Episode 4: What ACOTE’s 2023 Revisions Mean for the Future of OT Education

In this episode of Outspoken OT, Michelle Eliason takes a candid, evidence-based look at the recently released ACOTE Interpretive Guide (2025) and how it reframes occupational therapy education—possibly for the worse. She unpacks ten critical changes that may weaken the scientific backbone of the profession, from diluted leadership qualifications and vague “generalist” definitions to the politicization of accreditation language and the quiet erasure of measurable competency standards. This episode isn’t about blame—it’s about foresight and accountability. Michelle calls attention to how these shifts could compromise clinical readiness, faculty credibility, and the neutrality of healthcare education. She also offers practical, actionable fixes for educators, practitioners, and students to uphold professional integrity until the next revision cycle in 2028. Listeners will learn: Why the “generalist” clause needs operational definition and measurable outcomes. How ideology has crept into accreditation—and why neutrality matters. What programs can do now to safeguard clinical rigor and transparency. Why documentation and dissent are vital tools for reform. Occupational therapy was never meant to be trendy—it was meant to be timeless, grounded in measurable skill and genuine care. If you care about the future of OT education, this episode is your record of professional concern—and a call to action.