Background: New graduates and occupational therapy students need adequate knowledge and skills to succeed in
management roles. A management course could potentially prepare them for future job demands.
Objectives: This study assessed the knowledge and attitude regarding the management course among occupational therapy
students at Semnan University of Medical Sciences.
Methods: An explanatory sequential mixed methods design utilized a pre- and post-experimental approach without a control
group to compare outcomes before and after the management course in the occupational therapy curriculum. A week later, the
students were divided into three groups of 6-7 and each participated separately in an in-person focus group session. Twenty-four
students engaged in the course and focus group. Finally, twenty-one students completed the adapted version of Whetten's
management skills assessment questionnaire and attitude toward the field of study and future job. The paired t-test was used to
compare variables before and after the management course.
Results: Differences in students' scores for management skills (t = -5.98, df = 20, P = 0.011) and attitude toward the field of study
and future job (t = -4.941, df = 20, P < 0.001) were significant. Furthermore, focus group findings showed that the management
course had a positive impact on students' attitudes and knowledge.
Conclusions: The findings indicate that the management course significantly improved students' management skills and
attitudes toward their field of study and future careers. These results, supported by focus group insights, highlight the positive
impact of targeted management education on both practical skills and perceptions.