WFOT: Occupational Therapy and the COVID-19 pandemic - information and WFOT resources
The COVID-19 pandemic is having a profound impact on the lives, health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities worldwide.
As a profession we recognise the consequences and changes that are occurring in how people access and undertake their occupations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These include, but are not limited to; accessing resources, activities of daily living, communication, mobility, social isolation, displacement, mental health and wellbeing. Occupational therapists understand the vital need to access and use infection control measures combined with the need to sustain good psychological, mental health and stamina in order to stay safe and healthy.
Occupational therapists will be working with people to develop strategies to facilitate continued access to their occupations, these will include, but will not be limited to; individual, family, community, social and environmental adaptation, mental health1, assistive technology2 and telehealth3.
WFOT has established a dedicated online platform to support requests to network, share and develop resources regarding the impact of COVID-19 and its relevance to the occupational therapy profession. The forum is available on the Occupational Therapy International Online Network (OTION) which can be accessed via this link https://wfot.link/covid19
WFOT has also prepared a summarised version of this for consumers/general public about occupational therapy and the COVID-19 pandemic.
WFOT has additional resources to assist occupational therapists and others providing services during this pandemic. The following are available from the WFOT Resources:
Position Statement: Occupational Therapy in Disaster Risk Reduction
Position Statement: Occupational Therapy in Disaster Preparedness and Response
Publication: WFOT Guide for Occupational Therapy First Responders to Disasters and Trauma
Online Forum: OTION COVID-19
Online Learning Module: Disaster Management for Occupational Therapists
Endorsed Publication: Early Rehabilitation in Conflicts and Disasters
Endorsed Publication: Responding internationally to disasters
Endorsed Publication: Disaster and Development: an Occupational Therapy Perspective
A full list of Position Statements is available via this link https://www.wfot.org/resources/list-of-position-statements - consider Rehabilitation, Human Displacement, Assistive technology, Telehealth, Mental Health and others.
References
1 Position Statement – Occupational Therapy and Mental Health
2 Position Statement – Occupational Therapy and Assistive Technology
