USE OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS IN MENTAL-HEALTH SETTINGS IN SOUTH-CAROLINA

Objectives. Severe workforce shortages in occupational therapy require an examination of viable practice areas for occupational therapists. The mental health practice area has experienced greater shortages than have other areas of occupational therapy; in South Carolina, only 2% of occupational therapists work in mental health. This study was under taken to examine the use of occupational therapists in mental health s ettings in South Carolina. Method. A survey was sent to administrators at 52 South Carolina mental health facilities to collect information on the use of occupational therapists, the associated economic issues, and the perception of the roles of occupational therapists. Results. Among the 34 respondents, 39% hired occupational therapists on a part- time or contractual basis, and 17% had full-time occupational therapis t positions; 33% hired certified occupational therapy assistants on a part-time or contractual basis, and 11% had full-time certified occupa tional therapy assistant positions. Occupational therapy positions dec reased over a 5-year period, and respondents cited the cost of salarie s and problematic recruitment as two of the major contributing factors . The need for occupational therapy services was ranked as the number one factor both for increased and decreased use of occupational therap ists. Personnel factors were highly ranked for facilities with decreas ed use whereas patient-related factors were highly ranked for faciliti es with increased use. Conclusion. The findings highlight factors that may contribute to recent trends of fewer occupational therapists in S outh Carolina choosing mental health as a primary practice area.