2. What is the Role of Occupational Therapists in Preparing, Responding and Recovering from Disasters?
Gemma Blackburn
BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy Graduate 2018
Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU)

3. Session Objectives
Improve knowledge regarding disaster terminology
Develop an awareness of current literature regarding the role of OT in disaster work
Develop knowledge on how OTs can be involved in disaster work
Develop an understanding regarding research limitations
Enhance awareness regarding what can be done to involve OTs in disaster work

4. Introduction to Disaster Terminology
Earthquakes
Volcanic Eruptions
Landslides
Tsunamis
Drought
Flooding
Tornados
Pestilence and Disease
Natural Disasters
Nuclear Incidents
Industrial Incidents
Transport Incidents
Fire
Explosion
Technological Disasters
(Rodriguez, et al (2007)

5. 185 technological disasters (2016)
Total number of deaths = 16,621
Total people affected = 204 million
Economic damage = 147million USD
348 natural disasters (2016)
(Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED, 2016)

6. Introduction to the Role and Responsibility of First Responders and Humanitarian Law
UK Humanitarian Law?
UK Law/Moral Response?
First Responders?
OT Frontiers?

7. Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3 Paper 4
Baker S (2012) Occupational Therapists in disaster preparedness, response and recovery: a survey of knowledge and attitudes
Paper 2
Lim, H.G, Lim L.B and Vasu, A (2013) Survey of Factors Affecting Health Care Workers’ Perception Towards Institutional and Individual Disaster Preparedness
Paper 3
Klappa S, Audette J and Do, S (2013) The roles, barriers and experiences of rehabilitation therapists in disaster relief: post-earthquake Haiti 2010
Paper 4
Nair, P and Tyagi, N (2014) Occupational Therapy: Metamorphosis with vision in Public Health for Disaster Preparedness, Response and Recovery

8. Preparing Findings Specific to OT Design and management of shelters
Emergency evacuation plans
World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) online training (WFOT, 2018)
WFOT ‘Do’s and Dont’s’ guide (WFOT, 2016)

9. Responding Findings Specific to OT (cont.)
Management/provision of occupational interventions in shelters
Management of healthcare teams
Restoring occupational engagement through meaningful activity
Encourage role identity, habits and routines
Provision and management of psychological and emotional support

10. Recovering Findings Specific to OT (cont.) Rebuilding communities
Livelihoods
Emergency evacuation plans
Data collection
Training and education

11. Previous experience/involvement in disaster
Skill contribution of other healthcare workers
Replicability for quantitative studies
Hypothetical beliefs regarding role contribution
Critical Discussion

12. Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria
Limitations
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria
Representativeness
Lack of literature
Novice Researcher
Potential bias

13. OT Recommendations for Future Practice
Strengthening partnerships
Multi-professional collaboration
Increase awareness e.g. Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) & WFOT
Increase & improve training and education
Qualitative studies e.g. explore disaster survivors experiences

14. Increased familiarity with disaster terminology
Key points
Developed an understanding regarding the limitations in gathering evidence of OTs working in disaster
Developed awareness of the involvement of OTs at different stages in disaster
Increased awareness of current/lack of literature of OTs working in disaster
Gained insight into how OTs working in disaster can be enhanced for the future
Increased familiarity with disaster terminology

15. Acknowledgements Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU)
Dr Catriona Khamisha, ProfD, MSc, Soc, Sc, BSc Hons Health Studies, DipCOT, HCPC reg, FHEA.
Good friends & family!

16. Thank you for Listening! Questions?
Contact details:

17. References
AVEYARD, H., Doing a Literature Review in Health and Social Care: A Practical Guide. 1st ed. England: Open University Press.
BAKER, S., Occupational Therapists in disaster preparedness, response and recovery: a survey of knowledge and attitudes. University of Toledo [online].[viewed 27 May 2018]. Available from:
DAVIS, J.R., WILSON, S., BROCK-MARTIN, A., GLOVER, S., & SVENDSEN, E.R., The Impact of Disasters on Populations with Health and Health Care Disparities. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness. 4(1), pp. 30–38. [viewed 19 May 2018]. Available from:
GALEOTO, G., The Role of the Occupational Therapist in Disaster Areas: A Systematic Review. Occupational Therapy International. Epub ahead of print. [viewed 27 May 2018]. Available from:
KLAPPA,, S., AUDUETTE., J., & DO, S., The roles, barriers and experiences of rehabilitation therapists in disaster relief: post-earthquake Haiti Disability and Rehabilitation: Early Online. Epub ahead of print.
LIM, H.G., LIM, L.B., & VASU, A., Survey of Factors Affecting Health Care Workers’ Perception Towards Institutional and Individual Disaster Preparedness. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine [online]. 28(4), pp [viewed 23 May 2018]. Available from:
NAIR, P., & TYAGI, N., Occupational Therapy: Metamorphosis with vision in Public Health for Disaster Preparedness, Response and Recovery. The Indian Journal of Occupational Therapy [online]. 46(3), pp [viewed 23 May 2018]. Available from: covery
PARENTE, M., TOFANI, M., DESANTIS, R., ESPOSITO, G., SANTILLI, V., &
RUSHFORD, N. & THOMAS, K., Disaster and Development: an occupational perspective. 1st ed. Edinburgh; New York: Elsevier.
RONALS, W.P., What is a disaster? In: RODRIGUEZ, H., QUARANTELLI, E. & DYNES, R. Handbook of Disaster Research. New York: Springer New York, pp.1-52.
The International Disaster Database Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters, Disaster Database [online]. CRED. [viewed 4 May 2018]. Available from:
The World Federation of Occupational Therapists., Disaster Management for Occupational Therapists [online]. WFOT. [viewed 4 May 2018]. Available from:
The World Federation of Occupational Therapists., A do’s and don’t’s guide for rehabilitation professionals [online]. WFOT. [viewed 28 May 2018]. Available from: file:///F:/University%20-%20Year%204/Trimester%20A/Honours%20Project/Grey%20Literature/WFOT%20dos%20and%20donts%20international%20guide%20.pdf
The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, Role of Occupational Therapy in disaster preparedness, response and recovery. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy [online]. 60(6), pp [viewed 24 May 2018]. Available from: