T19 Occupational therapy within the Canadian Armed Forces and Veteran populations: Practice and research
Thursday (CST| HSC): 10:00-10:55 | Extended discussion
Advocacy /policy development | Community/population
Chelsea Jones (Department of National Defense, Heroes in Mind Advocacy and Research Consortium (HiMARC), University of Alberta | Edmonton) cweiman@ualberta.ca, Marie-France Lebeau Department of National Defense marie-france.lebeau@forces.gc.ca, Suzette Bremault-Phillips Heroes in Mind Advocacy and Research Consortium (HiMARC), University of Alberta suzette2@ualberta.ca
Introduction: Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Service Members (SMs), Veterans, and their families face transitions during their career and lifetime. Occupational therapists (OTs), with a rich history of working with SMs and Veterans, help healthy, ill and injured members to function optimally in the course of their service, as well as during relocation, promotions, employment challenges, rehabilitation, and the transition to civilian life. Recently, there is an increased presence of OTs within the CAF, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), universities, and community working and conducting research with this population. The need still exists to educate external stakeholders and the OT community on the contributions of our profession remains. Objectives: To heighten awareness of the progress, experiences, strengths, and barriers of OTs working and conducting research with this population. Approach: Presentations by 6 to 8 OTs panellists representing the CAF, VAC, and key research initiatives on (1) OT positions and programming within CAF/VAC, and; (2) an overview of Canadian OT research with these populations, followed by a facilitated group discussion. Practice Implications: It is imperative that the OT community be engaged with and knowledgeable about the strengths and challenges CAF-SMs, Veterans, and their families face and be informed about best practices and evidence-based interventions utilized by experienced OTs working with these populations. Conclusion: Canadian OTs play a vital role in the lives of CAF-SMs, Veterans, and their families. Further research, advocacy, and engagement with stakeholders will pave the way for enhanced utilization of OT within the CAF, VAC, and community.