Exploring the integration of internationally educated occupational therapists into the workforce

British Columbia (BC) is a popular Canadian work destination for occupational therapists from around the world.

This study explored the experiences of stakeholders involved in the integration of internationally educated occupational therapists (IEOTs) into the BC workforce.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the three primary stakeholder groups (40 IEOTs, 12 supervising occupational therapists, seven managers), as well as with seven key informants. Participants were purposively sampled and thematic analysis was applied to the data.

Three themes were identified that fit sequentially along a workforce-integration continuum: "coming to Canada," "registering with the college," and "integrating into the workplace." Within those themes, findings were organized into two categories, "ingredients for success" and "stumbling block," and multiple subcategories.

The findings suggest that hiring IEOTs can bring benefits to the workplace and clients. However, changes made along the continuum would facilitate workforce integration, ultimately benefiting all stakeholders. These findings may be of interest to IEOTs, occupational therapists, and managers as well as individuals working in regulation and policy.