Occupation-Based Practice Among Iranian Occupational Therapists: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Introduction: Despite the global focus on occupation-based practice (OBP), limited research exists on its implementation in Iran. There is a lack of evidence on how OBP is practiced and the factors affecting its use among Iranian occupational therapists, which is essential for addressing barriers and promoting a more occupation-centered approach in clinical settings. Objectives: This study is aimed at determining the knowledge, attitudes, interests, usage rates, and environmental factors affecting OBP among Iranian occupational therapists and examining the relationship between sociodemographic factors and OBP. Study Type: This work is a cross-sectional analytical study. Data Collection Location: The data collection location of this study is the private and government clinics across Iran. Methods: A total of 202 participants completed demographic and OBP questionnaires. Key aspects such as total performance, usage rate, attitudes, knowledge, interest, and environmental factors were evaluated. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software, employing statistical tests including ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and T-test. Results: The total OBP performance among Iranian occupational therapists is 64%, and 60.7% of them use OBP approaches. They have a positive attitude (83.6%) and high interest (78.3%) towards these approaches. However, environmental factors (44.7%) and an average level of knowledge (65.6%) have hindered the full utilization of these approaches. The average OBP score among occupational therapists in government settings was significantly higher than in private centers (p value < 0.001). Additionally, occupational therapists with a PhD scored higher than those with a bachelor's or master's degree (p value < 0.001). The level of work experience has a significant correlation with the total OBP score (p value < 0.05). Conclusion: This study examines the factors affecting OBP adoption in Iran, showing that while therapists have positive attitudes and interest, environmental barriers and limited knowledge hinder full implementation. Government-employed therapists and those with PhDs engage more, and work experience is crucial. The findings stress the need for targeted education and systemic changes, contributing to global insights on OBP integration.