Images of Occupational Therapy among Secondary Schoolchildren

The findings indicate that awareness of occupational therapy is low; careers teachers are the first choice and the Internet the second choice when finding out about a career in occupational therapy; schoolchildren need to be informed about occupational therapy before the age of 14 years if they are to consider it as a career.

Abstract

There has been no published research in the United Kingdom specific to the promotion of occupational therapy as a career among secondary schoolchildren. A two-part questionnaire was administered to 110 schoolchildren (age 14–16 years) at three schools in England. The questionnaire investigated awareness about occupational therapy as a potential career and opinions about various promotional materials: a video, radio advertisements and careers leaflets issued by the College of Occupational Therapists. The findings indicate that awareness of occupational therapy is low; careers teachers are the first choice and the Internet the second choice when finding out about a career in occupational therapy. All participants chose the video as the best promotional material. Schoolchildren need to be informed about occupational therapy before the age of 14 years if they are to consider it as a career; careers teachers need ready access to promotional materials; and the College of Occupational Therapists' web pages need to be developed specifically for secondary school-age children.