The Size and Structure of the Swiss Occupational Therapy Workforce. A Survey Study / Anzahl und Struktur der Ergotherapie-Arbeitsplätze in der Schweiz: eine Online-Befragung

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Abstract

Background

As in other health professions, there is a shortage of skilled labour in the field of occupational therapy in Switzerland. To plan and implement effective measures to counter this shortage, empirical data on the size and structure of the Swiss occupational therapy workforce are needed.

Method

We conducted an online survey aimed at employers of occupational therapists, team leaders and self-employed occupational therapists in Switzerland. We collected data on the size and structure of the workforce in terms of sociodemographic characteristics, regional distribution, areas of work, and related topics. To analyse quantitative data, we used descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Qualitative data were narratively described.

Results

We collected data from 968 respondents pertaining to 3,022 Swiss occupational therapists, with a response rate of 73.6% for medical institutions and 58.2% for occupational therapists in private practice. Women make up 90.1% of the Swiss occupational therapy workforce. Swiss occupational therapists most often work with clients who have difficulties in connection with injuries or illnesses of the upper limbs, neurological illnesses or injuries, or challenges with mental health. The ratio of occupational therapists per 10,000 inhabitants in Switzerland is at least 3.2. Swiss occupational therapy provision is least dense in Central Switzerland. The average reported turnover rate among occupational therapy teams was calculated to be 20% (SD=27.9).

Conclusion

The results illustrate the persistent lack of gender diversity in the profession. They also show some disparities in geographical distribution and area of practice, which will be analysed in more detail in subsequent publications.

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Does therapy always need touch? A cross-sectional study among Switzerland-based occupational therapists and midwives regarding their experience with health care at a distance during the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020

Verena Klamroth-Marganska, Michael Gemperle, Thomas Ballmer … (2021)

Background The COVID-19 pandemic impedes therapy and care activities. Tele-health, i.e., the provision of health care at a distance (HCD), is a promising way to fill the supply gap. However, facilitators and barriers influence the use and experience of HCD for occupational therapists (OTs) and midwives. We identified use of services and appraisal of experiences of Switzerland-based OTs and midwives regarding the provision of HCD during the lockdown as it pertains to the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020. 1. Hypothesis: Profession, age in years, and area of work have a significant and meaningful influence over whether HCD is provided. 2. Hypothesis: Profession, age in years, area of work, possibility of reimbursement by health insurance, and application used have a significant and meaningful influence on the experience of HCD. Methods In a cross-sectional survey, 5755 OTs and midwives were contacted to fill out an online questionnaire with 13 questions regarding demographic information, use of HCD, and experiences while providing the service. Eleven potential facilitators and barriers and areas where there was desire for support were identified. Results The questionnaire was completed by 1269 health professionals (response rate 22.5%). 73.4% of responding OTs ( n = 431) and midwives ( n = 501) provided HCD during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Profession and area of work had a significant influence on whether HCD was provided. Age only had a significant influence on the use of videotelephony, SMS, and chat services. OTs experienced HCD significantly more positively than midwives (log odds = 1.3; p ≤ .01). Video-telephony (log odds = 1.1; p ≤ .01) and use of phone (log odds = 0.8; p = .01) were positive predictors for positive experience, while use of SMS (log odds = − 0.33; p = .02) was a negative predictor. Among OTs, 67.5% experienced HCD as positive or mostly positive, while 27.0% experienced it as negative or mostly negative. Among midwives, 39.5% experienced it as positive or mostly positive, while 57.5% experienced it as negative or mostly negative. Most respondents desired support concerning reimbursement by health insurance (70.8%), followed by law and data protection (60.4%). Conclusions HCD during the early COVID-19 pandemic was generally perceived as positive by OTs and midwives. There is need for training opportunities in connection with HCD during the COVID-19 pandemic. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-021-06527-9.

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Diversity and Inclusion in Occupational Therapy: Where We Are, Where We Must Go.

Steven D Taff, Daniel Blash (2017)

Diversity is a fundamental element of the AOTA Centennial Vision and a critical aspect for the visibility, growth, and sustainability of the occupational therapy profession. In this article, the authors suggest that, while the profession has been aware of the need for a diverse workforce and has taken steps to increase diversity and cultural competency, a more structured, comprehensive, and action-oriented approach must be considered to address an issue which impacts professional roles and client engagement, satisfaction, and well-being. Informed by the value-added and mutual accommodation models of cultural diversity, the authors provide specific strategies and actions which promote diversity and inclusion at the personal, institutional/organizational, and professional levels.

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Author and article information

Journal

Title: International Journal of Health Professions

Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH

ISSN (Electronic): 2296-990X

Publication date Created: January 01 2023

Publication date Created: November 20 2023

Publication date Created: January 01 2023

Publication date (Print): January 01 2023

Publication date (Electronic): November 20 2023

Publication date (Print): January 01 2023

Volume: 10

Issue: 1

Pages: 57-67

Affiliations

[1 ]Institute of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Sciences , ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences , Winterthur , Switzerland

[2 ]University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO) , Occupational Therapy Department , Lausanne , Switzerland

[3 ]Swiss National Association of Occupational Therapists (EVS/ASE) , Bern , Switzerland

[4 ]Foundation for Occupational Therapy , Zurich , Switzerland

[5 ]University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland , Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care Manno , Switzerland

[6 ]University Hospital (Inselspital), and University of Bern , Department of Rheumatology and Immunology , Bern , Switzerland

Article

DOI: 10.2478/ijhp-2023-0007

SO-VID: 9e5d8040-f5c8-42c1-891e-e7079e22167b

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0

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