What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to quantify and compare public interest in occupational therapy (OT) across emerging and established healthcare markets.

July 9, 2026

Public interest trends in occupational therapy across Türkiye and emerging healthcare markets (2015–2025)

Key Points

This study aims to quantify and compare public interest in occupational therapy (OT) across emerging and established healthcare markets.
Analyzed 88 validated keywords using Google Trends from 2015 to 2025.
Conducted global comparisons on OT versus physiotherapy with a focus on emerging markets.
Applied linear regression, seasonal-trend decomposition, ANOVA, and interrupted time series analyses.
Globally, OT interest remained stable (slope = 0.003, p = 0.846).
Türkiye showed significant growth in 'sensory integration' searches (slope = 0.507, p < 0.001).
Post-COVID-19 surges for 'what does OT do' were globally higher (p < 0.001), while minimal growth was noted in Saudi Arabia, India, and Jordan.

Abstract

Introduction: Occupational therapy (OT) contributes to global health through rehabilitation, yet public awareness varies. This study aims to quantify and compare public interest in OT across emerging and established healthcare markets to identify awareness gaps. Using Google Trends (2015–2025), we analyzed OT versus physiotherapy search behaviors across emerging (Türkiye, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, India) and established contexts (United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada), examining trends, October peaks, seasonality, and COVID-19 effects. Method: This retrospective study analyzed 88 validated keywords across ten regions. Global comparisons focused on OT versus physiotherapy; Türkiye’s analysis incorporated a broader multidisciplinary spectrum (including nursing, psychology, social work) to capture national context. The R statistical software environment (R Core Team) was used for linear regression (trends), Seasonal-Trend decomposition (October peaks), analysis of variance (seasonality), and interrupted time series (COVID-19 impacts). Findings: Globally, OT interest was stable (slope = 0.003, p = 0.846), but Türkiye’s “sensory integration” searches grew (slope = 0.507, p < 0.001), showing October spikes and summer increases. Post-COVID-19 surges occurred globally for “what does OT do” ( p < 0.001), with minimal growth in Saudi Arabia, India, and Jordan. Physiotherapy outperformed OT across all regions. Conclusion: Growing OT interest signals advocacy and policy opportunities to enhance visibility, aligning with WHO Rehabilitation 2030 goals for equitable rehabilitation.

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