Document Type (Journals)
Original Research
Abstract
A growing amount of research examines the personal and financial burden of students in healthcare programs who graduate with large amounts of student loan debt. However, a paucity of literature addresses occupational therapists’ student loan debt burden. This study was conducted to describe the context of occupational therapists who have significant debt and the impact on their personal and professional lives. This study employed an exploratory sequential design in which quantitative data from a survey was collected first, followed by the collection of qualitative data from participant interviews to study occupational therapy graduates who accrued more than $100,000 in student loan debt. Forty-four occupational therapy graduates from Creighton University completed a survey asking questions about personal choices in relation to debt. Of these respondents, 20 completed a follow-up semi-structured interview. Six themes related to the effect of debt on personal lives emerged from the interviews, including: 1) mental health, 2) future purchasing power, 3) relationships, 4) maintaining life work balance, 5) frugality, and 6) financial literacy. Four themes related to effect of debt on professional lives were: 1) job limitations, 2) stuck, 3) career choice, and 4) salary dissonance. Future research should further examine how programs can address these concerns to promote student and practitioner well-being.
Biography
Brenda M. Coppard, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA is a Professor of Occupational Therapy at Creighton University. She has over 30 years of expertise in academic administration, leadership, health care professions assessment and leadership. She teaches in the entry-level and post-professional OTD programs.
Angela Lampe, OTD, OTR/L is Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy at Creighton University and the Director of the Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program. She shares her expertise and research interest in leadership, health care accreditation, management/administration, program development, and quality with students in the entry-level and post-professional OTD programs.
Yongyue Qi, PhD, MS serves as an Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy at Creighton University, with more than 15 years of experience in research design, statistical analysis, and assessment. His engagement extends to teaching in both entry-level and post-professional OTD programs.
Samantha Torre, OTS is a doctoral occupational therapy student at Creighton University in the Phoenix pathway. She holds degrees in Psychology and Family and Human Development from Arizona State University. She also serves as a student research assistant.
Stephany Shaibi, PT, DPT, EdD, OCS, GCS is an associate clinical professor of physical therapy at Creighton University in Phoenix where she teaches courses in musculoskeletal and orthopedic evaluation, as well as geriatric care. She earned her Doctor of Education from Arizona State University and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Southern California. She is board certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in both orthopedics and geriatrics. Her current research is focused on student debt and first-generation college students in healthcare programs. Dr. Shaibi is also committed to providing physical therapy services to vulnerable populations and volunteers her time and supervises students at the St. Vincent de Paul Medical and Dental Clinic in Phoenix, AZ.
Gianluca Del Rossi, PhD, ATC is a professor of Physical Therapy at Creighton University in Phoenix. Dr. Del Rossi holds a PhD in Sports Medicine and has a background in exercise and sport sciences. His research interests include pre-hospital emergency care, educational outcomes and higher education.
Declaration of Interest
The authors report no declarations of interest.
Recommended Citation
Coppard, B. M., Lampe, A., Qi, Y., Torre, S., Shaibi, S., & Del Rossi, G. (2024). Significant Student Debt of Occupational Therapists Post- Graduation One to Five Years: Their Debt Context and Impact on Personal and Professional Lives. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, 8 (4). Retrieved from https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/vol8/iss4/13
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