Faktorer som påvirker overgangen fra høyere utdanning til arbeidslivet for ergoterapeuter med funksjonsnedsettelse

Abstract

Individuals with impairments are encouraged into higher education. However, their experience of transitioning from higher education to work has received less attention. The aim of this article is to describe factors influencing the transition from higher education to work for recently qualified occupational therapists with impairments. This study is part of a larger international ENOTHE project. Data was collected with an online survey developed at Brunel University and Trinity University College and translated/adapted to Norwegian conditions by the authors of this article. All 688 OTs who graduated in 2008-2013 and were members of the Norwegian OT association received the survey, resulting in 49 included responses. Data was collected in May/June 2014 and analysed statistically with SPSS v.22 and using thematic analysis. The majority, 86 prosent, report having an unseen impairment and 55 prosent rate the transition to work as easy. Factors that have an impact on the transition are disclosure of impairment, access to adaptions and strategies at work and attitudes in the workplace. The results suggest a relational influence between person and environment on the transition from higher education to work.