Occupational Therapy News OTnews January 2019 | Page 45

PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES NETWORKING Be prepared to attend #RCOT2019 At the RCOT conference in June, Nikki Daniel’s poster presenting preliminary findings of a study that explores the concept of ‘Researcher practitioner engagement’ in healthcare received commendation. The project originates from the often-advocated notion that engagement of frontline practitioners by academic researchers can contribute towards closing the research practice gap. Engagement during research preparation, execution and/or implementation activities is considered vital to produce clinically relevant and useful knowledge, and has many potential benefits for academics and practitioners alike. Examples of engagement range from co-production of a study to involvement in just one element of the research process such as protocol design, participant recruitment, data collection or dissemination. Although various examples of partnerships between universities One of the most popular session formats at conference is the RCOT Insights and, as the name implies, these are designed and delivered by RCOT and cover subjects that impact the way our profession develops and grows. Guest speakers, expert in the area, are sometimes invited to take part. The insight sessions are interactive; delegates are expected to participate by exploring and delving into the subject matter and receive practical guidance on what they can do to address the subject being discussed when they return to work. RCOT will also be repeating the fringe sessions in 2019. These sessions were introduced last year and were extremely popular with the delegates. The fringe sessions present an opportunity for delegates to meet with RCOT staff and hear first- hand about their work. The sessions are very informal and delegates last year really appreciated the conversations they were able to have with RCOT staff members. Look out for the announcement of the RCOT Insights and fringe sessions in the New Year. All the information will be posted on the annual conference website: www.rcotannualconference. org.uk. If you would like to come to conference, you may be asked to justify how you and your organisation will benefit from you being there. So, to help you, we have produced a template which will assist you in putting together a business case to attend. It will help you to link conference content with your organisation’s objectives. The template can be downloaded from the RCOT website at: https://rcotannualconference. org.uk/attending/making-a-business-case-to- attend/. Don’t forget, if you book your place by 3 May 2019, you can get up to 70 per cent off the registration fee (subject to registration criteria). To register visit: https://rcotannualconference.org.uk. and healthcare settings are evident in the UK, many academic healthcare researchers work in isolation from practice colleagues. Having identified limited published literature to inform engagement practices, Nikki is now carrying out a study to explore the requirements and potential benefits of ‘Researcher practitioner engagement’. It is anticipated that the outcome will contribute to developing and optimising engagement processes to reduce the research practice gap and positively impact practice outcomes. A number of academic researchers have taken part in the study and it is essential that practitioners’ experiences are also reflected. As a practitioner, your experience of engagement in research by a university-based researcher is invaluable to this study. If you would like to contribute, please contact Nikki Daniels to register your interest. Email: [email protected]. Participation involves one online focus group discussion. On 1 July 2018, eight of us made it to the Kings Arms in Oxford for the 40-year Dorset House reunion meeting, but such was the disappointment and interest in those who were unable to come that we have planned a 41st year reunion. It will be held at the same venue, Wadham Room, Kings Arms, Oxford, on Saturday 23 March 2019, between 1pm and 4pm. Please do email Sally Ann Dennis (nee Hart) at [email protected] if you can come. OTnews January 2019 45