Environmental sustainability in occupational therapy: Insights from Greek occupational therapists

Introduction: Sustainable development in occupational therapy is primarily implemented through the integration and adaptation of sustainable occupations in occupational therapy practice. However, occupational therapy through the lens of sustainability remains underexplored. Objective: To explore the insights of Greek occupational therapists regarding sustainability in their practice. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using an electronic questionnaire distributed to 105 Greek occupational therapists. Results: Findings indicate that the majority of Greek occupational therapists (91%, n = 95) acknowledge the importance of sustainable occupations in everyday life. However, only a small percentage (12%, n = 13) of participants have received training in sustainable development practices. Most participants reported engaging in practices related to sustainability, including frequent use of reusable materials (71%, n = 74), recycling (27%, n = 28), sourcing from local communities (40%, n = 42), and adopting eco-friendly products (50%, n = 52). Conclusion: This exploratory study highlights a substantial training gap regarding sustainability in occupational therapy. These findings suggest the need to integrate sustainability-focused content into occupational therapy curricula and continuing professional education as a priority.