PROFESSIONAL CAREER IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IN LATVIA AND ESTONIA: OPINION OF STUDENTS AND GRADUATES

Background: Proper career choice is big challenge during the lifespan according to individual values and needs. Occupational therapy (OT) is new profession in labour market in Estonia and Latvia. The average number of... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Proper career choice is big challenge during the lifespan according to individual values and needs. Occupational therapy (OT) is new profession in labour market in Estonia and Latvia. The average number of practicing occupational therapists per 100.000 head of population in Latvia is six and in Estonia four therapists (Summary of the occupational therapy profession in Europe 2015).
Method:
The aim of the study was to find out and compare opinion of OT practitioners and students about the factors impacting career choice, satisfaction with education, professional career, preparedness for further practice and professional perspectives in Latvia and Estonia.
Purposeful sampling method was chosen to select participants for research. The Questionnaires were prepared in Latvian and Estonian. Following ethics approval the members of OT associations and OT students received invitation letter with link to online questionnaire. Information from students from both OT study programmes was collected in 2012 and 2015.
Results and conclusions:
Altogether 193 participants from Estonia and Latvia took part in this research. Career choice of OT students and practitioners has been affected by their interest in working with people and willingness to serve community, breadth of profession and desire for a professional career. Latvian participants were more satisfied with OT career choices, while OT status visibility in society were scored higher by Estonians. Participants from both countries were concerned of proper training for further practice.
Application to Practice:
Results of study are used by professional OT associations and educators of OT in both countries