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GenAI in Occupational Therapy: A Survey of Adoption, Ethical Concerns, and Training Needs

ImportanceOccupational therapy practitioners are rapidly adopting generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools in clinical settings, yet little is known about current usage patterns, ethical concerns, or training needs specific to the profession.ObjectiveTo examine how occupational therapy practitioners are using GenAI in practice and explore their ethical concerns, and training needs.DesignCross-sectional survey study.Participants277 occupational therapists; 77 occupational therapy assistants with a mean ag…

By the Truvace desk1 min read1 sourcePeer-reviewedTRV-2026-1601· cite & verify
GenAI in Occupational Therapy: A Survey of Adoption, Ethical Concerns, and Training Needs
Eva Weber-Guskgar - How to feel about emotionalized artificial intelligence by Eva Weber‑Guskar. CC BY 4.0 · https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

In brief

A cross-sectional survey of occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants asked how they use generative AI at work. Just under half reported using it in the previous six months, mostly to answer work questions and generate clinical content.

The results matter because use appears to be running ahead of safeguards in a clinical profession that serves vulnerable clients. Because the data are self-reported, the survey shows reported practice and attitudes rather than measured patient outcomes or the quality of AI-assisted care.

Main points

  1. 48.9% of participants reported using generative AI in the past 6 months, and 38.7% used it to answer work-related questions.
  2. Top concerns were preference for human judgment (46.2%), accuracy and reliability (45.7%), and ethical issues (38.2%).
  3. Only 6.2% reported formal institutional GenAI policies, and only 12.2% obtained informed consent for its use.
  4. 68.3% believed practitioners should receive GenAI training, yet 42.2% had received none.

The problem

Nearly half of surveyed occupational therapy practitioners use generative AI, yet few have institutional policies, client consent or training, leaving ethical and data security gaps in clinical practice.

The rundown

The sample included 277 occupational therapists and 77 occupational therapy assistants, with a mean age of 40.8 years and 14.8 years of practice experience. The questionnaire covered usage patterns, perceived advantages and limitations, ethical and institutional factors, and training preferences.

On data handling, 94.8% said they never entered personally identifiable information into GenAI systems. Despite this, participants noted concerns about data security and loss of clinical skills.

Most respondents (73.2%) wanted formal webinar-based instruction. The authors call for evidence-based frameworks and structured educational initiatives so that GenAI use aligns with client-centered, ethical practice standards.

Sources

  1. Peer-reviewedAmerican Journal of Occupational Therapy2026-08-28

The debate