A scoping review of the delivery of education and training for occupational therapists internationally

Background: Occupational therapists play a key role in the provision of wheelchairs and seating. Wheelchair and seating educational training is not mandated in occupational therapy programmes in the Republic of Ireland which is a major concern for wheelchair users who may have received inadequate provision from clinicians with insufficient training. Objective: To investigate the training and education afforded to practicing clinicians in developed countries and to prioritise building sustainable wheelchair and seating education systems for future practicing clinicians on an international level. Method: A qualitative scoping review of scientific and grey literature was undertaken internationally of 10 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. Results: A review of the scientific literature revealed that no universal education and training mandates have been established internationally to ensure effective provision of wheelchair and seating. Grey literature also revealed that the WFOT approved programmes investigated in the study have developed ad hoc frameworks for education and training frameworks for wheelchair and seating provision, as no national or international mandatory guidelines exist. Conclusion: There is a need for mandatory training courses or programmes to exist as part of undergraduate or graduate educational programmes on an international level. In order for appropriate wheelchair and seating provision to become a practical reality, policy-makers and health professionals should recognise and appreciate training inadequacies in the delivery of educational programmes internationally and aim to alleviate long-term healthcare expenses.