6th International Occupational Therapy Conference
April 16, 2022

Despite the travel restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the China Initiative team continues to find ways to remain engaged with the occupational therapy scene in Mainland China. In April this year, The China Initiative team attended the 6th International Occupational Therapy Conference (IOTC), broadcast virtually from Chengdu, China. The conference included presentations from numerous keynote speakers, as well as sub-forums and poster sessions with topics focused on neurorehabilitation, community reintegration, trauma rehabilitation, occupational therapy innovation, culture and values, curriculum development, and more.

Professor Yan Yanning, current chairwoman of the China Occupational Therapy Association, delivered one of the keynote presentations. Professor Yan, a rehabilitation nurse by background, received occupational therapy training in Japan and serves as a strong advocate for occupational therapy in China and supporter of the USC-PKUHSC partnership to develop a graduate-level dual-degree occupational therapy program in China. In her presentation titled “Development and Opportunities for Occupational Therapy in Mainland China,” Professor Yan provided an overview of occupational therapy in China including the current state of: 1) education, 2) clinical practice, 3) research, 4) technological innovations, 5) professional association, 6) academic exchanges, 7) international connections, 8) occupational therapy promotion, and 9) occupational therapy theory. She highlighted the development and impact of the USC-PKUHSC dual-degree program and included pictures of the first cohort of USC-PKUHSC dual-degree students at their White Coat Ceremony and their presentation at the 2020 China Association of Rehabilitation Medicine Annual Conference. Professor Yan concluded by sharing her thoughts on the positive future prospects of occupational therapy in China.

Even though the China Initiative team could not be physically in Chengdu to connect with our international colleagues, we appreciate the opportunity to learn about recent milestones for occupational therapy in Mainland China. We are hopeful to reconnect with our colleagues in person in China soon!

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