Therapists to Therapy Assistants: Experiences of Internationally Educated Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists.
Zeal Kadakia, Ana Lopez, Maheen Shahid and 5 others
PMID 38803166WHAT IT FOUND
Internationally educated physiotherapists and occupational therapists working as assistants in Canada described severe financial strain, discrimination, and a loss of professional identity.
They also reported gaining valuable cultural understanding and clinical experience, though they faced exploitation and barriers to licensure.
Key findings
01Participants reported financial exploitation, such as being paid below minimum wage or lacking statutory holiday pay due to unrecognized prior experience.
02Working in assistant roles facilitated acculturation to the Canadian healthcare system and improved communication and documentation skills.
03The transition to assistant roles caused distressing shifts in professional identity, impacting self-esteem and mental well-being, though some later reclaimed their identity upon licensure.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The sample size was small (n = 14) and not representative of all countries of origin. Participants were not asked about specific practice settings or clinical areas, limiting the context of their experiences. There is potential sample bias, as those with positive experiences may have been less motivated to participate. The study design was cross-sectional, so it cannot track how these experiences change over time or lead to long-term outcomes.
Declared interests
The authors disclosed no conflicts of interest. The study received ethics approval from the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume these findings represent the experience of all internationally educated therapists, as the sample was small and recruited via specific networks. Additionally, the positive aspects of acculturation should not be interpreted as evidence that working as an assistant is a recommended or equitable pathway to licensure, given the reported exploitation and identity distress.