ERIC Number: EJ1471881
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-2573-1378
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Exploring Perceptions of Occupational and Physical Therapy Faculty of Entry-Level Graduate Programs Post COVID-19: A Mixed Methods Study
Chelsea S. Reji; Anne M. Moscony; Dianna Lunsford
Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, v9 n2 Article 11 2025
This study aimed to explore graduate-level occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) faculty's perspectives on their academic responsibilities, well-being, and the needs of students following the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers hypothesized that a decrease in job satisfaction and overall well-being would be evident, indicating burnout syndrome in the faculty participants. A mixed-methods approach was utilized. Potential participants were recruited from websites of graduate-level OT and PT programs via email. Participants were included if they were currently teaching in a graduate-level OT or PT program, teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic, and working full-time. Data were collected through Google Forms from May 20th, 2024, to June 20th, 2024. The survey consisted of the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), the World Health Organization Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5), and five open-ended questions. Descriptive statistics were utilized for demographics, the OLBI, and the WHO-5, and themes were derived from the open-ended questions. Of the 123 responses received, 97 met the inclusion criteria, the majority of which were female and teaching in OT programs. Although the quantitative data did not indicate a consensus of burnout syndrome, three themes were identified: "students have changed," "faculty responsibilities have increased," and "faculty have new needs." Significant challenges were identified by participants' responses to the qualitative questions. Suggestions for mitigating the challenges included increasing faculty and staff, and provision of additional supports surrounding technology and mental health. Universities should attend to the needs of faculty to improve job satisfaction and retention and promote a positive work-life balance.
Descriptors: Occupational Therapy, College Faculty, Teacher Attitudes, Physical Therapy, Graduate Study, COVID-19, Pandemics, Allied Health Occupations Education, Graduate School Faculty, Teacher Responsibility, Well Being, Job Satisfaction, Teacher Burnout, Measures (Individuals), Educational Needs, Faculty Workload, Teacher Student Relationship
Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475. e-mail: jote@eku.edu; Web site: https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A