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.     

Job satisfaction in occupational therapy: a qualitative investigation in urban Australia

Background:  Job satisfaction has been shown to affect levels of staff retention and work productivity, but few studies have been conducted with occupational therapists in an Australian setting.
Methods:  Using a hermeneutical phenomenological approach, the findings from a study examining the factors that contribute to job satisfaction in occupational therapists working in Australia, are reported.
Results:  Job satisfaction in occupational therapy was derived from the sense of achievement felt when providing effective clinical care. Job dissatisfaction stemmed from the poor profile and status of the profession.
Conclusions:  Based on the study findings, there is an imperative that the profession of occupational therapy continue to use research findings to support clinicians in providing effective health care, and improve the community understanding of occupational therapy.     

Factors influencing job satisfaction among Jordanian occupational therapists: a qualitative study

Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to explore factors influencing job satisfaction and dissatisfaction among Jordanian occupational therapists. Methods: Ours was an explorative qualitative study involving the use of structured open‐ended written questions. Participants were asked to answer in narrative their perception about the factors behind their job satisfaction and dissatisfaction. In addition, they were asked to express their suggestions, ideas, or solutions for increasing job satisfaction. Results: Ninety‐three occupational therapists responded to the survey. For job satisfaction questions, four themes emerged: a humanistic profession; professional issues; work benefits; and work environment. Participant’s comments at the end of the survey revealed one general theme for improving job satisfaction, ‘a call for improvement’. Discussion: This qualitative study revealed that the humanistic nature of occupational therapist was counterbalanced by several dissatisfying factors for occupational therapy practitioners in Jordan. The need for better supported working conditions in terms of financial rewards, recognition, awareness and resources as well as public and professional recognition of occupational therapists are needed to enhance the occupational therapy profile in Jordan. A comprehensive collaboration is highly needed between the individual practitioners, representatives of the profession, government and hospital administrators.     

A case study applying a psychodynamic approach to occupational therapy

By means of a case study, the author presents the most important methodological and technical aspects used to treat patients with psychosis in occupational therapy based on a psychodynamic approach. This study results fundamentally from the connection of three stories each one with its main character. In the first story, the main character is a psychiatric patient (a 20-year-old young man having the diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia). In the second story, the main character is ‘occupational therapy in mental health’ (emphasis is put on the psychodynamic approach). In the third story, the main character is an occupational therapist who works in her private office. I hope this study illustrates the constitution of an occupational therapy technique in mental health.     

Workers' compensation insurance agents' satisfaction with occupational therapy activities of daily living assessments

Background and Aim:  Little is known about insurance agents' (insurers) satisfaction with the services provided by occupational therapists when they assess injured workers' activities of daily living (ADL). Demonstration of accountability and provision of high-quality services are important to the occupational therapy profession. The aim of this study was to evaluate insurers' overall satisfaction with occupational therapy ADL assessments for injured workers, including communication, timeliness of reports, equipment provision, knowledge of insurers' requirements and the workers' compensation process, and provision of a professional opinion. Relationships between insurers' overall satisfaction with ADL assessments, degree of experience in their job, formal qualifications and roles within their organisation were also investigated.
Method:  A telephone survey was developed and administered to a sample of 40 claims officers and injury management advisors from 10 Victorian Work Cover Authority authorised agents.
Results:  Insurers were generally satisfied with occupational therapy ADL assessments. They were less satisfied with occupational therapists' knowledge of workers' compensation system requirements and how occupational therapists made decisions when recommending household services.
Conclusion:  To improve services to the insurance industry, occupational therapists need to better understand relevant legislative frameworks.     

Inpatients' perspectives of occupational therapy in acute mental health

Background:  Research into service users' views of occupational therapy in acute mental health is extremely limited. This collaborative study by the South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust and the Brunel University (UK) obtained inpatients' perspectives of occupational therapy.
Methods:  Service users and occupational therapists were involved in designing a self-report questionnaire and, following training, in recruiting participants and collecting data.
Results:  Sixty-four (28.6%) inpatients responded and most had met an occupational therapist who had explained the purpose of the intervention. The most frequent group interventions were arts and crafts, relaxation, community meetings, cookery, sports and gym, with the latter two rated as the most beneficial. There was much less choice about individual goals and interventions. A highly significant and positive correlation was found between occupational therapy meeting the needs of individuals and it improving the inpatients' daily functioning and quality of their admission.
Conclusions:  Occupational therapists need to provide more individual interventions and more fully involve inpatients in deciding on individual goals. Group interventions, which are meaningful, relevant and with an occupational focus, are most beneficial. Further research examining the effectiveness of cookery and sport and gym and establishing the benefits of engaging in group and individual interventions in acute wards is warranted.     

Conducting case study research in occupational therapy

Background:  Case study research has been used increasingly in psychology and sociology in recent years. It provides researchers with an opportunity to explore a situation involving one individual or several individuals over time from multiple points of view.
Methods:  This literature review explains case study research as a method and summerises its scientific merit, also providing an example of its use.
Results:  Case study research offers occupational therapists a scientific methodology that can be used to understand and develop occupational therapy practice.
Conclusion:  This paper argues that case study research should be used more extensively by occupational therapists as the method respects the basic principles of occupational therapy.     

Queensland extended care services for people with severe mental illness and the role of occupational therapy

Background:  People with serious mental illness in Queensland who require extended rehabilitation may be treated in extended inpatient mental health services. Two of these extended inpatient services, hospital and community-based 'Extended Treatment and Rehabilitation Units (ETRUs) and Community Care Units (CCUs)', are described, including the aims, objectives, philosophy and service delivery.
Methods:  A quality project involving occupational therapists working in these settings, as well as a consumer and carer, provides different perspectives concerning these relatively new health services in Queensland.
Results:  Two main occupational therapy roles were identified: case management and occupational therapy-specific roles (including assessment and intervention). The consumer and carer perspective is also presented.
Conclusion:  These services provide a positive option for people with high levels of functional disability as a result of mental illness and also for their carers. They provide environments with many exciting opportunities and challenges for occupational therapists working in mental health.     

普安县村医工作满意度及影响因素分析

目的了解贵州省普安县村医工作满意度水平,分析影响因素。方法 2010年1月对贵州省黔西南布依族苗族自治州普安县149名村医进行工作满意度自填式问卷调查。结果村医工作总满意度得分(3.44±0.62)分;福利与收入、工作条件、工作本身得分分别为(2.76±0.76)、(2.92±0.80)、(3.32±0.70)分,低于总满意度得分(P<0.01);医疗服务工作负担、在岗培训机会、获奖励晋升、医疗服务劳务补偿标准、村医医疗保险、医疗药品、工作成效等单项满意度能预测总满意度,偏回归系数分別为0.16、0.21、0.19、0.12、0.12、0.08、0.09(P<0.01);在岗培训机会、领导肯定村医工作、社会福利、完成工作任务、月收入和性别对总满意度有影响,OR值分别为32.48、31.70、8.20、5.72、5.55、4.32;卡克斯-史奈尔决定系数为0.53;模型χ2检验值为112.36(P<0.01)。结论村医工作总满意度水平较低;在岗培训机会对总满意度影响最大,其他依次为领导肯定村医工作、社会福利、完成工作任务、月收入和性別。     

Work-related self-efficacy of occupational therapists in mental health

Abstract

Aim: Changes in the mental health field have created new job expectations of occupational therapists (OTs). The present research investigated differences in general self-efficacy (GSE) and work-related self-efficacy (WRSE) between occupational therapists (OTs) working in psychiatric hospitals and OTs working in community-based mental health services. Method: Thirty-four OTs working in psychiatric hospitals and 30 OTs working in community-based settings (n = 60) completed the General Self Efficacy Scale (GSE) and the WRSE in Mental Health Occupational Therapy Scale (WSMOT). Results: The two groups showed no differences in total WRSE score. Both evinced high self-efficacy in direct intervention activities, and low self-efficacy in managing and counseling. Conclusion: Results enlighten an overall high WRSE, which indicates successful adaptation of OTs to changing roles and tasks in mental health, similar to studies in other countries. However, it reveals discrepancies between job demands and self-efficacy of OTs that should be addressed at educational and managerial levels.     

Harmonized definition of occupational burnout: A systematic review,semantic analysis,and Delphi consensus in 29 countries

Objective:A consensual definition of occupational burnout is currently lacking. We aimed to harmonize the definition of occupational burnout as a health outcome in medical research and reach a consensus on this definition within the Network on the Coordination and Harmonisation of European Occupational Cohorts (OMEGA-NET).Methods:First, we performed a systematic review in MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Embase (January 1990 to August 2018) and a semantic analysis of the available definitions. We used the definitions of burnout and burnout-related concepts from the Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine Clinical Terms (SNOMED-CT) to formulate a consistent harmonized definition of the concept. Second, we sought to obtain the Delphi consensus on the proposed definition.Results:We identified 88 unique definitions of burnout and assigned each of them to 1 of the 11 original definitions. The semantic analysis yielded a first proposal, further reformulated according to SNOMED-CT and the panelists’ comments as follows: “In a worker, occupational burnout or occupational physical AND emotional exhaustion state is an exhaustion due to prolonged exposure to work-related problems”. A panel of 50 experts (researchers and healthcare professionals with an interest for occupational burnout) reached consensus on this proposal at the second round of the Delphi, with 82% of experts agreeing on it.Conclusion:This study resulted in a harmonized definition of occupational burnout approved by experts from 29 countries within OMEGA-NET. Future research should address the reproducibility of the Delphi consensus in a larger panel of experts, representing more countries, and examine the practicability of the definition.     

乡镇工业职业卫生服务试点研究

目的 本文实践表明,要搞好乡镇工业职业卫生服务工作,应重视职业卫生在政策环境与工作环境建设,形成职业卫生工作氛围,以企业实施劳动卫生许可证,职工健康证与职业卫生制度,医疗卫生保健制度以及作业场所岗位安全卫生操作规范的管理,是实现职业卫生服务规范化管理的有效方法,把职业卫生健康教育纳入政府创建卫生城市规划,是提高企业文明素质,增强职业卫生与法律意识的有效途径,对职业危害污染源的控制,应采取行政干预手     

Philosophy,science and ideology: a proposed relationship for occupational science and occupational therapy

This paper explores the interaction between the philosophy of occupational therapy, the science of occupation and the regional ideology of a specific geographical area, and proposes two models to depict the relationship. One model focuses on the interaction between daily occupational therapy practice in a specific geographical region and the international influences on that practice. The international influences include the effect of occupational science. The second model focuses on the relationship between the philosophy of occupational therapy, occupational science and regional ideology. It concludes by showing the importance of developing a global identity through the importation of knowledge from evolving sciences in industrialized countries at the same time as basic and applied knowledge is developed in the scientific community of a geographic region. Copyright © 2000 Whurr Publishers Ltd.