We had a chat with Dr. Sarah Kantartzis to find out a bit more about her and what we can expect to hear when she delivers the Casson Memorial Lecture at this year's Annual Conference in Birmingham.
Q: What does occupational therapy mean to you?
To me, occupational therapy, like occupation itself, has diverse and multiple dimensions and meanings, through time and space, within the UK, across Europe, and around the world. As occupational therapists, we need to be sensitive to the shape and form we ascribe to it at any one time and be continually aware of its silent and unacted potential. Society is in a period of rapid change, economic, demographic, climatic, political, for example, and these changes bring challenges to occupations that promote health and wellbeing of people. Occupational therapy will need to be continually responsive to these challenges and their influence on our existing practice, as well as to expanding practice in new directions.
Q: Can you give us a sneak peek of what you’ll be talking about at Annual Conference this year?
I see the Casson Memorial Lecture as a unique opportunity to share with colleagues a particular perspective or issue that has been significant in the lecturer’s own professional journey and that they believe is important to bring to such a public forum for consideration and debate. This year, I want us to consider occupational therapy as “an ethical, moral and social act as much as it is a technical act” (Borg, 2018) and to ask the questions: “Are we addressing the significant occupational needs of the population of the UK today as well as we could? What else could or should we do as occupational therapists?” I believe occupational therapy has enormous potential to support the health and wellbeing of many people in society. However, it is important to explore some of the challenges to shifting our focus and expanding our practice.
Q: What one thing to do you want people to do or think about before they come and see you speak in Birmingham?
In considering where we might want to go as a profession, it is useful to reflect on where we are. I think many people engage in such reflection before attending any conference, but I would invite people to think about these questions – “right now, what is my focus in my work?” and “what is occupational therapy to me?”
Q: Can you tell us something we don’t know about you?
I love singing and relax each Monday evening singing with my wonderful choir of people of all ages and abilities.
Dr. Sarah Kantartzis will be delivering the Casson Memorial Lecture at this year's #RCOT2019 Annual Conference, which is taking place in Birmingham, 17-18 June 2019. Book your ticket today.