Occupational therapy workforce needs: a model for demand-based studies.
OBJECTIVE
To provide a model for assessing occupational therapy workforce needs by using a demand-based approach to determine current workforce status in the Northwest region. Regional information may have implications for addressing national occupational therapy service needs.


METHODS
A questionnaire was sent to a proportional random sample of 234 facilities that hire occupational therapy practitioners. Data were collected in July-August 2003 using structured mailing and follow-up procedures.


RESULTS
Response rate was 79%. Twenty-four percent reported occupational therapy vacancies and 11% occupational therapy assistant vacancies; 48% predicted an increase in occupational therapy positions in the next 2 years and 41% an increase in occupational therapy assistant positions. Sixty-three percent of respondents reported difficulty in hiring.


CONCLUSIONS
This study identifies an occupational therapy workforce shortage in the Northwest. Management of a shortage is critical, for even short-term adjustments could lead to permanent changes in service provision. This study demonstrates the importance of current information on the status of the national workforce and serves as a model for future studies.
Powell
Janet M
JM
Division of Occupational Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356490, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA. jmpowell@u.washington.edu
Griffith
Sonya L
SL
Kanny
Elizabeth M
EM
D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D005544:Forecasting; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006280:Health Workforce / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015205:Northwestern United States; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires