Global collaboration for better client care

In March, the MS Plus team were delighted to host colleagues all the way from Tokyo University of Technology.

Mali Levav, our MS Consultant / Occupational Therapist (OT), teamed up with Epworth Healthcare OTs to showcase local techniques and research to international lecturers and students.

Mali liaised with senior Epworth OT, Georgina Bell, to arrange a tour for four lecturers and five students from the Tokyo University of Technology and Osaka Prefecture University, including Associate Professor Kounosuke (Koh) Tomori, Associate Professor Tatsunori (Tatsu) Sawada and Associate Professor Takashi Takebayashi.

During the tour, held at Epworth Camberwell in March, Georgina showcased Epworth’s OT service and the related research being conducted at Epworth sites. She also showed the group the Epworth rehabilitation facilities.

The tour is the result of Mali’s strong relationship with A/Prof Koh and A/Prof Tatsu, following her presentation at the 2018 1^st International Japanese Congress of Clinical Occupational Therapy, where she presented ‘Giving HOPE to People with MS - An Occupational Perspective of our Employment Support Service’.

Mali then hosted a seminar at MS Plus’ Blackburn office in March 2020, bringing together A/Prof Koh and A/Prof Tatsu alongside guests from Monash University and Occupational Therapy Australia.

Occupational Therapists help people of all ages and abilities to overcome challenges and participate in meaningful and purposeful activities. OTs get to know people, their occupations and environments to understand what enables or hinders their performance at work and then help to remove those barriers.

Mali works within the MS Plus Employment Support Service team, which utilises a holistic approach to identify and work through vocational barriers and whole of life issues that may impact a client’s ability to succeed at work.

‘Your job can be a big part of who you are and provide many essential things to a person, beyond just financial security. We are passionate about working with people with MS and other neurological conditions to help them stay at work – and flourish – as long as possible.

‘Partnering with like-minded organisations and sharing knowledge with others who are leading the way in Occupational Therapy, such as our friends at the Tokyo University of Technology, Osaka Prefecture University and Epworth Healthcare, helps us to achieve this,’ Mali said.

Epworth provides specialist OT services to assist those recovering from traumatic injuries, orthopaedic surgery, chronic conditions such as heart disease and also helps people living with neurological disorders. The not-for-profit hospital network, based in Victoria, also conducts extensive research in the OT space, to ensure they continue to employ the latest technologies and advancements in treatment for their patients, such as use of robotics.

MS Plus, Epworth, Tokyo University of Technology and Osaka Prefecture University will continue working closely together, sharing ideas about the latest research and technology in the OT space as well as improving referral pathways for those with MS and other acquired neurological conditions.

To access employment support, phone Plus Connect 1800 042 138 or email connect@msplus.org.au