Senior Occupational Therapy Students in Selected Arab Countries: Characteristics, Perspectives, and Academic Major Satisfaction

Occupational therapy (OT) is a relatively new profession in the Arab world. The aim of this study is to describe the characteristics, perspectives, and academic major satisfaction of 204 senior OT students in Jordan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. A cross-sectional survey design was employed in this study. Results revealed that the majority of surveyed students indicated they chose to study OT because it is a humanistic profession. Most students first heard about it from their relatives and friends. Participants reported a preference for working in hospitals or centers and with pediatric population. The majority of students would choose to study OT if given the opportunity to go back in time. Most of the participants reported they were satisfied with individual course foci, academic assignments, and external training sites. They were least satisfied with lab tools availability, practical training being adequate, and the study plan. Generally, students were satisfied with the didactic theoretical part but less satisfied with the institutional infrastructure and the clinical training preparing them to be competent, entry-level practitioners. This study provided preliminary useful data for decision-makers and educators about the students’ desired career goals and satisfaction level in their professional education.