Will students be prepared? Current status of gerontological content in entry-level occupational therapy programs in...

By the year 2020, 20% of the Canadian population is expected to be over the age of 65 (Statistics Canada, 1997). It is important that future clinicians are prepared to meet the increased demand for occupational therapy services by older adults. The purpose of this study was to examine the present status of gerontological content within Canadian occupational therapy programs. A survey was sent out to all twelve entry-level occupational therapy university programs in Canada via electronic mail. This survey asked questions about the programs' focus on gerontological content within their coursework and clinical fieldwork. All ten responding programs indicated that they had gerontological content within their curricula. However, the amount and content varied throughout the programs.