AOTA’S CENTENNIAL VISION Shaping the Future of Occupational Therapy

Some of the slides for this presentation were developed by both Carolyn Baum and Charles Christiansen and are used with permission

Planning for 2017: The Long and Winding Road* 2003 Board Approves Plan 2004 Scenarios Developed 2005 Extensive National Dialogue 2006 Strategic Directions Retreat 2006 Planning & Communication 2006-2017 Strategic Implementation *Credit: The Beatles, 1970

Our Goals for the Centennial Visioning Process To articulate a shared vision of the occupational therapy profession To set strategic directions that will guide the work of the association and its members To deepen our personal resolve to shape our common future

Centennial Vision Statement “We envision that occupational therapy is a powerful, widely recognized, science-driven, and evidence-based profession with a globally connected and diverse workforce meeting society’s occupational needs.”

Charles Christiansen AOTA Vice President 2003-2006 “There are no facts about the future, only possibilities. These possibilities arise from our knowledge of trends, from our experiences, and from our imagination about how the world could be. Our vision of these possibilities helps us create the future we want.” Charles Christiansen AOTA Vice President 2003-2006

Eight Broad Imperatives for OT We must expand collaboration to achieve success We must have the power to influence Membership in AOTA must be seen as a professional responsibility We must have a well-prepared, diverse workforce

Eight Broad Imperatives for OT OT must have a clear, compelling public image We must deliver services that create customer demand Our decisions in practice, education, and research must be based on evidence We must embrace science-fostered innovation in occupational therapy practice

Strategic Directions Building the capacity to fulfill the profession’s potential and mission Ensuring an adequate and diverse workforce for multiple roles Preparing OTs and OTAs for the 21st century Increasing research capacity and productivity Strengthening our capacity to influence and lead

Strategic Directions -Meeting societal needs for health and Demonstrating and articulating our value to individuals, organizations, and communities -Meeting societal needs for health and well-being -People understanding who we are and what we do Building an inclusive community of members Linking education, research, and practice

“Those who founded our profession had a vision: that occupational therapy would study and use occupation as it influences health and would educate people about its value. Many, many advances are making our founders’ vision a reality. As we get closer to the actual Centennial celebration, it is a time for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to seize the opportunities of those changes in the health care system that place value on health and participation. We must use our knowledge and skills to be very visible with our contributions, which improve the quality of the lives of those we serve.” Carolyn Baum, President, 2004-2007

Broad Areas of Practice to Organize Our Work

Productive Aging

Rehabilitation, Disability, and Participation

Children and Youth (Pediatrics)

Work and Industry

Health and Wellness

Mental Health

Today’s Emerging Areas of Occupational Therapy Practice Ergonomics consulting Design and accessibility consulting and home modification Older driver assessment and training Consulting to assisted-living facilities Technology and assistive-device development and consulting There are a number of newly emerging areas of practice for occupational therapy which dovetail with the needs of an aging population, and will result in increased demand for services. These include low vision rehabilitation, treatment of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia and caregiver training, older driver safety/rehabilitation, assisted living, and home safety/home modification to enable “aging in place.” Increasingly, some payors are viewing these areas as an appropriate investment in preventing or delaying onset of age-related functional decline and disability. For example, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has clarified Medicare policy to enable beneficiaries with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia to receive occupational therapy services when medically necessary. Similarly, CMS has clarified the availability of occupational therapy services for beneficiaries with vision impairments.

Today’s Emerging Areas of Occupational Therapy Practice Health and wellness consulting Low-vision rehabilitation Addressing Alzheimer's disease and caregiver training Addressing the needs of children and youth Community services

Are We Ready? Do we have the right knowledge and skills for new initiatives? Do we need advanced practice in areas that support participation? Are practitioners in the right places where they will produce results? Have we maximized the opportunities for both OTs and OTAs? AOTA’s president, Carolyn Baum, has posed these as critical questions we must address as we think about the future and undertake thoughtful planning: Do we have the right knowledge and skills for new initiatives? Do we need advanced practice in areas that support participation? Are practitioners in the right places where they will produce results? Have we maximized the opportunities for both OTs and OTAs?

We Need To… Move forward knowing that society has needs we can meet Seek knowledge to enhance our skills for new markets Not let other professionals make claims of our knowledge and services Form collaborations through professional organizations

We Need To… Make our contributions visible through volunteer work in our communities Advocate for those who have needs where our knowledge can address issues or remove barriers Seek mentors and mentor others to support both your and their continued growth

We Need To… Promote greater public understanding of occupational therapy Heighten the importance of occupational therapy with public and private sector policymakers Recruit students to the profession From Baum Presidential Address, 2004

We Need To… Promote the application of evidence-based knowledge in practice Support practitioners in existing and emerging practice settings with continuing education Advocate for training and research funds Support the development of knowledge to advance the profession From Baum Presidential Address, 2004

Priorities as We Begin Our Journey Build a cutting-edge research agenda for the profession Develop a model curriculum for OT and OTA educational programs to raise the bar of excellence and to foster greater consistency across curriculum

Priorities as We Begin Our Journey Assure that OT language is compatible with terminology used in public policy, reimbursement, and research arenas (e.g., alignment with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health and with National Library of Medicine MESH headings)

Priorities as We Begin Our Journey Develop a major image-building campaign to more effectively explain OT to the public Develop a universal, computerized outcomes data set

Priorities as We Begin Our Journey Engage in broad-based advocacy to ensure funding for OT in traditional and emerging areas Facilitate stronger linkages between research, education, and practice to enable effective communication

"Our Centennial Vision creates the opportunity for the occupational therapy profession to enter its golden age. I love the boldness of the vision, the fact that it emerged from a real partnership of stakeholders, and that it will fortify the profession for the future world we are likely to encounter. Now we must embrace the vision, each in our own way, so that its realization preserves and embodies what is most important to each one of us." Florence Clark AOTA Vice President, 2006-2009