What do they think we do? O.T. functions as perceived by administrators and allied health professionals

Prior to preparing written material about the profession, hospital administrators in Alberta were surveyed by questionnaires in an attempt to ascertain the level of knowledge about occupational therapy roles and functions. Fifty-four respondents (administrators and other health professionals) replied to all sections of the questionnaire. Their responses have been analysed and compared to those of occupational therapists within the following areas: occupational therapists as prime agents in specific service areas, the occupational therapist's role in tasks relating specifically to physical medicine, tasks relating primarily to evaluation and treatment, tasks relating to consultation and teaching and tasks relating to administrative aspects of program management. There appears to be a lack of knowledge about the entire occupational therapy process; treatment techniques and media can be identified but how the client is assessed, goals set and the evaluation of the client's progress is not understood. Findings indicate that it is not advisable to publish and distribute information without first surveying the level of existing knowledge of the intended reader.