Hot Topic – Occupational Therapy in a Changing Planet
This Hot Topic explores the link between climate change, human health, and occupational therapy. Gain insights into climate science, systems change, risk management, and practical strategies that OTs can use to create positive change.
Program Overview
SESSION OVERVIEW
Join us at this Hot Topic as we explore the topic, Occupational Therapy in a Changing Planet – Engaging occupation to support human and planetary health.
The session will focus on key topics that impact the environment, individuals, occupational therapists and the broader community.
What you can expect from the session:
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A Brief Update on Climate Change Science: Get the latest on the science behind climate change and its far-reaching effects.
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The Impact of Planetary Health on Human Health: Understand the profound connection between the health of our planet and the well-being of individuals and communities.
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Occupational Therapy and Systems Change: Discover how occupational therapy thinking can drive positive systems change in response to climate challenges.
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Evidence of Effective Action: Learn about practical actions and strategies being implemented to manage climate change.
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Managing Risk Associated with Climate Change: Practical insights for occupational therapists and clients on minimising risks related to climate change.
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The Role of Nature Connection: Explore the therapeutic value of nature and how connecting with the environment can enhance health outcomes.
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Q&A: Opportunity to ask questions and be part of the discussion on this important topic
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Resources: links to further your learning and support action
By attending this workshop, you will:
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Gain a brief overview of the scientific evidence of climate change
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Develop your understanding of the links between people and planetary health and why climate change is relevant for occupational therapists.
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Be able to apply frameworks which align with occupational therapy models to understand complexity. This will include exploring the theory of change parallelled with your clinical and professional reasoning skills to apply to the growing challenge of the climate
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Hear stories to inspire hope, from occupational therapists engaged in the ecosystem of change to support human and planetary health.
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Feel motivated to action and develop a capacity to plan for a healthy future and create change through intentional actions in everyday life (including increasing connection with nature for yourself and your clients).
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Be informed to be able to bring the conversation of planet health and OTs role to your workplace / colleagues for further discussion and action
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
All occupational therapists and occupational therapy students.
WORKSHOP DETAILS
DATE
Thursday 20th March 2025
TIME
4:30pm | AEDT | ACT, VIC, TAS, NSW |
4:00pm | SA |
3:30pm | QLD |
3:00pm | NT |
1:30pm | WA |
The session will run for approximately 2 hours.
Please log on 10 minutes prior to session start.
VENUE
This is a 100% virtual event. You will receive an email with details to access the event the day prior to the scheduled event date
CPD HOURS
Total CPD claimable workshop hours: 2
A certificate of attendance will be issued upon completion of the full course. Please allow up to 48 hours for the certificate to appear in your CPD tracker.
RECORDING
This session will be recorded.
ACCESS
Participants will be assigned 12 weeks to access the course materials (including recording) via our online learning platform in their OTA Account.
REGISTRATION FEES
EARLYBIRD – Book on or before 13 March 2025
OTA Member: $54
OTA Student/New Graduate Member: $49
Non-member: $70
STANDARD – Book on or after 14 March 2025
OTA Member: $60
OTA Student/New Graduate Member: $54
Non-Member: $78
RSVPS close 18th March 2025, 11:59pm AEDT
Members must be logged in with username and password to register at the member rate.
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DISCLAIMER
All information is correct at the time of publication. OTA reserves the right to alter or delete items from the CPD calendar as required, and takes no responsibility for any errors, omissions, and changes.
All resources including copies of the presentation, along with all supporting documents and links are not for distribution and are the property of the presenter.
An OTA staff member or representative may be photographing this event for use in OTA publications and/or on OTA social media sites. If you do not wish to be photographed, or have your image published please make this known to the OTA representative at your course or contact OTA on 1300 682 878 or info@otaus.com.au
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
T&C's are available here
CONTACT US
Please email info@otaus.com.au or phone 1300 682 878
Presented By:
Presenters
Dr Cate Sinclair (she, her)
Cate is an occupational therapist, founder and director of Vital Connections Allied Health, an occupational therapy private practice. Cate believes in working collaboratively to build systems which holistically support the well-being of people and diverse life on our planet. Cate is the current Chair of the Pain in Childhood Special Interest Group of the Australian Pain Society (2023-2025). In November 2023, she travelled to Antarctica as a member of Homeward Bound, the diverse global community of women and non-binary people with STEMM backgrounds collaborating to create a healthier planet and sustainable future for all. Cate stood as a lower house candidate for the Australian Greens in the 2022 Federal Election, and legislative council candidate for Northern Victoria in the 2022 State Election. Cate has extensive clinical experience as an occupational therapist. She has held previous roles as Clinical Team Leader and Clinical Advisory Panel member of Splash Paediatric Therapies, Director of Allied Services and Projects and clinical occupational therapist at Pain Specialists Australia, and Senior Occupational Therapist with the Children’s Pain Management Clinic at the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Bronwyn Paynter (she, her)
Bronwyn has worked as an occupational therapist since 1993 in Australia. She has a passion for innovation, a focus on wellbeing and has never worked in the mainstream health system. Bronwyn also holds qualifications in workplace health and safety, project management and permaculture design and is a certified Forest and Nature Therapy Guide with https://anft.earth/. Bronwyn is passionate about supporting occupational therapists (in all settings) to work with nature and create ways of working that support the wellbeing of ourselves as well as that of our service users, communities and the planet! She has created a unique blend of occupational therapy, permaculture and nature therapy as the basis for her business Nature OT Pty Ltd. Bronwyn has presented about nature based occupational therapy at national occupational therapy and social work conferences in Australia and internationally (on-line), has appeared as a podcast guest on various OT and wellbeing focused podcasts and has recently authored and co-authored several book chapters about occupational therapy and nature. Bronwyn is a currently a board member and project officer for Outdoor Health Australia.