OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast / Conversations qui comptent en ergo : Le balado

In Episode 31 of OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast, host Justine Jecker is joined by Stefanie Matos and Husna Harmi, two internationally educated occupational therapists (IEOTs). Stefanie and Husna openly share their unique international journeys, shedding light on the various joys and challenges encountered while studying and working abroad. They also explore the hurdles faced during the transition to a new country, offering valuable insights into the complexities of professional integration for IEOTs, a process which in Canada is overseen by the Association of Canadian Occupational Therapy Regulatory Organizations (ACOTRO) through the Substantial Equivalency Assessment Systems (SEAS) program. 

In Episode 30 of OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast, the host, Justine Jecker, explores the intersection of occupational therapy, mental health, and psychotherapy. Accompanying her to discuss the various theories and practices within the psychotherapeutic realm are occupational therapists, Sandeep Marwaha and Sarah Good. In the world of occupational therapy, navigating the nuanced landscape of psychotherapy and mental health remains challenging but essential. Join the discussion as they unravel the complexities and shed light on how occupational therapists actively contribute to shaping the evolving narrative of mental health in Canada.

For foundational information about psychotherapy within occupational therapy practice, visit the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario's psychotherapy webpage.

For episode 29 of OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast, host Justine Jecker explores the vital but often overlooked area of practice supporting eating disorders and disordered eating. Joined by occupational therapists Elyse Trudell and Sossy Sahakian, this episode offers a glimpse into how occupational therapy professionals assess, intervene, and provide support to individuals on their path towards enhanced physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being in the context of their relationship with eating and wellness. Join us for an informative discussion that sheds light on a growing area of practice within occupational therapy.

In Episode 28 of OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast. Host, Justine Jecker dives into the second part of our series on occupational therapy within Primary Care teams with OTs Rachel Degan from Saskatchewan and Lisa Diamond-Burchuk from Manitoba. Our aim with this series is to connect OTs from diverse regions, shedding light on how occupational therapy is shaping Primary Care nationwide. Our first episode featured insights from Ontario and British Columbia. In this episode, we center our focus on the heart of Canada, offering a comprehensive view of our profession's role within this landscape. Discover how occupational therapists contribute to preventive health, holistic care, and client empowerment, all aimed at addressing health issues upstream. Join us as we continue to explore the evolution of primary care occupational therapy skills.

In Episode 27 of OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast, host Justine Jecker initiates a two-part series exploring the role of OTs within Canadian Primary Care teams. This discussion stems from insights gained at the 2023 CAOT Conference in Saskatoon, highlighting OTs' significance amid Canada's Health Human Resource crisis and the call for an expanded role in primary care in a paper entitled Occupational Therapy and Primary Care: A Vision for the Path Forward by Donnelly and colleagues (2022). Our guest OTs, Maryann Gardhouse and Gina Hargreaves, shed light on how OTs operate across diverse clinic settings, leveraging interprofessional support, and caring for clients from diverse backgrounds. Join us as we gain firsthand perspectives from Ontario and BC, into the heart of Canada's interprofessional care team evolution.

For episode 26 of OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast, host Justine Jecker explores the significance of what we eat, how we eat, whom we eat with, and where our food comes from with occupational therapist Ryan Osal and local food activist Justin Cantafio. Together they discuss the role of food as medicine and the diverse occupations involved, from seed to table, in settings like farmers' markets and healthcare clinics. Tune in for a conversation on the intersections of sustainable food systems and occupational participation.

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For episode 25 host Justine Jecker is joined by occupational therapists (OTs) Dianna Fong-Lee and Heather Gillespie. Their discussion centers around Occupational Therapist Assistants (OTAs) and their vital roles within the profession. This episode continues the exploration initiated in the first OTA-focused podcast, episode 21, shedding light on the variety of ways OTAs are trained in Canada. Dianna and Heather, known for their work on OT and OTA collaboration, also contributed to the 2019 OTA/PTA Vision Project, advocating for enhancing the roles of OTAs and PTAs in the profession.

On Episode 24 of OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast, host Justine Jecker delves into the topic of sustainable occupational therapy practice with guest occupational therapists Janet Craik and Ben Mortenson. This episode builds upon the insightful discussions from Episode 22, which considered the role of occupational therapy in the context of planetary health and climate change. The conversation explores "sustainable health equity" and how the well-being of our society is intricately intertwined with the health of our planet. Tune in today to discover actionable steps to foster a healthier future for both your community and the environment!

For episode 23 of OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast, host Justine Jecker is joined by occupational therapist Jennifer Berg-Carnegie and Carol MacDonald. Together, they delve into the topic of 'traditional' versus 'non-traditional' occupational therapy and innovative practices. With their extensive backgrounds as entrepreneurs spanning several decades, Jennifer and Carol share their thoughts on the significance of embracing innovative approaches within the ever-evolving dynamics of the profession. Join us as we explore the exciting intersection of tradition and innovation in occupational therapy

In this episode, host Justine Jecker welcomes occupational therapist, Giovanna Boniface, and family physician, Myles Sergeant, to discuss the importance of planetary health and sustainable action in the face of climate change. As climate change impacts every person on the planet and their daily occupations, it is crucial for clinicians to understand the opportunities for engagement and action. With a focus on expanding knowledge, time, and resources towards sustainable action, the conversation explores how occupational therapy can contribute to a bottom-up approach in addressing climate change. Tune in to the first episode of a three-part series to learn more about how we can work towards a healthier planet and healthier individuals.