OTs and Diagnosis and Call for Volunteers
During its March 24, 2025, meeting, ACOT’s Council voted in favour of permitting OTs to establish diagnoses once they have successfully completed a course of study on diagnosis that is approved by Council. The intent of the course will be to develop competence in establishing diagnoses, with a focus on risk management and safety. OTs who complete this course can then apply to be added to an ACOT roster, which will work similarly to how our current acupuncture roster works.
Council made this decision based on discussions and evaluations which included a literature review, environmental scan and review of legal opinions, a registrant survey, and an open forum, all of which took place over the past 15 months.
Our next steps include development of the Council approved course. This will take place over the next 12-18 months. The course development will be guided by an advisory committee including ACOT staff and registrants, the University of Alberta Continuing Professional Education (CPE) unit, and reps from various University of Alberta faculties/departments.
ACOT is looking for up to six occupational therapist volunteers for the advisory committee. Selection will be based on a mix of diversity of practice areas and settings, level of experience with course development at the post-graduate level, level of experience participating in establishment of diagnoses, and level of experience with serving on advisory or similar committees.
The time commitment will include monthly online meetings between May 2025 and November 2026. These meetings will focus on:
- establishing course content requirements;
- establishing course exam requirements;
- guiding course and exam development;
- providing input on pilot testing; and
- guiding evaluation of the pilot test.
If you are interested in this exciting advisory committee role, please email your expression of interest letter to marianne.baird@acot.ca by April 25, 2025. Please include in your letter your name, preferred contact email and phone number, area of practice, practice setting (e.g., private or public practice, geographical location you serve), level of experience with course development at the post-graduate level, level of experience with serving on advisory or similar committees, your level of experience participating in establishing diagnoses, and your preferred times for meetings (mornings, afternoons or evenings).
ACOT will follow up with all those who expressed interest in the advisory committee role by May 2, 2025.
ACOT Council’s Open Forum
You’re invited to participate in ACOT Council’s open forum on Saturday April 26, 2025 from 11 a.m. to noon online at (click here to join the open forum on April 26th). Our meeting outline:
- Introductions
- Society of Alberta Occupational Therapists (SAOT) report
- Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) report
- Next steps for diagnosis and OTs
We value your input, knowledge and experience and hope that you will join us at this open forum!
If you have any questions about the open forum or require more information, please contact Marianne Baird, CEO & Registrar at marianne.baird@acot.ca or 780-436-8381 extension 105.