title: Workforce profile of Australian occupational therapists working with people who are terminally ill.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The role played by Australian occupational therapists with clients living with terminal illness has recently been highlighted in the Occupational Therapy Australia () position paper on palliative care. To date, little evidence exists about the work profile of these therapists, the type of clients seen, their practice settings and how long therapists are planning to remain in this clinical role. This paper presents results from a national survey of Australian occupational therapists working with people who are terminally ill.
  
  
  METHODS
  The largest ever sample (n = 171) of Australian occupational therapists working with clients who are terminally ill were purposively surveyed in this national mixed-method study, which was analysed using descriptive statistics and grounded theory.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results revealed a predominantly full-time, publicly employed (81%), female (93%) workforce, with an average six years of experience in this setting. Most therapists treated clients in the community (49%), with slightly fewer working in inpatient settings (40%). Many had dual caseloads, employed in palliative care clinical roles, aged care or oncology settings. Neoplasms of varying kinds represented the dominant clinical diagnostic category. The majority of respondents planned to remain in their current role on average seven more years, citing job satisfaction as the main reason for doing so.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results from this study reveal important data for future workforce planning in this clinical area. The information gathered about client diagnoses and practice contexts will enable more targeted preparation of students for graduation.
authors.affiliation: School of Science and Health - Occupational Therapy, Western Sydney University, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Kathrine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hammill
authors.affiliation: School of Science and Health - Occupational Therapy, Western Sydney University, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Rosalind
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bye
authors.affiliation: School of Science and Health - Occupational Therapy, Western Sydney University, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cook
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D024382:Professional Role; D017150:Public Sector; D012737:Sex Factors; D019452:Terminally Ill; D017132:Workplace
keywords: demographic; employment; end of life; palliative care