Саскачеван запустил обучение специалистов по эрготерапии и логопедии в рамках программы на 80 мест

Saskatchewan students will begin training at home this fall in two health professions that previously required them to leave the province. The first cohorts in the University of Saskatchewan’s new Master of Occupational Therapy and Master of Speech-Language Pathology programs are set to begin studies, with 40 students entering each program. The provincial government has invested $37 million to establish the programs. Advanced Education Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said the new offerings are intended to expand Saskatchewan’s health-care training capacity. “Until now, students had to leave the province to receive this training,” Cheveldayoff said in a release. “We are proud to bring these programs home, allowing students to train in Saskatchewan and help build the skilled workforce our communities need now and into the future.” Training capacity expands Before the new programs were established, Saskatchewan relied on interprovincial agreements that provided a combined 50 training seats in occupational therapy and speech-language pathology. The two new USask programs will provide 80 seats in their first year. Both are housed in the School of Rehabilitation Science within the College of Medicine, alongside the university’s Master of Physical Therapy program. The province says the arrangement will also create opportunities for students from the three professions to learn and work together. Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said increasing the number of professionals trained in Saskatchewan is expected to improve access to services. “Occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists play a critical role in providing high-quality care across our health system and in communities throughout Saskatchewan,” Cockrill said. Related Stories: - Health Sciences Seats Secured By Provincial Government - Saskatchewan continues to grow its health-care workforce Programs aimed at improving retention Occupational therapists work with people experiencing disabilities, injuries or illnesses to improve independence and participation in daily activities. Speech-language pathologists provide support related to communication and swallowing needs. Both professions work with children, seniors and people in a range of health, education and community settings. The province says training more students within Saskatchewan is expected to increase the likelihood graduates will remain in the province after completing their studies. University of Saskatchewan president Vince Bruni-Bossio said the programs are intended to help address health-care needs in communities across Saskatchewan. “The professionals we train in occupational therapy and speech-language pathology will strengthen access to critical services for people in communities throughout the province,” he said. Students join inaugural cohorts Incoming speech-language pathology student Molly Morris said being able to pursue the profession without leaving Saskatchewan is an important opportunity. She said she hopes to work with multilingual and neurodivergent people and those who use alternative forms of communication. Incoming occupational therapy student Brooklyn Anderson said joining the first cohort will allow students to help shape the program as it develops. She said training in Saskatchewan will also provide opportunities to learn from rural, urban and Indigenous communities. The province says the programs are part of its broader efforts to educate, recruit and retain health professionals through the Health Human Resource Action Plan and Patients First Health Care Plan.