Comparing Outcomes of Entry-Level Degrees from One Occupational Therapy Program

The purpose of this study was to compare the professional outcomes of two entry-level occupational therapy degrees: the Master of Science (MSOT) and occupational therapy doctorate (OTD). This was a quantitative, exploratory study using a survey method. An online survey was sent to graduates from one...

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Main Authors: Stacy Smallfield, Laura Flanigan, Anna Sherman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Eastern Kentucky University 2019-01-01
Series:Journal of Occupational Therapy Education
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.26681/jote.2019.030107
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author Stacy Smallfield
Laura Flanigan
Anna Sherman
author_facet Stacy Smallfield
Laura Flanigan
Anna Sherman
author_sort Stacy Smallfield
collection DOAJ
description The purpose of this study was to compare the professional outcomes of two entry-level occupational therapy degrees: the Master of Science (MSOT) and occupational therapy doctorate (OTD). This was a quantitative, exploratory study using a survey method. An online survey was sent to graduates from one occupational therapy program with known email addresses (<em>N </em>= 711). The survey included items relating to professional outcomes, such as job title, salary, and engagement with evidence-based practice, leadership, research, and interprofessional practice. Descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to describe and to compare groups. The survey yielded 208 responses eligible for analysis. The sample consisted of 146 MSOT graduates (70%) and 62 OTD graduates (30%). MSOT graduates were significantly more likely to be clinicians (z = -3.57, p < .05) and OTD graduates were significantly more likely to be educators (z = -4.24, p < .05). OTD graduates were significantly more likely to use evidence-based practice (z = -2.29, p < .05) and conduct research (z = -4.19, p < .05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in job titles, starting and current salaries, and perceived preparation for interprofessional coordination. These results contribute to understanding the impact of the two degrees for the profession, graduates, and future occupational therapy students.
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spelling doaj.art-d9d6cbeb19f148a6a1f9c1579f16e81f2022-12-21T23:44:27ZengEastern Kentucky UniversityJournal of Occupational Therapy Education2573-13782019-01-013110.26681/jote.2019.030107Comparing Outcomes of Entry-Level Degrees from One Occupational Therapy ProgramStacy Smallfield0Laura FlaniganAnna ShermanWashington University in St. Louis School of MedicineThe purpose of this study was to compare the professional outcomes of two entry-level occupational therapy degrees: the Master of Science (MSOT) and occupational therapy doctorate (OTD). This was a quantitative, exploratory study using a survey method. An online survey was sent to graduates from one occupational therapy program with known email addresses (<em>N </em>= 711). The survey included items relating to professional outcomes, such as job title, salary, and engagement with evidence-based practice, leadership, research, and interprofessional practice. Descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to describe and to compare groups. The survey yielded 208 responses eligible for analysis. The sample consisted of 146 MSOT graduates (70%) and 62 OTD graduates (30%). MSOT graduates were significantly more likely to be clinicians (z = -3.57, p < .05) and OTD graduates were significantly more likely to be educators (z = -4.24, p < .05). OTD graduates were significantly more likely to use evidence-based practice (z = -2.29, p < .05) and conduct research (z = -4.19, p < .05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in job titles, starting and current salaries, and perceived preparation for interprofessional coordination. These results contribute to understanding the impact of the two degrees for the profession, graduates, and future occupational therapy students.https://doi.org/10.26681/jote.2019.030107Educationmaster of science in occupational therapyoccupational therapy doctoratesurvey
spellingShingle Stacy Smallfield
Laura Flanigan
Anna Sherman
Comparing Outcomes of Entry-Level Degrees from One Occupational Therapy Program
Journal of Occupational Therapy Education
Education
master of science in occupational therapy
occupational therapy doctorate
survey
title Comparing Outcomes of Entry-Level Degrees from One Occupational Therapy Program
title_full Comparing Outcomes of Entry-Level Degrees from One Occupational Therapy Program
title_fullStr Comparing Outcomes of Entry-Level Degrees from One Occupational Therapy Program
title_full_unstemmed Comparing Outcomes of Entry-Level Degrees from One Occupational Therapy Program
title_short Comparing Outcomes of Entry-Level Degrees from One Occupational Therapy Program
title_sort comparing outcomes of entry level degrees from one occupational therapy program
topic Education
master of science in occupational therapy
occupational therapy doctorate
survey
url https://doi.org/10.26681/jote.2019.030107
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