Improving Ethical Performance from the Perspective of Occupational Therapists in the Field of Adult Physical Dysfunction

Several strategies can reduce unethical practices in the occupational therapy. The aim of the present study was to identify strategies for imoproving ethical performance in the clinical work of occupational therapists in the field of adult physical dysfunction.

A total of 10 graduated occupational therapists with at least two years of experience were selected using purposive sampling method.  Data were collected making use of semi-structured interviews in private clinics and occupational therapy wards. Content analysis was used for data analysis.

Data analysis showed emergence of two categories both of which represent the strategies for promoting ethical performance in the clinical work of occupational therapists in the field of adult physical dysfunction. These categories include: organizational strategies and individual strategies.

  The findings of the current study showed that in order to resolve ethical problems in the occupational therapy sector, it is necessary to formulate and approve necessary rules for the management of private and public occupational therapies and to issue these rules to the responsible organs for supervision and even to add a course on ethics to a the Bachelor's degree program and/or to establish periodic ethics workshops in occupational therapy for graduates as well as to address ethical issues related to the field of occupational therapy in all theoretical and practical lessons and trainings in order to increase the awareness of occupational therapy students so as to establish ethics among them.