A Reflection by Simone Bezuidenhout
WFOT Congress 2026: What Brought Us to Bangkok
The 19th World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) Congress was held from 9-12 February 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand. This global event provided an exceptional opportunity for professional growth, collaboration, and learning through access to groundbreaking research, innovative practice developments, and thought-provoking panel discussions.
Bringing together more than 2,450 delegates from around the world, the congress showcased emerging trends in occupational therapy while fostering meaningful conversations and knowledge exchange across countries and cultures. It was particularly exciting to see South Africa strongly represented in both research and professional discussions, highlighting the valuable contributions our profession continues to make on the global stage.
Throughout the congress, several themes stood out to me: global collaboration, emerging trends in practice, leadership opportunities, and practical ways to translate research into meaningful clinical practice.
WFOT 2026 Theme: Inspiring Change, Innovating Futures
The theme of this year’s congress was “Inspiring Change, Innovating Futures”. The opening keynote centred around “The Power of Purpose” and the importance of meaningful occupation in people’s lives.
This message resonated deeply with me, both professionally and personally. As Occupational Therapists, we are uniquely positioned to support individuals in engaging in meaningful everyday activities despite physical, cognitive, or environmental challenges. The theme reinforced the importance of continually seeking growth, innovation, and advocacy for our profession while deepening public understanding of the role occupational therapy plays in improving quality of life.
Global Collaboration in Occupational Therapy: Shared Challenges, Shared Solutions
One of the most rewarding aspects of attending the congress was connecting with Occupational Therapists from countries including Singapore, Kenya, Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands.
Despite the diversity of healthcare systems and cultural contexts, many of the challenges discussed were remarkably similar. Conversations frequently centred on the limitations of standardised assessments and the need to develop more inclusive, culturally relevant approaches that better reflect the populations we serve.
These shared experiences reinforced the importance of international collaboration and innovative thinking. Learning how colleagues around the world are addressing similar challenges has encouraged me to critically evaluate our own approaches and explore ways to ensure our assessments and interventions continue to provide the best possible outcomes for our patients.
Emerging Trends in Occupational Therapy Practice from WFOT 2026
The congress highlighted the expanding and evolving role of Occupational Therapists across a range of practice areas.
Some of the most impactful topics included:
● Occupational Therapists’ role in driving and physical assessments.
● Navigating difficult conversations with patients and families.
● Sexual health and identity as an important component of holistic care.
● The use of artificial intelligence (AI) to support learning and professional development.
● Electronic cognitive assessments and technology-assisted treatment approaches.
● Advances in prosthetics and assistive technologies that are transforming opportunities for individuals living with functional limb loss.
Translating Learning into Clinical Occupational Therapy Practice
A question that remained at the forefront of my mind throughout the congress was:
How do we translate this knowledge into meaningful change within our own practice?
While there are certainly tangible resources, technologies, and tools that can be explored, the greatest opportunity lies in fostering a culture of curiosity, innovation, and shared learning. Creating safe spaces where team members can exchange ideas, challenge existing practices, and learn from one another will be essential as we continue to grow.
The congress reinforced the importance of collaboration – not only within our own team, but also with professionals who possess specialised expertise and perspectives. By remaining open to learning and embracing opportunities for innovation, we can continue to strengthen our services and improve outcomes for the individuals and communities we serve.
What the WFOT Congress 2026 Means for the Future of OT
Attending the WFOT Congress 2026 was both an inspiring and affirming experience. It highlighted the incredible work being undertaken by occupational therapists across the globe while reinforcing the shared purpose that unites our profession.
I returned with renewed enthusiasm, fresh ideas, and a deeper appreciation for the power of collaboration, innovation, and purposeful practice. Most importantly, I returned with a commitment to continue learning, growing, and contributing to a profession that has the ability to create meaningful change in people’s lives every day.
Meta description:
Simone Bezuidenhout, OT, shares key insights from the WFOT Congress 2026 in Bangkok – covering global collaboration, emerging OT trends, AI, and translating research into practice.
