Work and Industry Occupational Therapy Career Pathways: Understanding an Underrepresented Practice Area

Area of Science:

• Occupational therapy
• Work and industry practice

Background:

• The historical connection between occupation and work is increasingly overlooked in occupational therapy (OT).
• The involvement of OT providers in the work and industry (W&I) sector has significantly declined.
• Clear career expectations are essential for workforce development in this underrepresented area.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and describe the experiences of occupational therapy practitioners in developing careers within the work and industry practice area.
• To identify key themes related to career pathways, expertise, professional identity, and challenges faced by OTs in W&I.

Main Methods:

• An inductive thematic analysis was employed.
• Data were collected through an open-ended question in a cross-sectional online survey.
• Experiences were explored through comments and stories shared by participants.

Main Results:

• Four major themes emerged: career pathways, accumulation of expertise, professional identity, and challenges in W&I practice.
• The study identified novel career paths, highlighting the limited recognition of W&I within OT.
• Practitioners encounter significant challenges in establishing and advancing their careers in this field.

Conclusions:

• The findings underscore the need for structured career planning and support to foster the growth of occupational therapy in the W&I sector.
• Addressing the identified challenges and enhancing career clarity can help retain and attract OTs to this essential practice area.