Introduction / Rationale: Students contribute to professional evolution through research, clinical education, and seminars, fostering innovation and progress by exchanging ideas and introducing fresh perspectives in collaboration with professionals.
Objectives:This retrospective study aimed to investigate the characteristics and career trajectories of occupational therapy students who exercised their clinical training at a university psychiatric Clinic in Greece between 1997 and 2022.
Methods / Approach: A custom-designed questionnaire (30 open-ended questions) administered to the students during their placement in the Clinic, collecting information on their demographic- educational characteristics, prior clinical experience, clinical training expectations, and future professional orientation.
Results / Practice Implications: The sample consisted of 459 students, with a mean age of 22 years. The majority were single Greek women who spoke at least one foreign language, had completed the first phase of their clinical training at another specialized institution, and intended to pursue a career as occupational therapists. Additionally, 10.7% were graduates of other educational institutions, and 21.3% had participated in professional specialization seminars. Based on their responses, most participants expressed an intention to work in adult mental health (29.1%), with adults facing neurological or musculoskeletal issues (10.3%), or with children and adolescents (23.2%). Meanwhile, 31.4% had not yet decided on their career focus. Clinical training experience was significantly associated with the participants' attitude toward their career focus.
Conclusion / Contribution to the occupational therapy profession: The study highlights the profile of Greek occupational therapy students, focusing on their career intentions in adult mental health, neurological rehabilitation, and pediatrics, while emphasizing the influence of clinical training on their career focus decisions.