advocacy

Page 1: Course Introduction

  • Course Title: Advocacy OCCU 5003: Dimensions of Professional Practice

  • Institution: Dalhousie University

Page 2: Overview of Today's Topics

  • What is an advocate?

  • Comparison: Advocacy vs. Activism

Page 3: COTC Standards of Professional Conduct

Communication and Collaboration

  • B2: Work collaboratively with other professionals and stakeholders

  • B2.1: Advocate for clients to engage in decision-making

Culture, Equity, and Justice

  • C3: Contribute to occupational rights and self-determination

  • C3.6: Advocate for policies that support sustainable occupational participation at the population health and systems levels

Engagement with the Profession

  • F4: Demonstrate leadership in the profession throughout one's career

  • F4.2: Advocate for alignment between occupational therapy standards, organizational policies, social justice, and best practices

Page 4: Definition of an Advocate

  • An advocate is:

    • Someone who supports or recommends a cause or policy publicly

    • Provides independent support to those who feel unheard

    • Ensures rights are respected, and assists in accessing and understanding information and services

Page 5: Advocacy vs. Activism

Advocacy

  • Role: Speaking on behalf of individuals/groups, facilitating self-advocacy.

Activism

  • Role: Intentional actions aimed at creating social/political change, such as protests.

  • Approach: Focuses on solutions while addressing issues needing change.

  • Method: Works outside systems to prompt change.

Page 6: Conflict of Interest in Advocacy

  • Occupational Therapists (OTs) must:

    • Recognize, prevent, and manage conflicts of interest in practice.

    • Conflict arises when relationships influence professional judgment.

  • Impact: Compromises client trust and public perception of the profession.

  • Responsibility includes behaviors outside work reflecting on the profession.

Page 7: Types of Advocacy

Self-Advocacy

  • Communicating one's own interests and rights.

Individual Advocacy (Case Advocacy)

  • Supporting a peer or client with specific issues.

System Advocacy (Cause Advocacy)

  • Efforts aimed at changing impactful policies or laws.

Page 8: Key Principles of Effective Advocacy

  1. Identify the issue

  2. Gather the facts

  3. Develop the key message (e.g., CAOT-BC)

  4. Build support

  5. Communicate the message

  6. Monitor, assess, and adjust strategies

Page 9: Advocacy Action Plan Cycle

  1. Analyze the situation

  2. Identify advocacy issues

  3. Gather evidence

  4. Set goals/objectives

  5. Mobilize resources

  6. Involve stakeholders

  7. Analyze policy and develop messages

  8. Identify targets and influential parties

Page 10: Designing Advocacy Plans

Understanding Advocacy

  • Process: Deliberate influence on decision-makers.

Policy Analysis

  • Needed to identify gaps and policy change objectives.

Establish Partnerships

  • Mobilize resources and engage champions for advocacy.

Page 11: COTNS Statement on Advocacy

  • Importance of trust and professional credibility for OTs.

  • Advocacy engagement must align with Code of Ethics:

    • Uphold values of respect and trust.

    • Professional conduct must avoid harm to public trust.

Page 12: Reflective Questions for OTs

  1. Is my communication civil and ethical?

  2. Am I contributing constructively to social discourse?

  3. Am I acting thoughtfully or impulsively?

  4. Is there a risk of breaching confidentiality or boundaries?

  5. Could my conduct encourage unlawful activities?

Page 13: Key Messages for Advocacy

  • Embrace advocacy roles as vital professional competencies.

  • Work collaboratively within systems to implement solutions.

  • Maintain public trust and respect in all actions.

  • Prevent/manage conflicts of interest and behavior reflecting poorly on the profession.

Page 14: Next Class

  • Topic: Conflict Management

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