Expanding the Occupational Therapy Workforce (1987–2001): A Qualitative Historical Study With Implications for the Future

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Importance Documenting the origins, activities, and responses to the American Occupational Therapy Association's (AOTA) Multicultural Affairs Program (MAP) provides lessons that can inform future efforts to enhance workforce diversity. Objective Describe the need for enhancing diversity in the OT workforce during the 1980s and 1990s, articulate AOTA's strategic and programmatic responses to that need, and explore colleagues’ perceptions of MAP's work. Design We used a qualitative historical design. Primary sources were articles in OT Week (1987–1999) and OT Practice (2000–2001). Results The need for a diverse workforce was related to staffing shortages, enhancing the culture of the profession, and meeting clients’ needs. Data informed MAP's initiatives, which addressed recruitment, education, leadership, collaboration, and supporting organizational changes. MAP was discontinued abruptly in 1998 due to financial pressure. Colleagues valued MAP's work, as evidenced by attempts in 1999 to reinstate MAP and a report in 2001 requesting that AOTA develop infrastructure similar to MAP's. Conclusion and Relevance AOTA's MAP engaged in important data-informed programmatic activities which were valued by colleagues. Given that diversity and inclusion remain important priorities for the profession of OT, future efforts in these areas could build on previously used strategies. Impact Learning from past endeavors may enhance the sustainability and stakeholder engagement of modern-day efforts to improve workforce diversity and inclusion.