What is OT in 2026?

Through OT Potential, we’ve released more than 124 podcast episodes exploring the research, ideas, and conversations shaping occupational therapy. Each year, we pause to step back and ask a foundational question:

What is occupational therapy—and how is it evolving?

In this special episode to kick off 2026, we expand the conversation beyond research alone to include advocacy, technology, and the forces shaping OT practice and public perception.

Joining us for this milestone conversation are two of the profession’s most influential leaders:

• Katie Jordan, CEO of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)

• Angela Macauley, PMP, CEO of the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)

Together, we explore:

• How occupational therapy practitioners can collaborate on advocacy efforts, particularly around reimbursement and sustainability of practice

• How the profession can more effectively communicate and market the value of OT to the public, referral partners, and policymakers
  How emerging technologies—especially AI—are impacting the profession. 

This episode is an invitation to zoom out, reconnect with OT’s core identity, and consider how we collectively shape the future of the profession.

1. You will recognize key contemporary trends influencing the occupational therapy profession, including advocacy priorities and how OT is positioned within the broader healthcare system.

2. You will be able to identify ways emerging technologies, such as AI, may influence occupational therapy practice and patient expectations.

• Intro

• Discussion

  1. Sarah (OT Potential): Looking back on 2025, what stood out to you most from hosting 124 episodes—and what do you see as the biggest shifts happening in occupational therapy right now?

  2. Katie (AOTA): Tell us the story of your year! What is standing out to you as the biggest shifts for the profession in 2025?

  3. Angela (NBCOT): Tell us the story of your year! From your perspective, what stood out to you most this past year?

  4. Katie and Angela: Where do you see the greatest opportunities for occupational therapists to collaborate—to strengthen advocacy efforts related to reimbursement and long-term sustainability?

  5. Angela and Katie: What have you learned about how the profession more effectively marketing the value of occupational therapy to the public, referral sources, and policymakers?

  6. Sarah, Angela and Katie: How are new technologies—especially AI—already influencing occupational therapy practice, and where do you see on the horizon in 2026?

  7. Angela and Katie: As healthcare consumers become more tech-savvy and outcome-focused, how do you see patient expectations changing?

  8. Katie and Angela: If practitioners could only focus on one or two priorities in the coming year—advocacy, technology, communication, or something else—what should rise to the top?

  9. Angela and Katie: Looking ahead to 2026, what are your predictions for occupational therapy?

• Live Q&A

• Closing

• Artificial Intelligence and Occupational Therapy: From Emerging Occupation to Educational, Practice, and Policy Imperative

• Exploring Reimbursement Pathways for Lifestyle Medicine and Health Promotion Services in Occupational Therapy

• Patient Consumerism and Its Influence on the Future of Occupational Therapy

It is the policy of OT Potential to disclose any financial and non-financial interest the provider or instructor may have in a product or service mentioned during an activity. This is to ensure that the audience is made aware of any bias of the speaker.

OT Potential typically pays guest speakers an honorarium for their participation, either directly or to an institution of the speaker's choosing at their request. Both guests waived the honorarium for this course. We invite guests whose expertise often comes from practices, programs, or building products in their field. Where a speaker has a financial interest in the subject of a course, we disclose it below so you can weigh it for yourself.

OT Potential's interest in this topic: OT Potential is an AOTA Approved Provider, an ongoing business relationship with the organization one of our guests leads. NBCOT has granted us permission to state that our courses meet its certification renewal requirements; we have no other business relationship with NBCOT. An AOTA staff member observed the live recording with the opportunity to request edits; no changes were requested. Neither organization otherwise reviewed or approved this course's content.

Speaker interests: Katie Jordan is Chief Executive Officer of the American Occupational Therapy Association. Angela Macauley is President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. Both organizations offer continuing education, membership, or certification services to occupational therapy practitioners.