Related Experiment Videos
Academic Juggling Act: beginning and sustaining an academic career
E B Crepeau1, L Thibodaux, D Parham
1Occupational Therapy Department, University of New Hampshire, Durham 03824-3563, USA.
Summary
Occupational therapy programs need more faculty. This review guides practitioners on academic careers, covering socialization, institutions, tenure, and career sustainability through teaching, research, and support.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Therapy Education
- Higher Education Studies
Background:
- Rapid growth in occupational therapy (OT) academic programs necessitates faculty recruitment and retention strategies.
- A critical shortage of qualified faculty may impede the quality and expansion of OT education.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the faculty shortage in occupational therapy education.
- To provide guidance for occupational therapy practitioners considering academic careers.
- To support current OT academics in sustaining their careers.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of higher education studies on academic socialization and career development.
- Correlation of higher education literature with specific challenges in OT education.
- Synthesis of evidence-based strategies for academic career development.
Main Results:
- Key aspects of academic careers include socialization, institutional types, and tenure processes.
- Occupational therapy education faces unique challenges in faculty recruitment and retention.
- Strategies for developing teaching skills, research agendas, and support systems are crucial for academic success.
Conclusions:
- Occupational therapy programs must actively recruit and retain faculty to meet educational demands.
- Practitioners can be effectively guided into academic roles through targeted support and mentorship.
- Fostering faculty development in teaching, research, and collegial support is essential for a sustainable academic workforce in occupational therapy.