Transitioning From Occupational Therapy Student To Practicing Occupational Therapist: First Year of Employment

This research examined the transition from occupational therapy student to practicing occupational therapist over the course of one's first year of professional employment, as recalled by a sample of occupational therapists. Surveys were mailed to 500 occupational therapists randomly selected from membership in the American Occupational Therapy Association resulting in 202 returned surveys. Median year of graduation was 1998, ranging from 1967 to 2014. In general, respondents indicated the transition was positive. Having a mentor was related to high job satisfaction and good clinical fit, while supervising an occupational therapy assistant and low self-confidence were viewed as negative impact factors. Recent graduates presented with lower ratings of a positive transition and higher ratings of likelihood of experiencing burnout and initial job stress than earlier graduates. Recommendations for improving the transition experience are presented.     

Male occupational therapists: A profile of job satisfaction and work environment variables

Occupational therapy is a female-dominated profession with only 4% of all clinicians in Canada being men. Traditionally, occupational therapy training programmes have had limited success recruiting men into their educational programmes and those men who do qualify as therapists tend to work only in the profession for short periods of time. The purpose of this study was to identify work-related factors that impact on male occupational therapists. Specifically, five job satisfaction factors (work, pay, co-workers, supervision and promotional opportunities), work environment traits and the demographic characteristics of male occupational therapists in Canada were examined. A mailed survey questionnaire was sent to all male therapists who were members of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (n = 199) during the 1990–1991 membership year; 83% of the sample responded. In terms of job satisfaction, male occupational therapists indicated that they were relatively dissatisfied with their work, pay, promotional opportunities, supervision and co-workers as a group. However, they characterised their work environments as being above average in terms of supervisor support, autonomy and physical comfort, whereas they obtained a well below-average score for the control dimension. Further research is needed to explore the issue of job satisfaction among occupational therapy personnel and to identify what factors impact on the job retention of male occupational practitioners.     

上海市青浦区社区卫生服务中心医务人员职业倦怠与职业紧张相关性研究

目的 了解上海市青浦区社区卫生服务中心医务人员职业紧张与职业倦怠情况,并分析职业倦怠的影响因素。
方法 采用随机整群抽样的方法,以青浦区3家社区卫生服务中心480名医务人员为调查对象,采用付出-回报失衡问卷（ERI）和职业倦怠通用量表（MBI-GS）分别对社区医务人员的职业紧张状况和职业倦怠状况进行调查。
结果 回收完整有效问卷445份,有效率96.95%。存在职业紧张的医务人员为54人（占12.14%）,存在职业倦怠的医务人员为328名（占73.71%）。存在职业紧张的社区卫生服务中心医务人员其情感衰竭、消极怠慢和专业低效能感的平均得分均高于无职业紧张状况者（P < 0.01）。MBI-GS问卷各维度（专业低效能感、情感衰竭、消极怠慢）和ERI问卷中的付出、内在付出维度以及职业紧张程度呈正相关（r=0.27~0.59,P < 0.01）,和回报维度呈负相关（r=-0.47~-0.29,P < 0.01）。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示,职称高（OR=1.71,P < 0.01）、工龄短（OR=0.97,P < 0.01）、职业紧张程度高（OR=39.70,P < 0.01）和内在付出得分高（OR=1.16,P < 0.01）是社区卫生服务中心医务人员发生职业倦怠的危险因素。
结论 青浦区社区卫生服务中心医务人员职业紧张与职业倦怠较为严重,两者之间存在相关性。应针对影响职业倦怠发生的人口学因素进行分析,并对职业紧张进行有针对性的干预,以预防职业倦怠的发生。
     

Barriers to Occupational Therapy Practice in Wellness

Wellness programs are intended to increase the wellbeing of society and as a consequence reduce health care costs. Occupational therapy writers have urged therapists for the past two decades to move into wellness-related programming, yet current practice trends reflect only minimal involvement in wellness. The purpose of this study was to identify barriers to wellness practice, components of occupational therapy philosophy and practice that can promote wellness, and wellness concepts which can be incorporated into patient therapy sessions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three occupational therapists, two related health professionals and two former patients, all of whom have made contributions in wellness programming. A summary of the barriers to occupational therapists, entry into wellness is presented. Also, recommendations are provided on how occupational therapists can expand their holistic approach to include wellness concepts in all areas of practice.     

公司职员职业紧张与工作倦怠的关系

[目的]探讨公司职员职业紧张与工作倦怠的关系,以期为采取合适的干预措施提供科学依据。[方法]抽取静安区11座商务楼,问卷调查1033名职员,采用工作内容问卷（job content questionnaire,JCQ）和Maslach工作倦怠量表,调查职员一般情况、职员的职业紧张和工作倦怠情况。资料采用方差分析、等级相关和logistic回归方法进行统计分析。[结果]方差分析结果表明,JCQ各维度得分和工作倦怠量表各维度得分,在不同个体特征和不同职业特征之间差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05或P〈0．01）;等级相关结果显示,职业紧张与工作倦怠的Spearman等级相关系数为0．321（P〈0．0001）;社会支持与职业紧张和工作倦怠的Spearman等级相关系数分别为-0．250和-0．252（P〈0．0001）。Logistic回归分析结果显示,不同职业紧张水平与工作倦怠风险有相关关系;而社会支持对工作倦怠的风险有缓冲效应OR=0．308（P〈0．01）。[结论]职业紧张受个体特征因素影响和职业相关因素影响;高职业紧张是发生工作倦怠危险的影响因素,尤其是发生潜在工作倦怠危险的重要影响因素。应当在个人层面和组织机构层面采取措施,降低职业紧张水平,从而降低工作倦怠的风险,达到提高职员健康水平的目的。     

Role for Occupational Therapy in Community Mental Health: Using Policy to Advance Scholarship of Practice

ABSTRACT

Occupational therapists must be aware of professional and policy trends. More importantly, occupational therapists must be involved in efforts to influence policy both for the profession and for the people they serve (Bonder, 1987). Using the state of Illinois as an example, this article reviews the policies and initiatives that impact service decisions for persons with psychiatric disabilities as well as the rationale for including occupational therapy in community mental health service provision. Despite challenges in building a workforce of occupational therapists in the mental health system, this article makes the argument that the current climate of emerging policy and litigation combined with the supporting evidence provides the impetus to strengthen mental health as a primary area of practice. Implications for scholarship of practice related to occupational therapy services in community mental health programs for individuals with psychiatric disability are discussed.     

Diversity and inclusion within an occupational therapy curriculum

Occupational therapy professionals and users of occupational therapy services are becoming increasingly aware of the issues of diversity encompassing their lived experiences, values and meaning systems. This paper situates a discussion of diversity and curriculum development in terms of inclusiveness of people's diverse lived experiences, which include complex combinations of ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, socioeconomic status and other factors. A pedagogical context is provided based on understandings of culture, inclusiveness and diversity in the healthcare literature. The experience of one occupational therapy department's efforts to create a learning environment that is inclusive of all its participants is used to illustrate effective educational and structural strategies. Despite noble aspirations, much remains to be accomplished regarding how the profession defines competencies in terms of transcultural evaluation standards, outcomes and indicators.     

Client-centred practice in occupational therapy: Critical reflections

Abstract

Aims: The occupational therapy profession has long proclaimed its commitment to a client-centred philosophy of practice and the assumption that occupational therapists consistently practice in a client-centred manner has become central to the profession's self-image and public rhetoric. However, client-centred practice has been subjected to little critical reflection within the occupational therapy profession. The aim of this paper is to foster critical reflection concerning the authenticity and veracity of the profession's commitment to client-centred practices. Major findings: Client-centred practice is defined without evident reference to clients' perspectives. Few occupational therapy researchers have sought clients' perceptions of the client-centred nature of their occupational therapy services. Occupational therapy research is neither consistently undertaken in a collaborative manner, nor are the profession's theories developed through explicit reference to a diversity of clients' perspectives. Professional practices and service evaluations do not consistently seek clients' viewpoints. Client-centred rhetoric is politically expedient and may be a professionalizing strategy employed to increase status and entrench power. Practice conclusion: Although exemplary client-centred occupational therapy practices exist, evidence suggests that the profession does not adhere consistently to its espoused client-centred principle in all its practices. The client-centred practice of occupational therapy should be subjected to assiduous critical reflection.     

Diversity and inclusion within an occupational therapy curriculum

Occupational therapy professionals and users of occupational therapy services are becoming increasingly aware of the issues of diversity encompassing their lived experiences, values and meaning systems. This paper situates a discussion of diversity and curriculum development in terms of inclusiveness of people's diverse lived experiences, which include complex combinations of ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, socioeconomic status and other factors. A pedagogical context is provided based on understandings of culture, inclusiveness and diversity in the healthcare literature. The experience of one occupational therapy department's efforts to create a learning environment that is inclusive of all its participants is used to illustrate effective educational and structural strategies. Despite noble aspirations, much remains to be accomplished regarding how the profession defines competencies in terms of transcultural evaluation standards, outcomes and indicators.     

Overseas Occupational Therapists in Australia: the Issue of Recognition

The Australian government established the Council on Overseas Professional Qualifications (COPQ) in 1969. In response to approaches by the occupational therapy profession, an Expert Panel in Occupational Therapy was established in 1979 in order to develop a screening examination to be used in assessing the competency of overseas trained occupational therapists. This paper describes the development of the COPQ examination for all overseas qualified occupational therapists wishing to work in Australia; the experience of candidates since its inception in 1983; and the problems associated with achieving recognition of the COPQ examination throughout Australia given the lack of uniform recognition procedures in the various States and Territories. The need for a consistent national approach to the policy of recognition and employment of overseas trained occupational therapists is addressed, with stress placed on the need for all employer groups, in both the public and the private sectors, to cooperate with COPQ's assessment procedures.     

Predicting the effect of extrinsic and intrinsic job satisfaction factors on recruitment and retention of rehabilitation professionals

The purpose of this study was to ascertain which extrinsic and intrinsic job satisfaction areas are most predictive of rehabilitation professionals' career satisfaction and desire to stay on the job. This article discusses the results of a survey conducted on practicing occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists regarding factors that contribute to career satisfaction and desire to stay on the job. Five hundred surveys were mailed to each profession; 463 were returned, of which 328 were able to be analyzed. Results from regression analysis showed that intrinsic factors such as professional growth and having a work environment in line with personal values are more significant in predicting career satisfaction than are extrinsic factors such as pay and continuing education. These same intrinsic factors are also significant in predicting the rehabilitation professional's desire to stay on the job. These findings are significant to healthcare managers desiring to recruit and retain qualified occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists. In addition to extrinsic benefits such as pay, healthcare managers need to focus on provision of intrinsic factors such as opportunities for professional growth, recognition of accomplishments, and opportunities for departmental input to motivate rehabilitation professionals.     

Icelandic occupational therapists' attitudes towards educational issues

The purpose of this study was to assess the readiness of occupational therapists in Iceland to accept a professional as opposed to a technical view of the profession. Most Icelandic occupational therapists were educated in other countries, with little emphasis on liberal arts, sciences and research. The first Icelandic occupational therapy programme, a university-level programme, was founded in 1997. All Icelandic occupational therapists were surveyed. Eighty-seven questionnaires were sent out and 80 (92%) were returned and used for statistical analysis. The results of the study showed that Icelandic occupational therapists valued academic skills over technical skills, emphasizing occupational therapy theory unique to the profession and research to validate practice. More recognition among other health professionals was considered the most needed change in the profession. The results of the study showed that the clinicians' attitudes confirmed in general what is emphasized in the curriculum and in students' fieldwork. Further research is needed to explore whether the Icelandic occupational therapy profession succeeds in promoting research and recognition by other health professions.     

SHORT REPORT Education and research in Africa: Identifying and meeting the needs

The development and promotion of occupational therapy in the Sub-Saharan continent of Africa is seen as a challenge for the World Federation of Occupational Therapists. It is also a challenge for pioneering occupational therapists, mostly ex-patriates, who have started occupational therapy services in many new countries of Africa over the past few years. This report identifies and addresses the problems. It is important that existing training centres for occupational therapists are maintained by attracting permanent, indigenous teaching staff and clinical supervisors, by promoting continuing support and development of existing occupational therapy services and by promoting the development of more rehabilitation and educational facilities. A priority is to help government departments to develop job structures for occupational therapists. Research is seen as being vital to this process. The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of developing confidence in the profession of occupational therapy by ongoing education, personal achievement and positive thinking.     

The health and wellbeing of mental health professionals

We examine dimensions of job satisfaction, occupational burnout and general health of a sample of 123 mental health care professionals (psychiatric nurses and nursing assistants, and smaller professional groups such as social workers, occupational and recreational therapists and psychologists) employed at a large Canadian psychiatric hospital. Psychiatric nursing assistants exhibit more of the consequences of job-related stress (less job satisfaction, greater occupational burnout, greater incidence of negative physical and psychological symptoms of stress) relative to the other professional groups in the sample. This may be linked with their position within the hospital organization (having less authority and professional autonomy relative to the other groups), affecting their ability to cope with job-related problems and stresses experienced by all direct care workers. We examine attitudes of mental health professionals towards organized support groups at the hospital, which could provide one forum for the open discussion (and potential resolution) of job-related stresses and problems experienced in hospital settings.     

What do young school‐age children know about occupational therapy? An evaluation study

Occupational therapy is a poorly understood profession. In response to this fact, the American Occupational Therapy Association has launched a national campaign to increase awareness of occupational therapy among adults. Little is known, however, about children's perceptions of occupational therapy. The current evaluation study reports on the assessment of children's perceptions of occupational therapy prior to, and following, an interactive demonstration on occupational therapy as part of a larger neuroscience exposition. One hundred and three elementary school‐aged children (55 boys and 48 girls) from local schools attended a one‐day neuroscience exposition held at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Omaha. At three of 18 booths at the exposition, occupational therapy faculty and students explained what occupational therapists do, and demonstrated the link between brain function and occupational performance. Children completed pre and post questionnaires. Results revealed that on pre‐test, the vast majority of participants could not answer the question or had no idea of what occupational therapists do. On post‐test, 75% reported that they had knowledge of what occupational therapists do. These preliminary findings suggest that a campaign of public awareness about occupational therapy for children would be highly effective and beneficial, and that a neuroscience exposition including occupational therapy is one effective intervention to promote such awareness. Copyright © 2001 Whurr Publishers Ltd.     

特殊教育教师职业压力与职业倦怠的关系:心理资本的中介作用

目的 探讨特殊教育教师职业压力与职业倦怠的关系,以及探讨心理资本在其中的中介作用。方法 采用问卷调查法,对40所特殊教育学校的853名教师进行调查。结果 中级职称教师的职业压力高于高级职称教师,所教学生为感官障碍学生的教师职业压力低于教发展性障碍学生或两者都教的教师,专科及以下学历教师的心理资本水平高于本科及以上学历的教师,高级职称教师的心理资本水平分别高于初级和中级职称教师,男教师的职业倦怠水平低于女教师,专科及以下学历教师的职业倦怠水平低于本科及以上学历的教师,各差异均具有统计学意义。职业压力与职业倦怠呈显著正相关( r =0.565,P<0.001),心理资本与职业压力( r =-0.235,P<0.001)、职业倦怠( r =-0.315,P<0.001)呈显著负相关;心理资本在职业压力和职业倦怠之间具有显著的部分中介效应,解释率为19.7%。结论 特殊教育教师的职业压力越大,其职业倦怠水平越高,心理资本在其中起部分中介作用。     

Occupational Therapy: Still at Work

Many occupational therapists are moving into the field of occupational health and safety. This move is a reflection of the political and economic climate of Australia as well as the changing legislation related to occupational health. Only New South Wales legislation will, however, be examined in this instance. Occupational therapy's move from a medical model to a holistic conceptual basis has also resulted in an increased awareness of primary prevention strategies and health promotion. The workplace-based strategies which occupational therapists can offer the corporate sector are many and varied and reflect the unique contribution to be made by the profession to occupational health and safety.