Make use of the rare opportunity to hear the voices of a highly underrepresented voice in Occupational Therapy, learn about his very unexpected path into his career, and brainstorm strategies that all of us, whether in healthcare or not, can work to increase the recruitment and retention of underrepresented OTs.

Get CME/MOC credit for listening here!

TRANSCRIPT

Show Notes
​

Learning Objectives:

1. Recognize and understand the importance of listening to the diverse voices of an underrepresented healthcare field, such as occupational therapy. 
2. Analyze and brainstorm the various barriers to recruitment and retention of underrepresented OTs.
3. Examine how the lessons learned from OT can be utilized to foster diversity and inclusion in all healthcare fields and enhance opportunities for underrepresented groups in all professions.

[00:00 - 01:14] Introduction of Host and Episode Topic

• Dr. Maggie Kozman introduces the episode under the podcast’s ongoing series highlighting underrepresented healthcare professions. 
• This episode highlights occupational therapy (OT), a branch of rehabilitative medicine, particularly focusing on the demographic disparities in OT, the barriers to entry, and the ongoing organizational and personal efforts to increase diversity in the field.

[01:14 - 03:14] Introducing Guest: Daniel Alison

• Daniel Alison, an occupational therapist in San Diego, California, works in acute care with hospitalized patients and a skilled nursing facility. In addition, he has worked as a rehab director for a large, independent living facility in San Diego. 
• Daniel discusses his ongoing, entrepreneurial ventures in addition to his full-time job as an OT and a father. 

[03:31 - 09:02] Daniel’s Daily Work Life and Path to Occupational Therapy

• Daniel’s day-to-day as an OT and his unique approach to meeting with patients.
• A powerful anecdote on Daniel’s introduction to occupational therapy and rehabilitation medicine and how this life-changing experience enhanced his ability to provide compassionate and empathetic care.
• A chance encounter with a university dean of occupational therapy unexpectedly led to a career switch to OT.

[09:02 - 14:12] Demographic Disparities in OT and Challenges in OT Recruitment

• According to 2019 data from AOTA, 84% of OTs self-identify as non-Hispanic White and 4% Black. 
• In terms of gender distribution, only 10% of OT practitioners, including students in OT masters and doctoral programs, self-identify as male. (Factors Influencing the Diversity of Occupational Therapy Students (2022))
• Daniel delves into some of the factors that may contribute to these disparities, such as the affordability of an OT program.
• Daniel discusses the challenges in finding a mentor who has similar lived experiences. 

[14:12 - 15:54] Personal Experiences as a Black Male OT

• Daniel reveals a workplace experience where people of color were being notably discriminated against and how he navigated the situation.

[15:55 - 23:08] Barriers to Success and Retention of Minority Groups in OT

• Daniel and Maggie discuss the various barriers: recruitment and retention of Black and Hispanic or Latinx applicants into OT, lack of early exposure to the field, and lacking financial resources. 
• In addition, another barrier is the deficiency in support and resources for these minority groups once entering the field.
• Daniel recalls a prejudiced encounter and the interpersonal and intrapersonal challenges of navigating a field with limited racial, ethnic, and gender representation.

[23:09 - 30:56] Ongoing Efforts to Increase Diversity in OT

• The responsibility of healthcare professionals, particularly in underrepresented fields such as OT, to provide kids with early exposure to various healthcare career types.
• Several initiatives are aimed at improving diversity. One includes the ACOTE (Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education) where they implemented a strategy in 2021 to recruit and retain students from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. (Increasing Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Occupational Therapy Education: The Role of Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®) Standards (2021))
• Other organizations include the Multicultural Diversity and Inclusion Network, the National Black Occupational Therapy Caucus, and the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD). 

[30:57 - 31:38] Daniel’s Last Takeaway for Listeners

• Daniel emphasizes the importance of bringing your best self every day and how this mindset can positively reverberate in all interactions, inside and outside of work.

Credits:
Guest: Daniel Alison, ODT
Host/Co-Executive Producer: Dr. Maggie Kozman
Executive Producer: Dr. Tammy Lin
Co-Executive Producer: Dr. Pooja Jaeel
Senior Producer: Dr. Dirk Gaines
Managing Producer: Joanna Jain
Production Assistants: Clara Baek, Ann Truong, Sanika Walimbe
Website/Art Design: Ann Truong
Music: Chris Dingman https://www.chrisdingman.com

Additional Resources:

Resources:
American Occupational Therapy Association (2020c). 2019 Workforce and Salary Survey. https://library.aota.org/AOTA-Workforce-Salary-Survey-2019/ 

Diversity and Inclusion in Occupational Therapy: Where We Are, Where We Must Go (2017)

Factors Influencing the Diversity of Occupational Therapy Students (2022)

Harvison, N. AOTA academic affairs updates [Meeting presentation]. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference & Expo. April 4-7, 2019. New Orleans, LA, United States. https://www.aota.org/Education-Careers/Educators/Academitc-Leadership-Councils-Meeting-Presentations.aspx

Harvison, N. AOTA Academic Programs Annual Data Report: Academic Year 2022–2023. 2024. https://www.aota.org/-/media/corporate/files/educationcareers/educators/2022-2023-annual-data-report.pdf 
 Increasing Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Occupational Therapy Education: The Role of Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®) Standards (2021) 

Leading the OT Profession Toward Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Let’s Talk Academia | The American Journal of Occupational Therapy (2022)

Making a difference: Belonging, diversity and inclusion in occupational therapy (2021, UK)
​
Project MUSE - Underrepresented Minority Recruitment: Manpower as Motivator in Late Twentieth-Century Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy

Disclaimer

The DEI Shift podcast and its guests provide general information and entertainment, but not medical advice. Before making any changes to your medical treatment or execution of your treatment plan, please consult with your doctor or personal medical team. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by The DEI Shift. The views expressed by guests are their own, and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by The DEI Shift team are those of each individual, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of The DEI Shift team and its guests, employers, sponsors, or organizations we are affiliated with.