Characteristics of students in occupational therapy educational programs.

Area of Science:

• Occupational Therapy Education
• Health Professions Education
• Student Demographics

Background:

• Occupational therapy programs train students for distinct roles: registered occupational therapists (OTR) and certified occupational therapy assistants (COTA).
• Understanding student backgrounds and motivations is crucial for effective recruitment, counseling, and curriculum design in health professions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the biographical characteristics, motivations, and career aspirations of students in occupational therapy assistant (COTA) and registered occupational therapist (OTR) programs.
• To identify differences and similarities that can inform educational strategies and student support services.

Main Methods:

• Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from students across four occupational therapy educational programs in Illinois.
• Data analysis focused on comparing demographic information, reasons for program choice, prior exposure to occupational therapy, intended roles, career goals, and work values.

Main Results:

• Significant differences were found in the biographical characteristics between COTA and OTR students, indicating diverse backgrounds.
• Student motivations for choosing their educational level and their pre-program contact with occupational therapy varied.
• Intended professional roles, career aspirations, and work values differed between the two student groups.

Conclusions:

• Registered occupational therapy and certified occupational therapy assistant students originate from distinct backgrounds.
• Insights into student motivations and prior experiences can guide counselors, recruiters, and those developing informational materials.
• Student career goals and values offer valuable suggestions for enhancing occupational therapy curricula.