There were 28 posts on the last survey: "What prevents you from pursuing international OT work in Egypt?," with the results listed below:
Financial Reasons (13) 46%
Family Obligations (10) 35%
Political Reasons (2) 7%
Cultural Reasons (3) 10%
Present Job Obligations (6) 21%
Lack of Awareness (15) 53%
Other (1) 3%
Financial reasons and lack of awareness were the highest ranked as far as reasons for not seeking employment in Egypt.
If anyone would like to comment on this and/or future surveys please do so.
10 comments:
Hi,
I think why Occupational Therapy is not well known or understood in the middle east, is because the definition of Occupations differs, in Middle Eastern countries as oppose to the united states and Europe. Middle Eastern countries tend to define occupations as just a "job" that they must attend to everyday. While in Western society it is defined more broadly as what we call ADLs. Occupational therapy needs to be well understood so that the profession take off in egypt as well as other middle eastern countries.
Well stated, thanks Khalid!
Hi Laura
How are you? Thanks for this lovely blog about OT in Egypt. I am also an OT from Australia and Sue hartshorne was my OT GURU in 2005 in South Australia.
Great work
Keep it up
Puneet
Hi Puneet, glad to hear you enjoy the blog. If you know of any OT's who would like to join our pediatric team at the LRC spread the word as we are looking to hire two full time therapists in September!
Thanks and if you have any feedback as to what you would like to see more of on the blog please let us know.
Laura
Hi Laura
Thanks for your reply. Could you please tell me about the qualifications OTs should have if they want to work in Egypt??? Any registration requirement?? Can any OT from any where around the world apply for the position with you?
Cheers
Puneet
Hi Puneet,
I thought I replied to this post, but do not see my entry here, so here it goes:
Since OT is not a recognized profession here we do not have Egyptian licenses...All OT's working here should have their licenses current from their country of origin.
As for the OT position at the Learning Resource Center, we would like to hire a pediatric OT who has at least 3 years experience in pediatrics with a sensory integration specialty a plus. Therapists need to be qualified to assess and treat a variety of ages of children with varied diagnosis. Therapists need to be fluent in written/spoken English and of course Arabic speaking is a plus!
I can send you more specific details if you or anyone else is interested.
We are looking to hire 2 therapists for September 2008.
Laura
Hi Puneet
Great to see your postings! I have just been on vacation in Australia and am negotiating with University of South Australia to take ot students at the centre where I work. Please feel free to email me for further discussion.
I hope you are in good health and enjoying your work in Aust
Sue
Salam Khalid
I am interested in your coment about the definition of occupation. Do you study occupational science as part of your program? I agree that occupation is more than work or productivity and also encompasses ALDs but I also believe it includes a variety of other meaningful activities, like leisure and play and rest. What do you think? Have you read any of the literature by Townsend and Christiansen?
We have some great opportunities here to assist in developing understandings about occupation and occupational therapy.
Kind regards
Sue
Salam Ms Hartshorne
I did not study occupational science in my program of study. I was actually a Biology major in undergrad. I found out about OT and Occupational science from my OT friends that were in my university and just from research I do independently on Occupational therapy. I heard about Townsend and Christiansen but never read any literiture written by them,could you please refer my to the articles that you recommend that I can read? Im currently in the process of applying to OT schools since I just received my Bachleors Degree.
Since I am of Egyptian origin I thought it would be helpful to commit on the survey on the blog, and the reason for the lack of awareness of Occupational therapy in Egypt as well as other middle eartern coutries. I do believe that occupation is as you said many other meaningful activities not just ADLs.I was addressing the meaning of occupations in the middle east since the definition of occupation in the middle east quite different from what we see occupations as as I mentioned Middle Eastners see occupations as their "job" not necessarly ADLs or as you mentioned other meaningful and functional activites.I think in order to raise awareness in occupational therapy in Egypt the definition of occupation in this culture must be studied in order for people to see the significance and importance of Occupational Therapy. I would love to help with the developing understandings about occupations and occupational therapy,unfortunaley I live in New York,but if I can do something while I am in the US I would be more than happy. Sorry if the message was too long It was an honor to hear from you, good luck with everything thanks.
Khalid.
Salam Khalid
Thank you for your comment and clarification - I really hope you find a program - we really need you here!
You can find an interesting text at
http://wps.prenhall.com/chet_christiansen_introoccup_1/
or just do a google search for Charles Christiansen or Elizabeth Townsend - or do a google search for occupational science - this will take you to some scholarly articles as well as to more general info.
I wish you all the best and hope to hear from you again
Regards
Sue
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