The size and structure of the Swiss occupational therapy workforce : a survey study

Ballmer, Thomas; Kühne, Nicolas; Petrig, Andrea Marlis; Eggenberger, Brigitte; Moioli, Stefania; Gantschnig, Brigitte E.

doi:10.2478/ijhp-2023-0007

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-29272

Publication type:	Article in scientific journal
Type of review:	Peer review (publication)
Title:	The size and structure of the Swiss occupational therapy workforce : a survey study
Authors:	Ballmer, Thomas Kühne, Nicolas Petrig, Andrea Marlis Eggenberger, Brigitte Moioli, Stefania Gantschnig, Brigitte E.
et. al:	No
DOI:	10.2478/ijhp-2023-0007 10.21256/zhaw-29272
Published in:	International Journal of Health Professions
Volume(Issue):	10
Issue:	1
Page(s):	57
Pages to:	67
Issue Date:	2023
Publisher / Ed. Institution:	De Gruyter
ISSN:	2296-990X
Language:	English
Subjects:	Ergotherapie; Gesundheitsversorgung; Fachkräftemangel; Schweiz; Occupational therapy; Health care provision; Shortage of skilled labour; Switzerland
Subject (DDC):	331: Labor economics 615.8515: Occupational therapy
Abstract:	Background: As in other health professions, there is a shortage of skilled labour in the field of occupational therapy in Switzerland. To plan and implement effective measures to counter this shortage, empirical data on the size and structure of the Swiss occupational therapy workforce are needed. Method: We conducted an online survey aimed at employers of occupational therapists, team leaders and self-employed occupational therapists in Switzerland. We collected data on the size and structure of the workforce in terms of sociodemographic characteristics, regional distribution, areas of work, and related topics. To analyse quantitative data, we used descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Qualitative data were narratively described. Results: We collected data from 968 respondents pertaining to 3,022 Swiss occupational therapists, with a response rate of 73.6% for medical institutions and 58.2% for occupational therapists in private practice. Women make up 90.1% of the Swiss occupational therapy workforce. Swiss occupational therapists most often work with clients who have difficulties in connection with injuries or illnesses of the upper limbs, neurological illnesses or injuries, or challenges with mental health. The ratio of occupational therapists per 10,000 inhabitants in Switzerland is at least 3.2. Swiss occupational therapy provision is least dense in Central Switzerland. The average reported turnover rate among occupational therapy teams was calculated to be 20% (SD=27.9). Conclusion: The results illustrate the persistent lack of gender diversity in the profession. They also show some disparities in geographical distribution and area of practice, which will be analysed in more detail in subsequent publications.
URI:	https://digitalcollection.zhaw.ch/handle/11475/29272
Fulltext version:	Published version
License (according to publishing contract):	CC BY-NC-ND 4.0: Attribution - Non commercial - No derivatives 4.0 International
Departement:	School of Health Sciences
Organisational Unit:	Institute of Occupational Therapy (IER)
Published as part of the ZHAW project:	Anzahl und Struktur der Ergotherapie-Arbeitsplätze in der Schweiz
Appears in collections:	Publikationen Gesundheit

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Ballmer, T., Kühne, N., Petrig, A. M., Eggenberger, B., Moioli, S., & Gantschnig, B. E. (2023). The size and structure of the Swiss occupational therapy workforce : a survey study. International Journal of Health Professions, 10(1), 57–67. https://doi.org/10.2478/ijhp-2023-0007

Ballmer, T. et al. (2023) ‘The size and structure of the Swiss occupational therapy workforce : a survey study’, International Journal of Health Professions, 10(1), pp. 57–67. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2478/ijhp-2023-0007.

T. Ballmer, N. Kühne, A. M. Petrig, B. Eggenberger, S. Moioli, and B. E. Gantschnig, “The size and structure of the Swiss occupational therapy workforce : a survey study,” International Journal of Health Professions, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 57–67, 2023, doi: 10.2478/ijhp-2023-0007.

BALLMER, Thomas, Nicolas KÜHNE, Andrea Marlis PETRIG, Brigitte EGGENBERGER, Stefania MOIOLI und Brigitte E. GANTSCHNIG, 2023. The size and structure of the Swiss occupational therapy workforce : a survey study. International Journal of Health Professions. 2023. Bd. 10, Nr. 1, S. 57–67. DOI 10.2478/ijhp-2023-0007

Ballmer, Thomas, Nicolas Kühne, Andrea Marlis Petrig, Brigitte Eggenberger, Stefania Moioli, and Brigitte E. Gantschnig. 2023. “The Size and Structure of the Swiss Occupational Therapy Workforce : A Survey Study.” International Journal of Health Professions 10 (1): 57–67. https://doi.org/10.2478/ijhp-2023-0007.

Ballmer, Thomas, et al. “The Size and Structure of the Swiss Occupational Therapy Workforce : A Survey Study.” International Journal of Health Professions, vol. 10, no. 1, 2023, pp. 57–67, https://doi.org/10.2478/ijhp-2023-0007.