In what is believed to be a world first for the profession, occupational therapy practitioners, researchers and students from all parts of the globe are participating in a 24-hour "virtual conference" organised by Otago Polytechnic.
Starting at 3pm New Zealand time yesterday, presenters from countries including New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, Canada, Iceland, Israel and the Seychelles began giving one-hour lectures on an internet web-conferencing system that allows them to speak and show slides.
Delegates, some participating from their own homes, use a dialogue box to comment or ask questions, responding through on-screen symbols such as smiley faces, virtual hand- raising and virtual applause.
Chief organiser Merrolee Penman, academic leader and principal lecturer at the polytechnic's School of Occupational Therapy, said the department had been using online technology for well over a decade.
Colleague Sarah Stewart, who runs the International Day of the Midwife, inspired her to organise the virtual conference to mark World Occupational Therapy Day, she said.
The conference was "exciting", Ms Penman said.
"We believe this is the first international online conference for occupational therapists that's totally open and totally free. It's exciting because there will be philosophers in the profession, researchers and practitioners in the field taking part."
Up to 200 participants could "attend" each session, she said. Some sessions would also be recorded and stored for up to six months for future viewing.
Otago staff member Justine Camp opened the conference with a welcome in Maori and English.
The first presenters were Otago lecturers James Sunderland and Kristi Carpenter, who spoke about the capacity of the profession to respond to the needs of Maori.
The final session will be delivered by the president of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, Prof Sharon Brintnell, of the University of Alberta, Canada.
