Reminder – ACOT Open Forum 24 October 2024
ACOT invites you to join us in a discussion about potential voluntary collection of equity
focused data – race and Indigenous identity. The discussion will take place on 24 October 2024 from 7-8 p.m.; you can join the discussion here: Join the meeting.
The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) is a trusted source of Canadian health system data for over 30 years and has published guidelines for collection of race-based and Indigenous identity data. ACOT and all OT regulators in Canada as well as other health professions already feed aggregate data to CIHI about OTs such as percentage who are part-time or full-time working status, percentage who work at various work locations and types of work, etc. These are related to all the questions asked about your work when you apply to ACOT or renew your practice permit. These data are combined from all OTs who submit it, so it does not link to the identity of any one person. An example of a CIHI report can be found here: https://www.cihi.ca/en/the-state-of-the-health-workforce-in-canada-2022/supply-and-distribution
CIHI updated its minimum data set in 2022 to include race-based and Indigenous identity data collection on a voluntary basis for reporting on an aggregate basis to CIHI. The intended use of these data is to inform actions and interventions to improve health equity among racialized groups. CIHI has published a guidance document for collecting these data, and ACOT is proposing to align with their new minimum data set.
The ACOT AARI Committee, which is comprised of OTs with living experiences of racism and intolerance has indicated support for collection of race-based and Indigenous identity data on a voluntary basis. They noted caveats including use of the data is only done in aggregate and anonymously, and that clear communication is done noting the limitations in use of the data due to the voluntary collection basis.
We invite you to share your thoughts on this proposed change on October 24 from 7-8 p.m. using the link above. If you’re unable to make it to the meeting, you are welcome to send your thoughts about voluntary collection and sharing with CIHI of aggregate race-based and Indigenous identity data to marianne.baird@acot.ca instead.
Communicating with Clients
October is Occupational Therapy month ! A great time to celebrate the trust that is placed in occupational therapists to self-regulate! This authority is granted to the Alberta College of Occupational Therapists (ACOT) by the Health Professions Act.
In communicating with clients, it is important for occupational therapists to remember that they need to make their clients aware that they are “regulated health professionals” and members of ACOT. This means that clients should also be made aware that, if they had concerns about an occupational therapist’s practice, they can contact ACOT to file a complaint. The complaint process is outlined on the ACOT website.
If you have any questions or points of clarification about this recommendation, please get in touch!