ABSTRACT

Objective: This study examined the status of curriculum implementation for acquiring assistive technology practitioner qualifications among professors in occupational therapy in Korea. Methods: A survey was conducted at 55 universities offering occupational therapy programs with one professor from each institution. The questionnaire was developed based on insights from an assistive technology workshop. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and cross-analyses were conducted based on institutional types. Results: Among universities that applied for subject recognition in the National Assistive Technology Examination, 52.7% received approval. Home modification, management, and coordination were identified as a subject requiring further development. Additionally, 60.0% of professors actively supported the acquisition of this qualification to help students explore different career paths. More than 90.9% agreed on the importance of an interdisciplinary curriculum emphasizing the value of competencies such as a general understanding of assistive technology practice, service connection, and engineering expertise. The key strategy for promoting the qualification was as a means to secure diverse, high-quality employment opportunities. Conclusion: This study identified the current state of assistive technology education and professors' perspectives in occupational therapy programs. Future research should incorporate expert opinions to enhance the role of occupational therapists in the assistive technology field.