Occupational Therapy Practitioner Educational Preparedness and Perceived Confidence in Addressing Mental Health in Neurorehabilitation: A Qualitative Study

This qualitative study examined occupational therapy practitioners’ (OTPs) perceived educational preparedness (including entry-level and continuing education) to confidently apply mental health assessments and interventions with clients with acquired brain injury (ABI) in a U.S. neurorehabilitation facility. Twelve OTPs completed semi-structured interviews, and three themes were identified using thematic analysis and Social Cognitive Theory: 1) impact of entry-level preparation on knowledge and self-efficacy (cognitive factor), 2) limited continuing education opportunities (environmental factor), and 3) perceived limited skills and dissatisfaction with their mental health practice (behavioral factor). In this study, additional training could increase OTPs’ preparedness and confidence to address mental health.