Prestige and Occupational Therapy in Mental Health

Recruitment and retention issues for occupational therapists in mental health: Balancing the pull and the push

“…Other specific elements identified as contributing to poor tenure specific to occupational therapists in a range of settings include lack of role definition (Lloyd et al ., 2002; Paul, 1996), poor perceived professional prestige (Falk‐Kessler & Ruopp, 1993; Moore, Cruickshank & Haas, 2006), the influence of ‘generic’ work (Lloyd, King & McKenna, 2004), inadequate professional support or continuing education (Spence, Wilson, Kavanagh, Strong & Worrall, 2001; Steenbergen & Mackenzie, 2004; Trynnenaar & Perkins, 2001) and stress and burnout (Bassett & Lloyd, 2001).…”

Educating occupational therapy students about psychiatric rehabilitation: A qualitative evaluation

“…There have been numerous articles and debates in the occupational therapy literature in North America in recent years on the decline of interest of occupational therapists and occupational therapy students in working in the field of mental health (Bonder, 1987;Scott, 1990;Lyons & Hayes, 1992;Pranger & Brown, 1992;Cusick, Demattia & Doyle, 1993;Falk-Kessler & Ruopp, 1993;Friedland & Renwick, 1993;Price, 1993). Picard-Greffe (1994, p. 248) reported that ' .…”

“…By 1991 that figure had declined to 5% of published articles in our profession's journals. Authors have postulated that such factors as negative attitudes toward the severely mentally ill (Lyons & Hayes, 1992), the abandonment of occupational therapy's philosophy of holism (Friedland & Renwick, 1993), a lack of positive fieldwork experience (Cusick et al, 1993), the lack of prestige accorded to therapists working in mental health (Falk-Kessler & Ruopp, 1993), burnout (Pranger & Brown, 1992), and the 'negative image of the field' including 'images of low pay, limited success with chronic and revolving door patients, isolated working conditions, and blurred roles' (Price, 1993, p. 557) have influenced this diminished enthusiasm for mental health practice.…”

Practice Models in Swedish Psychiatric Occupational Therapy

“…The reasons have probably been a lack of defined goals for occupational therapy in mental health and the sparse scientific publications in the field, which may cause occupational therapists to experience uncertainty about their practice. Without doubt there is a strong need of more knowledge, development and research in this particular area [3,8,9].…”