Saima's Khatta Meetha OT Talk- Dr Shovan Saha (OT)

Introducing the thirteenth guest of my column who is a dedicated and excellent professional.A mentor and a guide who is very approachable and humble.

He is recipient of several National and International award and has recognition in the field of hand rehabilitation, has several publications, invited speaker on different professional forum and conducts live training program on hand splinting as listed with IFSHT. He has trained forty six batches for the same.

Dr Shovan Saha (OT)

Dr Shovan Saha is an Associate Professor and former Head, Dept of Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences[1997-2014], Manipal University.

He graduated in Occupational Therapy in 1994 from Utkal University, Orissa, completed his post professional Masters in Occupational Therapy from Mumbai University  in 1996 and Doctoral Degree in 2014 from Manipal University, Karnataka. His area of Clinical and Academic interest has been in the field of Hand rehabilitation, Splinting & Low technology rehabilitation devices and has to his credit numerous indigenous designs of splints and low tech devices ,techniques in clinical management of wide range of conditions involving the upper extremity. 

He is currently the Executive Committee Member of Academic Council of Occupational Therapy [ACOT] of All India Occupational Therapist’s Association [AIOTA], Vice- President of Indian Society for Hand Therapy, designated Hand Therapy Educator by IFSHT and is the founder and chief resource person of Certificate Course in Hand Splinting, listed with IFSHT, at Manipal University.  

He is recipient of several National & International awards for his work on splinting & low technology devices and has authored articles and chapters in text books including the internationally famous hand rehabilitation book. He is also a dedicated teacher of Occupational Therapy. He is winner of several National AIOTA Trophies, Professional Excellence Award, FACOT Award, Maddak International Award at AOTA, Best Teacher Award at Manipal University, Manipal Foundation Grant for his PhD, Outstanding Post Graduate Nomination at LTM Medical College, Excellence in Hand Splinting Training, Travel Grant from Manipal University for researching on the life of Kamala V. Nimbkar and SHT, India award.He is involved in several International projects of World Federation of Occupational Therapy, WHO-ICF, and is a consultant to reputed organizations like Handicap International. 

Let's read his views further :

I am lending these perspectives at the backdrop of my experience as an ,

‘OT Educator and OT Clinician’-Dr Shovan

1) Being in Academics what are the challenges you come across while grooming students in to competitive professionals?

Occupational therapy as a profession has certain element of abstractness and to translate that in a simplified, understandable, demonstrable and executable language that will register in the mind of a young OT who often may not have sufficient professional maturity is often a challenge as a teacher.

Another aspect is students as they graduate often do not consider their teachers to be professional partners, what remains is just a social engagement, the challenge that emerges is that teachers should be able to transfer information that is applicable, real and market relevant.

2) What ideas can be incorporated to develop strong entrepreneurship skills in young professionals?

To facilitate the development of strong entrepreneurship skills, my conviction is that it all starts during the training program in the OT Schools. Myself as a teacher, I strongly feel that there is need of open discussion as part of the curriculum on job appointments, salary, business, branding, marketing, profit & loss. There has to be discussion and create opinions on strong and precise visible outcomes and ability to sell OT and not shying away and rub under the carpet.

3) Why do you think there is shift in the practice of OT more towards pediatrics leaving other fields less explored? What can be done about it?

The often obvious choice of pediatric OT for a young OT may be due to compulsion or by choice. I personally feel there is a certain lack of risk taking attitude in general amongst us, which obviously is linked to our format of training. As a result of that when we are a fresh graduate, we tend to seek an option that is immediately in front of us, irrespective of our personal preferences.

The other perspective is that while practicing in adults, we find it little uncomfortable and uneasy when being confronted by other professionals, we often are not able to defend ourselves in clear terms and thus have a tendency to stay away. As an answer to what can be done, I am personally a guide of Hand & Musculoskeletal MOT Program. Right from first day of the two year program it is constant hammering the MOT students that when they would be passing out they should not be expecting a job opening awaiting them, they have to create opportunities for themselves and for others. And in that regard we prepare strategies, which become part of the training. And this model is running successfully.

4) There is long standing concern of remuneration and job opportunities as compared to other professionals for fresh graduates in India. What is your view on this?

Yes inadequate remuneration is a matter of concern. But to an extent it is we OT who are responsible. Market dynamics is changing, and we should be fully aware and cognizant about it. We need to understand a simple mathematics of the market- if we are expecting a ‘X’ amount as our salary then as per the laid down terms of the organization we should be able to earn to the tune of 3X to 5X for the organization. And if we use this language in our interaction and negotiation with HR manager and CEO’s then often we can clinch the deals. Many of my students have been successful implementing this model. The remuneration should be equated with the professional output in objective terms.

5) What is your advice to the young graduates striving to make a remarkable difference in their practice?

First we will try to make a ‘difference’ then a ‘remarkable difference’. Young graduates have to be more real and practical in their approach. I would like to share the way I have self-taught myself by looking straight into the eyes of the client and telling “I, Shovan take the responsibility of delivering the changes in a time bound manner for you” our ability to do this definitely will bring difference in our professional perspective.  
   

Your Highlights: 

My Professional Strength: My focus on outcome delivery- helps me to bring clarity in understanding and explaining OT to all stake holder.

My Inspirational Moment: I have many, but this stands out- my two daughters even when they were younger, every time they attempted to explain what their dad does.   

What turns me down: When we are not able to practically differentiate between OT and ……..

Word that describes me best: PRACTICAL OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

P.S: I extend my gratitude  to him for giving me his precious time and motivating further with this his thought provoking words. 

See you all next Saturday with another guest. 

-SSW