Overview of 1st ACOT Research & Country Reflection Day, 28th October 2023
Association of Caribbean Occupational Therapists
This year, for the very first time, ACOT hosted a virtual Research & Country Reflection Day - a slightly scaled down and informal alternative to the biennial conference. Due to unforeseen circumstances, no country was able to host an in-person or online conference this year. Rather than postpone the conference for another 1or 2 years, the ACOT Executive Committee voted to have a scaled-down “Reflection Day” organised and hosted by a committee on behalf of ACOT. It was hoped the day would provide a chance both for research and learning, but also for reflection and connection amongst the Caribbean nations. The theme of the Reflection Day was ‘Evolve to Solve’, and focused on the evolving role of occupational therapy, and how we as OTs have adapted our practice to meet the challenges and opportunities that post covid life has presented.
Content
The Research & Country Reflection Day was split into two sections: The morning session offered clinicians the opportunity to share and present their research. 7 presentations involving 10 presenters were pre-recorded and placed on YouTube for participants to watch prior to the Reflection Day. During the morning session, the presenters were on hand to discuss and answer questions on their research. Topics varied from oncology, to idiopathic toe-walking, and also included research from our OTs in Trinidad & Tobago.
The afternoon session took a more informal and reflective approach, offering OTs from across the Caribbean an opportunity to reflect on the past 2 years and discuss challenges and opportunities they as an Association had been presented with. The session included informal games, as well as presentations from 7 Caribbean country members (Jamaica were unable to present their reflections due to unforeseen circumstances), where each local OT association and representative were given the opportunity to reflect on a preselected topic, and how this had affected OT practice post COVID.
Attendance
In total, 33 people registered for the Reflection Day. Although this is significantly less than the attendance at the previous conference, given the circumstances and the scaled down format, the committee was pleased with the turnout. It was also truly an honour to have in attendance individuals who are making tremendous impacts in their respective regions; including Odeth Richardson, who is the Chair of Council for RCOT, and Andre Johnson, who is an OTA and Chairperson for the Commission of Education for AOTA, as well as a member of the South Florida Black Occupational Therapy Caucus. We hope to have our biennial conference to blossom and attract the brightest minds in our profession both regionally and internationally to share their expertise with us.
Of those that attended, most were occupational therapists, with a few occupational therapy students. The majority of the attendees came from Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Haiti, Cayman Islands and the USA.
Overall, the first ACOT Research & Country Reflection Day was a success! A very special thank you to the Conference Committee for all their hard work.
Association of Caribbean Occupational Therapists
This year, for the very first time, ACOT hosted a virtual Research & Country Reflection Day - a slightly scaled down and informal alternative to the biennial conference. Due to unforeseen circumstances, no country was able to host an in-person or online conference this year. Rather than postpone the conference for another 1or 2 years, the ACOT Executive Committee voted to have a scaled-down “Reflection Day” organised and hosted by a committee on behalf of ACOT. It was hoped the day would provide a chance both for research and learning, but also for reflection and connection amongst the Caribbean nations. The theme of the Reflection Day was ‘Evolve to Solve’, and focused on the evolving role of occupational therapy, and how we as OTs have adapted our practice to meet the challenges and opportunities that post covid life has presented.
Content
The Research & Country Reflection Day was split into two sections: The morning session offered clinicians the opportunity to share and present their research. 7 presentations involving 10 presenters were pre-recorded and placed on YouTube for participants to watch prior to the Reflection Day. During the morning session, the presenters were on hand to discuss and answer questions on their research. Topics varied from oncology, to idiopathic toe-walking, and also included research from our OTs in Trinidad & Tobago.
The afternoon session took a more informal and reflective approach, offering OTs from across the Caribbean an opportunity to reflect on the past 2 years and discuss challenges and opportunities they as an Association had been presented with. The session included informal games, as well as presentations from 7 Caribbean country members (Jamaica were unable to present their reflections due to unforeseen circumstances), where each local OT association and representative were given the opportunity to reflect on a preselected topic, and how this had affected OT practice post COVID.
Attendance
In total, 33 people registered for the Reflection Day. Although this is significantly less than the attendance at the previous conference, given the circumstances and the scaled down format, the committee was pleased with the turnout. It was also truly an honour to have in attendance individuals who are making tremendous impacts in their respective regions; including Odeth Richardson, who is the Chair of Council for RCOT, and Andre Johnson, who is an OTA and Chairperson for the Commission of Education for AOTA, as well as a member of the South Florida Black Occupational Therapy Caucus. We hope to have our biennial conference to blossom and attract the brightest minds in our profession both regionally and internationally to share their expertise with us.
Of those that attended, most were occupational therapists, with a few occupational therapy students. The majority of the attendees came from Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Haiti, Cayman Islands and the USA.
Overall, the first ACOT Research & Country Reflection Day was a success! A very special thank you to the Conference Committee for all their hard work.
As has previously been mentioned, the conference will look and work a little different this year. We are pleased and excited to share with you the latest developments and information with you so far. The ACOT Research and Country Reflection Day will be hosted VIRTUALLY on October 28, 2023.
What’s the Platform?
All presentations will be uploaded to the ACOT YouTube channel 1 week prior to the 28th.
All registrants will view the presentations PRIOR to the 28th using a provided link one week in advance.
The day of the event, October 28th, Zoom will be used.
All registrants will be sent the link to the Zoom prior to the 28th.
What’s the theme?
This year, the conference will have more of a relaxed tone and format, whilst still providing informative and educational content and research. The theme of the day will be Occupational Therapy: Evolve to Solve, and will provide all countries opportunities to share knowledge and promote discussion around how OT has evolved in the last two years, and how we as professionals have had to change and adapt our practice to meet the OT demands in the current political, world, health and social climate.
How will the day look like?
The first half of the day will be focussed on listening to and discussing current research. As with previous conferences, there will be presentations around our theme, as well as opportunities for Q&A sessions and breakout rooms to discuss the presentations and themes/questions they pose. This will be an opportunity for OTs and health professionals to share their current research.
The second half of the day will be more informal, and provide opportunities for OTs in each country to get together to participate in games, promoting some friendly competition between countries and providing an opportunity to get to know, and meet members from other countries.
The end of the day will provide an opportunity for reflection. A country rep from each member country will provide a short presentation on a topic/theme. The topics that will be presented on are as follows:
Anguilla - Lack of Support
Bahamas - Lack of Support
Barbados - Technology
Cayman Islands - Mental Health
Guyana - COVID
Haiti - Political Challenges
Jamaica - Mental Health
Trinidad and Tobago - Financial Challenges
Cost
Conference Only = $30.00 USD
Conference + Associate Membership (COTA/other profession)/Student = $50.00USD
Conference + Ordinary Membership (Registered/licensed OT) = $70.00USD
**Membership fees are for a 2 year membership**
How to Register
Registration is simple! Just one easy click to a Google Form. Once on the form complete the first part of the form to register for the conference. Choose the option you are registering, conference only or conference + 2 year membership. Those wishing to join ACOT will complete a few extra questions on the form. Once completed, simply submit the form and you will be formally registered!
What’s the Platform?
All presentations will be uploaded to the ACOT YouTube channel 1 week prior to the 28th.
All registrants will view the presentations PRIOR to the 28th using a provided link one week in advance.
The day of the event, October 28th, Zoom will be used.
All registrants will be sent the link to the Zoom prior to the 28th.
What’s the theme?
This year, the conference will have more of a relaxed tone and format, whilst still providing informative and educational content and research. The theme of the day will be Occupational Therapy: Evolve to Solve, and will provide all countries opportunities to share knowledge and promote discussion around how OT has evolved in the last two years, and how we as professionals have had to change and adapt our practice to meet the OT demands in the current political, world, health and social climate.
How will the day look like?
The first half of the day will be focussed on listening to and discussing current research. As with previous conferences, there will be presentations around our theme, as well as opportunities for Q&A sessions and breakout rooms to discuss the presentations and themes/questions they pose. This will be an opportunity for OTs and health professionals to share their current research.
The second half of the day will be more informal, and provide opportunities for OTs in each country to get together to participate in games, promoting some friendly competition between countries and providing an opportunity to get to know, and meet members from other countries.
The end of the day will provide an opportunity for reflection. A country rep from each member country will provide a short presentation on a topic/theme. The topics that will be presented on are as follows:
Anguilla - Lack of Support
Bahamas - Lack of Support
Barbados - Technology
Cayman Islands - Mental Health
Guyana - COVID
Haiti - Political Challenges
Jamaica - Mental Health
Trinidad and Tobago - Financial Challenges
Cost
Conference Only = $30.00 USD
Conference + Associate Membership (COTA/other profession)/Student = $50.00USD
Conference + Ordinary Membership (Registered/licensed OT) = $70.00USD
**Membership fees are for a 2 year membership**
How to Register
Registration is simple! Just one easy click to a Google Form. Once on the form complete the first part of the form to register for the conference. Choose the option you are registering, conference only or conference + 2 year membership. Those wishing to join ACOT will complete a few extra questions on the form. Once completed, simply submit the form and you will be formally registered!
We are looking forward to seeing you all on October 28th!
Please email [email protected] with any questions.
Please email [email protected] with any questions.