Affiliations: Research Institute for Health and Medical Professions,
Ono Academic College, Or-Yehuda, Israel | Mashav Applied Research, Jerusalem, Israel
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Noomi Katz, PhD, OTR, Research
Institute for the Health and Medical Professions, Ono Academic College, 32
HaHaroshet st., Or-Yehuda 60375, Israel. Tel.: +972 3 5311924; Fax: +972 3
6342578; E-mail: noomi.katz@ono.ac.il
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was first to determine
internal consistency reliability of the Ono Decision Making Career and
Workplace (ODMCW) questionnaire. Next, a comparison of the reasons for a
professional career and workplace choices of occupational therapists (OTs) and
speech and language pathologists (SLPs) was evaluated. PARTICIPANTS: Participants consisted of 174 women (89 [51%] OTs and
85 [49%] SLPs). INSTRUMENT: The ODMCW questionnaire contains 17 items each scored on
a 5 point scale in 2 parts (Career Choice and Workplace). The ODMCW was
distributed to participants of both professions. RESULTS: Analysis of the questionnaire revealed 4 factors that
together explained 56.87% of the variance of Career Choice with moderate to
good Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranging from 0.524–0.789. The findings
for both career and workplace choice show differences between the two
professional groups, where SLPs give more weight to the factor of employment
terms and benefits (p< 0.01) as well as work conveniences (p< 0.001),
while OTs give more weight to professional and academic stature (p< 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: These initial findings should lead to more studies
within these professions and others, as well as in different cultural groups to
further understand the reasons and motives for Career Choices.
Keywords: Career decision making, career choice, health professions
