Exploration of Occupational Therapy Students’ Human Trafficking Awareness, Knowledge, and Self-Efficacy
Arduizur Carli Richie-Zavaleta, DrPH, MASP, MAIPSMS | September 22 | 3:15-4:15 pm
Topic: Research, Healthcare | Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Although there is limited empirical research that evaluates knowledge base and self-efficacy among healthcare professionals and frontline personnel, there seems to be no previous research that evaluates the awareness, knowledge, and self-efficacy of occupational therapists (OT). OTs, given their professional training and skills, have an important role in the holistic rehabilitation of human trafficking (HT) survivors. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the awareness, knowledge, self-efficacy, as well as perspectives for future academic training ideas in HT among doctoral OT students. Doctoral OT students (N=67) enrolled in a Midwestern University were recruited via e-mail for this study. They represented two regions of the country (Midwestern and Western). The data was collected through an online cross-sectional survey. The survey instrument included a total of 30-items that focused on domains such as awareness, knowledge, self-efficacy, and curricula expectations. Data was collected in June 2020. The analysis of the data employed a univariate descriptive statistics approach using SPSS. Content analysis was applied to analyze qualitative data. The findings of this study suggest that although doctoral OT students were aware of HT, they possessed limited knowledge and low self-efficacy in potentially assisting survivors of HT in their rehabilitation process and their future clinical practice. However, study participants recognized the importance of HT training as an integral component of their academic training and conveyed their perspectives on how HT content should be incorporated into their future training. These findings have important implications for OT education, clinical practice, and informing future research.
Presentation Objectives:
· Provide an overview of the study focused on evaluating the awareness, knowledge, and self-efficacy of doctoral occupational therapy students on human trafficking
· Describe doctoral OT students’ views on HT curricular delivery modes in their future academic training and their recommendations based on study results
· Discuss the implications of the study to occupational therapy education, curricula development, and clinical practice