Initially when I thought about occupational therapy and disasters my first thoughts were about we could help after a disaster had happened, I guess you could say I was response focused. I also thought a big part of it would be to do with physical rehabilitation to those that received injuries from being in a disaster. Writing this blog has opened my eyes to the vast ways in which occupational therapists can help. As I said in one of my earlier postings occupational therapists can play an important part in helping individuals and communities prepare for a disaster. We have unique skills in analysis of environments and understanding individuals’ capabilities which put us in a good position to enable them to prepare for disaster situations. Even though I know I have these skills it had not occurred to me how useful they could be in enhancing disaster preparedness in people. It is certainly something I will consider to do in my future practice.
In one of the other papers I have studied this semester I learnt about the role of occupational therapy in community practice and health promotion. This area of practice is becoming a huge growth area for occupational therapists helping communities to meet their needs. With the increase of disasters happening in the world should we as occupational therapists be getting involved more?
I know after speaking to family and friends, who were in Christchurch when the earthquake struck that they were not suitably prepared. I’m sure they won’t mind me saying this but my parents who live in Christchurch didn’t have a supply of bottled water. Speaking to friends who were without power meant they didn’t have access to a phone, as mobile phone networks were down and everyone seems to have cordless phones these days and not the old school plug in ones. Could occupational therapists have helped people to prepare better?
I have been reading the “Best practice guideline for Civil Defence Emergency Management Sector: Community engagement”, and the forward written by John Hamilton the director of Civil Defence Emergency Management, mentions that they have had significant challenges in getting communities to participate in actions that would enable them to be better prepared. Could occupational therapists be suitable professional to help get this message out? Could we help offer activities and programmes that enhance learning and preparedness for disaster situations?
Noakes (2010) wrote his Masters’ thesis on “Emergency preparedness and personal evacuation planning: Involvement of Occupational Therapists” and carried out research on US home health occupational therapists. Noakes discusses how the ability to respond to an emergency is considered an IADL, and should be something that occupational therapists consider discussing with clients. He surveyed occupational therapists about their understanding and questioned them whether they addressed this issue with clients. One respondent in his research mentioned that addressing emergency planning enabled them to also look at clients’ cognition and problem solving (Noakes). Should occupational therapists address emergency planning with clients on home visits? I personally think it is a good idea and maybe something I will consider when I am out in practice.
As to all the people still recovering from yesterday’s earthquake in Christchurch, I’m sure many of them are still in shock and could do with some support. Occupational therapists could be working with some of them to help them develop their coping skills and bring some structure and routine back into their lives.
References
Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (2010) Community Engagement in the CDEM context: Best Practice Guideline for Civil Defence Emergency Management Sector [BPG 4/10] (Electronic version). Wellington: Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management.
Noakes, P. (2010). Emergency preparedness and personal evacuation planning: Involvement of occupational therapists. Retrieved August 18, 2010, from http://dspace.nitle.org/bitstream/handle/10090/15557/pnoakes_msot_may_2010_thesis.pdf?sequence=1
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Photos from Christchurch earthquake
Pictures taken by friends and family, used with permission.
3.Shop on Colombo St (Jen)
5. Colombo St (Merv)
1. Ascot TV Colombo St (Merv)
2.Printers Colombo St (Merv)
3.Shop on Colombo St (Jen)
4. Repertory Theatre (Jen)
5. Colombo St (Merv)
6. House missing Chimney (Jen)
7.Office (Michael)
8. Cafe cnr Madras and Sailsbury St (Jen)
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Closer to home
So this morning I awoke at 4.35am to an earthquake. The epicentre was close to my home town of Christchurch, which is over 350km from where I live at the moment in Dunedin. Yet I felt it here.
I managed to get hold of my family, who live in Christchurch, to check that everyone was ok.
The earthquake measured a massive 7.1 on the ricter scale. Christchurch as been declared in a state of local emergency by Civil Defence, check out their website for updates. Click here to read a news report and see the photo gallery, or here for Television NZ's updates.
My 86 year old nan managed to get under the dining table, and my family are all safe and well with no reports of damage. I'm sure not everyone was as lucky and my thoughts are with those affected.
I managed to get hold of my family, who live in Christchurch, to check that everyone was ok.
The earthquake measured a massive 7.1 on the ricter scale. Christchurch as been declared in a state of local emergency by Civil Defence, check out their website for updates. Click here to read a news report and see the photo gallery, or here for Television NZ's updates.
My 86 year old nan managed to get under the dining table, and my family are all safe and well with no reports of damage. I'm sure not everyone was as lucky and my thoughts are with those affected.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Something fun
Try your hand at this disaster simulation game from the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. You can pick a scenario from tsunami, flood, wild fire, hurricane and earthquake. Its a little like the old SimCity game from the 1990's.
Important dates
Just to let you all know that the 10-16 October 2010 is 'Get ready week'
The purpose is to increase awareness and encourage people to get ready for disaster.
You can go on the Civil Defence website for more information. This week also coincides International Disaster Reduction Day, organised by the United Nations.
Another important week to note is the 25-29 October 2010 as is Occupational Therapy Week.
This week coincides with World Occupational Therapy Day 27 October.
The purpose is to increase awareness and encourage people to get ready for disaster.
You can go on the Civil Defence website for more information. This week also coincides International Disaster Reduction Day, organised by the United Nations.
Another important week to note is the 25-29 October 2010 as is Occupational Therapy Week.
This week coincides with World Occupational Therapy Day 27 October.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
A bit of history about me
I have always had a love of travelling, and a passion for working with those less fortunate than myself. My first real experience of seeing homeless people was when I was a student on an exchange trip in Germany at the age of 17. It really opened my eyes as I had not really seen it before in Christchurch, New Zealand where I grew up. After I left high school I moved to London and did plenty of backpacking in Europe. Seeing homeless people begging on the street became a frequent and everyday experience. I often wondered what had lead the person to be in this situation. Well in London I worked with two Albanian refugees who had fled their country for a better life. One of these men had been smuggled into England in a secret compartment in a truck! The lengths some people go to are amazing.
In January 2005 I was lucky enough to travel to India to visit a friend and see part of the country. India however had one month early experienced “the boxing day tsunami”. I enquired before leaving if any volunteers were required, however I did not have any experience or previous connections with any agencies.
While in India I did talk to some locals who told me stories about how high up the beaches and streets the tsunami came. Considering I was on the west coast of India and not in the southern states it was incredible to hear how far the destruction of the tsunami stretched.
Back in London I have a friend who works for an NGO (mapaction)that goes to disaster zones to do geographical information systems (GIS). This involves her travelling to the disaster zone and remapping the territory to provide up to date maps for emergency and relief organisations.
I also have travelled to South East Asia and seen some the effects of the landmines on Cambodian people. Victims of war who have experienced having limbs blown off. I came home to New Zealand to study occupational therapy but have always had in the back of my mind the idea that I will go back overseas.
Then earlier this year while looking the World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT). I saw a job advert on there looking for occupational therapists to work in Haiti after the earthquake that destroyed much of the capital Port-au-Prince (city). I looked at the job advert then also saw on the WFOT website information about their “Disaster Preparedness & Response” Information and Resource Package. The WFOT website onlineshop says that this package “combines resources and material developed within WFOT regional and national workshops in regions affected by the 2004 tsunami with other material to inform occupational therapists internationally about the OT response possible to assist people and communities following these incidents.”
It was after this that I started reading about occupational therapy and disaster management. At this point it was not something I had learnt about in any of my classes. Then last week we had a lecture on disasters and the occupational consequences of them. Writing this blog has enabled me to research and learn more about the role of occupational therapy in this area.
In January 2005 I was lucky enough to travel to India to visit a friend and see part of the country. India however had one month early experienced “the boxing day tsunami”. I enquired before leaving if any volunteers were required, however I did not have any experience or previous connections with any agencies.
While in India I did talk to some locals who told me stories about how high up the beaches and streets the tsunami came. Considering I was on the west coast of India and not in the southern states it was incredible to hear how far the destruction of the tsunami stretched.
Back in London I have a friend who works for an NGO (mapaction)that goes to disaster zones to do geographical information systems (GIS). This involves her travelling to the disaster zone and remapping the territory to provide up to date maps for emergency and relief organisations.
I also have travelled to South East Asia and seen some the effects of the landmines on Cambodian people. Victims of war who have experienced having limbs blown off. I came home to New Zealand to study occupational therapy but have always had in the back of my mind the idea that I will go back overseas.
Then earlier this year while looking the World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT). I saw a job advert on there looking for occupational therapists to work in Haiti after the earthquake that destroyed much of the capital Port-au-Prince (city). I looked at the job advert then also saw on the WFOT website information about their “Disaster Preparedness & Response” Information and Resource Package. The WFOT website onlineshop says that this package “combines resources and material developed within WFOT regional and national workshops in regions affected by the 2004 tsunami with other material to inform occupational therapists internationally about the OT response possible to assist people and communities following these incidents.”
It was after this that I started reading about occupational therapy and disaster management. At this point it was not something I had learnt about in any of my classes. Then last week we had a lecture on disasters and the occupational consequences of them. Writing this blog has enabled me to research and learn more about the role of occupational therapy in this area.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Disaster Picture
Photo by WHO/Syed Haider"This hospital in Nowshera district and more than 200 others have been damaged and destroyed during the floods, greatly reducing the healthcare available for survivors."
This just adds to the challenges that the people of Pakistan face at the moment.
Retrieved 30 August, 2010 from http://www.who.int/features/galleries/pakistan_photo_gallery/en/index.html
Click on the above link to see more pictures from Pakistan
Volunteering
This is the link to the United Nations volunteer website. People can register to go on their list of volunteers which may be contacted if needed. There is a minimum age of 25 years and minimum of two years working experience to apply. Check out the FAQs for more information.
This is a link to a PDF information document regarding UN volunteers responding to disasters. It a some information on past responses they have carried out.
Friday, August 27, 2010
At what stage can occupational therapists help
Occupational therapists can be involved in three aspects of disasters: preparedness, response and recovery (Scaffa, Gerardi, Herzberg & McColl, 2006).
Disaster Preparedness
This involves taking action before the disaster occurs. The occupational therapist can educate individuals and communities on what do to in a disastrous situations. They can individuals and organisations to develop suitable emergency response plans, they can also educate and train employees on how to handle emergency situations (Tierney, Lindell, & Perry, 2001 as cited in Scaffa et al., 2006). Occupational therapists can work with vulnerable communities and their employers to design effective emergency plans.
Occupational therapists can help emergency agencies such as Civil Defence plan emergency sites and shelters. Occupational therapists are skilled at carrying out environmental analysis, therefore they can help agencies to minimise environmental barriers of shelters (Scaffa et al., 2006).
Asher and Rosenthal Pollak (2009) discuss how preparing for an emergency involves having a plan in place to prepare and respond to an emergency. This article focuses on how occupational therapists are well suited to develop evacuation plans for children with disabilities in schools. The authors discuss how the skills an occupational therapist has regarding knowledge of a client’s capabilities and needs, along with an understanding of environmental accessibility puts them in an ideal position to take this role.
Disaster Response
Responding to emergencies can happen just prior to, during, and shortly after the disaster impact, with the aim to address the immediate needs of the victims (Scaffa et al., 2006). Scaffa et al also explain that occupational therapists can help during this stage by providing mental health support to victims, their families, and to emergency services personal and volunteers. Roberts (1995) discusses how victims of major disasters will have been traumatised by experiencing the events, and as a result are likely to suffer physical and psychological trauma. Therefore mental health support is important to help ease people’s trauma.
Pascarelli (n.d., as cited in Strzelecki, 2006) discusses that occupational therapists work with disaster victims to help them figure out what is important, and help them to rebuild their lives. Pascarelli also talks about helping the victim to regain control in their lives, and to help them to put their life back in order. Scaffa et al. (2006) discusses the interventions that occupational therapists may carry out, such as helping to provide routine and structure, encouraging creative expression of feelings, and helping with stress management.
Scaffa et al. (2006) talks about the basic underlying theory of occupational therapy, that engagement in occupations facilitates adaptation. Scaffa et al. also gives some examples of occupations that the victims can engage in including carrying out meaningful occupations, physical activity and play, through engagement the victims may get some respite from the reoccurring thoughts, and worries they may be experiencing. Strzelecki (2006) reminds us that occupational therapists must also be aware of the toll on themselves and to conscious of looking after themselves too.
Disaster recovery
Recovery happens post disaster. During this stage there is much to do, buildings may need repairing, public utilities need re-establishing, social and economic activities and routines need restoring (Scaffa, et al., 2006). The community infrastructure has been affected. Occupational therapists should look out for people suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder, as this can have a last effect on the person and their well-being (Scaffa et al.)
The important thing to remember is that without the use of activity, occupational therapy does not occur (Clarke, 1999 as cited in, Scaffa et al., 2006). Through occupation people can learn to deal with stress, learn coping skills, and help them to meet their needs. Roberts (1995) discusses how that the very purpose of occupational therapy is to enable people to help themselves.
There is of course another large role occupational therapists can carry out, that is physical rehabilitation. Often in cases of disaster there is a shortage of suitable equipment (Foote, 2003).
To read more about the experiences of Tammy Foote, an occupational therapist working in disaster relief check out her article, in the reference list below. She talks about her experience living and working as a disaster relief occupational therapist in Montserrat, an island that had a major volcanic crisis. She was offered a post there as she had registered with the United Nations Volunteers.
References
Asher, A., & Rosenthal Pollak, J. (2009). Planning emergency evacuations for students with unique needs: Role of occupational therapy. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 14(21), CE1-CE8
Foote, T. (2003). Disaster relief: an emerging practice area. OT Practice, 8(12), 18-23.
Roberts, G. W. (1995). Trauma following major disasters: the role of the occupational therapist. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 58(5), 204-208.
Scaffa, M. E., Gerardi, S., Herzberg, G. & McColl, M. A. (2006). The role of occupational therapy in disaster preparedness, response and recovery. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 60(6), 642-649.
Strzelecki, M. V. (2006). Deconstructing disaster. OT Practice, 11(4), 14-17.
Disaster Preparedness
This involves taking action before the disaster occurs. The occupational therapist can educate individuals and communities on what do to in a disastrous situations. They can individuals and organisations to develop suitable emergency response plans, they can also educate and train employees on how to handle emergency situations (Tierney, Lindell, & Perry, 2001 as cited in Scaffa et al., 2006). Occupational therapists can work with vulnerable communities and their employers to design effective emergency plans.
Occupational therapists can help emergency agencies such as Civil Defence plan emergency sites and shelters. Occupational therapists are skilled at carrying out environmental analysis, therefore they can help agencies to minimise environmental barriers of shelters (Scaffa et al., 2006).
Asher and Rosenthal Pollak (2009) discuss how preparing for an emergency involves having a plan in place to prepare and respond to an emergency. This article focuses on how occupational therapists are well suited to develop evacuation plans for children with disabilities in schools. The authors discuss how the skills an occupational therapist has regarding knowledge of a client’s capabilities and needs, along with an understanding of environmental accessibility puts them in an ideal position to take this role.
Disaster Response
Responding to emergencies can happen just prior to, during, and shortly after the disaster impact, with the aim to address the immediate needs of the victims (Scaffa et al., 2006). Scaffa et al also explain that occupational therapists can help during this stage by providing mental health support to victims, their families, and to emergency services personal and volunteers. Roberts (1995) discusses how victims of major disasters will have been traumatised by experiencing the events, and as a result are likely to suffer physical and psychological trauma. Therefore mental health support is important to help ease people’s trauma.
Pascarelli (n.d., as cited in Strzelecki, 2006) discusses that occupational therapists work with disaster victims to help them figure out what is important, and help them to rebuild their lives. Pascarelli also talks about helping the victim to regain control in their lives, and to help them to put their life back in order. Scaffa et al. (2006) discusses the interventions that occupational therapists may carry out, such as helping to provide routine and structure, encouraging creative expression of feelings, and helping with stress management.
Scaffa et al. (2006) talks about the basic underlying theory of occupational therapy, that engagement in occupations facilitates adaptation. Scaffa et al. also gives some examples of occupations that the victims can engage in including carrying out meaningful occupations, physical activity and play, through engagement the victims may get some respite from the reoccurring thoughts, and worries they may be experiencing. Strzelecki (2006) reminds us that occupational therapists must also be aware of the toll on themselves and to conscious of looking after themselves too.
Disaster recovery
Recovery happens post disaster. During this stage there is much to do, buildings may need repairing, public utilities need re-establishing, social and economic activities and routines need restoring (Scaffa, et al., 2006). The community infrastructure has been affected. Occupational therapists should look out for people suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder, as this can have a last effect on the person and their well-being (Scaffa et al.)
The important thing to remember is that without the use of activity, occupational therapy does not occur (Clarke, 1999 as cited in, Scaffa et al., 2006). Through occupation people can learn to deal with stress, learn coping skills, and help them to meet their needs. Roberts (1995) discusses how that the very purpose of occupational therapy is to enable people to help themselves.
There is of course another large role occupational therapists can carry out, that is physical rehabilitation. Often in cases of disaster there is a shortage of suitable equipment (Foote, 2003).
To read more about the experiences of Tammy Foote, an occupational therapist working in disaster relief check out her article, in the reference list below. She talks about her experience living and working as a disaster relief occupational therapist in Montserrat, an island that had a major volcanic crisis. She was offered a post there as she had registered with the United Nations Volunteers.
References
Asher, A., & Rosenthal Pollak, J. (2009). Planning emergency evacuations for students with unique needs: Role of occupational therapy. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 14(21), CE1-CE8
Foote, T. (2003). Disaster relief: an emerging practice area. OT Practice, 8(12), 18-23.
Roberts, G. W. (1995). Trauma following major disasters: the role of the occupational therapist. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 58(5), 204-208.
Scaffa, M. E., Gerardi, S., Herzberg, G. & McColl, M. A. (2006). The role of occupational therapy in disaster preparedness, response and recovery. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 60(6), 642-649.
Strzelecki, M. V. (2006). Deconstructing disaster. OT Practice, 11(4), 14-17.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Red Cross
This is a link to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies disaster management website. It has information and resources about all the good work they do.
http://www.ifrc.org/what/disasters/index.asp
Also check out this map, it shows you the operations they carried out in 2008. The colours of the pie charts represent the types of operations carried out, and the size of the pie charts reflects the size of the operation.
http://www.ifrc.org/Docs/pubs/disasters/resources/stats/2008-disasters-map.pdf
http://www.ifrc.org/what/disasters/index.asp
Also check out this map, it shows you the operations they carried out in 2008. The colours of the pie charts represent the types of operations carried out, and the size of the pie charts reflects the size of the operation.
http://www.ifrc.org/Docs/pubs/disasters/resources/stats/2008-disasters-map.pdf
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
News articles
This is a link to the Guardian (UK newspaper) regarding disasters. It has up to date news on natural disasters and extreme weather.
http://http//www.guardian.co.uk/world/natural-disasters
Also another link from the BBC wondering if there is anything we can do to prepare for disasters.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldhaveyoursay/2010/08/is_there_a_better_way_of_prepa.html
http://http//www.guardian.co.uk/world/natural-disasters
Also another link from the BBC wondering if there is anything we can do to prepare for disasters.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldhaveyoursay/2010/08/is_there_a_better_way_of_prepa.html
Monday, August 23, 2010
Disasters and occupational therapy
I thought I would start by telling you what the definition of disaster is in relation to occupational therapy.
Scaffa, Gerardi, Herzberg and McColl ( 2006) discuss that disasters can be classified into two categories: natural or technological (human-made). Natural disasters include floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, landslides, tsunamis. Technological disasters include nuclear power plant accidents, mass transportation accidents, accidents involving hazardous materials (eg oils spills).
Fritz (1961, as cited in Scaffa et al., 2006) discusses that a disasters can cause loss of lives, physical injuries and also disruption to social structures. Disasters have a short or long term effect on the occupational performance of individuals and communities (Scaffa et al., 2006).
A disaster occurs when a hazard impacts on vulnerable people (http://www.ifrc.org/what/disasters/about/index.asp).
This is where occupational therapy comes in. The focus of occupational therapy is to facilitate engagement in occupation in order to promote health and well-being, and to enhance their quality of life (Scaffa et al., 2006). I will talk more about this and the role the occupational therapist takes later.
References
Scaffa, M. E., Gerardi, S., Herzberg, G. & McColl, M. A. (2006). The role of occupational therapy in disaster preparedness, response and recovery. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 60(6), 642-649.
Scaffa, Gerardi, Herzberg and McColl ( 2006) discuss that disasters can be classified into two categories: natural or technological (human-made). Natural disasters include floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, landslides, tsunamis. Technological disasters include nuclear power plant accidents, mass transportation accidents, accidents involving hazardous materials (eg oils spills).
Fritz (1961, as cited in Scaffa et al., 2006) discusses that a disasters can cause loss of lives, physical injuries and also disruption to social structures. Disasters have a short or long term effect on the occupational performance of individuals and communities (Scaffa et al., 2006).
A disaster occurs when a hazard impacts on vulnerable people (http://www.ifrc.org/what/disasters/about/index.asp).
This is where occupational therapy comes in. The focus of occupational therapy is to facilitate engagement in occupation in order to promote health and well-being, and to enhance their quality of life (Scaffa et al., 2006). I will talk more about this and the role the occupational therapist takes later.
References
Scaffa, M. E., Gerardi, S., Herzberg, G. & McColl, M. A. (2006). The role of occupational therapy in disaster preparedness, response and recovery. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 60(6), 642-649.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
What is going on in the world?
Everytime the news is switched on there seems to be coverage of a new disaster happening somewhere in the world.
Just in the last few weeks there has been flooding in Pakistan, China and North Korea. Early this year there Haiti and Chile experienced major earthquakes.
This got me thinking about whether there is role for occupational therapy in disasters. And what if anything can we as a profession do to help.
Just in the last few weeks there has been flooding in Pakistan, China and North Korea. Early this year there Haiti and Chile experienced major earthquakes.
This got me thinking about whether there is role for occupational therapy in disasters. And what if anything can we as a profession do to help.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Welcome
Welcome to my blog, my name is Olivia and I am currently a third year occupational therapy student. This blog is part of my presentation for the 'diverse OT' student conference.
Abstract
In disastrous situations, people’s environments can alter and they may experience a change in their occupations. Occupational therapists can play an important role in helping individuals and communities to prepare and respond to a disaster. This blog will look at the role of occupational therapy in the emerging field of practice that is disaster management.
Abstract
In disastrous situations, people’s environments can alter and they may experience a change in their occupations. Occupational therapists can play an important role in helping individuals and communities to prepare and respond to a disaster. This blog will look at the role of occupational therapy in the emerging field of practice that is disaster management.
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