Arab healthcare professionals’ knowledge and perception of occupational therapy
Abstract Background Occupational therapy (OT) services are not widespread and not well-represented or integrated into many healthcare settings. As a result, OT is not available at many clinical and rehabilitation institutions, which has led to both poor access and reduced knowledge and benefit from...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2022-10-01
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| Series: | Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43161-022-00098-4 |
| _version_ | 1797996149776318464 |
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| author | Hassan Izzeddin Sarsak |
| author_facet | Hassan Izzeddin Sarsak |
| author_sort | Hassan Izzeddin Sarsak |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Occupational therapy (OT) services are not widespread and not well-represented or integrated into many healthcare settings. As a result, OT is not available at many clinical and rehabilitation institutions, which has led to both poor access and reduced knowledge and benefit from OT in many countries worldwide and in the Arab region. Objective To examine Arab healthcare professionals’ level of knowledge and perception of OT in an attempt to identify what action is required to enhance awareness and promote OT profession. Methods A descriptive online survey was conducted for healthcare professionals from different disciplines and Arab countries to obtain their knowledge and perceptions of OT. Results A total of 281 healthcare professionals completed the survey (57% were male). Of the total, only 96 (34.2%) have had worked with OT before, 144 (51.2%) were uncertain about the main domain of OT, 98 (34.9%) were not fully aware of the diverse OT healthcare work settings and different health conditions handled by OT, and 126 (44.8%) were not sure about the difference between OT and physical therapy (PT). Almost two third of the sample (187; 66.5%) were not satisfied with their knowledge of OT, 195 (69.4%) showed interest in learning further about OT, and 209 (74.4%) agreed that OT plays a vital role in the interdisciplinary rehabilitation team. There were significant associations between the participants’ knowledge of OT and their specialty (p = 0.01) and years of experience (p = 0.02). Conclusion Most Arab healthcare professionals perceive OT as playing a vital role in the interdisciplinary rehabilitation team. However, OT is not clearly understood and healthcare professionals are not well-educated about OT services and benefits. There is an emerging need to educate healthcare professionals on the focus areas of OT practice. Promoting and advocating for OT is key and crucial. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T10:11:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6678d5f247cd4c6594ac24c6539d9ca5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1110-6611 2536-9660 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T10:11:48Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy |
| spelling | doaj.art-6678d5f247cd4c6594ac24c6539d9ca52022-12-22T04:30:04ZengSpringerOpenBulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy1110-66112536-96602022-10-012711610.1186/s43161-022-00098-4Arab healthcare professionals’ knowledge and perception of occupational therapyHassan Izzeddin Sarsak0Occupational Therapy Program, Batterjee Medical CollegeAbstract Background Occupational therapy (OT) services are not widespread and not well-represented or integrated into many healthcare settings. As a result, OT is not available at many clinical and rehabilitation institutions, which has led to both poor access and reduced knowledge and benefit from OT in many countries worldwide and in the Arab region. Objective To examine Arab healthcare professionals’ level of knowledge and perception of OT in an attempt to identify what action is required to enhance awareness and promote OT profession. Methods A descriptive online survey was conducted for healthcare professionals from different disciplines and Arab countries to obtain their knowledge and perceptions of OT. Results A total of 281 healthcare professionals completed the survey (57% were male). Of the total, only 96 (34.2%) have had worked with OT before, 144 (51.2%) were uncertain about the main domain of OT, 98 (34.9%) were not fully aware of the diverse OT healthcare work settings and different health conditions handled by OT, and 126 (44.8%) were not sure about the difference between OT and physical therapy (PT). Almost two third of the sample (187; 66.5%) were not satisfied with their knowledge of OT, 195 (69.4%) showed interest in learning further about OT, and 209 (74.4%) agreed that OT plays a vital role in the interdisciplinary rehabilitation team. There were significant associations between the participants’ knowledge of OT and their specialty (p = 0.01) and years of experience (p = 0.02). Conclusion Most Arab healthcare professionals perceive OT as playing a vital role in the interdisciplinary rehabilitation team. However, OT is not clearly understood and healthcare professionals are not well-educated about OT services and benefits. There is an emerging need to educate healthcare professionals on the focus areas of OT practice. Promoting and advocating for OT is key and crucial.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43161-022-00098-4AwarenessArab healthcare professionalKnowledgeOccupational therapyPerceptionRehabilitation |
| spellingShingle | Hassan Izzeddin Sarsak Arab healthcare professionals’ knowledge and perception of occupational therapy Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy Awareness Arab healthcare professional Knowledge Occupational therapy Perception Rehabilitation |
| title | Arab healthcare professionals’ knowledge and perception of occupational therapy |
| title_full | Arab healthcare professionals’ knowledge and perception of occupational therapy |
| title_fullStr | Arab healthcare professionals’ knowledge and perception of occupational therapy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Arab healthcare professionals’ knowledge and perception of occupational therapy |
| title_short | Arab healthcare professionals’ knowledge and perception of occupational therapy |
| title_sort | arab healthcare professionals knowledge and perception of occupational therapy |
| topic | Awareness Arab healthcare professional Knowledge Occupational therapy Perception Rehabilitation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43161-022-00098-4 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hassanizzeddinsarsak arabhealthcareprofessionalsknowledgeandperceptionofoccupationaltherapy |