Annual conference
Brand new changes to the fit note are here , but are you prepared ?
From this month , occupational therapists in Scotland , Wales and England are able to sign what is currently called the GP Fit Note , with occupational therapists in Northern Ireland ‘ highly likely ’ to be following suit .
And in a lively session on the changes to the ‘ fit note ’, occupational therapists were urged to ask themselves three key questions around their role and scope of practice within this area of practice .
RCOT Professional Adviser Genevieve Smyth said : ‘ It ’ s really good news … and this change compliments the wider direction of travel within health and care systems by supporting a more multidisciplinary workforce to provide better , faster access to care .’
Speakers Dr Jain Holmes , Senior Research Fellow , RETAKE and ROWTATE Studies , and Chair of the RCOT Specialist Section – Work , and Lisa Harrison , Occupational Therapist and Director of Rehab Jigsaw , went on to talk about their current work in this area and the main differences between the AHP Health and Work Report and GP Fit Notes were discussed .
They then went on to analyse what this means for the occupational therapy profession and how individuals might boost their skills in this area and get the confidence boost needed to ‘ step boldly ’ into this leading-edge opportunity .
‘ Some of the key selling points for us [ as occupational therapists ] in this area are our ability to problem solve and really get into the nitty gritty of what are some of the barriers people face ,’ Genevieve said , before adding : ‘ And , from a practical point of view , how can we make recommendations and suggestions about how we get over those barriers and get the person back into work ?’
Delegates were told that the first question needs to be , is this part of my current job role ? The second question is , is this part of my scope of practice ? And third question is , do I feel confident and able to take this on and how do I develop additional skills ?
However , Jain stressed that this is going to be a ‘ gradual change ’, and that most fit notes over the next few years are likely to completed by GPs still . This gives the occupational therapy profession time to test the system and learn from each other to develop best practice .
When it comes to individuals boosting their skills , Lisa Harrison suggested that individuals look for opportunities to shadow or observe other occupational therapists already doing vocational or return to work assessments .
Also , to seek out opportunities to discuss cases with other occupational therapists working in this area to talk about how they assess and identify barriers and use outcome measures .
... this change compliments the wider direction of travel within health and care systems by supporting a more multidisciplinary workforce to provide better , faster access to care .”
Genevieve Smyth
Dr Jain Holmes
Lisa Harrison
July 2022 OTnews 21