Systematic Review: Evidence of the Value of Continuing Professional Development to Enhance Recruitment and Retention of Occupational Therapists in Mental Health

Occupational therapy in mental health is changing as a result of service developments. The College of Occupational Therapists reported these changes and their impact for occupational therapists in the Mental Health Project (Craik et al 1998b). This report suggested that there were problems in recruitment and retention in the field of mental health. Background reading for this article highlighted that a variety of factors is influential for an occupational therapist to enter, remain in or leave a post. One factor identified to assist recruitment and retention was the influence of continuing professional development.

A comprehensive literature search was carried out to identify the evidence regarding the influence of continuing professional development in enhancing recruitment and retention. A protocol was developed to search for published research and evaluations specific to state-registered occupational therapists from a range of clinical specialties.

Thirteen articles were cited and these are systematically reviewed with key findings documented. The review identified that there was little evidence for the influence of continuing professional development on staff recruitment and retention and that no study had set out to explore the relationship between the two in isolation. What evidence was available suggests that recruitment and retention are influenced by a combination of personal and professional factors. In concluding, the findings outline the implications for research and practice.