Caterina Tannous

• Qualifications
• Biography
• Research
• Selected Publications
• Grants/Current Projects
• Awards/Honours
• Teaching Interests
• Professional Activities

Qualifications

BAppSc(OT); GradCertAppSc(OT); MAppSc(OT)

Biography

Caterina (Cathy) Tannous has been involved in teaching at UWS since 1997. During that time she has contributed to the teaching within the occupational therapy program- clinical preparation, OT theory and practice, disability studies and social inclusion/justice. She has previously taught at the University of Sydney and been a part of the OTseeker project, a web-based occupational therapy database of evidence research. Prior to this Cathy worked with people with intellectual disability in the community.

Cathy completed her Masters by Research in 2005 and investigated the complex nature of maintaining a person-centred approach in occupational therapy practice for clients with intellectual disability.

In 2010, Cathy joined the interprofessional health science teaching team and has since developed an interest in the experiences and professional outcomes of students engaged in interprofessional education. She is currently enrolled in a PhD and is investigating the experiences of students and tertiary institutions involved in interprofessional education.

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Research

Cathy's research interests and focus lie in enhancing practices that maintain a focus on the client, particularly understanding and addressing the support needs of people with intellectual disability and those considered most vulnerable. As a qualitative researcher she has also contributed to the data analysis of various research projects and in the supervision and assessment of honours projects.

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Selected Publications

Publications in Peer-reviewed Journals

Simeoni, E., Gill, B., & Tannous, C. (2002). Families in partnership: An exemplary case study in capacity building. Network, 13, 29-33.

Tannous, C. (2000). Therapists as advocates for their clients with disabilities: A conflict of roles? Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 47, 41-46.

Tannous, C., Lehmann-Monck, V., Magoffin, R., Jackson, O., & Llewellyn, G. (1999). Beyond good practice: Issues in working with people with intellectual disability and high support needs. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 46, 24-35.

Conference Proceedings & Presentations

Tannous, C., & Llewellyn, G. (2004a). Conditional client choice-making: Occupational therapists’ perspectives. Paper followed by roundtable discussion presented at the OT Australia NSW: Transforming Communities Conference, 21-22 October 2004 at the Novotel, Brighton-le-Sands, Sydney, NSW.

Tannous, C., & Llewellyn, G. (2004b). Conditional client choice-making: Understanding the contextual barriers to choice-making by adults with intellectual disability and high support needs. Paper presented at the Visions and Realities: 39th Australasian Society for the Study of Intellectual Disability Conference, 9th-12th November 2004 at the Hilton Hotel, Adelaide, South Australia.

Tannous, C. (2001). Friendship programs at school: A peer buddy play program. Keynote Address presented at the Paediatric Occupational Therapy: Innovative Practice Conference, 6-7 September 2001 at the Manly Pacific Hotel, Sydney, NSW.

Coe, R., & Tannous, C. (2001). When will the children play? Barriers and opportunities to facilitating play in the school playground. Roundtable discussion presented at the Paediatric Occupational Therapy: Innovative Practice Conference, 6-7 September 2001 at the Manly Pacific Hotel, Sydney, NSW.

Russo, B., & Tannous, C. (2001). Where are my buddies? An evaluation of a peer buddy play program. Paper presented at the Paediatric Occupational Therapy: Innovative Practice Conference, 6-7 September 2001 at the Manly Pacific Hotel, Sydney, NSW.

Tannous, C. (2000). Investigating play for children with developmental disabilities in the home and community: A collaborative research effort between academics and families. Paper presented at the Macarthur Community-based Health Collaboration Research Forum, 3rd March 2000, Campbelltown Catholic Club, Campbelltown, NSW.

Tannous, C. (1999). Project play: Promoting purposeful play in the playground. Paper presented at the Families in Partnership National Conference, 25-26th February 1999, University of Western Sydney, Campbelltown Campus, NSW.

Tannous, C. (1999). Therapists as advocates: A clarification of roles? Paper presented at the OT Australia 20th National Conference, Canberra, Australia.

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Grants/Current Projects

• Nov 2007-Dec 2010 Research Assistant for the OTseeker Project
  University of Sydney
• Clinical and Rehabilitation Sciences Research Group
  Faculty of Health Sciences
• Involved the appraisal and rating of Randomised Control Trial (RCT)publications using the PEDro (partitioned) scale; preparation of OTseeker Rater Workshop, and preparation of an evaluation report to be forwarded to the funding body.
• 2009 Occupational Therapy Outcome Measure Study, University of Western Sydney
• Conducted data analysis and developed preliminary framework

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Awards and Recognition

2005 - UWS Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Award for Teaching. Highly Commended - for excellence in teaching, program development and evaluation as part of the UWS Occupational Therapy Program Team

1999 - UWS Macarthur Developments in Quality Teaching Award For excellence and innovation in the development, implementation and evaluation of a 4th year professional subject called Occupational Therapy 6.

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Teaching Interests

Cathy's teaching interests is in the health profession core competencies;  community occupational therapy practice, disability studies; intellectual disability, and the interprofessional education.

Professional Activities

Reviewer for the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal: 2006-present

Invited Reviewer of Conference Abstracts for the World Federation of Occupational Therapists Conference in 2006.

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