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American Occupational Therapy Association, American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 1(62), p. 97-105, 2008

DOI: 10.5014/ajot.62.1.97

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State of the Occupational Therapy Workforce: Results of a National Study

Journal article published in 2008 by J. M. Powell, E. M. Kanny, M. A. Ciol ORCID
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

Abstract OBJECTIVE. This study determined the current status of the occupational therapy workforce in the United States with a demand-based report using current job data. METHOD. A 31-question survey was sent to rehabilitation administrators and managers from a proportional random sample of 556 facilities that hire occupational therapy practitioners in 29 states. Data were collected from November 2005 to February 2006 using structured mailing and follow-up procedures. RESULTS. The response rate was 55%. The vacancy rate was 8.9% for occupational therapists and 7.7% for occupational therapy assistants. Forty-five percent of respondents predicted an increase in occupational therapy positions in the next 2 years, and 30% predicted an increase in occupational therapy assistant positions. Sixty-seven percent reported difficulty hiring occupational therapists, and 62% reported difficulty hiring occupational therapy assistants. DISCUSSION. This study identifies a serious shortage of occupational therapy practitioners at a time when predictions of workforce demands continue to grow.