The Manpower Shortage in Occupational Therapy: Implications for Ontario

1992 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Penny Salvatori ◽  
Renee Williams ◽  
Helene Polatajko ◽  
Joyce Mackinnon
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Related Literature ◽  
Retention And Attrition ◽  
Manpower Shortage

A consistently increasing imbalance between the supply of and demand for occupational therapists has led to a critical manpower shortage in occupational therapy. Based on a review of various government reports and related literature, this paper provides an overview of the extent of this manpower problem, identifies factors affecting retention and attrition of occupational therapists and discusses strategies to improve retention and reduce attrition. To address the supply-demand imbalance, recommendations in relation to education, employment, immigration and service delivery for the occupational therapy profession in Ontario are proposed.

Occupational Therapy Career Patterns in Profile

1986 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.M. Madill ◽  
E.S.G. Brintnell ◽  
L.L. Stewin ◽  
G. W. Fitzsimmons ◽  
D. Macnab
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Continuing Education ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Career Patterns ◽  
Related Literature ◽  
Career Pattern

From a career pattern study of two groups of Alberta occupational therapists (N= 119), five predominant patterns were identified. These are presented in the form of career profiles together with related literature. Recommendations for continuing education and implications for practice are discussed.

The Unit Value System if You're Not Interested You Should Be

1980 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-29
Author(s):  
Donna Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Value System ◽  
Unit Value

This paper, based on an address delivered at the 1977 C.A.O.T. Conference in Halifax, contends that, generally speaking, occupational therapists are neither well informed about, nor proficient in the use of statistics. This is unfortunate in an age when its use of has become a powerful administrative tool. It is important for Occupational Therapists to become knowledgeable about the use of statistics in order that they can communicate with the administrators who speak the language of numbers. Statistics can be used and abused. Improved knowledge and understanding will protect occupational therapy from abuse and enable us to concentrate on our real specialty, service delivery.

Refresher Education Policy: Results of a Survey

1987 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Polatajko ◽  
Carolyn Wright ◽  
Pat Clancy ◽  
Maria LeBlanc ◽  
Margie Vanhook
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Education Policy ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Work Force ◽  
Drop Out ◽  
Manpower Shortage

Occupational Therapy experiences chronic manpower shortage. This is in part, due to loss of trained, experienced manpower. In many cases, female occupational therapists, like other women, drop-out of the work force to re-enter later. In an attempt to deliniate refresher education policy for re-entering, a mail survey of randomly selected members of Ontario occupational therapists and occupational therapy managers was conducted. The results of the survey suggested refresher education should be mandatory after an absence of 3–5 years, should be under the jurisdiction, at least in part, of the provincial association, should be oriented to specialists training and have a variety of formats including clinical practice.

Factors Affecting Occupational Therapy Job Site Selection in Underserviced Areas

1986 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 151-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helene Polatajko ◽  
Michelle Quintyn
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Northern Ontario ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
The North ◽  
Job Opportunities ◽  
Job Opportunity ◽  
Potential Factors ◽  
Job Site

Rural and isolated areas such as those found in northern Ontario are often underserviced with respect to occupational therapy. These areas present special problems for those involved in recruitment and planning recruitment programs. While it is generally recognized that practice in these areas can be both stimulating and rewarding, little is known about what factors might influence occupational therapists to choose these areas for job sites. It was the purpose of this study to investigate factors affecting job site selection and retention among occupational therapists in northern Ontario. Seven potential factors were explored: family proximity, place of origin, lifestyle, fieldwork placements, job opportunities and recruitment tours. These became the basis for the development of a questionnaire which was sent to all facilities employing occupational therapists in northern Ontario. The responses of twenty eight therapists (70%) indicated that the factors affecting job site selection were, in descending order: lifestyle, job opportunity, partner's employment and family proximity. The results also indicated that the factors influencing recruitment and retention differ. Based on the findings, recruitment efforts should focus on emphasizing the attractive features of the north and perhaps on people with family in the north. Retention incentives should include money for equipment, space, continuing education, travel, better salaries, links to educational resources and fieldwork placements.

scholarly journals Current practices and factors affecting evidence-based occupational therapy practice for patients with dementia in Japan

2020 ◽  
pp. 156918612098028
Author(s):  
Ai Hasegawa ◽  
Risa Takashima ◽  
Kazuki Yoshida ◽  
Daisuke Sawamura ◽  
Waka Murata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Multiple Regression Analysis ◽  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Scientific Papers ◽  
Grade Scale

Objective/background The rapidly increasing incidence of patients with dementia in Japan is creating an urgent demand for evidence-based occupational therapy (EBOT), which has been reported to improve clinical efficacy. This study aimed to examine the current practice of EBOT for patients with dementia in Japan and clarify factors influencing its application. Methods We conducted an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire survey by mail. The participants were 432 occupational therapists treating patients with dementia at 432 designated medical institutions nationwide. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and multiple regression analysis was performed to clarify the factors influencing the present application of EBOT. Results The response rate was 31.3%. Among the participants, 46.3% responded ‘somewhat frequently’ or more (5, 6, and 7 on a 7-grade scale) to a question on the frequency of practice of EBOT. Using multiple regression analysis with the stepwise method, we selected the model with the highest degree of fit. This model extracted three factors, namely, ability to understand scientific papers, sufficiency of means of getting information, and availability of advice, which had standardized partial regression coefficients (β) of 0.419, 0.214, and 0.158, respectively. Conclusions The three factors extracted using the multiple regression analysis indicate that in order to encourage EBOT for patients with dementia, occupational therapists need to acquire reading comprehension skills, so that they can assess the quality of scientific papers. Furthermore, it is important to create environments where they have access to publications and can discuss research with superiors and colleagues.

A Worthwhile Collaboration: Integrating Optometry and Occupational Therapy in the Treatment of Children

2020 ◽  
pp. 221-236
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Professional Growth ◽  
Interprofessional Collaboration ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
The Body ◽  
Collaborative Practice ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Visual Deficits ◽  
Vision Deficits

Background: Vision deficits are highly prevalent in children with neurodevelopmental disorders including those with motor delays, learning and reading difficulties, and maladaptive behaviors. These deficits can interfere with their participation and performance in everyday life activities and therefore, require a comprehensive approach to therapy. As such, optometrists and occupational therapists are an optimal team to provide interprofessional collaborative care, reported in research as best practice, in the treatment of these children. However, little is known about the long-called-for collaboration between these professions. The purpose of this study was to explore factors and implications associated with a collaborative practice between optometrists and occupational therapists in the co-management of vision deficits in the pediatric population. Methods: A qualitative, descriptive design was employed to explore perceptions of collaborative practice among teams of optometrists and occupational therapists in the remedial care of children with visual deficits. Following IRB approval, co-located optometrists and occupational therapists were recruited for this study. Semistructured interviews served as the primary data collection tool to investigate the factors and implications of collaborative practice. Results: Eleven professionals provided informed consent and took part in this study, including five occupational therapists and six optometrists. Following thematic analysis, four overarching themes emerged including 1) professional boundaries, 2) co-located, integrated practice, 3) professional growth, and 4) improved patient care. Participants indicated that although barriers exist, exercising humility, upholding patient-centered focus, maintaining mutual respect, communicating frequently, and co-location were factors that enable collaboration. Positive outcomes related to both the provider and the patient were further highlighted supporting the interprofessional collaboration between these professionals. Conclusions: The findings of this qualitative study add to the body of evidence underpinning interprofessional collaborative practice. Furthermore, this study supports the coordination of care, through optometry and occupational therapy collaboration, in the treatment of visual deficits in children with special needs.

scholarly journals Occupational therapists’ experiences of enabling people to participate in sport

2020 ◽  
pp. 030802262097394
Author(s):  
Deborah Bullen ◽  
Channine Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Scope Of Practice ◽  
Local Populations ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Health And Social Care

Introduction In response to growing demands on health and social care services there is an emphasis on communities addressing the needs of local populations to improve lives and reduce inequalities. Occupational therapists are responding to these demands by expanding their scope of practice into innovative settings, such as working with refugees, the homeless and residents of nursing homes, and within sport and leisure environments. The benefits of sport are widely acknowledged, and this paper argues that occupational therapists could play a pivotal role in enabling people to participate. Method This qualitative study drew on a phenomenological approach and used interviews and thematic analysis to explore five occupational therapists’ experiences of enabling people to participate in sport. Findings Findings revealed that participants demonstrated the uniqueness of occupational therapy when enabling people to participate in sport and practised according to their professional philosophy. There were opportunities to reach wider communities and promote the value of occupational therapy by collaborating with organisations, but there were also challenges when working outside of traditional settings. Conclusion The study emphasises the unique skills occupational therapists can bring to this setting. It highlights opportunities to expand their practice, to forge new partnerships in sports and leisure environments, and to address the national inactivity crisis.

Promoting Occupational Therapy Mental Health Research: Proceedings From the 2017 AOTF Mental Health Planning Grant Collective

2021 ◽  
pp. 153944922110054
Author(s):  
Sharon A. Gutman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Community Participation ◽  
Health Planning ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Health Community ◽  
Therapy Services

Although occupational therapists were once integrally involved in mental health practice, the percentage of therapists presently working in this clinical area is low. In 2017, the American Occupational Therapy Foundation convened a planning grant collective (PGC) to generate research to support populations with serious mental health challenges. The PGC’s primary mission was to identify key research areas in which occupational therapists and colleagues could work collaboratively to demonstrate evidence for occupational therapy services supporting mental health community participation. Participants included 21 members from six professions and three program officers from federal funding establishments. The PGC identified seven overarching research concepts, three broad areas of research inquiry, and eight possible studies addressing occupational therapy’s contribution to research promoting community participation and health outcomes for people with mental illness. This article provides a summary of the PGC proceedings so that researchers can collaboratively implement identified research topics.

scholarly journals The developing role of occupational therapists in school-based practice: Experiences from collaborative action research in Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Vol 83 (6) ◽  
pp. 375-386
Author(s):  
Debbie Kramer-Roy ◽  
Denise Hashim ◽  
Nighat Tahir ◽  
Areeba Khan ◽  
Asma Khalid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Collaborative Action Research ◽  
School Level ◽  
Collaborative Action ◽  
School Based

Introduction Occupational therapists around the world increasingly seek to support the participation of children with disabilities and special educational needs in mainstream education. Contemporary school-based occupational therapy practice is progressing from an individual, impairment focus towards collaborative, universal interventions at the whole class and whole school level. Participation-focused practice and collaboration is particularly important, but uncommon, in low-resource contexts such as Pakistan. Methods This article reports on collaborative action research that developed the role of occupational therapy in inclusive education in Karachi, Pakistan. A research team consisting of occupational therapists and teachers worked with five local primary schools, using the action research cycles of plan–implement–observe–reflect to develop practical strategies, materials and inclusive lesson plans to facilitate the participation of all children in all school-based occupations. Findings Support from school management and interdisciplinary collaboration were crucial for implementing change. In addition, strategies like inclusive lesson planning were found to benefit all children in class. Collaborative action research led to increased professional confidence in the teachers and occupational therapists, and skill development through developing a resource guide, running workshops and presenting at (inter)national conferences. Conclusion Collaborative action research was an effective means to develop the occupational therapy role in inclusive education practices in Pakistan, develop culturally appropriate educational resources, and upskill local therapists and teachers.

Workplace mental health: Current practice and support needs of Ontario occupational therapists

2018 ◽  
Vol 85 (5) ◽  
pp. 408-417
Author(s):  
Sandra E. Moll ◽  
Caitlin M. Heino ◽  
Alison H. LeBlanc ◽  
Lydia B. Beck ◽  
Laura M. Kalef
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Support Needs ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Related Services ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Workplace Mental Health

Background. Workplace mental health (WMH) is an important and expanding practice area for occupational therapists. Purpose. This cross-sectional study explores the current practices and support needs of Ontario-based occupational therapists in WMH. Method. Registrants from the provincial association who provide mental health and/or work-related services were invited to participate. Ninety-three therapists completed an online survey; 10 participated in follow-up focus groups. Analysis involved descriptive statistics of the survey data and content analysis of the focus group data. Findings. Return to work, reactivation, and functional cognitive assessment were the most commonly reported services. Key challenges were limited funding and training and lack of awareness of the occupational therapy role. Therapists emphasized the importance of raising the competence, credibility, and profile of occupational therapy in WMH. Implications. Defining the role of occupational therapy, developing training and resources, and advocacy are needed to advance occupational therapy practice within this rapidly changing field.

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