Date of Award

4-2023

Degree Type

Capstone Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Denise Hoffman

Second Advisor

Holly Grieves

Abstract

Advocacy efforts for the occupational therapy profession are critical in order to promote the scope of practice and what benefits occupational therapy can provide to consumers. However, many occupational therapists and occupational therapy students find there are many barriers to becoming involved in advocacy efforts. The barriers to advocacy decrease the amount of individuals involved in advocacy efforts that allow forward progress within our profession. Clinicians and students need to be involved in the advocacy efforts at the policy level and engage in conversations with legislators. There are pieces of legislation that exist at the state-policy level that would advance our field that many people may not be knowledgeable about. Without advocacy for these important pieces of legislation, the profession would not advance forward at the state-policy level. HB 4169 and HB 4170 were introduced in the State of Michigan in March 2023 to enact the occupational therapy licensure compact. These two bills would increase access to services, provide continuity of care, and allow for licensure portability for military spouses.

Download

Share

COinS