• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.91-100
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• 2021

Purpose : This study aims to investigate the awareness of occupational therapists among managers and directors of adult day care centers in Korea to explore the cause of the low employment rate of these therapists and offer the results as basic data that can be used to expand occupational therapy at adult day care centers. Methods : This study collected data by conducting an online questionnaire with managers and directors of adult day care centers located in Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daejeon, Gwangju, and Ulsan. A total of 70 completed questionnaires were divided into two groups a 'group with experience in occupational therapy information (OT experience)' and a 'group with no experience in occupational therapy information (OT inexperience)' and analyzed. Results : First, the 'OT experience' was found to have higher levels of awareness of the scope of work of occupational therapists than the 'OT inexperience'. Second, significant differences were found in the degree of awareness and necessity of occupational therapists and plans to employ occupational therapists later between the 'OT experience' and the 'OT inexperience'. Third, it was shown that there were significant correlations between whether the respondents were familiar with occupational therapy and the degree of awareness and necessity of occupational therapists and plans to employ occupational therapists later. Conclusion : Based on these findings, the following measures are recommended to expand the area of occupational therapy in adult day care centers, the need for occupational therapists should be mentioned in the health and welfare-related education for workers at these adult day care centers, policies such as a medical fee system for occupational therapy at these adult day care centers should be prepared.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.109-117
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• 2021

Purpose : This study examined the differences in occupational therapists' jobs depending on their past clinical careers using a survey of the importance of occupational therapy tasks in South Korea. This survey sought to provide fundamental data for strengthening occupational therapists' capacities and developing clinical training programs for therapists' future careers. Methods : An online survey was used to collect data from 93 South Korean occupational therapists. The subjects were divided into three groups for the analysis of the importance of occupational therapy tasks, depending on the length of their clinical careers: less than 3 years, from 4 to 6 years, and over 7 years. Results : A within-groups comparison of task importance found that "occupational therapy evaluation" was most important in all three groups. In between-groups comparisons, "patient information check", "assessment planning and establishment", "sensory function assessment", "social skills assessment", "developmental function improvement", "basic daily activities training", "social skills improvement", and "patient education" demonstrated statistically significant differences (p<.05). Each group showed different priorities. In the less-than-3-years group, "understanding of patient's needs" was most important, followed by "arm function improvement", "arm function assessment", "nerve, musculoskeletal, and motor-related functional improvement", and "basic daily activities training". In the 4-to-6-years group, "arm function assessment" was most important, followed by "basic daily activities assessment", "patient's needs", "arm function improvement", and "patient information check". In the over-7-years group, "understanding of patient's needs" was most important, followed by "patient information check", "basic daily activities assessment", "basic daily activities training", and "sensory function assessment". Conclusion : This study found that what occupational therapists consider important in their jobs varies according to their past clinical career and that occupational therapists with more than 7 years' experience are more aware of the importance of diverse fields of occupational therapy. Differentiated education that considers length of career and a range of training programs for more experienced occupational therapists will be needed in the future.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.193-201
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• 2021

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare dementia awareness among physiotherapists and occupational therapists who treat dementia patients and provide opportunities to increase dementia awareness as medical technicians, expand the scope of treatment, and enhance professionalism. Methods: An online survey was conducted from January 8th to 19th, 2021 for physical therapists who are members of the Korean Physical Therapist Association and Occupational therapists who are members of the Korean Occupational Therapists Association. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS 21.0 program. To verify the difference in the awareness of dementia among medical technicians, a t-test was performed, and the chi-square test was used to analyze the difference in the responses for each question. Results: In this study, occupational therapists had a significantly higher average and standard deviation than physical therapists. Occupational therapists also had a significantly higher level of dementia awareness, including dementia symptom-related, dementia disease-related, and dementia therapy knowledge. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that various educational initiatives and systems should be developed to help medical professionals increase their awareness and interest on dementia as a community, which can enable them to move in the same treatment direction with a common goal.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.177-191
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• 2020

Purpose : This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between self-esteem and quality of life according to the job satisfaction occupational therapists, and to contribute to wards providing positive directions to improve the quality of work performed by the occupational therapists and their quality of life. Methods : A total of 118 occupational therapists working on site were surveyed during the study period, from April 8, 2019, to May 10, 2019. The collected data were expressed as frequency and percentage and were subjected to Pearson's correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis using SPSS (Windows ver. 20.0). Results : First, the occupational therapists' job satisfaction job satisfaction averaged 3.20 points, with the highest chance of promotion among the lower factors, followed by the conservative level, the work itself, and interpersonal relationships. Second, the analysis of job satisfaction according to the general characteristics of the subjects revealed statistically significant differences with respect to age, marital status, highest education level, service period, average pay, and average working hours of the occupational therapists. Third, the sub-category of job satisfaction and self-respect showed the most positive correlation with the person-in-charge, and the sub-category of job satisfaction and the quality of life showed the most positive correlation with interpersonal relationships. This shows that higher job satisfaction increases the self-esteem and quality of life. Fourth, the significant task satisfaction sub-factor predictor for the self-esteem of the occupational therapists was the job itself, and the significant job satisfaction sub-factor predictor for quality of life was interpersonal relationships. Conclusion : The results of this study showed that among the sub-categories of job satisfaction of the occupational therapists, work itself and interpersonal relationships had the greatest effect on the self-esteem and quality of life of the occupational therapists.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.11-26
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• 2024

Purpose : This study investigated the empowerment, burnout, and job satisfaction levels among occupational therapists, and to ascertained the effects of empowerment and burnout on job satisfaction. The study aimed to provide foundational data to help increase job satisfaction among occupational therapists. Methods : We surveyed 180 occupational therapists working in the Jeollabuk-do. The survey included 49 questions covering general characteristics, empowerment, burnout, and job satisfaction. Differences in empowerment, burnout, and job satisfaction levels based on general characteristics were analyzed using independent sample t-tests and one-way ANOVA. We performed multiple regression analyses to ascertain the effects of empowerment and burnout on job satisfaction. Results : The average scores for job satisfaction, burnout, and empowerment were 40.32, 58.40, 41.82, respectively. Job satisfaction according to general characteristics showed statistically significant differences based on the annual income and the most difficult treatment. We found that empowerment factors such as perceived importance of the job confidence in one's abilities, and independence and autonomy in job performance, significantly affected job satisfaction. However, the most significant factor influencing job satisfaction was daily fatigue and stress. Conclusion : Job empowerment and burnout of significantly affected job satisfaction among occupational therapists. Occupational therapists have a effect on the daily lives of their clients through interventions, playing a crucial role for each individual client. Thus, increasing the empowerment and job satisfaction levels of occupational therapists and reducing their burnout levels can help improve the quality of life of the clients and enable occupational therapists to provide high-quality services.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.343-352
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• 2015

This purpose of this study was to identify view of occupational therapy fieldwork supervisor and novice occupational therapists in job. 117 fieldwork supervisor and 104 novice occupational therapists that work on 58 domestic hospitals were chosen. The collected data were analyzed by using the SPSS 20.0 statistics package for Window which determined frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, median, and range. The following are the results of this study. First, fieldwork supervisor considered that basic refinement and manners are most important when they evaluate student. Second, novice occupational therapists responded that importance is 10 points, conduction is 7 points, and satisfaction is 6 points in general job. Third, importance of fieldwork supervisor for the job were problem identification and established intervention plan in intervention plan appears over the first 2 above. But, conduction of novice occupational therapists for the job were evaluation in all 4 of the top 5 except 2 place. The results of this study are expected to be used as direction guidance of fieldwork to the solve difficulty of novice occupational therapists.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.11-22
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• 2023

Background: This study examined the relationship between the empowerment, and occupational professionalism of physical therapists, and the factors affecting their job satisfaction. Methods: The subjects of the study were 240 physical therapists who had worked at medical institutions for more than a year. Data were collected from April 1 to 30, 2022. Results: The mean scores for job satisfaction, empowerment, and occupational professionalism were 3.43±.52, 3.60±.60, and 3.74±.40 points, respectively. Empowerment was positively correlated with occupational professionalism (r=.75, p<.001) and job satisfaction (r=.59, p<.001). Also, occupational professionalism was positively correlated with job satisfaction (r=.68, p<.001). The factors influencing job satisfaction were empowerment (β=.17, p<.05) and occupational professionalism (β=.56, p<.001), showing an explanatory power of 48%. Conclusions: The results of this study revealed that the higher the empowerment and occupational professionalism, the higher the job satisfaction of physical therapists. To improve their job satisfaction, it is, therefore, necessary to develop and apply an effective program to improve their empowerment and occupational professionalism level. These research results can be useful as basic data for improving the job environment of these therapists and the policies relating to their work.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.1125-1134
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was comparing the disability awareness of occupational therapists and none therapists, and investigating the disability awareness according to the demographic characteristics of the respondents. The questionnaire was distributed through the online with a questionnaire based on social network service, and analyzed 62 responses of none therapists and 60 responses of occupational therapists. In results, disability awareness was not significantly different between occupational therapists and none therapists(p>.05). But, in subscale of disability awareness item 4 and 7, occupational therapists were significantly higher than none therapists(p<.05). In all respondents, disability awareness was more positive in males than females(p<.05). Also, there was no difference in disability awareness according to presence of disabled persons among family members or relatives(p>.05). However, All respondents who answered 'Yes' in the presence of disabled persons among family members or relatives in responders were significantly higher than those who answered 'No' in item 4(p<.05). There was no correlation between age and disability awareness(p>.05). The authors discussed suggestions in results of this study.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.77-87
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• 2024

Purpose : The study aim was to determine the present state of occupational therapists in Korea in terms of the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO). We collected basic data for future research by investigating recognition by occupational therapists for applications of the MOHO and the necessity thereof. Specifically, we explored ways to effectively apply the MOHO in occupational therapy. Methods : We conducted a study from December 3, 2023, to January 18, 2024. A survey was administered to 163 occupational therapists. The general characteristics, recognition, and necessity of the MOHO were examined using a frequency analysis and descriptive statistics. Results : The most responses to "degree of ease of access to the MOHO information" were for "disagree" 56 people(34 %). Regarding "degree of satisfaction with information about [the] MOHO," 53 people (33 %) responded with "disagree" (the highest response rate). Only 22 % had applied the MOHO previously. Second, occupational therapists thought that the MOHO should be applied in occupational therapy clinical practice; they also believed that related education was needed for occupational therapy university/college students and occupational therapists. In response to the question, "What channels do you think MOHO education will be helpful for?", 118 people (32 %) answered "continuing education at the association level," and 86 people (23 %) answered "educational institutions aimed at MOHO." Conclusion : Based on these results, I recommend the following. For application of the MOHO in occupational therapy clinical practice, an occupation-based concept must first be established. In addition, related knowledge must be acquired through the expansion of education regarding the MOHO. The efficient application of the MOHO will ultimately lead to improvement in the health of clients.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.63-75
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• 2021

Objective : The purpose of this study was to examine the roles and practices of occupational therapists in public health centers based on their working experience of occupational therapists who are working in these facilities. Methods : We used Giorgi's descriptive phenomenological research method. Six occupational therapists were interviewed, and their recorded data were analyzed using Claizzi's thematic analysis. Results : As a result, 4 categories, 16 themes, and 24 elements were elicited. The major roles of occupational therapists in public health centers were the evaluation of clients, home-visit occupational therapy, management of dementia programs and community connection projects. Interventions that are needed to create a healthy community include case and program management, compensatory approaches, and healthy lifestyle interventions. The difficulties experienced by occupational therapists include their limited number job insecurity, performance-oriented administrative policy, and the lack of communication among professionals. Occupational therapists require education in health management and practice in public health centers to build their capacities. Conclusion : The results of this study could be used for guidelines for occupational therapists who work in community healthcare centers, as well as basic training for competent occupational therapists in the community.