Review of the Australian OT Competency Standards:
Carrick D.B.I. Project
A partnership between UQ, JCU & OT Australia (National)
December 2007
Newsletter 2: Project Progress and Upcoming Events
Phase 1: Preparing for Nation-Wide Professional Consultation in 2008
The ultimate vision for this project is a set of revised competency standards for entry-level
occupational therapists which reflects contemporary and future occupational therapy practice
in Australia, and is consistent with contemporary philosophy, research, values and theories
underpinning professional occupational practice. During 2008 the project team will conduct a
series of national focus groups to collect multiple and diverse perspectives from occupational
therapists representing a variety of professional roles and practice areas. These participant
groups will discuss the adequacy, relevance, utility and appropriateness of the current
standards and identify what, if any, revisions or changes may be required.
To determine key issues and topics for discussion during the 2008 focus groups, the project
team has been conducting a preliminary investigation since September 2007 which includes a
literature review and online survey.
Stakeholder Contact
Two key groups of representative stakeholders have been convened to provide regular input
and feedback to the project team over the duration of the 12-month project:
Steering Committee
Two representatives from OT AUSTRALIA (National), Rebecca Allen and Chris Kennedy,
were nominated to the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee has met on 2 occasions;
Rebecca and Chris have provided timely and valuable advice regarding the conduct of project
tasks to date, and advocated for further professional support of the project. The Project Team
is grateful for their contributions and continuing support.
Reference Group
The Reference Group comprises Heads of Schools from each of the 13 Australian tertiary
institutions with a School of Occupational Therapy, and representation from the Council of
Occupational Therapists Registration Boards (COTRB). This membership also represents the
interests of ANZCOTE (Australia and New Zealand Council of Occupational Therapy
Educators) and ANZOTFA (Australia and New Zealand Occupational Therapy Fieldwork
Academics). Members of the Reference Group first met with the Project Team in October
2007, and were oriented to the project tasks and timelines. The Project Team was
appreciative of the degree of support and enthusiasm demonstrated by members at this
meeting. The next meeting of the Reference Group will be convened in February 2008, at
which time the Project Team will be requesting feedback on the findings from the key tasks of
Phase 1 - the literature review and survey.
Review of the Australian OT Competency Standards:
Carrick D.B.I. Project
A partnership between UQ, JCU & OT Australia (National)
Phase 1 Project Tasks: Literature Review and Survey
Literature Review
The Project Team is currently reviewing the final draft of the literature review before
presenting it to the Steering Committee for comment. The finished literature review will be
distributed to the Reference Group prior to the meeting in February. The literature review has
been divided into 2 main sections. The first contains a discussion on considerations for format
and concepts (such as defining competence) for inclusion in the revised competency
standards. The second section compares the Australian Competency Standards for Entry
Level Occupational Therapists © (OT AUSTRALIA, 1994) to international occupational
therapy competency standard documents, and competencies from other Australian health
disciplines. The generic graduate attributes from each of the 13 universities with a School of
Occupational Therapy are also examined to discuss their influence on occupational therapy
curricula design.
Survey
The purpose of the online survey was to capture a ‘snapshot’ of current national perspectives
on the competency standards and their use in curriculum design, to guide development of the
focus group protocol for 2008. Participants included Heads of Occupational Therapy Schools,
accreditors, representatives from COTRB, Heads of Undergraduate and Graduate Entry
programs, fieldwork academics, and representatives from OT AUSTRALIA (National). Based
on a preliminary analysis of the results, 73% of participants reported that the current
competencies did not adequately cover the scope of OT practice in Australia. A full summary
of results will be made available in early 2008 to all stakeholders who were invited to
participate.
Future Action
Online Updates
In February 2008, the Carrick Institute plans to launch its online service Carrick Exchange,
which will host the project web site including links to publications and reports. Whilst waiting
for this site to become operational, Carrick is hosting a project web page which contains an
overview of the project, links to the project newsletters and project manager contact details.
This page can be accessed at http://admin.carrickinstitute.edu.au/dspace/handle/10096/2601.
Article in OT AUSTRALIA Connections Magazine
An article about this research project will be published in the January 2008 edition of
Connections. This will raise national awareness of the project, and inform OTs of the
upcoming national focus groups in 2008. Interested readers will be directed to forward their
interest to their local School of Occupational Therapy.
Review of the Australian OT Competency Standards:
Carrick D.B.I. Project
A partnership between UQ, JCU & OT Australia (National)
National Focus Groups
Between February and May 2008, the project team intends to conduct the national series of
focus groups, hosted by each of the national Schools of Occupational Therapy. The Heads of
Schools from each of the 13 tertiary institutions have kindly agreed to assist with arranging
venues and participants; the project manager will contact these individuals directly in 2008 to
finalise these arrangements.
Upcoming Meetings
Steering Committee
The Project Team will be meeting with the Steering Committee on February 15, 2008 to
discuss Phase 1 outcomes and the protocol for the national series of focus groups.
Reference Group
The second meeting of the Reference Group will be convened on February 20, 2008 to hear
feedback on Phase 1 findings and discuss the upcoming national focus groups.
Thank You
The Project Team wishes to thank the professional community for the overwhelming support it
has received so far. The success of this project is contingent on input from the national
community of occupational therapists; the degree of participation and interest demonstrated
so far has been very encouraging. Best wishes for the holiday season, and we look forward to
working with you in 2008.
Regards,
The Project Team
Sylvia Rodger, Michele Clark, Mia O’ Brien, Kay Martinez & Rebecca Banks.
Contact Details
For further information regarding the project, please direct enquiries to
Ms Rebecca Banks
Project Manager
Room 313 Seddon North Building
University of Queensland
Ph: (07) 3365 2101
Fax: (07) 3365 1622
Email: r.banks@shrs.uq.edu.au
Assoc Prof Sylvia Rodger
Project Director
Email: s.rodger@uq.edu.au
Phone: (07)3365 1664 Fax: (07) 3365 1622