Yiyang Fang, OTD, OTR/L, is Research Assistant, Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles;
Jody Liu, OTD, OTR/L, is Regional Ergonomist, North America, Ergonomics, Physical Rehabilitation Network, Sunnyvale, CA.
Am J Occup Ther. 2024 Nov 1;78(6). doi: 10.5014/ajot.2024.050600.
Work and industry (W&I) is a vital yet underrepresented area of occupational therapy practice. Describing the current practice trends, challenges, and opportunities in W&I provides a foundation for future development and advancements.
To describe the state of W&I occupational therapy practice and to identify challenges and opportunities in this specialty practice area.
Cross-sectional survey conducted June 12 to July 17, 2020.
Online survey distributed through direct email invitations and online platforms (i.e., CommunOT, LinkedIn).
One hundred twenty occupational therapy practitioners who had worked in W&I within the most recent 5 yr.
We used 30 multiple-choice, Likert-scale, and free-response questions across three topics: (1) training, resources, and research; (2) challenges and barriers; and (3) opportunities.
Most respondents were occupational therapy practitioners working in clinical settings with >5 yr of experience; 29.2% identified as male. The most frequently provided services were ergonomic consultation and worksite evaluation; clinic-based W&I services were less frequently provided. Workplace injury prevention, management of psychosocial issues, and employee wellness programs were ranked as the top opportunities for occupational therapy in W&I. A shortage of accessible training and resources to support W&I practice was found, particularly mentoring and occupational therapy-focused research evidence. Maintaining referrals, competition from other professions, and limited support from professional organizations were key challenges.
This study illustrates the evolution of W&I occupational therapy practice and highlights an urgent need for increased professional recognition and educational support to maintain occupational therapy's presence in this practice area. Plain-Language Summary: In this study, we describe the current practice trends in work and industry occupational therapy practice. We identify challenges related to resources and training in this practice area and provide insights into opportunities for future development. The study findings show the evolution of work and industry occupational therapy practice and highlight an urgent need for more professional recognition and educational support to maintain occupational therapy's presence in this practice area.
工作和工业（W&I）是职业治疗实践中一个重要但代表性不足的领域。描述 W&I 中的当前实践趋势、挑战和机遇为未来的发展和进步提供了基础。
描述 W&I 职业治疗实践的现状，并确定这个专业实践领域的挑战和机遇。
2020 年 6 月 12 日至 7 月 17 日进行的横断面调查。
通过直接电子邮件邀请和在线平台（即 CommunOT、LinkedIn）在线调查。
120 名在过去 5 年内从事过 W&I 的职业治疗师。
我们在三个主题上使用了 30 个多项选择、李克特量表和自由回答问题：（1）培训、资源和研究；（2）挑战和障碍；（3）机会。
大多数受访者是在临床环境中工作、经验超过 5 年的职业治疗师；29.2%的受访者为男性。最常提供的服务是工效学咨询和工作场所评估；诊所为基础的 W&I 服务较少提供。预防工作场所伤害、管理心理社会问题和员工健康计划被评为职业治疗在 W&I 中的主要机会。发现可用的培训和资源支持 W&I 实践不足，特别是指导和以职业治疗为重点的研究证据。维持转介、来自其他专业的竞争以及专业组织的有限支持是主要挑战。
这项研究说明了 W&I 职业治疗实践的演变，并强调迫切需要增加专业认可和教育支持，以保持职业治疗在这个实践领域的存在。
