scholarly journals Attitudes of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants Toward the Entry-Level Bachelor’s Degree for OTAs

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Randy P McCombie
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Bachelor's Degree ◽  
Entry Level

Entry-Level Doctorate for Occupational Therapists: An Assessment of Attitudes of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 389-403
Author(s):  
Randy P. McCombie
Keyword(s):  
Singular Point ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Random Sample ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Bachelor's Degree ◽  
Entry Level ◽  
Point Of Entry

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to survey occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) on their attitudes toward a possible move to the entry-level doctorate as the mandated singular point of entry into the profession for OTs.Method:The study surveyed a random sample of 600 OTs and 600 OTAs from two northeastern states.Results:Responses from 144 OTs and 77 OTAs indicate most respondents disagree with the profession making the possible degree change. Although analyses reveal minimal differences between OTs and OTAs, some significant disparities between bachelor’s-degree and postbaccalaureate OTs were found.Conclusion:Results support the need for continuing dialogue regarding the merits and drawbacks of a mandated move to the entry-level doctorate as well as the need for expanded input from all levels of occupational therapy professionals in future discussions.

The entry-level occupational therapy clinical doctorate: The next education wave of change in Canada?

2016 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
pp. 306-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ted Brown ◽  
Jeffrey L. Crabtree ◽  
Joe Wells ◽  
Keli Mu
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
The United States ◽  
Occupational Therapy Education ◽  
Clinical Doctorate ◽  
Entry Level ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
Therapy Education

Background. Currently, Canada and the United States are the only two countries that mandate entry to the occupational therapy profession at the master’s level. There was a recommendation considered by the American Occupational Therapy Association that by 2025 all education programs would move to the clinical doctorate level. In August 2015, the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education made the formal decision that for now, the entry-level qualification for occupational therapists in the United States will remain at both the master’s and clinical doctorate levels. Purpose. This article presents an overview of the types of doctorates available, the pros and cons of moving to the clinical doctorate, and some potential questions that will need to be considered. Key issues. Is the next step in the educational progression of occupational therapy in Canada the entry-level clinical doctorate? What are the potential implications for the profession, our clients, and funders? Implications. Further discourse and investigation of this issue is needed.

scholarly journals Occupational therapy in the Fourth Industrial Revolution

2018 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 272-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lili Liu
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Autonomous Vehicles ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Arts And Crafts ◽  
Entry Level ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Complex Relationships

Background. While occupational therapy’s inception was from the Arts and Crafts movement and the moral treatment movement with war veterans, the profession has evolved to requiring a professional entry-level master’s degree to practice, and involves complex relationships with clients across the life span. Throughout history, a consistent impact of each industrial revolution has been the loss of jobs to automation. This consequence is even more profound today with the exponential growth of innovations and automation. Purpose. The objectives of this article are to (a) set the context by reviewing the evolution, or five eras, of occupational therapy in Canada; (b) present what is meant by the “Fourth Industrial Revolution”; and (c) examine the technological innovations faced by occupational therapists and our clients as we enter the “sixth” era of occupational therapy in Canada. Key Issues. Although occupational therapy, as a profession, has low risk for automation, a great number of our clients will not be able to reskill fast enough to keep up with job market requirements. Telerehabilitation, the Internet of Things, virtual reality, 3-D printing, robotics, artificial intelligence, and autonomous vehicles are challenging ways occupational therapists provide services to clients. Implications. It is recommended that occupational therapists engage with disciplines beyond current typical connections, as our expertise is called upon to advocate for ourselves and our clients who are end users of these technologies.

Bridging the Gap — Employment and Education, Part 2: Education into Practice

1997 ◽  
Vol 60 (8) ◽  
pp. 343-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Kenyon ◽  
Irene Ilott
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Value For Money ◽  
Line Managers ◽  
Entry Level ◽  
Retention Level ◽  
One Year

The second part of the article evaluating the South Trent In-Service Diploma Course in Occupational Therapy contains the results of a one-year follow-up destination survey of the ex-students, their then line managers and the representatives of the sponsoring authorities. There was a high retention level, with 18 of the 19 respondents still working for their sponsoring authority. A majority agreed that the course had provided value for money, producing competent entry-level therapists as defined by the College of Occupational Therapists. The ex-students perceived themselves to be more confident when compared with peers who had undertaken a full-time route. This difference was attributed to their previous life and work experience. These outcomes provide evidence for the effectiveness of a course grounded in the practice context.

The Development of Client-Centredness in Student Occupational Therapists

2013 ◽  
Vol 76 (5) ◽  
pp. 217-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacquie Ripat ◽  
Pamela Wener ◽  
Kendra Dobinson
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Relationship Building ◽  
Student Perspective ◽  
Entry Level ◽  
Occupational Therapy Students ◽  
Power And Control ◽  
Therapy Programme

Introduction: While the occupational therapy profession emphasizes the importance of a client-centred approach, the student perspective on development of client-centredness has been absent in the research literature. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to gain an understanding of occupational therapy students' perceptions of the curricular and practice experiences that contributed to their client-centred development. Method: Study participants were recruited from three cohorts (n = 29) of an entry-level Canadian occupational therapy programme: students from two separate years of an occupational therapy programme, and graduates from the programme who were 1 year into practice. Researchers conducted six focus groups using a semi-structured interview guide; focus group transcripts were reviewed to develop a coding scheme. Emergent categories were collapsed to develop overarching themes. Findings: Six developmental themes were constructed: Internalizing client-centredness; Relationship building; Who is the client?; Systems influences; Academic/practice discrepancy; and Power and control. Each theme was of greater or lesser emphasis at different points, and participants revisited and expanded upon themes throughout their academic programme. Conclusion: Academic and placement educators can use the findings of the study to understand how student occupational therapists develop client-centredness. Educators can use this understanding to implement strategies to intentionally foster client-centred development in students at opportune times.

Registration and Beyond

1996 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. 284-286
Author(s):  
Carol Grainger
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Positive Feedback ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Entry Level ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Continuing Competency ◽  
State Registration

Occupational therapists and other allied health professionals pass entry level examinations and then, in many cases, seek registration through a State Registration Board. Usually, no further establishment of competency is undertaken once entry level qualifications are demonstrated. This article discusses the need to ensure continuing competency after the initial completion of a degree or diploma in occupational therapy, it describes the practices that are being utilised in one Queensland hospital to ensure the competency of private allied health practitioners wishing to provide services to private patients. This process is still undergoing trial, although positive feedback has been received.

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.

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