Perceptions of Academic Fieldwork Coordinators Regarding the Value of Fieldwork in Emerging Areas of Practice

Abstract

This study investigated the perceptions of academic fieldwork coordinators (AFWCs) regarding emerging areas of practice as fieldwork experiences for entry-level occupational therapy (OT) students. Further, this study explored several aspects of fieldwork experiences in emerging areas of practice on student personal and professional development, academic curriculum, partnering community agencies, and the profession at large. A survey designed through Qualtrics®, an electronic survey system, was sent to 163 AFWCs of fully accredited master's and doctoral entry-level OT programs. Forty-four participants (27%) completed the 16-question survey. Significance at p < .05 was found in higher levels of Bloom's taxonomy student performance when compared to traditional areas of practice. Common perceptions found among the AFWCs related to emerging areas of practice fieldwork experiences included: improved student professional and personal skills, increased connections and collaborations across and in health care disciplines, an enhanced ability to define and understand OT. Continued opportunities for fieldwork in emerging areas of practice are essential as the profession contemplates new markets and avenues in a changing health care environment.

Student and supervisor perspectives on the effectiveness of community-based placements for occupational therapy students

“…Using a role-emerging practice model corresponds with the belief that skills and training can and should be used to develop and expand established, emerging, and re-emerging areas of practice [ 17 ]. Using a community-based practice model enables the development of new emerging practices within the community [ 2 , 18 , 19 ].…”

“…Using a community-based practice model enables the development of new emerging practices within the community [ 2 , 18 , 19 ]. In emerging areas of practice, occupational therapists meet the growing needs by using their unique skills and training to more specifically serve individuals in the environment in which they live [ 17 ]. In occupational therapy, a community can be defined as a group of people engaged in collective occupations, with a collective sense of meaning.…”

“…In alignment with the health-care emphasis on promoting health and wellness, occupational therapy students are encouraged to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to work in the community-based role-emerging settings. In order to maintain their competency in serving new populations, environments, and systems, students need to be exposed to role-emerging areas during practice placements [ 16 , 17 ]. This may better prepare students to evolve into more diverse and holistic therapists in settings where the role of occupational therapy is undefined [ 23 ].…”

“…This may better prepare students to evolve into more diverse and holistic therapists in settings where the role of occupational therapy is undefined [ 23 ]. Role-emerging placements may have advantages, since they can enrich students’ professional and personal growth and development, and allow students to explore, establish, and expand roles in the community [ 17 , 24 , 25 ]. This may be an opportunity where students can apply academic coursework and resources to address challenges facing communities, such as community needs, health-care disparities, and civic engagement [ 26 ].…”

Development, Implementation and Evaluation of Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones: A National Survey

“…The doctoral capstone is a unique experience and lays the foundation for advancement and advocacy for the OT profession. The individual nature of the doctoral capstone allows the student to enhance personal and professional skills beyond the skills developed throughout the prior fieldwork experiences (Wilburn et al, 2016). Results from the survey indicated there was great variety in each program's approach to development, implementation, and evaluation of the doctoral capstone which can result in a vast number of doctoral capstone projects that have the potential to greatly impact the development of future leaders, and expand the reach of the profession.…”