The Size and Structure of the Swiss Occupational Therapy Workforce. A Survey Study / Anzahl und Struktur der Ergotherapie-Arbeitsplätze in der Schweiz: eine Online-Befragung
Pubblicato online: 20 nov 2023
Pagine: 57 - 67
Ricevuto: 30 nov 2022
Accettato: 17 ott 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ijhp-2023-0007
Parole chiave
© 2023 Thomas Ballmer et al., published by Sciendo
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Background
As in other health professions, there is a shortage of skilled labour in the field of occupational therapy in Switzerland. To plan and implement effective measures to counter this shortage, empirical data on the size and structure of the Swiss occupational therapy workforce are needed.
Method
We conducted an online survey aimed at employers of occupational therapists, team leaders and self-employed occupational therapists in Switzerland. We collected data on the size and structure of the workforce in terms of sociodemographic characteristics, regional distribution, areas of work, and related topics. To analyse quantitative data, we used descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Qualitative data were narratively described.
Results
We collected data from 968 respondents pertaining to 3,022 Swiss occupational therapists, with a response rate of 73.6% for medical institutions and 58.2% for occupational therapists in private practice. Women make up 90.1% of the Swiss occupational therapy workforce. Swiss occupational therapists most often work with clients who have difficulties in connection with injuries or illnesses of the upper limbs, neurological illnesses or injuries, or challenges with mental health. The ratio of occupational therapists per 10,000 inhabitants in Switzerland is at least 3.2. Swiss occupational therapy provision is least dense in Central Switzerland. The average reported turnover rate among occupational therapy teams was calculated to be 20% (SD=27.9).
Conclusion
The results illustrate the persistent lack of gender diversity in the profession. They also show some disparities in geographical distribution and area of practice, which will be analysed in more detail in subsequent publications.