis. The value of OT is in being able to focus
on problem-solving towards goals which are meaningful to the individual client,
taking into the consideration their unique circumstance. There is a broad scope of practice for OTs
and while there can be overlap with other professions, the approach and
perspective OTs bring to problem-solving is unique. It is a career which allows for a wide variety
of opportunities and lifelong learning!
What do you find most challenging about working as an OT?
Similar
to what many OTs voice, there is a lack of understanding of what OTs do, partly
I think, because there are so many roles we can take on. As a consequence, our
value as a profession and what we can bring to the table is not as easily
recognized. Perhaps as a response, there’s a push to define OT in ways that, at
times, may seem overly complicated. However, I believe we can and do demonstrate
through our work, the value we bring to our clients and to healthcare teams.
What is your favourite thing about CAOT-BC?
It is
really valuable to have a forum that OTs can connect with one another on a
professional level. Although I feel strongly that much of healthcare work is most
appropriately done within an inter-professional team, it’s important to return
to our professional identity and role in occupation. CAOT-BC is a support
system for the profession where OTs can navigate and network, providing mutual
help which strengthens our practice. I also really appreciate CAOT for advocating
for the profession, showing OT as a valued part of the healthcare system.
What do you think will change or shape practice over the
next 5 years?
I’ve
noticed that the narrative for healthcare has a more holistic focus with the
effect of emotional well-being on health becoming much more recognized. During the last CAOT Conference in Vancouver,
it was very evident that this awareness is ramping up, in addressing health
issues such as addiction for example. The value of OTs will be also be more
recognized with the aging population where people are living longer, the Baby
Boomer generation (which is my generation) is seeking a good quality of life to
be able to function and continue doing valued activities. A lot of my
generation has not been through a major war; we are living a full life while living longer and so expectations
are high. OTs are well poised to help
this aging group in their goals for independence and quality of life.
Interview and post by CAOT-BC fieldwork student Kay Chan
#OT365
No comments:
Post a Comment