Knowledge about Occupational Therapy among People in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

BACKGROUND The public awareness about occupational therapy and its role is not much studied in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study intended to provide baseline data about existing knowledge, as well as to identify the knowledge gaps in specific domains of knowledge which could help in designing precise and targeted strategies to increase awareness about the occupational therapy (OT) services, their role, and scope among the masses. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was carried out among people of Saudi Arabia (SA) to explore the degree of knowledge they had about occupational therapy services. A developed and validated online structured questionnaire was used to collect data from people across all the five regions through social media channels. RESULTS The total number of participants was 4,440. Females represented 56.8 %, (N = 2520) of the sample, where 43.2 % (N=1920) were males. Majority of the respondents were Saudi 88.6 % (N = 3936), married 58.1 % (N = 2579), held higher educational degrees 71.4 % (N = 3172) and employed 59.9 % (N = 2469). Most of the participants were in the age range of 20 - 30 years 47.4 % (N = 2104). The overall mean score was 9.82 / 21 (SD ± 7.105) and 46.76 %, implying that the general public had poor knowledge about OT and its applications. One-way analysis of variance indicated a significant difference in knowledge among different regions of SA (P- value = < 0.05). Regionwise the highest mean score knowledge was in the Southern region (10.54), whereas Najran had the highest score (14.22) in city-wise analysis. Higher knowledge was associated with a younger age range (10.84) and level of education (median score 13). On comparing the mean score amongst the four domains of OT knowledge, the highest mean score (1.70, SD ± 1.348) was regarding OT goals, whereas the lowest (1.64, SD ± 1.658) was in the OT treatment methods. CONCLUSIONS The Saudi masses may not fully understand the specific services that an occupational therapist may provide. They had poor knowledge about OT roles and implications. Degree of knowledge was significantly affected by the level of education and younger age. KEY WORDS Occupational Therapy, Knowledge, Saudi Arabia, Attitude, Rehabilitation

The Efficacy of a Preoperative Occupational Therapy Educational Session for Saudi Patients Undergoing a Lower Extremity Joint Replacement

“…In fact, this may also result in shorter length of stay and reduced postoperative costs. 50 This is particularly important given that the limited time and resources occupational therapists have with such conditions combined with the lack of awareness of occupational therapy 51 may reduce the number of times an occupational therapist can see a lower extremity joint replacement patient prior to their surgery.…”

The Occupational Therapy Profession in Saudi Arabia

“…Another survey asking 4,440 people in Saudi Arabia about their knowledge of OT found that the general public also did not understand the role of OT and its services [ 61 ]. In addition, a cross-sectional study compared the knowledge of OT and physiotherapy services between healthcare professionals and the public in Saudi Arabia [ 62 ].…”

“…Consequently, OTs in Saudi Arabia abide only by the codes of conduct issued by regulatory, licensing, and registration bodies, such as the SCFHS [ 29 ]. Since these guidelines can be multi- or interdisciplinary, this can result in confusion regarding how the role of an OT specialist differs from that of other rehabilitation specialities, which may have similar and related aims [ 61 ]. Moreover, physiotherapists or special-education specialists who receive 40 hours of OT training can work as OT professionals in day-care centres for people with disabilities, as established in a policy issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Development [ 61 ].…”

“…Moreover, physiotherapists or special-education specialists who receive 40 hours of OT training can work as OT professionals in day-care centres for people with disabilities, as established in a policy issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Development [ 61 ]. This increases the potential for misunderstanding of the role of OT services [ 61 ].…”

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“…There is a general lack of knowledge and awareness about OT. 1,2 The profession had been described as vague among the public, 1,3 and average at best amongst healthcare workers. 1,4,5 The level of knowledge of clients about OT affects their expectations and acceptance of OT services.…”