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