CAOT’S PRACTICE MAGAZINE
A U T H O R S ’
G U I D E L I N E S
Occupational Therapy NOW is published by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists
(CAOT) and provides occupational therapists with information to meet the challenges of their
day-to-day practice. Articles in both the print and on-line versions encourage discussion and debate of
occupational therapy practice issues. Topics include: clinical applications of recent research and theory,
evidence-based practice, socio-cultural, political and economic influences
on occupational therapy, as well as other information relevant to the profession at large.
Articles also appeal to anyone with an interest in occupation and its impact on health – health care
practitioners, consumers, policy and decision makers and members of the general public.
Where do I start?
CAOT Publications welcomes submissions that contain
practical information and/or encourage discussion of
professional issues. For every type of article we look for
clear, easily understood and interesting writing.
beginning with the January/February issue. Every effort
is made to publish your article as soon as possible.
Articles which are time sensitive take precedent.
Obviously articles which do not require too many revisions are processed faster.
There are currently seven regular columns which are
described on page 3 and 4. Your ar ticles may fit under
one of these columns or be featured separately.
To submit an article you will need an Authors Package
which contains the Authors Guidelines, a Submission
Form and two copyright release forms. All the forms
must be submitted along with both a hard copy of the
article and an electronic copy on disk. We ask that you
take special note of the section on the submission form
which asks if you have had your article reviewed by a
colleague. A colleague, knowledgeable about your subject matter, can offer you invaluable feedback and may
prevent unnecessary revisions once your article is in
process. A cover sheet should accompany your article
which includes: proposed title of your article, each
author’s name, credentials, address, phone numbers and
a brief biography.
Some styles of writing include: “how to” articles, interviews or personality profiles, informational, inspirational, “it happened to me”, opinion and humour articles.
Before writing your article, it is a good idea to send an
outline to the managing editor (wpc@istar.ca) for some
initial f eedback and ideas regarding st yle. You may also
wish to contact the individual column editor (see inside).
How long should my article be?
Our readers tell us that they are short on time so make
every word count – be precise and be concise. Articles
should be no longer than 1500 words. Brief notices can
be as short as 50 words but still of interest to readers.
What happens after I submit my article?
Occupational Therapy Now is published bimonthly
If you are submitting your article electronically, i.e.as an
e-mail attachment, please mail, courier or fax through
the above forms along with a hard copy of your final
article. This is the only verification we have that the
attachment has come through accurately.
continued on page four
Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists
CTTC Building • Suite 3400 • 1125 Colonel By Drive • Ottawa,Ontario Canada • K1S 5R1 • 1 (800) 434-2268
WATCH YOUR PRACTICE
Column Editor:
Mary Manojlovich
This column was developed in response to
the many questions and concerns practicing
occupational therapists have about the way
they practise. Occupational therapists have
faced many professional issues as the profession has moved from its technological roots
to an autonomous,theory-based profession.
While the column editor has in the past
attempted to draw on general concerns
raised by practicing occupational therapists,
she really needs to hear from those of you
with critical practice issues especially those
who would like to write an article for this
column.
Practice issues cover a wide area and could be
related to changes in government policies
and their effects on practice; regulatory issues
(those directed by colleges); practice issues
applicable to occupational therapists in private practice; changes in health care roles
(e.g. multiskilling); supervisory challenges
and so on. Articles that demonstrate how you
or a group of therapists have successfully
dealt with a practice situation would be particularly welcome and helpful to others.
For further information contact the
managing editor or:
Mary Manojlovich
Tel.(709) 737-3868
Fax.(709) 737-3883
E-mail: hcc.manm@hccsj.nf.ca
TECH UPDATE
Column Editor: Dianna Fong-Lee
DEVELOPING EXPERT PRACTICE
Column Editor: Mary Egan
This column serves to provide readers with
information on the latest developments in
assistive technology. Reviews of computerbased hardware and software as well as any
technologies applicable to occupational
therapy will be featured. If you have used a
new software package lately or you are
interested in sharing your views on how an
assistive device has been successfully used
with a client, please consider submitting a
review.
Occupational therapists make intervention decisions through an on-going review
of evidence from multiple sources. We listen to our clients, reflect on theory from
occupational therapy and other disciplines, review research findings, and seek
input from colleagues. In developing
expert practice we refine our abilities to
critically evaluate and synthesize information from these and other sources.
Developing expert practice is a new OT
Now column which c ombines the aims of
two original columns, Evidence-based
practice and Put it to practice. Therapists
are invited to submit articles which
describe their journeys towards expert
practice. Topics may include procedures
used to critically evaluate and synthesize
information related to a particular intervention or novel use of resources to support such an activity. Columns will be coedited by the regular column editor and a
guest clinician editor.
Reviews for this column should be 500
words, although length may be negotiated
depending on the complexity of the product. A description of the product, target
population for the product along with a
critical evaluation of its strengths and
weaknesses should be discussed. Cost,
manufacturer’s name and address should
also be included. Reviews will be grouped
collectively and presented around a theme
or topic.
If you would like to submit a review or
have an idea for a future topic please contact:
Dianna Fong-Lee,
Tel. (519) 886-8886
Fax.(519) 886-7292
E-mail:DIANNA_FONGLEE@mail.cepp.org
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For further information contact the
managing editor or:
Mary Egan
Tel.(613) 562-5800 ext 8043
Fax.(613) 562-5428 (fax)
E-mail:megan@uottawa.ca
INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS
Column Editor: Anne Carswell
WAYS WE WORK
Column Editor: Lorian Kennedy
ARE YOU LISTENING?
Column Editor: Karen Rebeiro
Many Canadian occupational therapists
have worked abroad setting up client services, developing educational programmes,
or in previously established settings, experiencing another country’s practices and customs.
Even though organizational change and
funding shortages have, and are, turning
health services upside down and inside out,
occupational therapists and clients can
thrive in the changing workplace.
Do you consider yourself to be a client-centred
therapist? Are you providing services which
are initiated by and/or driven by clients? Do
you consider your clients’ knowledge and
experiences to be central to your practice?
This column invites practical articles that
show how occupational therapists take on
new roles, overcome challenges, adapt to
new situations, test new ideas, and break
new ground to create environments that
meet clients’ real occupational performance
needs.
If so, Occupational Therapy NOW would be
interested in hearing from you. We are currently soliciting 700-1500 word articles on
what it means to be client-centred in daily
practice. Articles could discuss the challenges of being client-centred within a medical model paradigm, describe current practices which are believed to be client-centred,
discuss/ describe the impact of the current
economic/social/political climates on being
client-centred or in incorporating a clientcentred approach to care, or discuss the
importance of a client-centred practice in
the advent of current Canadian health care
trends/reform/re-structuring.
In this column we invite Canadian occupational therapists to share their international
experiences.CAOT recognizes that international trade agreements are encouraging
professional mobility and our members
need information to prepare for global marketing of their expertise and services.
In addition to submitted articles, information regarding CAOT and WFOT international activities will also be featured in the
column along with other resources to help
you in your international connections.
For further information contact the
managing editor or:
Lorian Kennedy
Tel. (780) 465-7113
E-mail:lorian@telusplanet.net
For further information contact the
managing editor or:
Anne Carswell
CAOT Delegate to WFOT
Tel. (604) 822-7414
Fax.(604) 822-7624
E-mail:acarswel@interchange.ubc.ca
These articles should be easy to read and provide an opportunity to discuss/debate an
integral aspect of Canadian occupational
therapy practice. This column will be posted
regularly on an electronic bulletin board to
facilitate the above discussions. It is the hope
of this column that therapists from a widerange of educational/clinical experiences will
contribute to, and help to define, the reality
of client-centred practice in Canada, and
what the profession of occupational therapy
needs to do to both nurture and further
develop a client-centred approach to care.
For further information contact the
managing editor or:
Karen Rebeiro
Tel. (705) 675-9193, ext. 8377
Fax.(705) 675-3501
E-mail: karenr@isys.ca
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continued from page one
National Office or at 1 (450) 458-7654; e-mail: gerald.moore@sympatico.ca
Once the managing editors receives your article, it will
be reviewed by the applicable column editor and an
occupational therapists with expertise in the subject
area. Articles which do not fall under a particular col umn’s mandate will be reviewed by two occupational
therapists with expertise in the subject area. Suggestions
for major revisions will be sent to the authors and a second draft will be requested. Minor, copy-editing revisions will be made and sent to you, for review, prior to
publishing.
Are photographs or illustrations considered?
Yes!! Photographs help tell the story and attract the reader’s attention. When submitting photographs, remember
the following:
1. Colour photos are preferred. If taking the photos
yourself try to shoot subjects with a contrasting
background.
2. Try to get people doing things described in the article.
3. A release is necessary – use sample on the back of
the submission form or your facility may have one
you can use.
4. Place photos or slides between two pieces of cardboard to keep them protected in the mail. Always
keep the negative or copies of the photos in case
the originals are lost.
5. Print your name and the subject of your article on
the envelope containing the photo(s).
6. Do not write on the front or back of the photo, do
not use paper clips, do not cut individual negatives.
7. Write captions and photo credits on separate
paper.
8. Photos will be returned if a self-addressed return
envelope is provided.
9. Digital photos must have been shot at no less than
300 DPI.
An important note about copyright
Articles are submitted to Occupational Therapy NOW on
the understanding that they are not simultaneously
under consideration by any other publication and have
not been previously published. Articles published in
Occupational The rapy NOW are copyrighted by CAOT
and may not be published elsewhere, in whole or part,
without written permission from CAOT. By submitting
an article to Occupational Therapy NOW you are giving
us permission to publish all or part of it. Before publication, all authors must sign a copyright release form
(enclosed in this package).
If you use or refer to someone else’s ideas, you must
acknowledge this by citing the original source in the reference list. Please refer to the the American Psychological
Association Style Guide for information on correct referencing.
Authors are responsible for obtaining releases for all
copyrighted materials they wish to use in their article
and any associated fees.
Please send submissions to:
Mary Clark Green, Managing Editor
1454 129A Street
White Rock,BC.V4A 3Y7
Tel.1 (604) 536-4575 • Fax. 1 (604) 536-4570
e-mail: wpc@istar.ca
Does publishing in Occupational Therapy NOW
prevent me from later publishing in the Canadian
Journal of Occupational Therapy (CJOT)?
No, it doesn’t necessarily mean that. Writing for
Occupational Therapy NOW is more informal, often
anecdotal and the articles are shorter. You may consider
publishing p reliminary ideas, programme descrip tions,
or perhaps an opinion in OT NOW, that you later develop for consideration in CJOT.
Questions should be directed above or to:
CAOT National Office
CTTC Building, Suite 3400
1125 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, ON K1S 5R1
1 (800) 434-2268, ext. 232
www.caot.ca
For information regarding CJOT submissions, please
contact the editor, Geraldine Moore through CAOT’s
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SUBMISSION FORM
Name
File name on disk
Full Address
Contact numbers (please list numbers where you are easiest to reach)
Tel
Fax
e-mail
The following checklist is intended to assist you in writing your article. We ask that you complete this form and submit it with your article, along with the two copies of the copyright assignment form. Not all points will apply to your
article, so use your judgment. If you have any questions, please contact the Managing Editor, Mary Clark Green @
Tel.(604) 536-4575, Fax.(604) 536-4570 or e-mail:wpc@istar.ca.THANKS!!
PROPOSED TITLE
■ Catches reader’s attention
■ Reflects the content
REFERENCES OR SUGGESTED READINGS
■ Further readings suggested, using APA Style
■ Acknowledges others’ work,using APA Style
INTRODUCTION
■ Brings the reader into the article
■ Presents overall nature of the topic
STYLE
CONTENT
■ Describes approach/issue/idea/programme/service
■ Uses examples (anecdotal)
■ Relates problems, solutions and surprises
■ Suggests ways information can be applied to
day-to-day practice
■ Generates debate
■ Acknowledges others’ work
(Refer to APA Style Guide)
■ Concludes (e.g. may summarize, describe future
plans, leave a question in the reader’s mind,
or invite comment)
SIDEBARS, TABLES,ILLUSTRATIONS,PHOTOGRAPHS
■ Complements text without duplication
■ Photo caption identifies who the people are and
what they are doing
■ Logical flow of ideas
■ Clear, precise language but informal and easy to read
■ Language free of gender, social or other stereotypes
Which type of style most describes your article:
■ Inspirational
■ Opinion
■ “It Happened to Me”
■ Interview/personality profile
■ “How To”
■ Informational
■ Humour
REVIEW
■ A colleague with similar expertise has reviewed this
article;name of colleague
If you do not have someone who can r eview your
article, please contact the Managing Editor who can
arrange for a reviewer.
BIOGRAPHY
■ Small biography (35 words) explains who you are,
where you work,and where readers can contact
you for further information.
Please send submissions to: Mary Clark Green, Managing Editor
1454 129A St., White Rock,BC V4A 3Y7,or fax:(604) 536-4570,or e-mail: wpc@istar.ca
Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists
CTTC Building • Suite 3400 • 1125 Colonel By Drive • Ottawa,Ontario Canada • K1S 5R1 • 1 (800) 434-2268
Canadian A ssociation of
Occupational Therapists
Association c anadienne
des er gothér apeutes
Occupational Therapy Now (OT NOW)
Copyright Assignment Form
Date: __________________Proposed publication date: ____________
Title of article ______________________________________________________
Author(s): __________________________________________________
In accepting this article for review, we understand that the article has not been previously published nor
assigned elsewhere (with the exceptions stated below), nor has it already been accepted for publication
elsewhere; that you are transferring to Occupational Therapy NOW all the exclusive rights of the article
under Canadian and foreign copyright laws; and that once your article is published, Occupational Therapy
NOW may grant these rights to others. You will have the right to use this article again, however, provided
you obtain our written permission beforehand. Such permission shall not be unreasonably withheld. We
further understand that the article does not infringe on anyone else’s copyright nor does it contain anything
libellous.
As is our practice in processing material for publication, the article may be reviewed and copy-edited to conform with our style, presentation and format, taking care not to change your meaning. If any photographs appear with the article, you must have obtained consent to use them (see photo release form)
prior to submitting it for publication.
Two copies of this agreement should be signed by all authors and returned to the managing editor.
One copy will be sent back to you with the final acceptance notification of your submission. If not accepted, then both forms will be returned unsigned, and shall be void.
Managing Editor, Occupational Therapy Now
_____________________________
Author
____________________________
Author
Exception(s): Give details (previous publication; conference proceedings)
Please return to: Mary Clark Green, Managing Editor,
Occupational Therapy Now, 1454 129A Street, White Rock, BC. V4A 3Y7
Fax. (604) 536-4570