Department of Occupational Therapy, SOAHS, Manipal organized twin workshops as part of the ongoing World Occupational Therapy Day celebrations.

The first one was a three day workshop on ‘Capacity Building for the Occupational Therapy Researcher’ from 24^th-26^th November 2014

This workshop intended to enhance the much needed research skills and knowledge of occupational therapists. Competence in quantitative research is essential for post-graduate students and young researchers which can encourage them to disseminate findings from their clinical practice. Qualitative studies are increasingly important as a research tool especially with the ever-existing constraint of sample size and other stringent requirements of quantitative research. Through this workshop, participants were introduced to aspects of qualitative research. They had hands-on practice in conducting a developing an interview guide, conducting a focus group interview and coding data for analysis. Tool development, another critical area for the occupational therapy professional was also covered in the workshop. They had practical sessions where they could practice the statistical procedures involved in tool development and quantitative research. This would encourage participants to work on development of culturally valid outcome measures in India as the currently available tools are mostly developed for the Western population. Overall, the workshop aimed to provide an understanding into the process, prerequisite skills and technological tools for publishing research findings in good scientific journals.   

The workshop was inaugurated by Dr Vinod Bhat, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Manipal University with Dr B Rajashekhar, Dean, SOAHS as the Guest of Honour.

Resource persons: (Three external + three internal)

Dr Shreemathi Mayya, Associate Professor-senior scale, Dept of Statistics, Manipal University

Dr Binu V S, Associate Professor, Dept of Statistics, Manipal University

Dr Shivanand Bhat, Associate Professor and Senior Librarian, Manipal University

Dr Sebestina Dsouza, Professor & Head, Dept. of Occupational Therapy SOAHS, Manipal

Dr Shashidhar Rao, Associate Professor, Dept. of Occupational Therapy SOAHS, Manipal

Mrs Vinita Acharya, Assistant Professor-Selection grade, Dept. of Occupational Therapy SOAHS, Manipal

Participants who attended the workshop included clinical occupational therapists from Goa, Puducherry, Bengaluru and Orissa while remaining were post graduate   students from the department itself.

The workshop was well received and all the participants appreciated the need for organizing such workshops more often in the future.

The second of the twin workshops was on ‘Occupational Therapy in Stroke Rehabilitation: An Evidence based approach’ from 27^th-29^th November 2014 as part of the ongoing World Occupational Therapy Day celebrations.

This workshop aimed to build competence in stroke rehabilitation, a much needed force considering the increasing incidence and prevalence of stroke in India. This workshop oriented the participants to the paradigm shift in the approach to stroke rehabilitation from bottom-up to top-down.  It introduced them to Task-oriented Occupational Therapy approach and emphasized on clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice in stroke rehabilitation. The participants could avail the opportunity for hands-on practice with several standardized tools relevant to stroke rehabilitation from the department’s well-equipped standardized assessment lab. The workshop also used case videos and vignettes in practical sessions to enhance clinical reasoning.

Resource persons for this workshop were from the Department of Occupational Therapy, SOAHS, Manipal

Dr Sebestina Dsouza, Professor & Head, Mr Koushik Sau, Assistant Professor-Senior scale, and

Mr Guruprasad, Assistant Professor

Again, participants attending the workshop were clinical occupational therapists from Saudi Arabia, Chennai, Vellore, Bengaluru and Orissa and  post graduate   students from the department itself.

The workshop was well received and all the participants appreciated the facilities at Manipal and reiterated the need for organizing such workshops more often in the future.

Occupational Therapy JOB in Manipur under United Nation’s voluntary scheme

 Post Name: UNV OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST (FOR INDIAN NATIONALS ONLY)

Last date of application: 8^th December, 2014

Starting Date: 2^nd January, 2015

Duration of Initial contact: One year (with possibility of extension)

Conditions of Service

A 12-month contract; monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needs and utilities, equivalent to Rs. 25,160 per month;

Duties and Responsibilities

·        Assessing, Diagnosing and Providing Occupational therapy needs of students at The Malsawm Initiative 

·        Guide, counsel and train the parents and others on therapies and use of aids and appliance that are prescribed to the children

·        Maintains and Fosters good children/students – therapist relationship

·        Evaluate the physical abilities of children/students through evaluative procedures and ability tests for example functional ability tests

·        Maintain clinical and numerical records and seek advice from other health care professionals

·        Develop and put into practice health promotion programs for children/students

·        Strengthen capacities and transfer skills by training the CCI staff members (at-least a buddy)

·        Converse with referring physician and other healthcare professionals about problems, needs and development of children/students

·        Coordinate with other organizations working with disabilities for information sharing and networking

For more information please visit: http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=51831