Sustainable Practice in Occupational Therapy: An Exploratory Survey of Israeli Practitioners’ Knowledge, Challenges, and Practice

The World Federation of Occupational Therapists emphasizes sustainability as a core component of occupational therapy education and practice. This study examined how Israeli occupational therapists perceive and apply sustainability, formally recognized but inconsistently embedded in health and social care systems. Using a cross-sectional, exploratory design, an online survey with open- and closed-ended questions was distributed via email and social media. One hundred eleven occupational therapists from diverse practice areas participated. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and directed content analysis. Social equity was rated as the most important sustainability principle (78.4%), followed by economic prosperity (41.4%) and environmental integrity (31.5%). Reported barriers included lack of knowledge (21%), time constraints (15%), limited organizational support (14%), limited influence (11%), and lack of incentives (11%). Findings indicate that while Israeli occupational therapists value sustainability, additional education, resources, and institutional support are needed to facilitate its integration into practice, consistent with international patterns.