Occupational Therapy & Human Trafficking: A Course Development Plan
Scott Peters, OTD, OTR/L, ACSM-EP | September 22 | 11:45 am-12:45 pm
Topic: Direct Service, Healthcare | Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Occupational therapy emerged amid war and trauma, establishing itself as a credible healthcare profession by providing effective mental health treatment to those in need (AOTA, 2017; Goodwin University, 2021). Today, occupational therapy has grown to expand its reach to virtually any setting in which people occupy their time. The effects of human trafficking on physical, emotional, psychological, and cognitive functioning result in an array of dysfunction that can be addressed through interdisciplinary care, including occupational therapy. However, human trafficking education and training for occupational therapists is sparce. This course has been developed to bridge the gap between human trafficking education and training, and occupational therapy theory and practice. This presentation will cover aspects of the development of this course, course content in relation to occupational therapy and human trafficking, the future of occupational therapy in combatting human trafficking, and more. This course provides those within the occupational therapy profession discipline-specific content concerning human trafficking. This course is intensive; however, has been designed for occupational therapy personnel of all levels (students, practitioners, educators, researchers, etc.), as well as those who may be interested in a career in occupational therapy. Attendees of this presentation will gain insight into the various roles the profession has in combatting human trafficking, with a focus on the education and training of current and future occupational therapy personnel.
Presentation Objectives:
· Discuss occupational therapy’s role in combatting human trafficking
· Promote the importance of human trafficking education and training for occupational therapists
· Provide an overview of a course development plan for human trafficking education and training at the collegiate level