Pier-Luc Turcotte
Université de Sherbrooke, Canada
Title: Fostering changes in community occupational therapy practice to promote social participation of older adults: a participatory action research
Biography
Biography: Pier-Luc Turcotte
Abstract
Social participation is a key determinant of healthy aging on which community occupational therapists (COTs) can intervene when working with older adults having disabilities. Despite the universal healthcare system across Canada, disparities exist in older adults’ access to preventive interventions such as those fostering social participation. Moreover, organizational barriers to integrating these interventions were identified by COTs. To our knowledge, no study identified actions aimed at changing COTs’ practice to promote the social participation of older adults. Since it involves community members, healthcare providers and researchers, participatory action research (PAR) is a promising approach to change practices and address health disparities in older adults. A steering committee, including various stakeholders (older adults, representatives of community organization, home healthcare managers, COTs and researchers), will be part of the research and meet at each step of the process. Three group discussions will be conducted with: 1) older adults having disabilities, 2) COTs, and 3) lay workers in community organizations. Photovoice, a type of PAR promoting empowerment and social change through the use of photography, will be used by participants to inform stakeholders. Data from group discussions and photovoice will be analyzed by student-researcher and verified by the steering committee. Following the phase of findings dissemination, stakeholders and knowledge users concerned with the issue will agree on and develop specific action plans. By providing a space of dialogue and tools for concrete actions, this study will help foster change in COTs’ practice aimed at promoting social participation as a mean of healthy aging.