#73: Diversity in OT with Arameh Anvarizadeh

In previous courses, we’ve discussed that one of the primary ways we can improve our care, as OT professionals, is to increase the diversity of our workforce—with the ultimate goal of having our workforce’s diversity mirror the diversity of the populations we are seeing.  This goal will ensure we have the multiple perspectives needed to respond to the needs of our clients. 

But, until now, we’ve mostly talked about this theoretically. 

So, what do the actual numbers have to say about the current diversity of our workforce? 

It’s a mixed bag. 

In today’s 1 hour CEU course, we’ll look at a report from JAMA that estimates racial/ethnic representation in 10 U.S. healthcare professions.

To give you a taste of the positive news: the percentage of Black OTs is better than in PT and SLP. But startlingly, the authors specifically call out OT for having a smaller percentage of Black OTs students than is in our workforce. In other words this measure of diversity showed shrinkage. 

There is so much to unpack from this data, and we are excited to welcome back to the podcast a guest from one of our most popular episodes: Arameh Anvarizadeh OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA.

You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/diversity-in-ot

Learn more about our guest:
https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/arameh-anvarizadeh

Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Estimation and Comparison of Current and Future Racial/Ethnic Representation in the US Health Care Workforce.