Janice Duivestein had worked as an occupational therapist at Vancouver’s Sunny Hill Health Centre since 1986. Twenty years later she took a large leap in her career by beginning the Master of Rehabilitation Science (MRSc) and combining that challenge with a new position as Neuromotor Program Manager. They proved to be a productive complement. “I was feeling that there were areas I needed to improve on. The online feature was clearly a good fit for me and the very practical courses held a lot of appeal,” says the 52-year-old.
The degree experience “resets how you look at things. The whole learning process opens your eyes more broadly,” she says. As a result, she achieved a far higher comfort zone in looking for evidence to apply as a program manager. “You have to consider all of the services and look at the broader picture of the patient population and how to use evidence from the literature.” The course on program evaluation and development yielded immediate benefits in her workplace.
Despite the lack of face-to-face contact, Janice says she enjoyed her online interaction with colleagues from other disciplines, and has since met some in person.
Janice says the confidence she gained from the Master’s program has definitely influenced the way she practices now. Supporting newer clinicians, such as occupational therapists and speech pathologists at Sunny Hill is an important part of her job, and she has improved those skills. “Collaboration for the greater good,” is a very satisfying part of her role, she says.
She has also participated in new clinical initiatives such as developing best practices guidelines to prevent hip subluxation in cerebral palsy patients.
Janice has lots of ideas for moving forward, including possibly taking on more teaching, in addition to her current role of Clinical Assistant Professor at the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at UBC.
“The program was incredibly valuable with a very practical focus — an immediacy — you could actually get on and do it. I am very comfortable with my decision to go that route,” she concludes.
By Heather Kent