Scientific Program – Day 2
By day two, Congress was in full swing, and delegates were treated to a huge range of sessions, covering topics from mental health and paediatrics to aged care, community based rehabilitation, and international perspective on OT.
After a hearty lunch, delegates were treated to a presentation at the Plenary Session by Emeritus Professor Ruth M Watson (PhD. M Ed. BSc OT. Dip Ed OT).
Ruth’s presentation was titled ‘Being Before Doing: The Cultural Identity (Essence) of Occupational Therapy’, and observed the important concept that the work of an occupational therapist is primarily about working with people, and secondly with problems.
The presentation also explored the importance of recognising cultural influence in all aspects of occupational therapy work along with other influences of human behaviour, and drew upon Ruth’s own experiences working in Cape Town, South Africa, a country that is immersed in intercultural transitions.
A copy of Professor Watson’s presentation has been published in the September issue of the Australian OT Journal, and can be viewed online www.blackwell-synergy.com/loi/AOT.
DVDs of each of the Keynote Presentations are also available for purchase online from the WFOT Shop.
Visit the Photo Album for images of the Day 2 Keynote Address.
A full program of Papers/workshops/panels/forums and posters was presented today.