Date Presented 03/21/24
This study explored the needs assessment process completed to determine whether establishing an OT diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) student organization at a Midwestern OTD program was required.
Primary Author and Speaker: Rachel Allen-McHugh
Additional Authors and Speakers: Jenna Willer, Cheyenne Voshell
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a specific need for an OTD program to create a student-led organization focused on addressing diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) as it pertains to the profession of Occupational Therapy. Participants were invited to participate in this study who were either a current student in the OTD program or were an OTD faculty member. Due to limited research from the profession of Occupational Therapy in the area of student-led DEIJ organizations, it was hoped this research would support the understanding and need for DEIJ in professional programs such as Occupational Therapy.
DESIGN: Approximately 125 students and 10 faculty were invited to participate in this mixed-methods study from which 3 faculty and 40 students completed the survey. Participants were emailed a link to the anonymous study survey and asked to complete the nine-question survey that asked about the current DEIJ content presented in the OTD program and explored options to further expand DEIJ through an OTD student-led organization.
RESULTS: Two primary needs were indicated. First to improve how DEIJ is addressed in the curriculum by all faculty. Second, a desire of students to increase opportunities to work with diverse populations through community engagement activities and experiential placements. Survey data also indicated an OTD student-led organization focused on supporting DEIJ was a needed resource to address a variety of topics such as cultural influences on microaggressions, bias, privilege and occupation.
CONCLUSION: Completion of a needs assessment was found to be a vital step in the DEIJ journey to support diversity within programs and the profession. Supporting the profession to reflect the demographics of the USA may provide more effective results in reducing health disparities and provide better and more equitable outcomes for all individuals served (AOTA, 2020).
References
American Occupational Therapy Association (2019). AOTA board expands Vision 2025. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73, 7303420010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2019.733002
American Occupational Therapy Association (2020). Occupational Therapy’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, Vol. 74(Supplement_3), 7413410030p1–7413410030p6. doi: https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.74S3002
Harvison, N. (2019, April 4–7). AOTA academic affairs updates [Meeting presentation]. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference & Expo, New Orleans, LA, United States. https://www.aota.org/Education-Careers/Educators/Academic-Leadership-Councils-Meeting-Presentations.aspx
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health, (2013).National standards for culturally and linguistically appropriate services in health and health care: A blueprint for advancing and sustaining CLAS policy and practice. https://www.thinkculturalhealth.hhs.gov/assets/pdfs/EnhancedCLASStandardsBlueprint.pdf
