Occupational Therapy News OTnews January 2019 | Page 45
PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES
NETWORKING
Be prepared to attend
#RCOT2019
At the RCOT conference in June, Nikki Daniel’s poster presenting
preliminary findings of a study that explores the concept of
‘Researcher practitioner engagement’ in healthcare received
commendation.
The project originates from the often-advocated notion that
engagement of frontline practitioners by academic researchers can
contribute towards closing the research practice gap.
Engagement during research preparation, execution and/or
implementation activities is considered vital to produce clinically
relevant and useful knowledge, and has many potential benefits for
academics and practitioners alike.
Examples of engagement range from co-production of a study
to involvement in just one element of the research process such
as protocol design, participant recruitment, data collection or
dissemination.
Although various examples of partnerships between universities
One of the most popular session formats
at conference is the RCOT Insights and, as the
name implies, these are designed and delivered by
RCOT and cover subjects that impact the way our
profession develops and grows.
Guest speakers, expert in the area, are
sometimes invited to take part. The insight
sessions are interactive; delegates are expected
to participate by exploring and delving into the
subject matter and receive practical guidance on
what they can do to address the subject being
discussed when they return to work.
RCOT will also be repeating the fringe sessions
in 2019. These sessions were introduced last year
and were extremely popular with the delegates.
The fringe sessions present an opportunity for
delegates to meet with RCOT staff and hear first-
hand about their work.
The sessions are very informal and delegates
last year really appreciated the conversations they
were able to have with RCOT staff members.
Look out for the announcement of the RCOT
Insights and fringe sessions in the New Year.
All the information will be posted on the annual
conference website: www.rcotannualconference.
org.uk.
If you would like to come to conference,
you may be asked to justify how you and your
organisation will benefit from you being there. So,
to help you, we have produced a template which
will assist you in putting together a business case
to attend. It will help you to link conference content
with your organisation’s objectives.
The template can be downloaded from the
RCOT website at: https://rcotannualconference.
org.uk/attending/making-a-business-case-to-
attend/.
Don’t forget, if you book your place by 3
May 2019, you can get up to 70 per cent off the
registration fee (subject to registration criteria). To
register visit: https://rcotannualconference.org.uk.
and healthcare settings are evident in the UK, many academic
healthcare researchers work in isolation from practice colleagues.
Having identified limited published literature to inform
engagement practices, Nikki is now carrying out a study to explore
the requirements and potential benefits of ‘Researcher practitioner
engagement’. It is anticipated that the outcome will contribute to
developing and optimising engagement processes to reduce the
research practice gap and positively impact practice outcomes.
A number of academic researchers have taken part in the study
and it is essential that practitioners’ experiences are also reflected.
As a practitioner, your experience of engagement in research by a
university-based researcher is invaluable to this study.
If you would like to contribute, please contact Nikki Daniels to
register your interest. Email: [email protected]. Participation
involves one online focus group discussion.
On 1 July 2018, eight of us made it to the Kings Arms in Oxford
for the 40-year Dorset House reunion meeting, but such was the
disappointment and interest in those who were unable to come
that we have planned a 41st year reunion. It will be held at the
same venue, Wadham Room, Kings Arms, Oxford, on Saturday
23 March 2019, between 1pm and 4pm. Please do email Sally
Ann Dennis (nee Hart) at [email protected] if you can
come.
OTnews January 2019 45