Profession-specific working in mental health: Impacts for occupational therapists and service users

Background: To investigate barriers and facilitators of profession-specific working for mental health occupational therapists, and the impact of profession-specific working on job satisfaction and occupational outcomes. Method: A mixed methods approach incorporating comparative analysis of the practices of 'profession-specific' and 'professionally challenged' occupational therapists. Data were gathered from a work environment satisfaction survey, descriptive work survey, practice notes and a service user satisfaction survey. Findings: Occupational therapists working in a profession-specific way were more satisfied with their work environment and their practice was associated with enhanced service user experience. Conclusion: Service providers should encourage occupational therapists to work in a profession-specific way.