Investigation into health science students' awareness of occupational therapy: implications for interprofessional education.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the level of awareness of the occupational therapy profession among final-year health sciences students at Kuwait University.


METHODS
This study utilized a survey targeting final-year students in the Health Sciences Center at Kuwait University schools of medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and allied health sciences. The survey addressed awareness of occupational therapy, its scope of practice, work environments, and preference for learning more about the profession.


RESULTS
Of the 244 surveys distributed, 132 were returned, for a 54% response rate. The proportion of those who knew about occupational therapy ranged from 94% (radiologic science) to a low of 17% (medicine). Most respondents learned about occupational therapy from colleagues (77.1%), rather than from their academic programs (28.1%). RESULTS indicated that about one fifth of students (21.4%) were unsure about the role of occupational therapists as members of the health care team. Preferences for learning more about the profession were consistent with interprofessional opportunities, such as observing an occupational therapy session (64.5%) and attending a workshop (63.6%) or presentation (59.8%).


CONCLUSIONS
Although most respondents had some awareness of occupational therapy, specifics about its scope of practice and relevance to the health care team were lacking. Preferences for learning more about occupational therapy were consistent with the current trend for interprofessional education in health care. Implications for interprofessional education are presented.
Occupational Therapy Department, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kuwait University, PO Box 31470, Sulaibekhat 90805, Kuwait. Tel/fax +965 2463-3498. ot_alotaibi@hsc.edu.kw.
Naser
N
Alotaibi
Abdulaziz
A
Shayea
Mohammed
M
Nadar
Hashem
H
Abu Tariah
D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007730:Kuwait; D007858:Learning; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000193:education*; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities