Occupational therapy week: Occupational therapy during COVID-19

November 6, 2020

This year has been a challenging one for the occupational therapy (OT) profession, with many OTs having to transition to telehealth practice for virtual visiting and academic courses taking place online. Video conferencing has become the norm and lunch times catch ups have been restricted.

However, OTs are always up for a challenge and by thinking outside of the box they have made it work. Adapting activity is one of the unique skills of the OT and they know being able ’to do’ improves health and wellbeing. So, what did they do exactly? They focused on providing alternative ways for our patients to be social, despite being apart, signposting to services that could support patients when family could not and promoting positive mental health, habits, and routines.

This out of the box thinking also resulted in a change that brought together OTs from all clinical areas to share experiences, best practice and raise the profile of OT within the Trust and beyond. The senior OT team set up regular monthly meetings with the OT service lead to explore ways this could be achieved.

It was agreed that a range of activities would be done including the launch of an OT development group, OT twitter account and OT specific quality improvement half days to share knowledge and skills.

The first meeting of the OT development group took place in August. Ideas were collected for future group topics and collectively agreed ‘a shared vision’ for the profession with the Trust. The feedback from the group was really positive with OTs saying ‘it was nice to be able to network with colleagues’ (Sam Hull, Advanced OT) and ‘it’s nice to give the profession the recognition it deserves’ (Ellis Worth, Specialist OT). Future meetings will be held every two months and will be a great opportunity for networking (COVID-19 permitting).

In addition to the OT development group they have now also held two profession specific quality improvement half days focusing on cognitive assessment and rehabilitation facilitated by OTs from stroke and neurology and rapid response. These sessions were a mix of presentations and case discussions designed to get everyone involved and sharing knowledge and skills. OT plan to continue with these regular meetings developing a skilled OT Team who are confident to speak up for the profession.

If you would like to know more about OT within your clinical area contact aimeeturner@nhs.net.