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Reasons for choosing occupational therapy as a profession: implications for recruitment
K R Cooperstein1, K B Schwartz
1Department of Rehabilitation Services, Stanford University Hospital, California 94305.
Summary
Most occupational therapists learn about the career from healthcare settings or personal connections. Key motivators include helping others and job prospects, while education costs and unclear roles are deterrents.
Area of Science:
- Health Sciences
- Allied Health Professions
Background:
- Understanding how individuals discover and choose allied health professions is crucial for workforce development.
- Occupational therapy (OT) plays a vital role in healthcare, assisting individuals with disabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how recently certified occupational therapists learned about the profession.
- To identify factors influencing career choice in occupational therapy.
- To inform recruitment strategies by analyzing demographic influences (age, sex, region).
Main Methods:
- Survey of 272 recently certified occupational therapists.
- Analysis of data based on age, sex, and geographic region.
- Qualitative and quantitative assessment of recruitment and dissuading factors.
Main Results:
- Occupational therapists most frequently learned about the profession in healthcare settings.
- Initial exposure often came through acquaintances, family, or friends.
- Motivations included helping people with disabilities, career challenge/variety, healthcare setting opportunities, and perceived job availability.
Conclusions:
- Personal connections and healthcare environments are key in introducing individuals to occupational therapy.
- Addressing educational costs and improving professional clarity can enhance recruitment.
- Targeted recruitment strategies can leverage existing motivators for aspiring occupational therapists.