Understanding sustainability: Perspectives of Canadian occupational therapists

ABSTRACT

Background. In 2012, the World Federation of Occupational Therapists released a position statement on sustainability and sustainable practice, urging occupational therapists to address the global environmental sustainability crisis in practice. However, there is a lack of research exploring sustainability within occupational therapy practice in Canada. Purpose. This study examined perspectives of Canadian occupational therapists on addressing social, environmental, and economic sustainability in personal and professional lives. Method. This mixed-methods, exploratory study recruited 81 Canadian occupational therapists through professional associations to complete an online survey. Responses were analysed using descriptive statistics and directed content analysis and guided by the Transtheoretical Model of Change. Findings. Canadian occupational therapists are in the preparation stage of change. Although sustainability issues and barriers toward sustainable practice are recognised, there is a discrepancy between personal values and professional actions. Implications. Further exploration is needed into realistic targets of change and feasible methods of incorporating sustainability into occupational therapy practice.

KEYWORDS:

• Climate change
• Sustainable development
• Occupational therapy
• Environmental health
• Global health
• Public health

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Kate Whalen (Sessional Lecturer and Program Manager, Academic Sustainability Programs, McMaster University), Michael Mikulak (Sessional Lecturer, Academic Sustainability Programs, McMaster University), and Greg Zilgerbrant (Program Lead and Lecturer, Circular Economy and Carbon Mitigation, McMaster University) for their feedback and support during the development of the study survey, and Alex Davis (Program Director, Sustainability Metrics and Water, Arizona State University) for his feedback and support during the development of the study survey and the writing of this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.