Vienna/Salzburg (OTS) –From March 8th – 9th, 2024, around 200 occupational therapists came together at the Wyndham Grand Hotel Salzburg to address current and future challenges in occupational therapy, such as artificial intelligence, planetary health and quality assurance.
The focus is on future-oriented questions, perspectives and impulses
The climate crisis and its consequences for health, social developments and increasing digitalization – these omnipresent topics will be crucial for our future discussion of health, equal opportunities and options for action. emphasizes Marion Hackl, President of Ergotherapie Austria. Because these questions and the changes behind them have a significant influence on everyday actions, roles, participation opportunities and our activity balance, i.e. on essential aspects that are crucial for our health. And that’s exactly why these topics were the focus of the Ergotherapie Austria conference., summarizes Marion Hackl.
The philosopher, publicist and lecturer Mag.a Dr. Lisz Hirn opened this year’s conference with her keynote speech, thereby providing important impulses for thinking about the role of humans and the role of occupational therapists in society. Further important food for thought was provided by the keynotes “Protecting the climate means protecting people – the importance of climate vulnerability for occupational therapy” by Eva Lücke, BSc and “Digitalization of the healthcare system and its importance for the future of occupational therapy” by Prof. (FH) Mona Dür , PhD, MSc set.
For two days, experts from the fields of occupational therapy, healthcare and digitalization discussed the developments in the fields of occupational therapy, the expectations and perspectives for the future as well as new approaches and requirements in occupational therapy. In specialist lectures, workshops and poster presentations, study results were presented, concrete implementation examples were presented, future visions were outlined and critical questions were discussed.
On behalf of Ergotherapie Austria, I would like to thank all participants, speakers, exhibitors and the Wyndham Grand Hotel Salzburg for the successful conference. We are already looking forward to the next specialist conference in 2025 and to continuing to work together on the further development of occupational therapy., says Mag. (FH) Michaela Bartaun, Managing Director of Ergotherapie Austria.
Occupational therapy
Occupational therapy is a legally regulated health profession and deals with meaningful activities in everyday life. This means everything that we all do – do – all day long wantalso must or what is expected of us. It’s about activities from all areas of life that are important to us, make up our everyday lives and give our lives meaning. The connection between meaningful activities, health and well-being is the focus of occupational therapy.
Occupational therapy Austria
Ergotherapie Austria is the professional interest group for occupational therapists in Austria. The federal association is a non-profit organization that has set itself the task of ensuring occupational therapy care for the population in Austria, as well as professional and educational policy measures for its members. Since its founding in 1969, Ergotherapie Austria has established itself as a partner in the healthcare sector.
Questions & Contact:
Marion Hackl / m.hackl@ergotherapie.at / +43 664 4556022
