Health committee  Well, when Ms. O'Connor was talking about interprofessional models, that is exactly what interprofessional models are trying to do, and that's what we're trying to teach our students as well. So there's no need to be in a turf setting, saying, “This is needed, and this needs to be done by this person and this person”.

Health committee  I'll go back to your question about people who are in these settings who have mental health issues. You were talking about triggers. As occupational therapists, we can help these people recognize what their trigger points are to help them know the signs, and then get them to express their emotions in a socially acceptable manner.

Health committee  A medical referral is not required for access to occupational therapy services. Some occupational therapists see clients without requiring them to submit a medical referral. The problem is that insurance companies ask their customers for a medical referral before they reimburse them for the services received.

Health committee  It is true, and that is becoming increasingly the case. I, for one, am from the old school. I have been an occupational therapist for a long time. When I started practising this profession, many of the occupational therapists available worked with outpatients. We rarely see that today.

Health committee  Thank you. My name is Paulette Guitard and I am an occupational therapist. I am an associate professor at the University of Ottawa and also the director of the occupational therapy program there. I've just finished my term as president of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists that I am representing today, and we thank you all for your invitation.