Vol. 4 No. 1 (2023)
We welcome you to this edition of the Allied Health Scholar, which reflects recent changes in editorial policy to showcase a more diverse range of outputs. This edition features outstanding occupational therapy student work, including infographics and posters, conference abstracts, and reports.
The reports represent a significant contribution made by students, such as Simula's exploration of the unique position of occupational therapists in providing dietary interventions for adults with mental health conditions. Another report by Pozorski et al aims to establish a clear description of the role of occupational therapy in Australian government-funded preschools and primary schools.
The award-winning posters are reproduced in full. They represent significant learning journeys by students and provide impressive demonstrations of their contributions to the occupational therapy practice community. The posters cover a wide range of topics, from "Developing Collegial Culture" to "Wheelchair Rugby". For example, Pedley et al's project delved into the complex lives of parent-carers navigating a 24/7 caring role, highlighting the need for nationwide systemic change. These students not only developed a poster, but also developed a video for parents and wrote a letter to the minister, advocating for better services. Tstoskas and Paira's poster on "Positive Behavioural Support" tells a compelling story of how their project served as a catalyst during a critical initial phase, which led to the employment of Patient Assistant Officers trained to de-escalate complex behaviors.
The student conference booklet, arising from the student conference of 2022, and aptly named "Millions of PossibiliOTs," showcases 57 pages of fascinating projects. The student conference is a long established tradition within the occupational therapy programs at the University of South Australia and is an annual free event. It provides an impressive demonstration of the valuable contribution students make to the occupational therapy practice community.
We hope you enjoy reading and referring to this exceptional student work, and we offer our heartfelt congratulations to the authors.
Mary Butler, Kobie Boshoff, Helen Banwell, Steve Milanese, Janine Dizon (Editors)