By Carli Friedman, Direct of Research
Occupational therapists entering the clinical workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic experienced levels of uncertainty and stress. This study’s aim was to explore the clinical experiences and concerns of early-career occupational therapists entering the workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 27). We administered an open-ended online survey and analyzed the data using inductive thematic analysis. Resulting themes included: safety, exposure, and transmission; implementation and enforcement of safety protocols; quality of care; and impact of the pandemic on overall health highlighting the issues that need to be addressed to be more prepared for future practice in an evolving environment.
Early Career Occupational Therapists’ Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic