INFLUENCING WITH KNOWLEDGE THAT STICKS: HOW OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS CAN ACT MORE EFFECTIVELY AS CHANGE AGENTS

Rationale. To optimize access to healthcare and promote health, occupational therapists are expected to act as change agents (Pattison, 2015), an important yet challenging role (Finlayson, 2013). A core skill for change agents... [ view full abstract ]

Rationale. To optimize access to healthcare and promote health, occupational therapists are expected to act as change agents (Pattison, 2015), an important yet challenging role (Finlayson, 2013). A core skill for change agents is the capacity to synthesize, integrate and communicate knowledge to decision-makers, clinicians and stakeholders in organizations and policy-making arenas. To make knowledge ‘stick’, important lessons can be learned from communication theory and cognitive psychology (Heath and Heath, 2007), which could be included in occupational therapy curricula. Objectives. This workshop will 1) describe five core principles for effective knowledge communication and the underlying cognitive processes, and 2) allow participants to reflect on the practical use of these principles. Format. The workshop is divided into three parts. First, the five core principles of effective knowledge communication and associated underlying cognitive processes will be presented (30 min). Then, in small groups of 8 to 10 people, a case history will be used to encourage participants to discuss: a) application of the core principles by occupational therapists in their change agent role, and b) relevance of including these core principles in occupational therapy entry-level curricula (40 min). Finally, all participants will share their views (20 min).
Three learning outcomes
After attending this workshop, participants will be able to:
1.Explain the five core principles of effective knowledge communication and associated underlying cognitive processes
2.Discuss practical applications of these principles in occupational therapists’ change agent actions
3.Discuss the relevance of including these principles in occupational therapy entry-level curricula