Understanding Occupational Therapists' Job Satisfaction Through an Ecological Lens-A Qualitative Scoping Review.
Brodie Dupre, Nasim Salehi
PMID 40144935WHAT IT FOUND
Occupational therapists described job satisfaction as meaningful, client-centered work, but also reported barriers such as limited recognition, administrative tasks, and inadequate support.
The themes may guide service discussions, not prove interventions.
Key findings
0110 studies met inclusion criteria, with participant samples ranging from 6 to 93.
02Four themes were identified: humanistic values driving professional fulfillment, professional identity and recognition, workplace structural barriers, and advocacy and strengthening approaches.
03Occupational therapists described job satisfaction as linked to meaningful, client-centered work, while administrative tasks were reported as a barrier.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
This is a scoping review, and the supplied text says quality of the papers was not assessed. Only English-language studies were included. Publication bias was noted because two studies were published by the same authors, in the same setting, with the same participants. Some included studies had very small samples, with 6, 9, and 10 participants in three examples. The search may have missed studies that did not use the selected title and abstract keywords. Included samples were female dominated, and the studies varied in setting and clinical experience.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these themes as proof that supervision, advocacy, workload changes, or role recognition will improve job satisfaction. This is a qualitative scoping review, and it does not test interventions or show that they work.