ADVOCACY
PRIORITIES
OTs are Essential to Canada’s Primary Care Model
Canada’s healthcare system has reached a critical point, and traditional primary care models are failing to provide Canadians with access to timely healthcare services.
Greater integration of OTs and OTAs into primary care teams is a smart, cost-effective solution. It improves access and reduces long-term system strain.
By creating greater awareness of OT services, as well as recognition of occupational therapists as primary care providers, CAOT will ensure OTs are treated fairly and inclusively when the federal government and private sector insurers make decisions that affect our profession.
Resources
OTs Support Mental Health and Well-Being
Mental health challenges impact how people live, work, and connect with others. OTs use meaningful activities to support recovery, restore function, and help people regain control in their daily lives.
CAOT is advocating for the recognition and integration of occupational therapy in mental health policies and programs, so that more Canadians can access these vital services at a time when mental health is at a crisis point. As a profession, we must come together to build the evidence, expand education, and strengthen advocacy to ensure occupational therapy is part of the solution to Canada’s mental health care crisis.
Resources
Canada is facing an unprecedented shortage of health care professionals, including OTs, OTAs, and other extended health providers. While the health workforce gap has been growing for decades, the COVID-19 pandemic brought it to a tipping point.
CAOT is taking action to address this challenge by partnering with national organizations, engaging with government representatives, raising awareness at our national conferences, and developing new tools to collect and share occupational therapy workforce data across the country.