Pre-Admission Factors Influencing Practice Area Preference in Occupational Therapy

ABSTRACT

The percentage of graduates choosing to practice in mental health has declined in recent years. This study examined pre-admission practice area preference of 219 applicants to an undergraduate occupational therapy program. Results indicated that applicants were most influenced by prior experience: 99.6% were exposed to physical disabilities occupational therapy and 82.5% were exposed to mental illness practice area. Forty-eight percent, however, expressed a preference for physical disabilities while only 11 % preferred to work in the field of mental health. University recruiters may need to actively seek out students with a strong preference for mental health. Longitudinal studies to track factors affecting change of practice area preference throughout the educational process are also necessary.