Affiliations: UQ Work Service Clinic, School of Health and
Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | Division of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and
Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland,
Australia
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Kerry Adam, UQ Work Service Clinic,
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Sir
Fred Schonell Drive, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia. Tel.: +61 07 3365 2912;
Fax: +61 07 3365 3754; E-mail: k.adam@uq.edu.au
Abstract: Objectives: The paper seeks to identify the key knowledge domains,
skills and professional behaviours required to prepare occupational therapists
and physiotherapists for employment in work related practice. Participants: Twelve experienced work related practitioners in one Australian
state participated in face to face semi-structured interviews. Participants
represented the majority of perspectives in the field and in addition to
professional qualifications, a number of participants were employers or
contractors of therapists. Methods: The paper reviews existing evidence
about knowledge, skills and professional behaviours in the field. The results
of a study examining requisite knowledge, skills and professional behaviours
for occupational therapists and physiotherapists follow. Interviews were
analysed using the Leximancer™ text analysis program developed at
The University of Queensland. Results: A high level of congruence was
evident in key areas of knowledge, skills and professional behaviours between
all interviewees and the literature. Findings included the need for very good
communication skills by both professions and the need for a sound grounding in
specific disciplinary skills. Results identified that occupational therapists
take a broad view of function and task analysis and that physiotherapists have
good skills in anatomy, musculoskeletal assessment and movement analysis. Conclusions: These results are considered in relation to planning the clinical
education of OT and PT students in preparation for work related practice.
Keywords: Knowledge, skills, professional behaviours, new graduates, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, occupational health and safety, work related practice
