Career choices: a comparison of two occupational therapy practice groups.
The increasing number of elderly people in the population and their greater use of the health care system require an increasing number of health care providers to work with older adults. A shortage of health care professionals to provide this care, as well as a reluctance to provide such care have been reported in the literature. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate how occupational therapists decide to work with older adults. Using a comparative approach, 40 occupational therapists were interviewed, 20 working in gerontology and 20 working in paediatrics. The findings indicate that social characteristics and experiences of the individual, as well as the context of work are important influences for practice choice decisions. Mapping of career paths led to the development of a typology to further describe the different influences involved in the career choices of these occupational therapists. Recommendations related to education and practice provide practical means by which to implement change.
School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, IAHS, 4th floor, 1400 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 1C7. swilkins@mcmaster.ca
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002170:Canada; D002321:Career Choice; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services; D003657:Decision Making; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D000078329:Workforce