S7E04 - From Knowledge to Practice: Making OT Conferences Matter

Conferences are more than name badges and slides. Done well, they sharpen clinical judgement, build community and turn tricky ideas into steps you can use right away at work. Fresh from Rotorua during the Oceania Seating Symposium, plus a packed OT Week at home, here’s a practical round-up for clinicians who want learning that sticks – and guidance on turning your own experience into an accepted abstract.

Why clinician-led conferences matter

Academic rigour is essential, but frontline clinicians often ask a different question: what can I do differently tomorrow? Events designed for clinicians focus on clear takeaways, real case examples that include what worked and what didn’t and opportunities to compare notes across settings, regions and funding models including the NDIS. When a session helps someone put learning straight into practice, that’s the real measure of success.

Knowledge translation made simple

Bridging research to practice doesn’t need to be complicated. Start by distilling new information into a short explanation of what it is and why it matters. Decide when you would and wouldn’t use it with your caseload, then document the first few actions you’ll take, any risks to watch for and the outcomes you’ll measure. Adding these mini protocols to your team handbook helps everyone apply evidence consistently.

Case studies that teach

The most effective case studies are specific, ethical and authentic. Set the scene with person, environment and task demands before walking through your reasoning, including the options considered and constraints you encountered. Describe the adaptations you trialled, report the outcomes for function and participation and close with how the approach could be applied elsewhere. This structure translates well across paediatrics, adult rehabilitation, mental health and assistive technology.

Ready to present? How to craft an abstract that gets up

Most conferences allow only 250 words for an abstract, so every line counts. Choose a specific stream such as assistive technology, paediatrics, knowledge translation, mental health or rural practice. Follow the call for papers closely, using concise headings for background, aim, approach, outcomes and implications. End by promising three practical takeaways. A clear title using everyday clinical language helps reviewers and future attendees find your work.

Abstract scaffold

Background – briefly outline the issue and its relevance to practice.
Aim – describe what you set out to explore or improve.
Approach – summarise the context, participants and any tools or AT used.
Outcomes – highlight functional results and lessons learned.
Implications – show how others can apply the findings in their own setting.
Takeaways – conclude with three direct, action-based points.

Make it stick back at work

Turn conference inspiration into change by creating a shared folder for slides, checklists and case examples your team can access. Hold a short debrief where each person commits to one small improvement they’ll trial in the next fortnight. Update protocols with a “first five minutes” section to guide new staff through initial steps of key assessments or interventions. Tracking a single metric, such as time to complete an AT script or participation outcomes, keeps progress visible and grounded in practice.

Internal resources to explore

Verve OT Learning hosts resources on NDIS essentials, assistive technology and professional supervision – all designed to support clinicians in everyday decision-making. These align with Verve OT’s focus on evidence translation, community and sustainability in practice.

Travel, seating and participation

We also discussed air travel for wheelchair users and how this continues to challenge accessibility. We may need to travel for conferences and not think twice, but what about our participants and when they want or need to travel? What is our role? OTs can assist in preparing a pre-flight planning guide, maintaining clear measurements for seating and mobility devices and developing contingency plans in case equipment is stowed or damaged. Clarifying team roles – from advocacy at the gate to follow-up after landing – helps make the process smoother for everyone.

Advocacy is part of practice

Another point discussed in today's episode...from local rallies to meetings with elected representatives, allied health professionals play an essential role in shaping policy. Learn who represents your area and how to arrange a conversation. Pair real stories with straightforward data, connect with advocates or professional bodies to strengthen your message and follow up with a concise written summary that includes a clear request. Advocacy doesn’t have to be grand to be powerful; steady, consistent communication creates lasting impact.

Giving back: Wheelchairs for Kids

And finally - volunteer-built, low-cost wheelchairs are transforming access to education, social participation and independence for children who would otherwise miss out. Sharing these stories with local networks or service clubs can inspire donations and partnerships. It’s a simple way to extend occupational therapy values beyond the clinic and into the community.

Key takeaways from this episode

• Prioritise knowledge translation through clear, practical steps
• Use structured case studies to share approaches others can replicate
• Build advocacy into regular practice using stories and simple data
• Write abstracts to the rubric, highlighting three actionable takeaways
• Prepare travel and seating tools in advance to improve accessibility