Alesia R. Ford, OTD, OTR/L, is Pediatric Occupational Therapist, Children's Rehabilitation Services, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence;
Diane L. Smith, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Professor and Doctoral Capstone Coordinator, Department of Occupational Therapy, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, Massachusetts.
Am J Occup Ther. 2021 Jan-Feb;75(1):7501205150p1-7501205150p8. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2020.039446.
Matching the demographics of health professionals and patient populations increases access to quality care. However, a consensus has not been reached regarding the most effective strategies for recruitment and retention of diverse practitioners.
To answer the question "What are the perceived challenges to and facilitators of the recruitment and retention of occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) and students of color?"
A qualitative interpretive, constructionist design was used. Purposive recruitment that used convenience sampling was conducted at the 2017 American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference & Expo and via the National Black Occupational Therapy Caucus Facebook group. Data were collected online from three focus groups and four interviews.
Online through social media.
The total sample included 5 OTPs and 7 students; 91.7% identified as African-American or Black.
Inductive analysis was used to interpret the open-ended questions. After transcription, each interview or focus group transcript was reviewed with Colaizzi's seven-step method of data analysis.
Five themes were identified: (1) lack of representation in and knowledge about occupational therapy, (2) feeling like an outsider, (3) need for financial support, (4) individualized mentor-mentee relationships, and (5) connections with national organizations specifically for people of color.
This study identified experiences of OTPs and students of color and how identified barriers can be addressed. Implications for the profession include purposive recruitment, professional development for faculty, provision of mentoring, and financial support. Future research should focus on creation and evaluation of evidence-based strategies for the recruitment and retention of students of color in occupational therapy.
This study provided voices of OTPs and students of color regarding challenges and facilitators experienced in the profession. With an accurate understanding of experiences of people of color, effective strategies can be developed to foster their successful transition into the occupational therapy workforce.
使卫生专业人员和患者群体的人口统计学特征相匹配可增加获得高质量医疗保健的机会。然而，关于招聘和留住多样化从业者的最有效策略，尚未达成共识。
回答“在招聘和留住职业治疗师（OTP）和有色人种学生方面，面临哪些挑战和促进因素？”这一问题。
使用定性解释性、建构主义设计。在 2017 年美国职业治疗协会年会暨博览会上以及通过全国黑人职业治疗核心小组的 Facebook 群组，采用方便抽样进行了有针对性的招募。通过三个焦点小组和四个访谈在线收集数据。
在线通过社交媒体。
总样本包括 5 名 OTP 和 7 名学生；91.7%的人自认为是非裔美国人或黑人。
采用归纳分析解释开放式问题。转录后，用科拉伊兹的七步数据分析方法对每份访谈或焦点小组的记录进行审查。
确定了五个主题：（1）对职业治疗的代表性不足和缺乏了解，（2）感觉像局外人，（3）需要经济支持，（4）个性化的导师-学员关系，（5）与专门为有色人种设立的国家组织的联系。
本研究确定了 OTP 和有色人种学生的经历，以及如何解决确定的障碍。对该专业的影响包括有针对性的招聘、教师的专业发展、提供指导以及经济支持。未来的研究应集中在为职业治疗领域招聘和留住有色人种学生制定和评估基于证据的策略。
本研究提供了 OTP 和有色人种学生在该专业中面临的挑战和促进因素的声音。通过对有色人种的经历有一个准确的理解，可以制定有效的策略来促进他们成功过渡到职业治疗劳动力队伍。
