Occupational therapy awareness study

1. Katy Jarvis, OTAS, Annie Shiller, OTAS | Carol Zaricor, OTR, CNDT |McLennan Community College
Problem / Question
Are allied health students knowledgeable about
occupational therapy?
Hypothesis
1st year allied health students have a limited understanding of
occupational therapy scope of practice.
Procedure
Literature Review
Occupational Therapy Definition
The Eight Areas of Occupation
Results
Conclusion
• Occupational therapy as a profession should be
introduced during elementary, middle and high school
• Promotion of the full scope of practice is necessary to
expand the understanding beyond basic ADL.
• Need to establish understanding of Occupational
therapy’s role in the health care team.
• Allied health students could benefit from collaboration
and interaction with occupational therapy students.
References
• About Occupational Therapy - AOTA. (n.d.). Retrieved December 8, 2016, from
http://www.aota.org/about-occupational-therapy.aspx
• Alotaibi, N., Shayea, A., Nadar, M., & Tariah, H. A. (2015). Investigation into health science
students’ awareness of occupational therapy: Implications for interprofessional education. Journal
of Allied Health, 44(1), 3–9.
• Byrne, N. (2015). Exposure to occupational therapy as a factor influencing recruitment to the
profession. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 62(4), 228–237. doi.org/10.1111/1440-
1630.12191
• Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved December 8, 2016, from
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapy-assistants-and-aides.htm
• Royeen CB, Zardetto-Smith AM, Duncan M, & Mu K. (2001). What do young school-age children
know about occupational therapy? An evaluation study. Occupational Therapy International, 8(4),
263–272.
• Seruya, F. M. (2015). Allied health students’ knowledge of occupational therapy: A pilot study.
Education Special Interest Section Quarterly, 25(1), 1–4.
• Tariah, H. S. A., Abulfeilat, K., & Khawaldeh, A. (2012). Health professionals’ knowledge of
occupational therapy in jordan. Occupational Therapy in Health Care, 26(1), 74–87.
doi.org/10.3109/07380577.2011.635184
Areas Served
"The therapeutic use of occupations, including everyday life activities with
individuals, groups, populations, or organizations to support participation,
performance, and function in roles and situations in home, school, workplace,
community, and other settings (“About Occupational Therapy - AOTA,” n.d.)."
A Survey Monkey, ten item questionnaire including demographics,
Likert scale, multiple choice and open-ended questions was
distributed to 1st year allied health students. The students were
questioned regarding their knowledge and understanding of
occupational therapy.
• "Today I taught hip
precautions to a client
who had a total hip
replacement. With this
information he will be
able to bathe and dress
safely while continuing to
heal properly. I am an OT
practitioner.”
ADL
• “Today I led a cooking
group for adults in a
community mental health
clinic. We practice working
together towards a
concrete goal and building
healthy habits. This activity
will help these adults work
towards their goals of
living independently. I am
an OT practitioner.”
IADL
• “Today I ran an educational
session on maintaining
healthy backs in the
workplace. This program
educated workers on
proper sitting and lifting
techniques, and the
prevention of injuries on
the job. I am an OT
practitioner.”
Education
• "Today I measured and set
up a home workstation for
a woman who runs her
own marketing company.
She will now be able to
run her business without
neck and back pain. I am
an OT practitioner."
Work
Industry
• “Today I coached a
mother in helping her
child play with a toy in a
different way to
strengthen new muscles. I
focus on the whole family
so they can support her
development every day,
not just when I’m there. I
am an OT practitioner.”
Play
• “Today I helped a mother
establish a bedtime routine
for her autistic child by
using his favorite GI Joe
stickers on his bedtime
routine poster. This
provides him with visual
cues and rewards for
initiating and completing his
night time schedule. I am
an OT practitioner.”
Rest/Sleep
• “Today I taught a gentleman
how to fish using one hand
so he could return to his
Sunday outings with his
grandson which increases
mobility and psychological
well-being. I am an OT
practitioner.”
Leisure
• “Today I focused on social
participation skills with
middle school student,
struggling with obesity, by
teaching assertiveness
training, positive self-image
awareness and anti-bullying
techniques. I am an OT
practitioner.”
Social
Participation
Salary
Quick Facts: Occupational Therapy Assistants
2015 Median Pay
$54,520 per year
$26.21 per hour
Number of Jobs, 2014 41,900
Job Outlook, 2014-24 40% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change, 2014-224 16,800
We envision that occupational therapy is a powerful, widely
recognized, science-driven, and evidence-based profession with a
globally connected and diverse workforce meeting society’s
occupational needs (AOTA, N.D.)Literature review provides strong evidence that young children, first year
allied health students and some faculty have minimal knowledge of the
occupational therapy scope of practice. One study indicated by
providing education on the definition of occupational therapy 75% of
children reported knowledge of OT compared to 18.6% on the pre-test
(Royeen, Zardetto-Smith, Duncan, & Mu, 2001). A survey of
occupational therapy students indicated that 70% of respondents had
some type of exposure to occupational therapy prior to making their
career choice (Byrne, 2015). Allied health students were surveyed
regarding the definition of occupation. Physical therapy, nursing and
physician assistants replied with the definition of occupation being work.
They related work synonymously with activities of daily living (Seruya,
2015). Other studies provided additional evidence of lack of knowledge
of occupational therapy as a health care discipline. The literature
provides evidence and encouragement that with advocacy and education
occupational therapy can become a well-known and respected
profession.
17%of respondents were able to provide
examples of how their discipline would
interact with occupational therapy
Centennial Vision
Occupational therapy maximizes health, well-being,
and quality of life for all people, populations, and
communities through effective solutions that facilitate
participation in everyday living. (AOTA, N.D.)
(“Occupational Therapy
Assistants and Aides,” n.d.)