National Survey to Identify Mental Health Topics in Entry-level OT and OTA Curricula: Implications for Occupational Therapy Education

Abstract

Mental health has been identified as a priority practice area for occupational therapy. However, recent research suggests that the number of occupational therapy practitioners working in mental health is declining. The purpose of this survey research study was to examine the extent to which occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) programs include mental health topics in their curricula. A link to an on-line survey was sent to program directors of OT and OTA programs in the United States. A total of 105 programs fully completed the survey (33% response rate). All of the respondents (n=105) reported that their curricula included content related to adult mental health conditions and interventions and 98.1% (n=103) included content related to 11 child and adolescent mental health conditions. Programs varied in how explicitly they focused on specific intervention strategies to support or improve mental health. Focused preservice curricular content and intentional fieldwork experiences may help to ensure that OT practitioners are inducted into mental health settings and equipped to meet practice demands. Entry-level OT and OTA programs cover a broad range of mental health-related topics. More research is needed to understand why some topics are included in curricula at greater rates than others.

Pediatric Mental Health Treatment and Confidence through the Lens of the School Based Occupational Therapist’s Role

“…Occupational therapy interventions for schoolchildren with mental health conditions are often overlooked, as services traditionally are solicited to support children with physical health concerns (Chan et al, 2017;Leigers et al, 2016). Egan and Cahill (2017) suggested that occupational therapists can be regarded as valuable members of the school-based interprofessional team if other school-based professionals are educated about the therapists' training, skills, and scope of practice. Investigating perceptions of school-based occupational therapists on their pediatric mental health treatment preparedness and confidence provided valuable information to contribute to the literature.…”

Proposing a Metacurriculum for Occupational Therapy Education in 2025 and Beyond

“…However, current occupational therapy curricula may need enhancement to best meet the needs of a future healthcare climate. For example, occupational therapy programs across the country are inconsistently teaching prevention and wellness, cultural issues, and mental health (Egan & Cahill, 2017;Hildenbrand & Lamb, 2013;Talero et al, 2015). The literature suggests that culturally responsive education has too heavy a Western perspective and mental health content lacks a specific mental health focus beyond the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) standards (AOTA, 2018;Egan & Cahill, 2017;Talero et al, 2015).…”

“…For example, occupational therapy programs across the country are inconsistently teaching prevention and wellness, cultural issues, and mental health (Egan & Cahill, 2017;Hildenbrand & Lamb, 2013;Talero et al, 2015). The literature suggests that culturally responsive education has too heavy a Western perspective and mental health content lacks a specific mental health focus beyond the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) standards (AOTA, 2018;Egan & Cahill, 2017;Talero et al, 2015). For instance, mental health has already become a diminished area of practice as other professionals, such as psychologists, nurses, and social workers, have assumed the life-skills and work domains and limited the areas where occupational therapists are recognized as mental health providers (Gutman, 2011).…”

“…For instance, mental health has already become a diminished area of practice as other professionals, such as psychologists, nurses, and social workers, have assumed the life-skills and work domains and limited the areas where occupational therapists are recognized as mental health providers (Gutman, 2011). Only in 2015, through advocacy in policy, has occupational therapy started to gain greater recognition in community mental health (Egan & Cahill, 2017). However, fewer occupational therapy students are entering the mental health field either due to a lack of interest fostered during the graduate program or fewer employment opportunities (Egan & Cahill, 2017).…”

“…Only in 2015, through advocacy in policy, has occupational therapy started to gain greater recognition in community mental health (Egan & Cahill, 2017). However, fewer occupational therapy students are entering the mental health field either due to a lack of interest fostered during the graduate program or fewer employment opportunities (Egan & Cahill, 2017). As healthcare requirements continue to shift, occupational therapists must assert their potential roles and value or risk losing relevancy in a competitive market.…”