Introduction: Ethical dilemmas are a significant challenge in occupational therapy practice, yet research on this issue remains limited. Occupational therapists often navigate conflicts between professional responsibilities, institutional policies, and client-centered care. Understanding these experiences is crucial for developing guidelines that extend beyond the existing Code of Ethics and better support ethical decision-making in practice.
Objectives: This study aims to (1) explore the ethical dilemmas occupational therapists encounter, (2) examine how they navigate and resolve these conflicts, and (3) identify gaps in current ethical guidelines to inform future recommendations.
Methods: A qualitative focus group study was conducted with 12 occupational therapy clinicians, recruited through convenience sampling. Data were collected through two focus group interviews and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis to gain deeper insights into participants’ lived experiences. The analysis focused on understanding the meaning of ethical dilemmas and the strategies used to manage them.
Results: Three key themes emerged: (1) Striving for Best Practice – participants faced ethical conflicts when trying to provide high-quality care within systemic constraints, (2) Lack of Awareness in Occupational Therapy – ethical challenges arose from misunderstandings and undervaluation of occupational therapy’s role, and (3) Policy Barriers to Service Delivery – restrictive regulations and institutional constraints limited ethical decision-making.
Conclusion: Occupational therapists often experience ethical dilemmas while advocating for optimal care. Findings highlight the need for expanded ethical guidelines that provide practical decision-making frameworks and institutional support, ensuring therapists can navigate ethical challenges while upholding professional integrity.