title: The professional occupational therapy doctoral degree: why do it?
abstract: This article presents a rationale for the development of professional occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) programs. As more universities transition to the entry-level OTD degree, opportunities are becoming available to advance the profession and increase benefits to clients. We analyzed the current health care environment and developed the following proposed outcomes for doctoral-trained practitioners: (1) Demonstrate advanced clinical skills; (2) attain proficiency in outcomes measurement and analysis and synthesis of outcomes data; (3) routinely use standardized evidence-based practice clinical guidelines that translate research into practice; (4) develop, implement, and lead health promotion services; and (5) excel as partners in interprofessional teams.
authors.affiliation: Jane Case-Smith, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Professor, Division of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210; Jane.case-smith@osumc.edu.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Case-Smith
authors.affiliation: Stephen J. Page, PhD, OTR/L, FAHA, is Associate Professor; Amy Darragh, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Assistant Professor; Melinda Rybski, PhD, OTR/L, is Assistant Professor; and Dennis Cleary, OTD, MS, OTR/L, is Assistant Professor, Division of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus.
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Page
authors.affiliation: Stephen J. Page, PhD, OTR/L, FAHA, is Associate Professor; Amy Darragh, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Assistant Professor; Melinda Rybski, PhD, OTR/L, is Assistant Professor; and Dennis Cleary, OTD, MS, OTR/L, is Assistant Professor, Division of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Darragh
authors.affiliation: Stephen J. Page, PhD, OTR/L, FAHA, is Associate Professor; Amy Darragh, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Assistant Professor; Melinda Rybski, PhD, OTR/L, is Assistant Professor; and Dennis Cleary, OTD, MS, OTR/L, is Assistant Professor, Division of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus.
authors.forename: Melinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rybski
authors.affiliation: Stephen J. Page, PhD, OTR/L, FAHA, is Associate Professor; Amy Darragh, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Assistant Professor; Melinda Rybski, PhD, OTR/L, is Assistant Professor; and Dennis Cleary, OTD, MS, OTR/L, is Assistant Professor, Division of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus.
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cleary
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004500:Education, Graduate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007857:Leadership; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000193:education*